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Movers & Shakers: Truck Hero to Auction ’19 Ford F-350 Lariat at Barrett-Jackson for Charity

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Truck Hero
The ’19 Ford F-350 Lariat, to be auctioned at Barrett-Jackson on October 23, made its debut at the 2018 SEMA Show.

Truck Hero to Auction ’19 Ford F-350 Lariat at Barrett-Jackson for Charity

Truck Hero’s 2018 SEMA Show “Ultimate Tailgate Truck” will be auctioned at Barrett-Jackson, Friday, October 23, at 5:30 p.m. All proceeds will benefit Building Homes for Heroes. Starting with a ’19 Ford F-350 Lariat and designed by Truck Hero engineers, the pickup features a crew cab, dual rear wheel, 8-ft. bed with a stock 6.7L diesel engine (with 935 lb.-ft. of torque and 450hp) and an automatic transmission. The 2WD chassis was lowered by ARFT's Speed Shop's custom-dropped air suspension with a 4-link rear end and Air Lift Performance 3P air management system on all four corners. Black, copper and smooth, this truck shines thanks to the Custom Cars & Concepts program at Michigan's Washtenaw Community College, with students shaving door handles and applying the mirror-perfect AkzoNobel Modern Classikk black paint.

Accents include a custom billet Ford oval and fender badges, all copper-plated. Other added touches include a Ford Performance tailpipe, BedRug bedliner, Husky Liners all-weather floor mats, ARP 12-point fasteners and a Kleinn Automotive train horn. This truck rides on custom Fuel Off-Road Dually Maverick 24-in. wheels that are copper-plated with black painted spokes and baby moon caps, wrapped in Dilente Bandit 285/40R24 tires. To top it off, an assembly of custom tailgating elements were designed that package under the truck bed cover and behind the tailgate to put on a complete party. The truck bed houses a remote-controlled, articulating 65-in. TV, custom bed slide with integrated inlaid wood game table and Maxxsonics audio speakers stuffed into UnderCover dual SwingCases (also remote-controlled), all covered up by Extang's Solid Fold 2.0 hard folding bed cover. On the back of the truck is a custom copper mount with an articulating Yeti cooler and grill.

The entire sale price of this truck will benefit Building Homes for Heroes, which makes a significant difference in the lives of wounded American service members from the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts and their families since 2006. The organization gifts mortgage-free homes that meet the needs of the men and women who have selflessly served our country. These homes not only help to remove the family's financial burden, they help to restore the individual's freedom, and enable the veteran to lead a more independent and productive civilian life. To further assist veterans, the organization has added programs, including financial planning services, family funding and emergency support.

For more information, visit the Barrett-Jackson website.

Bedwood Names B.J. Elmore President and COO

ElmoreB.J. Elmore

Bed Wood Parts announced that B.J. Elmore has been named vice president and chief operating officer. Bedwood's founder and CEO Jeff Major will continue his role and involvement in the business, according to the company.

Elmore has more than 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, including a decade of senior management and strategic development, most recently serving as vice president and general manager of Ridetech.

3M Becomes Official Automotive Films Global Partner for Tesla Motors Club

3M Commercial Solutions Division has announced a partnership with Tesla Motors Club as the Official Automotive Films Global partner.  

“Our partnership with 3M highlights the important role that 3M already plays in the community as a provider of aftermarket solutions for our members' vehicles,” said Daniel Sacks, founder, Tesla Motors Club. “Most Tesla owners are passionate about technology and the unique performance of their vehicles. They also demonstrate a strong technical interest in the aftermarket products that they use. 3M is a popular and trusted provider for Tesla owners on TMC, and we believe that that reflects well on the 3M brand and its products. In addition, many of our Vendors who offer installation services of car protection solutions turn to 3M products.”  

LubeZone
LubeZone Inc. has purchased All Star Truck Repair in Houston.

LubeZone Inc. Acquires All Star Truck Services Corp. in Houston

LubeZone Inc. has announced the purchase of All Star Truck Repair in Houston. The acquisition serves to strengthen LubeZone's presence in the Houston market, while expanding its high-quality service offerings for both fleet partners and drive-up customers with heavy-duty trucks. All Star utilizes its fleet of trucks to service customers at their locations. LubeZone will look to expand further into this new arena over the next several months, seeking other add-on opportunities across the United States in the mobile truck services space. All Star Truck Services will continue to operate under its existing name.

Ross Berlanga
Ross Berlanga

TMI Automotive Products Inc. Hires Ross Berlanga as Marketing Director

TMI Automotive Products Inc. has hired Ross Berlanga as its marketing director. He will be responsible for TMI’s overall marketing efforts, including product marketing and marketing communications. Berlanga is a Southern California gearhead who brings more than two decades of automotive experience, having held roles in marketing, advertising and graphic design. Starting in publishing, he worked on well-known titles, including Hot Bike, Sport Compact Car and Custom Rodder. He later contributed to the growth of Edelbrock, MagnaFlow, JE Pistons and KTC Media Group. Berlanga was most recently the director of advertising at Race Winning Brands. He previously led the marketing efforts at both K&N and AEM.

Camilo Pardo
Camilo Pardo

’05 Ford GT Chief Designer Camilo Pardo Joins Gateway Bronco

Gateway Bronco CEO Seth Burgett has tapped Camilo Pardo, chief designer of the ’05 Ford GT supercar, to become Gateway Bronco's chief designer. Camilo will work closely with Gateway’s clientele to reimagine their heritage Ford Bronco or classic Ford F-Series truck. After 15 years at Ford, he was assigned to re-design the ’60s-era Ford GT. This project became the 2002 Ford GT concept car. As chief designer of the Ford GT and the SVT Studio, Pardo’s team worked on the 2005 and 2006 production Ford GT. He then left Ford to open his own design studio. At Gateway Bronco, he will collaborate with clients, as well as Burgett, who has led the design team over the past several years.

Reviver and Hansel Auto Group Announce Strategic Alliance to Sell Digital License Plates in Northern California

ReviverMX Inc. has announced a strategic alliance with Hansel Auto Group to sell the Reviver Rplate across northern California. According to the agreement, Hansel will sell and install the Rplate as an accessory. Rplate sales will start at Hansel Auto Group's flagship Ford dealership located in Santa Rosa. Hansel has secured the option of offering Reviver's Rplates at the rest of their outlets in Northern California. The Rplate, managed by an encrypted app, allows a user to automatically renew vehicle registration online without the need to deal with the stickers and associated Motor Vehicle Administration paperwork sent through the mail. The Rplate also offers a variety of personalization features.

Bob Voltmann
Bob Voltmann

NIADA Selects Bob Voltmann as CEO

Longtime trade association executive Robert Voltmann, CAE, has been named chief executive officer of the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA), effective immediately. Voltmann was selected by the NIADA board of directors after a month-long nationwide search to replace former NIADA CEO Steve Jordan, who resigned in August to pursue other opportunities. Most recently, Voltmann served for 23 years as president and CEO of the Transportation Intermediaries Association, which represents the third-party logistics industry. Under his leadership, TIA more than tripled its membership – it now represents nearly 80% of the market by value.

Before his tenure with TIA, Voltmann was director of policy for the National Industrial Transportation League. He also served in President George H.W. Bush’s administration at the Interstate Commerce Commission. In all, Voltmann comes to NIADA with 30 years of Washington experience.

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