ANAHEIM, Calif., Oct. 28, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Ford Mustang was recognized as the most accessory friendly new vehicle today at the California International Auto Show in Anaheim, capturing the first of three SEMA Vehicle Design Awards.
"As America's foremost performance car, the 2005 Mustang is extremely important to the aftermarket," said member voter, Dario Orlando, Steeda president. "As an all-new vehicle, it will create a huge demand for all new performance and restyling equipment. The previous generation Mustang is one of the most popular vehicles for the aftermarket; the 2005 Mustang will only add to the demand for parts and accessories."
Those included in the Vehicle Design Awards selection process were SEMA member companies who regularly participate in technology sharing programs; the Mustang received 33 percent of the votes.
"This is a really exciting category because there are so many new accessory-friendly vehicles this year," said Carl Sheffer, SEMA vice president, OEM relations. "The 2005 Ford Mustang was up against a host of mentionable vehicles from the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum to the Corvette and the Scion tC."
For several months, the 2005 Mustang has been among the vehicles included in SEMA's information sharing programs between original equipment manufacturers and SEMA members. Ford's participation in data sharing, measurement sessions and technology transfer initiatives with SEMA members resulted in the aftermarket being in sync with the launch of their latest pony car.
SEMA will reveal the winners of the Accessory-Friendly Truck and SUV Award categories during the AutoWeek/Automotive News Specialty Vehicle Forum on Monday, Nov. 1 at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel. The forum will be held just a day before the 2004 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the largest automotive aftermarket trade event where the industry unveils thousands of new products to visiting trade professionals.
SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963, represents the $29 billion specialty automotive industry of 5,727 member companies. It is the authoritative source for 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 and recreational vehicles. For more information contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765-0910: call 909/396-0289; or visit www.sema.org.
Image available at: www.sema.org/image/33449.jpg
Note to Editors: A photo accompanying this release is available at: www.sema.org/image/33449.jpg
CAPTION: Christopher J. Kersting, SEMA president and CEO, and Carl Sheffer, SEMA vice president, OEM relations, presented Paul Russell, marketing manager, Thunderbird, Ford GT and Mustang, with one of three inaugural SEMA Design Awards for Ford's work in making the 2005 Ford Mustang the most accessory-friendly vehicle in its category.