Compiled by SEMA Editors

Arranged in diagonal rows, the 20 stamps showcase photographer Len Rizzi’s images of 10 Hot Wheels cars—two of each design—speeding along a bright orange track.

U.S. Postal Service Celebrates 50 Years of Hot Wheels With Ceremony at Goodguys 26th Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Hot Wheels, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will issue 20 Forever stamps showcasing some of the most outrageous car designs from Hot Wheels. USPS has chosen the Goodguys 26th Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals at the Texas Motor Speedway as the place for the first day of issue ceremony, Saturday, September 29, at 10:00 a.m. Each stamp features the name of the vehicle shown in one of the top corners and the words “USA” and “Forever” in one of the bottom corners. Followers of the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook page can view the ceremony live.

Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop has been named as the builder of one of the two 2019 Street Rod Nationals Giveaway cars—a ’32 Ford Roadster.

Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop Named Builder of the 2019 NSRA 50th Annual Street Rod Nationals Giveaway Car

To help celebrate the NSRA’s 50th Annual Street Rod Nationals, Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop has been named as the builder of one of the two 2019 Street Rod Nationals Giveaway cars. A ’32 Ford Roadster was unveiled, Saturday, August 4, during the 49th Annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky. The project centers around a Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop-built ’32 Ford chassis, ’32 Ford Roadster steel body from Brookville Roadster and a Boss 302 engine from Ford Performance Parts built by Automotive Specialists Racing Engines. The roadster’s lineup of parts features a number of Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop signature line parts as well as product from many well-known name brands within the hot-rod industry. Automotive enthusiasts will be able to follow the buildup of the giveaway roadster project through the pages of the NSRA members’ Streetscene magazine and on the Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop and NSRA social media pages leading up to the 50th Annual Street Rod Nationals, August 1–4, 2019. The finished ’32 Ford Roadster will make its debut where one lucky participant of the 2019 NSRA Street Rod Nationals will be chosen at random to win the keys to the vehicle.

Johnson Barrick

Aeromotive Announces Johnson Barrick as Sales Manager

Johnson Barrick has been named Aeromotive’s new sales manager and will report directly to Aeromotive Vice President Jeff Stacy. Barrick’s experience to date has been in event management for Belmont University, the Air Force Academy and the University of Texas, San Antonio. He most recently served as dual sales manager for Concord Hospitality in San Antonio working directly with the director of sales to develop and implement sales forecasts and proposals for both government and corporate markets.

(L–R): Peter Baumann, marketing director, LIQUI MOLY; Michael Reinsdorf, owner and president of the Chicago Bulls; and Sebastian Zelger, director, LIQUI MOLY USA.

LIQUI MOLY Partners With the Chicago Bulls

German oil and additive specialist LIQUI MOLY has partnered with the Chicago Bulls. The oil manufacturer will have a significant presence at the United Center, including permanent logo placement on the pole pads of both baskets, and on the Bulls’ digital platforms.

Jason Bertellotti to Lead Directed’s Ignition Interlock Business

Directed has announced that Jason Bertellotti has joined the company as senior vice president and general manager of its Ignition Interlock Device (IID) business. He will report to Bob Struble, Directed CEO. Bertellotti comes to Directed from AuptiX, a San Diego-based startup working to disrupt the B2B freight industry. As vice president of sales, Bertellotti built a sales strategy and organization that drove rapid revenue and customer growth. Previously, he held various senior sales and product management positions at Mitchell International, including senior vice president of sales and service.

Rockford Fosgate Named 2018 Sea to Sky Legends Rally Supporting Sponsor

For the second time in 2018, Rockford Fosgate has joined The Legends Rally as supporting sponsor, this time for the October 4–8 400-mile Sea to Sky journey through Baja. Rockford Fosgate staff will take along Heath Pinter and Del “Delmo Speed” Uschenko on the three-day off-road adventure through the Baja terrain.

CRC Industries Partners With NAPA Auto Parts to Support Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund

CRC Industries is partnering with NAPA Auto Parts to support the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (IFHF), a not-for-profit organization that serves United States military personnel suffering from traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress. Since 2000, IFHF has raised more than $200 million for facilities, programs and financial support benefiting the United States military community. CRC is providing consumers the opportunity to support the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund when they purchase select CRC products at participating NAPA Auto Parts stores. CRC will donate a portion of its sales during the months of September and October to IFHF.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

The current RAM HDs are getting long in the tooth, having been on sale since 2010, and only receiving a minor facelift in 2014 (lights, grille, updated interior). The new HD trucks are expected to fall in line with the recently debuted 1500, and in the process, ditch the crosshair grille (which unfortunately will only live on via the Charger, Durango, Journey and Grand Caravan)—a hallmark of the truck since the mid-’80s.

Inside, the ’20 RAM HD appears to mimic the 1500 with thoughtful design and premium materials. Tech comes from (what we believe to be) the Uconnect 4, with an 8.4-in. screen and should offer the optional Uconnect 4C NAV infotainment system with the massive portrait-oriented 12-in. touchscreen center console display. The only obvious difference inside the HD cabin is the steering-column-mounted gear shifter, which the 1500 dropped for ’19 model year.

Other exterior styling should run parallel to the 1500, but in a more muscular fashion.

Current power is delivered from three engines: a 383 hp 5.7L V8 with a compressed natural gas option, a 410 hp 6.4L V8, and a 6.7L turbodiesel inline-six available in three tunes: 350 hp with 660 lb.-ft., 370 hp with 800 lb.-ft., and 385hp with 930 lb.-ft. torque rating. The 5.7L and 6.4L are paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, while the three 6.7L versions can be paired to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Expect the 6.7L to get an additional power bump in hopes of one-upping the F-350 and Silverado 3500, which currently feature more horsepower and similar torque.

The next RAM HD is slated to move its production location from Saltillo, Mexico, to Warren, Michigan, in 2020—in time for the next-generation heavy-duty’s start of production. Expect an official debut sometime in 2019.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

The current RAM HDs are getting long in the tooth, having been on sale since 2010, and only receiving a minor facelift in 2014 (lights, grille, updated interior). The new HD trucks are expected to fall in line with the recently debuted 1500, and in the process, ditch the crosshair grille (which unfortunately will only live on via the Charger, Durango, Journey and Grand Caravan)—a hallmark of the truck since the mid-’80s.

Inside, the ’20 RAM HD appears to mimic the 1500 with thoughtful design and premium materials. Tech comes from (what we believe to be) the Uconnect 4, with an 8.4-in. screen and should offer the optional Uconnect 4C NAV infotainment system with the massive portrait-oriented 12-in. touchscreen center console display. The only obvious difference inside the HD cabin is the steering-column-mounted gear shifter, which the 1500 dropped for ’19 model year.

Other exterior styling should run parallel to the 1500, but in a more muscular fashion.

Current power is delivered from three engines: a 383 hp 5.7L V8 with a compressed natural gas option, a 410 hp 6.4L V8, and a 6.7L turbodiesel inline-six available in three tunes: 350 hp with 660 lb.-ft., 370 hp with 800 lb.-ft., and 385hp with 930 lb.-ft. torque rating. The 5.7L and 6.4L are paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, while the three 6.7L versions can be paired to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Expect the 6.7L to get an additional power bump in hopes of one-upping the F-350 and Silverado 3500, which currently feature more horsepower and similar torque.

The next RAM HD is slated to move its production location from Saltillo, Mexico, to Warren, Michigan, in 2020—in time for the next-generation heavy-duty’s start of production. Expect an official debut sometime in 2019.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

The current RAM HDs are getting long in the tooth, having been on sale since 2010, and only receiving a minor facelift in 2014 (lights, grille, updated interior). The new HD trucks are expected to fall in line with the recently debuted 1500, and in the process, ditch the crosshair grille (which unfortunately will only live on via the Charger, Durango, Journey and Grand Caravan)—a hallmark of the truck since the mid-’80s.

Inside, the ’20 RAM HD appears to mimic the 1500 with thoughtful design and premium materials. Tech comes from (what we believe to be) the Uconnect 4, with an 8.4-in. screen and should offer the optional Uconnect 4C NAV infotainment system with the massive portrait-oriented 12-in. touchscreen center console display. The only obvious difference inside the HD cabin is the steering-column-mounted gear shifter, which the 1500 dropped for ’19 model year.

Other exterior styling should run parallel to the 1500, but in a more muscular fashion.

Current power is delivered from three engines: a 383 hp 5.7L V8 with a compressed natural gas option, a 410 hp 6.4L V8, and a 6.7L turbodiesel inline-six available in three tunes: 350 hp with 660 lb.-ft., 370 hp with 800 lb.-ft., and 385hp with 930 lb.-ft. torque rating. The 5.7L and 6.4L are paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, while the three 6.7L versions can be paired to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Expect the 6.7L to get an additional power bump in hopes of one-upping the F-350 and Silverado 3500, which currently feature more horsepower and similar torque.

The next RAM HD is slated to move its production location from Saltillo, Mexico, to Warren, Michigan, in 2020—in time for the next-generation heavy-duty’s start of production. Expect an official debut sometime in 2019.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

The current RAM HDs are getting long in the tooth, having been on sale since 2010, and only receiving a minor facelift in 2014 (lights, grille, updated interior). The new HD trucks are expected to fall in line with the recently debuted 1500, and in the process, ditch the crosshair grille (which unfortunately will only live on via the Charger, Durango, Journey and Grand Caravan)—a hallmark of the truck since the mid-’80s.

Inside, the ’20 RAM HD appears to mimic the 1500 with thoughtful design and premium materials. Tech comes from (what we believe to be) the Uconnect 4, with an 8.4-in. screen and should offer the optional Uconnect 4C NAV infotainment system with the massive portrait-oriented 12-in. touchscreen center console display. The only obvious difference inside the HD cabin is the steering-column-mounted gear shifter, which the 1500 dropped for ’19 model year.

Other exterior styling should run parallel to the 1500, but in a more muscular fashion.

Current power is delivered from three engines: a 383 hp 5.7L V8 with a compressed natural gas option, a 410 hp 6.4L V8, and a 6.7L turbodiesel inline-six available in three tunes: 350 hp with 660 lb.-ft., 370 hp with 800 lb.-ft., and 385hp with 930 lb.-ft. torque rating. The 5.7L and 6.4L are paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, while the three 6.7L versions can be paired to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Expect the 6.7L to get an additional power bump in hopes of one-upping the F-350 and Silverado 3500, which currently feature more horsepower and similar torque.

The next RAM HD is slated to move its production location from Saltillo, Mexico, to Warren, Michigan, in 2020—in time for the next-generation heavy-duty’s start of production. Expect an official debut sometime in 2019.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

The current RAM HDs are getting long in the tooth, having been on sale since 2010, and only receiving a minor facelift in 2014 (lights, grille, updated interior). The new HD trucks are expected to fall in line with the recently debuted 1500, and in the process, ditch the crosshair grille (which unfortunately will only live on via the Charger, Durango, Journey and Grand Caravan)—a hallmark of the truck since the mid-’80s.

Inside, the ’20 RAM HD appears to mimic the 1500 with thoughtful design and premium materials. Tech comes from (what we believe to be) the Uconnect 4, with an 8.4-in. screen and should offer the optional Uconnect 4C NAV infotainment system with the massive portrait-oriented 12-in. touchscreen center console display. The only obvious difference inside the HD cabin is the steering-column-mounted gear shifter, which the 1500 dropped for ’19 model year.

Other exterior styling should run parallel to the 1500, but in a more muscular fashion.

Current power is delivered from three engines: a 383 hp 5.7L V8 with a compressed natural gas option, a 410 hp 6.4L V8, and a 6.7L turbodiesel inline-six available in three tunes: 350 hp with 660 lb.-ft., 370 hp with 800 lb.-ft., and 385hp with 930 lb.-ft. torque rating. The 5.7L and 6.4L are paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, while the three 6.7L versions can be paired to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Expect the 6.7L to get an additional power bump in hopes of one-upping the F-350 and Silverado 3500, which currently feature more horsepower and similar torque.

The next RAM HD is slated to move its production location from Saltillo, Mexico, to Warren, Michigan, in 2020—in time for the next-generation heavy-duty’s start of production. Expect an official debut sometime in 2019.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

The current RAM HDs are getting long in the tooth, having been on sale since 2010, and only receiving a minor facelift in 2014 (lights, grille, updated interior). The new HD trucks are expected to fall in line with the recently debuted 1500, and in the process, ditch the crosshair grille (which unfortunately will only live on via the Charger, Durango, Journey and Grand Caravan)—a hallmark of the truck since the mid-’80s.

Inside, the ’20 RAM HD appears to mimic the 1500 with thoughtful design and premium materials. Tech comes from (what we believe to be) the Uconnect 4, with an 8.4-in. screen and should offer the optional Uconnect 4C NAV infotainment system with the massive portrait-oriented 12-in. touchscreen center console display. The only obvious difference inside the HD cabin is the steering-column-mounted gear shifter, which the 1500 dropped for ’19 model year.

Other exterior styling should run parallel to the 1500, but in a more muscular fashion.

Current power is delivered from three engines: a 383 hp 5.7L V8 with a compressed natural gas option, a 410 hp 6.4L V8, and a 6.7L turbodiesel inline-six available in three tunes: 350 hp with 660 lb.-ft., 370 hp with 800 lb.-ft., and 385hp with 930 lb.-ft. torque rating. The 5.7L and 6.4L are paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, while the three 6.7L versions can be paired to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Expect the 6.7L to get an additional power bump in hopes of one-upping the F-350 and Silverado 3500, which currently feature more horsepower and similar torque.

The next RAM HD is slated to move its production location from Saltillo, Mexico, to Warren, Michigan, in 2020—in time for the next-generation heavy-duty’s start of production. Expect an official debut sometime in 2019.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Every year, the SEMA Show accommodates specialty-equipment manufacturers who decide to exhibit on the international stage for the first time. This year is no different. Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the SEMA Show attracts more than 170,000 industry leaders from more than 140 countries. In 2017, the Show featured 2,400 exhibitors, including 354 first-timers.

Every year, the SEMA Show accommodates specialty-equipment manufacturers who decide to exhibit on the international stage for the first time. This year is no different. Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the SEMA Show attracts more than 170,000 industry leaders from more than 140 countries. In 2017, the Show featured 2,400 exhibitors, including 354 first-timers.

Trade shows are all about doing business, but before the Show floor opens and the first meetings can begin, exhibitors have to arrive and set up. Then they have to pack everything up again five days later to hit the road for the next show. All too often, exhibitors arrive in Las Vegas unprepared, believing that if they order everything they require on-site they will receive it on the spot. The consequenses for that lack of planning can be costly in both time and money and lead to frustration. But, through proper planning, an exhibitor’s Show logistics can work smoothly and efficiently.