By SEMA News Editors
Auto Sunroof and Leather, an automotive restyling shop in Chester, New York, is the winner of the 2023 SEMA PRO Cup Challenge, a program that raises awareness of vehicle accessorization for new-model vehicles. Auto Sunroof and Leather won the award for its accessory package for the '24 Subaru Crosstrek Premium.
Chuck Graf, owner of Auto Sunroof and Leather, accepted the 2023 SEMA PRO Cup Challenge award during the 2023 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
The competition takes place at the SEMA Show and challenges automotive restylers from throughout the country to develop an accessory package for a new-model vehicle. The winning vehicle is voted on by industry judges based on the packages' mass appeal, ease to replicate and potential profitability. The package must be completed with no more than 40 hours of labor and have a wholesale cost of no more than $12,500 to dealerships. The goal is to showcase how restylers and dealers can benefit from offering a marketable package rather than a "one-time" vehicle.
"We had a great variety of vehicles with different feels and accessories, and it really encompasses what the PRO Cup Challenge is supposed to be," said PRO Chair Colby McLaughlin. "It was difficult to choose the winner, but the Subaru, as far as being marketable, replicable, and profitable for their dealer, is the reason why the judges selected them."
The '24 Subaru Crosstrek Sport includes:
- 4Knines Rear Seat and Cargo Protection Package.
- Avery Dennison Hood Stripe with paw print design.
- Champion 321 Large Power Topslider sunroof.
- Katzkin Custom Leather Interior with paw print design.
- LP Adventure Lift Kit 1.5 in.
- LP Adventure wheel and tire package.
- Squatch custom emblem package.
"My team did a great job," said Chuck Graf, owner of Auto Sunroof and Leather. "I'm a dog person. I have lots of dogs and I know that people relate to it, so it's something that's definitely sellable. It should be something that's marketable to everybody. I hope that other restylers pick up on it and do the same thing."
VIP Distributing out of St. Louis, Missouri, is the winner of the PRO Cup Challenge People's Choice Award, a separate award that is voted on by SEMA Showgoers. VIP Distributing customized a '23 GMC Yukon XL Denali that showcases a No More Chrome Premium Blackout package, Llumar window tint, Llumar Air 80 windshield tint, ERA Paints paint brake calipers and Cardinal Paints powder coat exhaust tips.
Additional companies that competed in the PRO Cup Challenge were Apex Customs, ('24 Ford Mustang GT), RDM Builds ('23 Jeep Gladiator Willys), Restylers Aftermarket Specialist, Inc. ('23 GMC Sierra 1500) and Top Coverage LTD ('23 Ford F150).
Learn more about the PRO Cup Challenge at sema.org/pro-cup-challenge. For information on the SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO), visit sema.org/PRO.