For Immediate Release
Media Contacts:
Della Domingo, SEMA: 909/978-6723, dellad@sema.org
Elizabeth Weigandt, Ford: 313/248-1248, eweigand@ford.com
Ford Motor Co. and SEMA Join Forces on Mustang
Build Powered by Women
-- Consumers to Vote on Design Concepts May 23-June 3, 2012 --
Diamond Bar, CA (May 21, 2012) - Ford Motor Co. and the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) teamed up to present the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women. Under the direction of the SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) and built entirely by SBN members, the project is designed to shine the light on women working in the automotive aftermarket and encourage more women to pursue careers in the industry.
As title sponsor of the project, Ford Motor Co. donated a 2013 Ford Mustang GT and the company's leading female designers are working collaboratively with Theresa Contreras of the SEMA Businesswomen's Network to develop three design renderings for the build.
The three concepts will be posted online by Source Interlink Media (SIM), another partner in the project. Through SIM's HOT ROD, Automobile, Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords and Mustang Monthly websites, fans will vote on which of the three concepts is ultimately selected. Voting takes place May 23 - June 3, 2012, with the winning design announced on June 5.
The actual build will take place in July and August at the SIM Headquarters in El Segundo, CA, with several of SIM's female employees participating on the build. Modification will be made to all aspects of the car, including the engine, undercarriage, drive train, interior, sound system, exterior and paint. The finished vehicle will be auctioned off to raise money for the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, an organization dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket leaders and innovators.
The idea for the project began in 2010, after SBN Select Committee member JoAnn Bortles participated in a women motorcycle build.
"When JoAnn approached me with the idea of a project vehicle built by women, I immediately thought it was a great way to underscore how passionate and involved women are in the automotive industry," said Marla Moore, SBN Chairperson. "Others (Ford, Source Interlink Media and the SEMA Scholarship Committee) immediately agreed and quickly joined forces to launch the first-ever SEMA project vehicle build powered by women."
"Ford Motor Co. is enthusiastic about sponsoring the SEMA Mustang Build," said Sherry Kollien, SBN Project Vehicle Coordinator for Ford. "The Mustang is the ideal vehicle for the project given its broad demographic appeal and its ability to be customized to fit the unique needs of all consumers, enthusiasts and women across multiple life stages. We have long known that women have more than 50 percent decision-making power in vehicle purchase decisions, but increasingly they are customizing to match their own unique personalities."
The SBN Vehicle Build Task Force is comprised of Task Force Chair Rose Kawasaki (Exports International), Project Vehicle Coordinator Sherry Kollien (Ford Motor Company), Assembly Coordinator Kellie Colf (eTool Developers), PR/Media Coordinator Camee Edelbrock (Schiefer Media Inc.) and Product Coordinator Susan Carpenter (JR Products). Advisors include Mike Spagnola (Street Scene), Joel Ayres (Bedslide) and Marla Moore (Hypertech).
"I am proud to be involved with the SBN and this Mustang GT project in an advisory role," said Mike Spagnola, President of Street Scene and member of the SEMA Board of Directors. "I am convinced, as are many of SEMA's executive staff that this project car will not only bring great exposure to SEMA, the SBN & Ford Motor Co., but ignite a whole new wave of women ready to make a statement with the vehicles they drive. I applaud the wisdom of all involved to broaden the appeal of vehicle customization among women, and for raising revenue for the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund to help foster our next generation of industry leaders."
To learn more about SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women, visit www.sema.org/SEMAMustangBuild or contact SEMA Project Manager Bryan C. Harrison at bryanh@sema.org.
About Ford Motor
Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn,
Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With
about 164,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive
brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services
through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's
products, please visit www.ford.com.
About the Specialty
Equipment Market Association (SEMA)
SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963, represents
the $29.99 billion specialty automotive industry of 6,383 member-companies. It
is the authoritative source for research, data, trends and market growth
information for the specialty auto parts industry. The industry provides
appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for
passenger and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575
S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765, tel: 909/396-0289, or visit
www.sema.org or
www.enjoythedrive.com.
About Source Interlink Media
Source
Interlink Media, LLC is the premier source of special interest media
in the United States. With more than 75 publications, 100 Web
sites, 800 branded products, 50+ events, and TV and radio programs, SIM
is the largest provider of content to enthusiast communities interested in
automotive, action sports, home theatre and other niche activities. The
division's strategy is to wholly focus on targeted audiences by leveraging and
expanding upon its core market-leading brands through a multiplatform media
approach.
About the SEMA
Scholarship Fund
The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is dedicated to fostering the next
generation of automotive aftermarket leaders and innovators. Scholarship awards
range from $1,000 - $2,000, with $4,000 going to the top student. Assistance is
available for career paths in the automotive industry in accounting,
administration, advertising, design/graphics, engineering, information
technology, manufacturing, photo/journalism, race car driver/crew, sales/marketing,
technicians and transportation.