DIAMOND BAR, Calif., April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Scion, the new car marque
from Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., will become the first Japanese carmaker
to participate in the Specialty Equipment Market Association's (SEMA)
Technology Transfer program. The program provides engineering data to SEMA
manufacturer members, allowing them to develop accessories for current and
future cars and trucks.
"Scion is all about personalization," said Jim Farley, Scion vice
president. "Between our Scion-branded accessories and SEMA's Technology
Transfer program, Scion consumers are sure to have a wide array of choices
when customizing their vehicles to suit their lifestyles and personalities."
Farley said Scion will provide 3D CAD files of the engine, bodies and
suspension systems for Scion's first two production vehicles, xA and xB.
"We are extremely pleased to have Scion join our Technology Transfer
program," said Christopher J. Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. "The Scion
team has gone on record to position these new vehicles as 'perfect palettes
for personalization.' Scion is a great fit with the specialty equipment
market. This cooperative effort will result in accessories with greater
quality, reliability, and durability."
Scion and SEMA made the joint announcement at a press conference during
last week's SEMA International Auto Salon, a trade and consumer show held at
the Los Angeles Convention Center.
SEMA has active technology transfer programs with three other carmakers --
DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors. The program began in
1999 when Ford partnered with SEMA in the effort to provide the accessories
which more and more vehicle owners desire for their cars and trucks. General
Motors joined the program in 2001, and The Chrysler Group of DaimlerChrysler
began participation in 2002.
For the past several years, SEMA has worked to increase cooperative
relationships with the vehicle manufacturers so that its members can provide
products and accessories with high quality, reliability, and durability to
meet both OEM and customer satisfaction.
SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, represents the
$27 billion specialty automotive industry. Founded in 1963, the trade
association has more than 4,500 member companies. It is the authoritative
source of research data, trends and market growth information for automakers
and the specialty auto products industry. The industry provides appearance,
performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger cars,
minivans, trucks, SUVs and recreational vehicles. For more information,
contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA, 91765-3914; call
909/396-0289; or visit http://www.sema.org or http://www.enjoythedrive.com . For more
information about SEMA's International Auto Salon, visit http://www.ias2k3.com .
Click here to download a Scion image from IAS 2003:
http://www.sema.org/images/31566.jpg .
CAPTION: Scion announced at the SEMA International Auto Salon that it will
partner with SEMA and share engineering and math data with SEMA member
companies through the SEMA Technology Transfer program.
SOURCE SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association)
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Related links:
http://www.sema.org
http://www.sema.org/images/31566.jpg
CONTACT:
media, Rosemarie Kitchin, rosemariek@sema.org
, ext. 104, or Lisa Guth, lisag@sema.org , ext. 181, both of
SEMA, +1-909-396-0289
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