SEMA Breaks Ground on new Research and Diagnostic Center

DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (March 13, 2002) - The Automobile Club of 
Southern California will operate a new state-of-the-art automotive 
research laboratory that is now being built by SEMA, the Specialty 
Equipment Market Association, at the site of its headquarters in 
Diamond Bar.

The Auto Club's research center, now located in Los Angeles, will 
move to the upgraded facility at 1577 S. Valley Vista Drive this 
fall. The new Auto Club Research and Diagnostic Center will allow 
expansion of the automotive testing it now conducts on behalf of its 
members, and will also provide direct automotive services to members 
such as smog checks and diagnostic tests.

"We have an opportunity to expand our service to members and the 
public through this testing center, where we will continue our 
vehicle analysis and increase our testing of automotive aftermarket 
parts," said Steve Mazor, the Auto Club's principal automotive 
engineer and manager of the research center.

SEMA will lease the new facility to the Auto Club. The agreement 
between the two groups will provide the Auto Club with access to a 
wide range of aftermarket vehicle accessories for independent 
quality testing.

The Auto Club's research efforts provide valuable technical 
information to the public, government agencies and the automotive 
industry about safety advances, emissions reduction, and vehicle 
performance.

SEMA represents the $25 billion specialty automotive industry. The 
trade association has more than 5,000 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, Calif., 91765-3914; call 
909/396-0289; or visit <www.sema.org> or <www.enjoythedrive.com> .

The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of 
the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's 
members benefit by roadside assistance, insurance products and 
services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, 
buying and financing programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip 
planning services and highway and transportation safety programs. 
Information about these products and services is available on the 
Auto Club's Web site at <www.aaa-calif.com>.