Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Bodie Stroud and his crew will be featured in each of the 13 episodes of “American Restoration’s” new season, alongside four other shops from across the country. |
Bodie Stroud Returns to TV on the New Season of “American Restoration”
Bodie Stroud and his Los Angeles-based shop were picked to star on the rebooted HISTORY series “American Restoration.” Stroud and his crew will be featured in each of the 13 episodes of the new season, alongside four other shops from across the country. Stroud has been fabricating and building vehicles for more than 20 years. He gained name recognition and turned heads in 2009 when he was awarded the Ford Design Award for his ’60 Ford Starliner dubbed “The Scarliner.” Since then, he has been building custom cars and has essentially become the go-to car builder in Los Angeles. His clientele ranges from the “average Joe” to celebrities, including Tim Allen, Johnny Depp, Drea de Matteo and Johnny Knoxville. In addition to building custom vehicles, Stroud also restores vehicles. He is currently restoring a vintage Lamborghini for comedian Adam Carolla.
Each hour-long episode will feature a restoration project worked on by the Bodie Stroud Industries shop. Notable car projects this season include the Petersen Automotive Museum’s Davis Divan three-wheeler restoration, an antique fire truck restoration for the Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and a restoration of a numbers-matching ’70 Pontiac GTO Judge for SEMA Chairman-Elect and Coker Tire President and COO Wade Kawasaki.
 Lund International was presented with a 2015 Accessory Performance Award from American Honda Motor Co. Inc. for its outstanding dedication to accessories operations during the 2015 SEMA Show. |
Lund International Receives Award From American Honda Motor Co.
Lund International was presented with a 2015 Accessory Performance Award from American Honda Motor Co. Inc. for its outstanding dedication to accessories operations, November 4, during the 2015 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Lund International supplies American Honda Motor Co. with a variety of accessories for its vehicles, including moonroof visors and hood deflectors. These accessories are manufactured in the United States at the Lund International facility in Buford, Georgia.
2016 Tacoma and 2016 Mirai Take Home Hispanic Motor Press Awards
The Hispanic Motor Press Awards has named the ’16 Toyota Mirai and ’16 Toyota Tacoma among its Best Cars of 2016. The Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle was honored with the Innovation Award, while the Tacoma midsize pickup was selected best Pickup L-Duty truck. Jack Hollis, group vice president of marketing, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc., accepted the awards on behalf of the company at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show last week. Ricardo Rodriguez-Long, the jury director for the 6th annual awards, presented Hollis with these honors. The jury was made up of 15 Hispanic journalists who frequently cover the automotive industry. The vehicles are assessed for how well they match the needs of the Hispanic consumer, with a vetting process than includes test drives, market availability and affordability. They also factored in the design, comfort, safety, performance, functionality, accessory content, driver satisfaction, consumer final cost and overall value.
The Toyota Mirai is a midsize sedan that uses no gasoline and emits nothing but water vapor. The fuel-cell vehicle is powered by hydrogen. The Mirai offers an EPA-estimated 67 MPGE and an EPA-estimated driving range of 312 miles on a single fill of hydrogen. The Toyota Tacoma was redesigned for 2016, taking into account ruggedness, design and performance in horsepower and fuel efficiency. The truck boasts a new powertrain and off-road technology. It also has premium interior features, such as wireless charging and a GoPro camera mount.
 CARtoonsmagazine editor and publisher Marc Methot signing autographs at Booth #1455, December 10–12, at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis. |
Publisher of CARtoons Magazine to Sign Autographs at PRI Show
Champion Racing Oil will have CARtoons magazine editor and publisher Marc Methot signing autographs at Booth #1455, December 10–12, at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis. CARtoons was published from 1959 to 1991. Almost 25 years later, Marc Methot, Canadian artist and car builder, acquired the CARtoons trademark, became the new owner and brought the publication back to print with most of the famed artists of the past. The next issue of CARtoons is scheduled to be released this coming January in newsstands and major retail stores across Canada, the United States and England. Expect to see new top artists from around the world, such as Ben “Drag Daddy” Mitchell, Scott Fisk, Mike Yapps, Tony Squindo, Jeff Allison, Hadi Madworx, Larry Williams, plus 35 other talented artists.
TI Automotive Joins Performance Warehouse Association
TI Automotive, a global supplier of fluid storage, carrying and delivery technology, has become a manufacturer member of the Performance Warehouse Association (PWA)—an automotive industry association devoted to performance and truck distributors. PWA is a nonprofit organization of specialty automotive parts distributors joined together to deal with management, financial and legislative matters.
 Kennard Thole |
Kennard “Ken” Thole Joins Global Parts Network as Director of Business Development
Global Parts Network has named Kennard “Ken” Thole as director of business development for the western half of the United States and Canada. Thole brings more than 30 years of heavy-duty aftermarket experience to the position and will report to Jim Pennig, vice president of business development for VIPAR Heavy Duty. Most recently, Thole was the western regional sales manager for Fras-le North America. He also has experience as the western regional manager for Carlisle Motion Control and as a partner with Robert Thole and Company—a heavy-duty sales agency covering five western states. Jay Pagano continues to serve as senior director of business development for Global Parts Network in the eastern half of the United States and Canada.
 CURT Manufacturing received an award of recognition by JC Whitney to thank CURT for being the official Towing Sponsor of JC Whitney’s Centennial vehicle build project. |
CURT Manufacturing Recognized as Official Towing Sponsor of JC Whitney
CURT Manufacturing received an award of recognition by JC Whitney to thank CURT for being the official Towing Sponsor of JC Whitney’s Centennial vehicle build project. To celebrate 100 years of business, JC Whitney gave away two customized vehicles: a ’15 Ford F150 XLT SuperCrew 4x4 3.5L EcoBoost and a ’15 Jeep Unlimited Rubicon. The vehicles were decked out with products from CURT and other JC Whitney suppliers. CURT donated parts, including a receiver hitch extender and bike rack combination. Nearly 20 auto accessory suppliers sponsored the Centennial vehicle builds. Both vehicles were on display all week at the 2015 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. More than 68,000 people entered to win one of the customized vehicles, and on the closing day, at the SEMA Ignited event, the winner selected the F-150. The Jeep Rubicon was auctioned off November 14, with the proceeds benefiting the United Way Veterans Programs and the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts.
 Nicknamed “Ignition,” Webasto’s ’15 Ford Edge Sport received a Ford Outstanding Achievement in Design Award. |
Webasto Ford Edge Sport Debuts at 2015 SEMA Show; Drives Away with Ford Outstanding Achievement in Design Award
Webasto took the Ford Edge Sport and enhanced the performance, handling and driver experience. The vehicle, nicknamed “Ignition,” once again redefined the crossover utility vehicle segment. Webasto teamed up with some of the industry’s best to raise the bar on the SEMA project vehicle with its material quality, technology and style.
The exterior of the Webasto Ford Edge was customized with carbon-fiber side rockers, front chin spoiler, rear diffuser, engine cover and radiator cover all by Sankuer Composites Technologies. AG Luxury Forged 22-in. monoblock wheels, Toyo Tires, a one-of-a-kind paint job applied by MRT Performance, and a Webasto Hollandia 740 Inbuilt sunroof completed the sophisticated look.
New-product development played a large role in the build. Webasto installed a Thermo Top Evo engine pre-heater that brings the engine’s fluids up to optimum operating temperature before the engine is even started, reducing engine wear and tear and exhaust emissions to prolong the turbocharger life and provide a warm interior. The engine pre-heater can be controlled by any smartphone with Webasto’s all-new ThermoCall technology. Alea Leather provided a custom leather kit, MRT installed an Axle Back Exhaust, H&R Springs designed custom lowering springs, Rotora 6-Piston 15-in. front brakes and 4-Piston 13.8-in. rear brakes stood out in a race red finish, and JMS PedalMax and BoostMax tested the boundaries of what the Webasto Ford Edge could do.
Webasto enlisted partner and NASCAR Champion Brad Keselowski to see what the Webasto Ford Edge Sport was capable of. Keselowski got behind the wheel at Michigan International Speedway during “Stage I” of the build. Known for his aggressive racing style and elite talent, Keselowski tested the boundaries of the vehicle’s prototype suspension, exhaust and powertrain modifications, allowing Webasto to make some adjustments and put the finishing touches on the car in preparation for the SEMA Show.
 Patrick Infantino |
Covercraft Selects Regional Sales Manager
Covercraft has selected Patrick Infantino as the company’s Northeast-Midwest regional sales manager. He joins Covercraft with 25 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket industry, most recently as district sales manager for Exide Technologies and national sales manager for Stainless Steel Brakes. He will oversee product sales and distributor relationships in the Northeast territory, including Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and New York, as well as the Midwest territory east of the Mississippi River, including Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Missouri.
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