SEMA News - January 2010
More Than 1,400 Products Were Entered in the Annual SEMA Show New Product Competition—and the Winners Were…
The 2009 SEMA Show kicked off with the annual New Product Awards Breakfast, where 36 of the hottest new products for 2010 received their first of many accolades. More than 1,400 products across 13 judging categories were reviewed for consideration by a panel of specialty-equipment industry veterans.
Once their votes were tabulated, the award ceremony began with a keynote address from X Prize Chairman and CEO Dr. Peter H. Diamandis. During his remarks, Diamandis reminded attendees why the SEMA Show’s New Products Showcase is a critical barometer for the industry. Small groups of individuals with ideas supported by technology are going to shape the future, a reality he referred to as “revolution through competition.” The following companies rose to the challenge and took home the hardware.
Best Engineered New Product
Winner |
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| The Rola NV2 bike carrier accommodates any size or style of bicycle. The Flip shank fits 11/4-inch and 2-inch receivers. Patented and patents pending. |  |
| 1st Runner-Up RideTech (Air Ride Technologies Inc.) Select Series Shock Absorber Technology 812/481-4777 www.ridetech.com PN: 20840100 RideTech Select Series electronic shocks can change to high-performance internal valving and back to a smooth-comfort setting in milliseconds and provide the best of both worlds at the push of a blue button. |
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| 2nd Runner-Up Drake Automotive Group 2008–Up Dodge Challenger Billet Strut Tower Brace 800/999-0289 www.drakeautomotivegroup.com PN: MO-280001-BL Stiffen a chassis with this high-tech billet-aluminum strut tower brace. The unique triangular center brace easily removes with military-spec quick-release pins. |
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Best New Exterior Accessory Product
Winner |
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| This OE-textured lightweight trail armor is designed and engineered for style and protection and is an alternative to traditional heavy metal body accessories, helping to maintain gas mileage. |  |
| 1st Runner-Up Curt Manufacturing Euro Series Ball Mounts 715/831-8713 www.curtmfg.com PN: 45551 These stylish new Euro ball mounts are designed to mirror the most popular class 1 and 2 mounts, and they include a permanently attached ball. |
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| 2nd Runner-Up Extend-A Haul Extend-A-Haul 770/886-2607 www.extendahaul.com PN: EX6014F This all-in-one aluminum truck-bed extender and ramp offers many applications for motorcycles, ATVs and boats as well as building and hunting cargo transportation. |
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Best New Interior Accessory Product
Winner |
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| This multifunction digital engine display gauge can conduct performance testing, and the Driving Coach software maximizes fuel efficiency through better driving—all in one SKU. |  |
| 1st Runner-Up Husky Liners WeatherBeater Custom-Molded Cargo Liner 800/344-8759 www.huskyliners.com PN: 42051 These custom-molded trunk liners feature a raised lip that is designed to fit and protect the complex contours of carpeted floor areas in specific vehicles. |
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| 2nd Runner-Up Ultimate Truck Gear Ltd. Billet-Aluminum Instrument Pods 888/899-1236 www.ultimatetruckgear.com Designed for interior or exterior use, these instrument pods will accommodate 21/16-inch standard gauges. All the wiring remains hidden. They are available in polished aluminum or anodized finishes. |
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Best New Merchandising Display Product
Winner |
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| MacNeil Automotive Products proudly introduces the WeatherTech floor mat rolling waterfall rack with an add-on display. |  |
| 1st Runner-Up Dee Zee Inc. Three-Tier Poly Chest Display 800/779-2102 www.deezee.com PN: 944-8807P Dee Zee Inc. proudly introduces its three-tier poly chest display. |
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| 2nd Runner-Up Flaming River Industries Inc. Countertop Billet Joint U-Joint Display 440/826-4488 www.flamingriver.com The Countertop Billet Joint display holds 12 packs of billet joints in a clam-shell packaging. The back panel has a picture of the product and bullet-point copy with features and benefits. |
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Best New Mobile-Electronics Product
Winner |
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Wirelessly connect a vehicle’s OBD-II port and aftermarket sensors to the iPhone/iPod Touch. The unit is compatible with PLX iMFD sensor modules, such as wideband AFR, boost and more. |
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| 1st Runner-Up Palmer Performance Engineering Inc. DashCommand 801/310-9510 www.palmerperformance.com This iPhone app delivers virtual dashboards, fuel economy, horsepower, torque, trip computer, inclinometer, skidpad, race track, data logging, trouble codes, clear check engine light and more. |
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2nd Runner-Up |
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Best New Off-Road/4-Wheel Drive Product
Winner |
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| JackMate fits any brand of lift jacks (such as Hi-Lift) and allows the jack to clamp, crush, spread and winch up to 8,000 lbs. |  |
| 1st Runner-Up American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) ProCal Module 248/926-0256 www.aev-conversions.com PN: 30406007AA This Jeep JK recalibration tool allows speedometer, tire size and axle gearing corrections plus TPMS, running lamp, engine idle, steering alignment and code-clearing options. |
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2nd Runner-Up |
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Best New Packaging Display Product
Winner |
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| AE Distributing introduces its new Contour HD 1080p. |  |
| 1st Runner-Up Grant Products Airbag Steering Wheel Package 800/952-6947 www.grantproducts.com PN: 61030 Grant Products introduces its airbag steering wheel package. |
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| 2nd Runner-Up Putco Inc. Nova Bulb 800/247-3974 www.putco.com Putco Inc. proudly introduces its new Nova Bulb. |
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Best New Performance-Street Product
Winner |
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The Sprint Booster is new technology with no direct competitors. Itsignificantly improves throttle response by increasing pedal input sensitivity and delivers more impressive acceleration and response throughout the power band, making acceleration and merging a confident experience. It is also environmentally correct, with zero change in factory emissions. |
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| 1st Runner-Up McLeod Clutches M-800 Series Five-Speed Manual Transmission 714/630-2764 www.mcleodind.com PN: MT-833 This newly designed five-speed, single-overdrive, direct-replacement manual transmission is designed for high-performance street cars. No modifications to the original car are necessary. |
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| 2nd Runner-Up Nitrous Express Stand-Alone Fuel Enrichment (SAFE) Nitrous Enrichment Tank 940/767-7694 www.nitrousexpress.com PN: 15080 The SAFE system comes pre-assembled with self-regulating internal fuel pumps, making installation quick and simple. These systems support up to 300 nitrous horsepower and are available in gasoline and methanol versions. The need to retard timing is significantly reduced when the system is used with race gas or methanol. |
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Best New Performance-Racing Product
Winner |
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| This locking AN 37-degree fitting offers safety, convenience and eliminates the possibility of inadvertent leakage and environmental damage. |  |
| 1st Runner-Up Zeitronix Zt-3 Wideband AFR Meter and Data-Logging System 310/328-1234 www.zeitronix.com PN: Zt-3 The Zeitronix Zt-3 wideband AFR meter features adjustable simulated narrowband O2 sensor output. |
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| 2nd Runner-Up Calculated Industries Hot Rod Calc 775/885-4900 www.calculated.com PN: 8703 This handheld ET-prediction calculator uses weather and car data for accurate bracket racing and engine-performance calculations. |
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Best New Powersports Product
Winner |
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This information system fits Harley-Davidson models with a 4.5-inch speedometer. Displays include a speedometer, a tachometer, an odometer, a gear indicator, a clock and much more. |
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| 1st Runner-Up Baja Designs/Soltek Light Systems Strykr Adventure Light 800/422-5292 www.bajadesigns.com PN: 63-0010 The company says it’s the only light you need and the last light you’ll buy. It’s designed for motorcycles, vehicles, mountain bikes, diving (10 m), kayaks, etc. It features 700 Lumens, a lifetime warranty, mil-spec, long battery life and four light modes and is waterproof. |
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| 2nd Runner-Up SSV Works iPod Weather Proof Audio System 818/991-1778 www.ssvworks.com PN: WP-ORZ This off-road, weatherproof, self-contained iPod dock includes an amplifier and speakers for the Polaris RZR and RZR-S. A simple two-wire, 15-minute installation. Charges an iPod, and includes a wireless remote. |
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Best New Street-Rod/Custom-Car Product
Winner |
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| The hardware allows installation of aftermarket transmissions in various vehicles where the shift lever must be located farther back from the factory location. It is currently available for Tremec TKO and T56 transmissions and is shown with the optional gear indicator. Patent pending. |  |
| 1st Runner-Up American Autowire Highway 15 Nostalgia Hot Rod Wiring Kit 856/933-0801 www.americanautowire.com PN: 500944 This kit utilizes all of the latest technology from the company’s other Highway-series kits but with the addition of the retro-style flare of the braid and lacquer wire that was used in the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s. |
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| 2nd Runner-Up Coker Tire Excelsior Stahl Sport Radial 800/251-6336 www.cokertire.com PN: 643498 The world’s first steel-belted radial designed for pre-war cars and hot rods in the original sizes. |
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Best New Tools and Equipment Product
Winner |
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| The TCA HD 41-inch series features powdercoated 1.0–1.5mm double walls, 100-lb. sliders (double sets on 4-inch H drawers), 660-lb. casters, key-locked drawers, rubber drawer liners and gas shocks on the chest lid. |  |
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1st Runner-Up |
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2nd Runner-Up |
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Best New Van/Pickup/Sport-Utility Product
Winner |
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| Finally, a simple custom-designed hidden padlock for the prevention of tailgate theft. Fits most GM, Ford, Dodge, Toyota and Nissan trucks. |
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| 1st Runner-Up Extreme Max Products ATV RampXtender 651/303-1035 www.extrememax.biz PN: 5500.4069 All-in-one pickup bed/box extender converts into heavy-duty loading ramps. Perfect for any shortbox pickup. Fits all fullsize standard-width boxes. |
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2nd Runner-Up |
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