There Will Be Some Fast and Furious Car-Gazing at the International Auto Salon 2003

Some of Today's Hottest Star Cars Will Roll Into the SEMA International Auto Salon at the L.A. Convention Center

DIAMOND BAR, Calif., April 17 -- When SEMA's International Auto Salon (IAS) rolls into the Los Angeles Convention Center Friday through Sunday, April 25-27, some of today's hottest "star cars" will be on the show floor, along with the trendiest cars and parts from the sport compact car scene. This year's trade and consumer show will feature cars from the upcoming 2Fast2Furious movie, as well as celebrity cars owned by Latrell Sprewell, Shaq, Mark McGrath, Fieldy, TJ Lavin and several others.

The weekend gig will be an easy one for the five dazzling high-performance vehicles featured in the movie, compared to their high-speed action scenes on screen. Visitors to IAS will be able to check out a Nissan Skyline, Honda S2000, Toyota Supra, Mazda RX-7 and Acura that are featured in the film.

While these cars are stars in their own right, a variety of vehicles owned by celebrities also will be on display at IAS. These include the 2000 Lamborghini Diablo Roadster VT owned by Latrell Sprewell of the New York Knicks, the 2002 Cadillac "Superman" Escalade owned by L.A. Lakers star Shaquille O'Neal, the 2003 Cadillac Escalade owned by Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray, the 1997 Rolls-Royce Corniche owned by KORN-guitarist Fieldy, and the 1964 Cadillac convertible owned by TJ Lavin, the BMX and X-Games star. Who knows, attendees might even spot a celebrity or two at the show?

The International Auto Salon is the only show SEMA produces that is open to consumers as well as industry personnel. The show will be open to media and industry professionals only on Friday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to noon. Consumers will attend, along with industry professionals, from noon Saturday until 8 p.m., and on Sunday, April 27, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration and additional information about IAS is available at www.ias2k3.com.

Vision Entertainment returns as SEMA's consumer-marketing partner for the International Auto Salon for the second consecutive year. Vision will produce and judge an extensive car show within the Salon, making sure the "best of the best" vehicles are in the spotlight. The company, which produces the Hot Import Nights and Import Revolution events, also will be responsible for entertainment, including DJs spinning music and poster signings by Import Revolution models, during consumer show hours.

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 www.sema.org or www.enjoythedrive.com.

Vision Entertainment, based in Irvine, Calif., is an integrated marketing and production company delivering creative event concept platforms targeting today's youth demographic. Producing more than 40 annual events in the top 20 DMA's in North America, ranging from import car, skateboard/snowboard expos to live music events, Vision creates brand message-delivery vehicles to reach a very illusive demographic. With a networked street team, viral outreach program and strategic advertising relationships within the print, online and radio mediums, Vision Entertainment is able to deliver "experiences" that encompass every aspect of youth culture.