Now SEMA has invited the National Automobile Dealers Association to come on down to Las Vegas.

SEMA plans “a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive ‘Dealer Day’ program designed exclusively for NADA members at the 2008 SEMA Show,” according to aSEMA release.

In a nutshell, SEMA is inviting car dealers to see all of the cool things we in the aftermarket do so that they can do them, too.

I guess it would be different if the NADA attendees brought something to share, like data on repair procedures, TPMS, odd-ball tire/wheel sizes, instruction on how to integrate aftermarket electronics, selling and installing accessories and the such – all ofthe things thousands of independent businesses have been built upon.

But all the car dealers will be bringing are cameras and notepads.

SEMA feels this new relationship will give its core members – the independents – new opportunities to gain business from car dealers.

NADA president Phil Brady, though, seems to have another idea: “At a time when many dealers are looking for new ways to generate additional revenue and sales, this program will provide dealers with new ideas and strategies to help improve their bottom-line performance by creating profitable accessory programs," he said.

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– Jim Smith