NEW YORK, Dec 8, 2005/ MF/ --- Personalization is exploding all around us. From cosmetic surgery to cell phones; from TiVo to iPods; we all want the products we purchase to reflect our unique personalities and sense of fashion.

For the automotive industry, fashion comes in the form of oversized wheels, chrome grilles and exhaust tips. And that’s just on the outside.

Headrest DVD’s, navigation systems, and super chargers for the engine make the automotive accessory business a 31 billion dollar industry – and, a growing customer expectation.

Five years ago, new car dealerships were hard-pressed to offer a broad range of quality accessories – that’s all changed.

And, manufacturers say, consumers will love the fact that they can make their vehicle fashion statement more affordable by wrapping the cost of their accessories right into the vehicle’s financing – when they purchase them from the dealership.

Automakers like Honda, Chrysler and GM have been paying attention to this consumer demand. In fact, General Motors has even created a design studio to integrate accessories like wheels and headrest DVD’s into the overall design of the vehicle.

Doing so has paid off and Chevrolet’s new HHR was named this year’s most accessory friendly SUV by the Specialty Equipment Market Association.