ProPledge™: The Warranty That Can
Build Your Business—and the Industry.

Today, new-vehicle dealers expect the very best performance from the specialty
automotive products and accessories they merchandise. ProPledge™ provides a uniform warranty that delivers peace-of-mind protection for both vehicle dealers and
consumers and conveys a powerful marketing message that builds confidence in the industry’s products and services.

ProPledge™, a cooperative initiative comprised of SEMA-member accessory manufacturers and professional installers is a consumer-focused warranty that demonstrates the participants’ commitment to stand behind the specialty automotive products and services they provide.

What is the ProPledge™ Program?

In today’s quality-conscious environment, more and more new-vehicle dealers have come to expect the very best performance from the specialty automotive products and accessories they merchandise at point of sale. Now with ProPledge™, there’s uniform, industry-backed warranty that takes the worry out of unexpected repairs, delivers peace-of-mind protection and conveys a powerful marketing message that builds confidence in the industry’s products and services.

ProPledge™ is a cooperative initiative comprised of SEMA-member accessory manufacturers and professional installers that demonstrates the participating companies’ commitment to stand behind the specialty auto products and services they provide.

The ProPledge™ seal means that the part manufacturer and the professional installer will provide:

  • Warranty coverage for defects in products and/or installation for a minimum of 36 months/36,000 miles and includes protection to the consumer in the event a product or installation defect causes a vehicle component or system malfunction.*
  • Parts and labor repair or replacement at no cost to the customer.
  • Liability coverage through inclusion as “additional insured” in their liability policies.
  • A Customer Service Center to assist customers. In 2007, the ProPledge™ program will be piloted in key regions around the country through strategically located SEMA-member accessory installation centers. These installers collectively conduct
    approximately 35,000 transactions annually. The purpose of the pilot is to gauge its impact and effectiveness, assess communication and training needs, and refine the administrative processes in a controlled environment prior to national rollout.

* The warranties of some participants may include greater coverage for individual products. Greater coverage will supplement, but not extend, the ProPledge™ Program.


What Are the Benefits of ProPledge™?

The “ProPledge™ SEMA-Member Guarantee” is a value-added sales tool that allows vehicle dealers and consumers to purchase specialty auto products with complete confidence. ProPledge™ ensures customer satisfaction across the board. It enhances the vehicle ownership experience, reinforces the industry’s image of product and installation quality, durability and reliability, and delivers a competitive advantage.

  • ProPledge™ furthers a company’s professional image. As part of the ProPledge™ program, participating manufacturers and installers are in the company of innovative, customer-oriented SEMA-member professionals working to enhance the industry’s image and increase product sales.
  • ProPledge™ is a potent marketing tool that attracts new customers and boosts add-on sales for installers and new-vehicle dealers alike—delivering a worry-free customer comfort zone.
  • ProPledge™ is supported with sales-training materials, presentation tools and point-of-purchase displays.
  • ProPledge™ is further supported by a SEMA-led national public relations campaign to create awareness of the program among vehicle dealers and consumers.
  • ProPledge™ reduces dealer concerns associated with liability-related issues and warranty denial claims that may occur following vehicle modifications.
  • ProPledge™ brand identification is a mark of distinction that recognizes a company’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
  • ProPledge™ is facilitated and managed by the Specialty Equipment Warranty Alliance, a subsidiary of the Specialty Equipment Market Association, which has served as a guiding force behind the growth and success of the specialty auto products industry for more than 40 years.

Why Was ProPledge™ Developed?

Specialty automotive products and accessories now generate $34 billion a year in retail sales, a growth trend fueled largely by consumer interest in vehicle personalization. Through participation in the ProPledge™ program, SEMA-member companies are working proactively to further enhance the stature of the specialty auto products industry and ensure total consumer confidence in the industry’s products and services. By standardizing the terms of the ProPledge™ warranty, participating SEMA-member companies:

  • Demonstrate they provide reliable, durable, high-quality products.
  • Indicate a commitment to stand behind the products they market and install.
  • Build dealer confidence in the products and services provided by the specialty automotive industry.
  • Communicate professionalism to the marketplace—and a commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.
  • Help clarify any misperceptions about participating SEMA-member warranties.
  • Help increase dealership profitability and sales.
  • Ultimately streamline the way business is done.

How Does the ProPledge™ Program Work?

ProPledge™ makes vehicle modifications a simple, worry-free process for dealerships and their customers. Here’s how it works:

  • Coverage for defects in product and installation for a minimum 36 months/36,000 miles—a period corresponding with most new-vehicle warranties.
  • Zero out-of-pocket expenses on the part of the consumer for repair or replacement—no unexpected costs, no deductibles.
  • If the product is defective, the accessory manufacturer reimburses the installer for repair or replacement.
  • If the installation causes the problem, the installer absorbs the labor and any parts or replacement costs.
  • If a defect causes the vehicle to malfunction, the repair payment to the dealership will be covered.
  • A Customer Support Center will work with all parties to investigate and help resolve any warranty-related issues. Program support services are provided by 360 International located in Livonia, MI. Support services include:
  • Assistance to customers who have a problem with a warranty repair.
  • Providing information about the ProPledge™ program to customers, participants and vehicle dealers.
  • Warranty registration data collection and maintenance.
  • Participant enrollment data collection and maintenance.
  • Coordination of dispute resolution.

Who Oversees the ProPledge™ Program?

SEMA-member companies are dedicated to professionalism, quality and customer satisfaction. To further enhance the stature of the industry and increase sales industry-wide, SEMA-member companies teamed up to develop the ProPledge™ initiative.

The Specialty Equipment Warranty Alliance (SEWA™), a subsidiary of SEMA, was formed to oversee the ProPledge™ program, facilitate the settlement of any disputes that may arise and step in to help resolve situations involving a warranty denial where a covered aftermarket/specialty product has been installed.


What Product Categories are Included in the ProPledge™ Pilot?

Products included in the ProPledge™ pilot stage are primarily those that appeal to mainstream customers and which are carried by participating installers. The aim is to maximize the number of participants to enhance the appeal to dealerships and their customers.

  • Auxiliary lighting
  • Bedliners
  • Cat-back exhaust systems
  • Custom wheels (excluding tires), maximum 22”
  • Grille guards/brush guards
  • Grilles
  • Ground effects/wings
  • Leather interiors
  • Mobile electronics
  • Roof treatments (sim cons/vinyl tops)
  • Running boards/side steps
  • Seat heaters
  • Sunroofs
  • Suspension systems/lift kits, maximum 4”
  • Tonneau covers
  • Trailer hitch wiring
  • Trailer hitches
  • Truck caps

How Can My Company Participate in the ProPledge™ Program?

SEMA Members

SEMA-member companies that manufacture or install products listed in the section entitled “What Products are Included in the ProPledge™ Pilot?” may be eligible to participate in the ProPledge™ Pilot Program.

For additional information, contact:
Ellen McKoy, Executive Director
SEWA
1575 S. Valley Vista Dr.
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
909/861-8956
E-mail: sewa@propledge.com


See Who’s Participating in ProPledge™

MANUFACTURERS
The following listing contains information on participating ProPledge™ manufacturers, including the products offered by each company. Additional manufacturers and products may be available. Contact your ProPledge™ installer for details.

Check Corporation
www.checkcorp.com, www.seatheater.com

  • Seat heater, standard
  • Seat heater, luxury
  • Seat heater, premium
  • Massaging seat heater

Classic Design Concepts
www.classicdesignconcepts.com

  • Shaker system (ram air/cold-air system)
  • C-pillar side-panel scoops
  • Sequential taillights
  • Deck lid trim panel
  • Glassback roof system
  • Chin spoiler
  • Grilles
  • Rear spoiler

Corsa Performance
www.corsaperformance.com

  • Cat-back exhaust system
  • Cross-over pipe
  • Exhaust tips
  • Muffler

E&G Classics
www.egclassic.com

  • Classic grilles
  • Billet grilles
  • Stainless steel grilles
  • Cabriolet roof treatments/simulated convertible tops
  • Landau roof treatments/half-top packages
  • Carriage roof treatments/quarter-top packages
  • Rear-deck wings

Echomaster
www.echomaster.com

  • HitchScan® wireless trailer obstacle detection system
  • BackUp Navigator™ Pro Series reverse sensing system
  • Front Navigator™ Pro Series front park assist
  • Parking Navigator™ RF Digital Pro Series

Fold-A-Cover
www.foldacover.com or www.stylestep.com

  • Fold-A-Cover hard tonneau cover
  • Style Step side steps
  • Personal Caddy cargo-management system

Inalfa Sunroofs
www.inalfasunroofs.com

  • In-built sunroofs, models 925, 840, 800, 770, 750
  • Spoiler sunroofs, models 575, 450, 375, 300
  • Pop-up sunroofs, models F400, F700
  • Folding sunroof, model Swing
  • Panorama sunroof, model 1600

Katzkin Leather
www.katzkin.com

  • Leather/vinyl interiors

MITO Corporation
www.mitocorp.com

  • Gentex interior auto-dimming rear-view mirrors
  • Muth exterior signal mirrors
  • Home Link® universal transceiver

Roadwire, a division of Distinctive Industries
www.roadwire.com

  • Leather interiors
  • Flip-down video unit, models ROS-92 (G/T); ROS-104 (G/T); ROS-154 (G/T)
  • RoadStart™ remote start, model RW-RS-1
  • RoadStart™ Plus remote start + alarm, model RW-RSS-1
  • Roadwire seat heater
  • Inalfa electric sunroofs

Webasto Product North America
www.webasto-us.com

  • Webasto in-built sunroofs
  • Hollandia top-slider sunroofs
  • SCS and MWA carbon fiber seat heaters
  • SCS and MWA wire element
  • Rostra Rear-View VCOMM back-up camera system
  • VCOMM I-Pod integration adapters
  • Donnelly/CIPS rearview mirrors with temperature, compass, lighting
  • Glassback roof system for 2005-2008 Ford Mustang
  • VCOMMM voice-activated navigation systems

Westin Automotive Products
www.westinautomotive.com

  • Grilles: New full-replacement grilles, new billet grilles
  • Grille guards/Brush guards: Ultimate Bull Bar, New E-Series bull bar, Safari light bar, Sportsman grille guard, taillight guards, push bar, New Xtreme push bar
  • Running boards/Side steps: sport tubes, step bars, Platinum Series step bars, Signature Series step bars, New E-Series step bars, Wheel-2-Wheel step bars, New Oval tube steps, Sure-Grip running boards, molded step boards
  • Ground effects/Wings: New splash guards
  • Roof treatments: Bed X-Tender, Sports Series cargo racks, Outback Series cargo racks, HD-Series cargo racks
  • Bumpers: Universal Series bumpers, Perfect Match Series bumpers

INSTALLERS
The following listing includes information on participating ProPledge™ installers.
Contact the ProPledge™ installer in your area for details on covered products.

Arizona Sun Tops
408 E. University Dr.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602/371-0566
Kerry Howton, President
kerry@arizonasuntops.com
www.arizonasuntops.com

Auto Sun Roof
1305 Industrial Highway
Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
856/786-0600
Richard Jones III, President
sunroof@aol.com
www.autosunroofs.com

Auto Trim of Denver
405 W. 115th Ave., Unit 6
Northglenn, CO 80234
303/451-8311
Josh Elliott, President
josh@autotrimofdenver.com
www.autotrimofdenver.com  

Auto Trim Restyling
11643 Northline Industrial Dr.
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
314/423-6800
Tony Hinton, Director of Operations
Tony@ATRSTL.com
www.ATRSTL.com 

Automotive Essentials
12224 Parklawn Dr.
Rockville, MD 20852
Doug Perez, President
301/231-5444
info@autoessentials.biz
www.autoessentials.biz

BTS Enterprises/Bob’s Top Shop
3939 N. John Young Parkway, Suite 200
Orlando, FL 32804
Robert Nardine, President
407/293-3447
bob@bobstopshop.com
www.bobstopshop.com

Classic Soft Trim
2930 S. Vail Ave.
Commerce, CA 90040
Jeff Barton, Sales Manager
323/278-1605
Jeff_Barton@cstdi.com
www.classicsofttrim.com

E&G Classics
8909 McGaw Ct.
Columbia, MD 21045
410/381-4900
Dan Clawson, National Sales Manager
dclawson@egclassicsinc.com  
www.egclassic.com

Kar Products
401 Bangs Ave.
Modesto, CA 95356
209/238-0894
Jim Karp Sr., President
jimsgts@sbcglobal.net

Texas Auto Tops/Texas Auto Design
13840 Denton Dr.
Dallas, TX 75234
214/484-8129
Larry Kramer, President
lkramer@texasautotops.com
www.texasautotops.com

Tops & Trends
700 Park Centre Dr.
Kernersville, NC 27284
336/996-7250
Joey Johnston, Controller
joey@topsandtrends.com
www.topsandtrends.com

Tops & Trends
4500 Preslyn Dr., Suite 103
Raleigh, NC 27615
919/212-0018
Joey Johnston, Comptroller

Truckers Toy Store
5453 Hwy 70 W.
Morehead City, NC 28557
800/726-5625
Ginger Glover, Owner
ginger@truckerstoystore.net
www.truckerstoystore.net

Truckers Toy Store
3269 Hwy 17 North
Jacksonville, NC 28546
910/455-4545
Carl Slater, Manager

Truckers Toy Store
4380 Raleigh Pkwy West
Wilson, NC 27893
252/243-4382
Chris Glover, Keith Pitcher, Managers