This was released by SEMA couple weeks ago...

The best part of the article is that its the "performance side" of the market that is growing.

"The significance of the compact performance market is now uncontestable. Unlike many novelties in the automotive world, the popularity of compact cars has not receded like many critics once thought. The market is still growing—retail sales grew from $4.11 billion in 2004 to $5.04 billion in 2005. Instead of an industry dominated by cheap aesthetics and fake performance, compact car tuning has evolved into a viable market. Once laughable, the industry supporting “econoboxes” and has covered more ground than many competing genres"

 

and hopefully it picks up more this year !!(07)


Modified by dturbocivic at 1:18 PM 11/15/2006

 

Great to hear

 

 

like i said before years before... performance will always evolve no matter what kind of performance it is. trends will come and go and styles and looks will never out grow horsepower

 

That's great to hear

 

 

great news!

It wouldnt suprise me though if that growth was indirectly / directly related to Drifting.

Do they have any numbers breaking it down into sub categories within the sport compact market? There are so manny niches.

That would really tell the story since most of us here are into DRAG RACING

 

What is the "performance" in drifting? And who is building a drift car? Are there that many being built to justify almost a $1B gain?

If SEMA attribute the rise in sales to the performance and not the "bolt on" side of the industry...

This mirrors the NHRA SC Series 60% gain in Sportman racers in 2006.

 

Now we just need to get the rules more inline between the series.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DBigman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What is the "performance" in drifting? And who is building a drift car? Are there that many being built to justify almost a $1B gain?

If SEMA attribute the rise in sales to the performance and not the "bolt on" side of the industry...

This mirrors the NHRA SC Series 60% gain in Sportman racers in 2006.


</TD></TR></TABLE>

Cars built for drifting do have a decent amount of hp. They're not pushing limits but they are racking up sales and if you saw the stands at any of the Formula D events (or the parking lots)... i wouldn't be surprised to see a large portion of that growth related to drifting.

Not taking anything away from the drag racing side of things, just saying that the drifting side definitely has been responsible for a lot of growth in the scene in the past couple years.

 

deff a good thing

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DBigman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What is the "performance" in drifting? And who is building a drift car? Are there that many being built to justify almost a $1B gain?

If SEMA attribute the rise in sales to the performance and not the "bolt on" side of the industry...

This mirrors the NHRA SC Series 60% gain in Sportman racers in 2006.


</TD></TR></TABLE>

60% Sportman gain for 2006?

"The market is still growing—retail sales grew from $4.11 billion in 2004 to $5.04 billion in 2005."

I thought they were comparing 2004 to 2005??? Have the final numbers for the 06 fiscal year already been released????

2005 1 billion increase might be related to the strong PRORWD participation unlike the 06 season

Dont get me wrong I am just trying to look at this at a different angle and look at the BIGGER PICTURE.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DBigman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What is the "performance" in drifting? And who is building a drift car? Are there that many being built to justify almost a $1B gain
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Drifters actually focus alot on performance and less on looks.

For example: My cousins 91 240SX / Flat Black

Cusco LSD
Custom Coilovers...forgot what brand
SR20 Swap with Greddy everything almost 10k in the engine alone.

If this isnt performance related I dont know what is

Mind you I am all about dragracing and I sinserly hope you are right...but it just makes sense to me that drifting has alot to do with the increase.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DBigman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

This mirrors the NHRA SC Series 60% gain in Sportman racers in 2006.


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It actually makes sense because of all the build-up's over 2005 preparing for the 06 season...but I still think drifting is good chunk of that increase as well. I aplogize for the inappropriate comments I made

 

Where does your cousin drift?

 

I agree that drifting has nothing to do with performance. Its just a mobile car show if you ask me, gasoline powered figure skating.

Racing and performance is where this market is, where its been and where it will be years from now. Years after fads like drifting die and disapear, drag and road racing will still be around.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hardt &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I agree that drifting has nothing to do with performance. Its just a mobile car show if you ask me, gasoline powered figure skating.
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This topic was about the sale of performance parts. The people drifting aren't driving stock 240's so obviously they've been buying some parts.

Now, i can agree that they aren't pushing the limits of the motors really or finding every last hp, but they are contributing to sales.

 

Good news for those of us who make our living in this industry.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by b19coupe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Good news for those of us who make our living in this industry.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats for sure

 

I thought I read in the wall street journal a few months ago that ytd 2006 as of June figures grossed somewhere around $3.6 bn surpassing full year 2001 and 2002 the first two years after recovery from 9/11 when all tanked.

this is awesome news to keep watching this "index" just goes to show that more and more companies need to keep in the sport and its just all upwards from there.


Greg

 

Defiantly some great news to hear, I don't believe it will slow down anytime soon either. Its amazing how many companies have grown and really see the potential in these cars. Its also sort of funny to see how easily it is to hit 12's now a days, yeah 12's are not fast to your average drag racer in this board, but it seems like there are a lot more 12 seconds Honda's on the street now a days, which is pretty scary non the less.

 

with the increase in factory turbocharged cars in the past 5 years, many of them are starting to fall out of warranty and people are going for turbo upgrades now more than 2-3 years ago.

i would love to see a direct comparison of the growth of body kits / lighting upgrades to forced induction upgrades.

 

drag racing sells parts, thats as true now as its always been

drifting sells neon and videos

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Slapshotnerd &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i would love to see a direct comparison of the growth of body kits / lighting upgrades to forced induction upgrades.</TD></TR></TABLE>


It doesnt matter. I think that sponsors would look at the overall picture and also at the $$$$$.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DBigman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Where does your cousin drift?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Willow Springs Drift Days they have a figure 8 there

I think he goes to Irwindale as well.