Compiled by SEMA Editors

NEWS NUGGETS

NOBILE READY TO GRAB A HOME-TRACK PRO STOCK VICTORY: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series races to the East Coast for the Toyota NHRA Summernationals, May 30–June 2, and Pro Stock racer Vincent Nobile is thrilled to once again return to his racing roots. Nobile, in his third full season in Pro Stock, is a resident of Melville, New York, and has long considered Old Bridge Township Raceway Park his home track, which is located a little more than 70 miles from his home.

“It is a lot of fun; my whole family comes out,” Nobile said. “My dad and mom usually come to every race. My extended family, aunts, uncles and friends all come out to support me when we race in Englishtown, so it is really fun to go there.”

Visit NHRA.com for more and to purchase tickets go to ExtremeTix.com.

KRAWIEC LOOKS FOR SECOND CAREER PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE WIN IN ENGLISHTOWN: Englishtown native Eddie Krawiec will try to claim his second career Pro Stock Motorcycle win at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, May 30–June 2, when the Pro Stock Motorcycle category returns at action at the 44th annual Toyota NHRA Summernationals.

“To finally win at Englishtown was a huge pressure off my back,” Krawiec said. “Back in 2009, I made it to the final there against Craig Treble and I played it a little too safe on the tree. I came up [with a reaction time of .061] and Treble came up [.007] and ended up taking the win by just a few [thousandths of a second]. That killed me, because it would have been my first career win and to have it happen at my home track would have been huge. I thought maybe I let that win get away from me, but luckily enough in 2012 I had an awesome motorcycle going into the race. Qualifying went killer for me and I pretty much had my way in eliminations. Hector [Arana] Sr. went red to me in the final and I took the win. I told people, ‘Now that I’ve sealed the deal here I can move forward in my career.’ Even to this day it puts a smile on my face.”

To purchase tickets for the event go to ExtremeTix.com.

BROWN MEETS INDIANAPOLIS 500 POLESITTER CARPENTER: Reigning NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown was the special guest of Izod IndyCar Series driver Ed Carpenter Wednesday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Carpenter was the polesitter for the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500. Carpenter raced to a 10th-place finish at the event. Brown, driver of the Matco Tools dragster for Don Schumacher Racing and winner of two NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series races this season, met with Carpenter and members of his Fuzzy's Vodka team in the garage area. Visit NHRA.com for more.

C. FORCE JOINS INDIANAPOLIS 500 FESTIVITIES: Courtney Force, driver of the Traxxas Ford Mustang Funny Car, attended Carb Day and experienced the festivities leading up to the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500. Force enjoyed another “off weekend” at yet another race track touring the paddock and making a couple stops in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway media center before watching final practice for the Indy car teams.

“It was great having one off weekend, but I couldn’t keep myself away from the race track. I was able to watch final practice for the Indy 500, meet a lot of really cool people involved in Indy Car, talk to some fans at the Automobile Club of Southern California display and tour the paddock,” said Force.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

FORD NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS, Bristol Dragway, June 14–16: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will return to the hills of East Tennessee once again for the 13th annual Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers, June 14–16, at Bristol Dragway. Set for Father’s Day weekend, this event is the 10th of 24 races in the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock drivers will battle on the dragstrip all weekend for the Wally trophy. Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) are the defending winners of the event that will be televised on ESPN2HD. For tickets call Bristol Dragway at 423-989-6900 or visit www.bristoldragway.com.

AUTO-PLUS NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS, New England Dragway, June 20–23: The wait is over and the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series finally arrives at New England Dragway for the inaugural NHRA New England Nationals, June 20–23. To kick off the weekend’s festivities, the stars of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, including 15-time Funny Car world champ John Force, his teammate 2009 Funny Car world champion Robert Hight, Rhode Island native Bob Tasca III and Top Fuel driver Shawn Langdon, will participate in the NHRA New England Nationals Fan Fest and Press Conference, to be held in the heart of Boston, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Wednesday, June 19, starting at 12:00 p.m.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

“I won my first race there in 1992 and then picked up six straight victories on that [track]. This year, the race is on Father’s Day weekend, so it makes perfect sense for me to be back on the track with my B.R.A.K.E.S. dragster wearing the pictures of my two sons, Jon and James. Jon and James will be riding with me in Bristol, which will make this race pretty special on Father’s Day weekend. We’re planning on having a great time and showing everyone we’re a team that should be running at every race!"

–Doug Herbert on returning to Bristol Dragway for the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals and carrying the B.R.A.K.E.S. paint scheme on his dragster.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

10: Number of points that separates Funny Car points leads Johnny Gray from second-place driver Cruz Pedregon in one of the most competitive seasons in Funny Car history. Five different drivers have led the points at different times this season.

DID YOU KNOW…

The NHRA and members of the NHRA Pro Stock community are urging support for the victims of the Oklahoma tornado tragedy. More than 25 NHRA members and their families are known to live in Moore, Oklahoma, which was hit hardest by the EF5 tornado. The tragedy also hit close to home for Richard Freeman and the Elite Motorsports LLC/Elite Performance employees, whose Wynnewood headquarters is just an hour from the heart of the destruction. The Elite group—along with fellow NHRA competitors and friends Mark Stockseth, Rickie Jones and his father Rick Jones of RJ Racecars—have joined forces to offer support for the victims of this terrible tragedy, and they hope to encourage members of the NHRA community to offer support as well through donations made to the American Red Cross.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NEWS NUGGETS

NOBILE READY TO GRAB A HOME-TRACK PRO STOCK VICTORY: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series races to the East Coast for the Toyota NHRA Summernationals, May 30–June 2, and Pro Stock racer Vincent Nobile is thrilled to once again return to his racing roots. Nobile, in his third full season in Pro Stock, is a resident of Melville, New York, and has long considered Old Bridge Township Raceway Park his home track, which is located a little more than 70 miles from his home.

“It is a lot of fun; my whole family comes out,” Nobile said. “My dad and mom usually come to every race. My extended family, aunts, uncles and friends all come out to support me when we race in Englishtown, so it is really fun to go there.”

Visit NHRA.com for more and to purchase tickets go to ExtremeTix.com.

KRAWIEC LOOKS FOR SECOND CAREER PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE WIN IN ENGLISHTOWN: Englishtown native Eddie Krawiec will try to claim his second career Pro Stock Motorcycle win at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, May 30–June 2, when the Pro Stock Motorcycle category returns at action at the 44th annual Toyota NHRA Summernationals.

“To finally win at Englishtown was a huge pressure off my back,” Krawiec said. “Back in 2009, I made it to the final there against Craig Treble and I played it a little too safe on the tree. I came up [with a reaction time of .061] and Treble came up [.007] and ended up taking the win by just a few [thousandths of a second]. That killed me, because it would have been my first career win and to have it happen at my home track would have been huge. I thought maybe I let that win get away from me, but luckily enough in 2012 I had an awesome motorcycle going into the race. Qualifying went killer for me and I pretty much had my way in eliminations. Hector [Arana] Sr. went red to me in the final and I took the win. I told people, ‘Now that I’ve sealed the deal here I can move forward in my career.’ Even to this day it puts a smile on my face.”

To purchase tickets for the event go to ExtremeTix.com.

BROWN MEETS INDIANAPOLIS 500 POLESITTER CARPENTER: Reigning NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown was the special guest of Izod IndyCar Series driver Ed Carpenter Wednesday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Carpenter was the polesitter for the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500. Carpenter raced to a 10th-place finish at the event. Brown, driver of the Matco Tools dragster for Don Schumacher Racing and winner of two NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series races this season, met with Carpenter and members of his Fuzzy's Vodka team in the garage area. Visit NHRA.com for more.

C. FORCE JOINS INDIANAPOLIS 500 FESTIVITIES: Courtney Force, driver of the Traxxas Ford Mustang Funny Car, attended Carb Day and experienced the festivities leading up to the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500. Force enjoyed another “off weekend” at yet another race track touring the paddock and making a couple stops in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway media center before watching final practice for the Indy car teams.

“It was great having one off weekend, but I couldn’t keep myself away from the race track. I was able to watch final practice for the Indy 500, meet a lot of really cool people involved in Indy Car, talk to some fans at the Automobile Club of Southern California display and tour the paddock,” said Force.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

FORD NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS, Bristol Dragway, June 14–16: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will return to the hills of East Tennessee once again for the 13th annual Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers, June 14–16, at Bristol Dragway. Set for Father’s Day weekend, this event is the 10th of 24 races in the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock drivers will battle on the dragstrip all weekend for the Wally trophy. Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) are the defending winners of the event that will be televised on ESPN2HD. For tickets call Bristol Dragway at 423-989-6900 or visit www.bristoldragway.com.

AUTO-PLUS NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS, New England Dragway, June 20–23: The wait is over and the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series finally arrives at New England Dragway for the inaugural NHRA New England Nationals, June 20–23. To kick off the weekend’s festivities, the stars of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, including 15-time Funny Car world champ John Force, his teammate 2009 Funny Car world champion Robert Hight, Rhode Island native Bob Tasca III and Top Fuel driver Shawn Langdon, will participate in the NHRA New England Nationals Fan Fest and Press Conference, to be held in the heart of Boston, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Wednesday, June 19, starting at 12:00 p.m.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

“I won my first race there in 1992 and then picked up six straight victories on that [track]. This year, the race is on Father’s Day weekend, so it makes perfect sense for me to be back on the track with my B.R.A.K.E.S. dragster wearing the pictures of my two sons, Jon and James. Jon and James will be riding with me in Bristol, which will make this race pretty special on Father’s Day weekend. We’re planning on having a great time and showing everyone we’re a team that should be running at every race!"

–Doug Herbert on returning to Bristol Dragway for the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals and carrying the B.R.A.K.E.S. paint scheme on his dragster.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

10: Number of points that separates Funny Car points leads Johnny Gray from second-place driver Cruz Pedregon in one of the most competitive seasons in Funny Car history. Five different drivers have led the points at different times this season.

DID YOU KNOW…

The NHRA and members of the NHRA Pro Stock community are urging support for the victims of the Oklahoma tornado tragedy. More than 25 NHRA members and their families are known to live in Moore, Oklahoma, which was hit hardest by the EF5 tornado. The tragedy also hit close to home for Richard Freeman and the Elite Motorsports LLC/Elite Performance employees, whose Wynnewood headquarters is just an hour from the heart of the destruction. The Elite group—along with fellow NHRA competitors and friends Mark Stockseth, Rickie Jones and his father Rick Jones of RJ Racecars—have joined forces to offer support for the victims of this terrible tragedy, and they hope to encourage members of the NHRA community to offer support as well through donations made to the American Red Cross.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NEWS NUGGETS

NOBILE READY TO GRAB A HOME-TRACK PRO STOCK VICTORY: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series races to the East Coast for the Toyota NHRA Summernationals, May 30–June 2, and Pro Stock racer Vincent Nobile is thrilled to once again return to his racing roots. Nobile, in his third full season in Pro Stock, is a resident of Melville, New York, and has long considered Old Bridge Township Raceway Park his home track, which is located a little more than 70 miles from his home.

“It is a lot of fun; my whole family comes out,” Nobile said. “My dad and mom usually come to every race. My extended family, aunts, uncles and friends all come out to support me when we race in Englishtown, so it is really fun to go there.”

Visit NHRA.com for more and to purchase tickets go to ExtremeTix.com.

KRAWIEC LOOKS FOR SECOND CAREER PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE WIN IN ENGLISHTOWN: Englishtown native Eddie Krawiec will try to claim his second career Pro Stock Motorcycle win at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, May 30–June 2, when the Pro Stock Motorcycle category returns at action at the 44th annual Toyota NHRA Summernationals.

“To finally win at Englishtown was a huge pressure off my back,” Krawiec said. “Back in 2009, I made it to the final there against Craig Treble and I played it a little too safe on the tree. I came up [with a reaction time of .061] and Treble came up [.007] and ended up taking the win by just a few [thousandths of a second]. That killed me, because it would have been my first career win and to have it happen at my home track would have been huge. I thought maybe I let that win get away from me, but luckily enough in 2012 I had an awesome motorcycle going into the race. Qualifying went killer for me and I pretty much had my way in eliminations. Hector [Arana] Sr. went red to me in the final and I took the win. I told people, ‘Now that I’ve sealed the deal here I can move forward in my career.’ Even to this day it puts a smile on my face.”

To purchase tickets for the event go to ExtremeTix.com.

BROWN MEETS INDIANAPOLIS 500 POLESITTER CARPENTER: Reigning NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown was the special guest of Izod IndyCar Series driver Ed Carpenter Wednesday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Carpenter was the polesitter for the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500. Carpenter raced to a 10th-place finish at the event. Brown, driver of the Matco Tools dragster for Don Schumacher Racing and winner of two NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series races this season, met with Carpenter and members of his Fuzzy's Vodka team in the garage area. Visit NHRA.com for more.

C. FORCE JOINS INDIANAPOLIS 500 FESTIVITIES: Courtney Force, driver of the Traxxas Ford Mustang Funny Car, attended Carb Day and experienced the festivities leading up to the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500. Force enjoyed another “off weekend” at yet another race track touring the paddock and making a couple stops in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway media center before watching final practice for the Indy car teams.

“It was great having one off weekend, but I couldn’t keep myself away from the race track. I was able to watch final practice for the Indy 500, meet a lot of really cool people involved in Indy Car, talk to some fans at the Automobile Club of Southern California display and tour the paddock,” said Force.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

FORD NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS, Bristol Dragway, June 14–16: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will return to the hills of East Tennessee once again for the 13th annual Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers, June 14–16, at Bristol Dragway. Set for Father’s Day weekend, this event is the 10th of 24 races in the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock drivers will battle on the dragstrip all weekend for the Wally trophy. Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) are the defending winners of the event that will be televised on ESPN2HD. For tickets call Bristol Dragway at 423-989-6900 or visit www.bristoldragway.com.

AUTO-PLUS NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS, New England Dragway, June 20–23: The wait is over and the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series finally arrives at New England Dragway for the inaugural NHRA New England Nationals, June 20–23. To kick off the weekend’s festivities, the stars of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, including 15-time Funny Car world champ John Force, his teammate 2009 Funny Car world champion Robert Hight, Rhode Island native Bob Tasca III and Top Fuel driver Shawn Langdon, will participate in the NHRA New England Nationals Fan Fest and Press Conference, to be held in the heart of Boston, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Wednesday, June 19, starting at 12:00 p.m.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

“I won my first race there in 1992 and then picked up six straight victories on that [track]. This year, the race is on Father’s Day weekend, so it makes perfect sense for me to be back on the track with my B.R.A.K.E.S. dragster wearing the pictures of my two sons, Jon and James. Jon and James will be riding with me in Bristol, which will make this race pretty special on Father’s Day weekend. We’re planning on having a great time and showing everyone we’re a team that should be running at every race!"

–Doug Herbert on returning to Bristol Dragway for the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals and carrying the B.R.A.K.E.S. paint scheme on his dragster.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

10: Number of points that separates Funny Car points leads Johnny Gray from second-place driver Cruz Pedregon in one of the most competitive seasons in Funny Car history. Five different drivers have led the points at different times this season.

DID YOU KNOW…

The NHRA and members of the NHRA Pro Stock community are urging support for the victims of the Oklahoma tornado tragedy. More than 25 NHRA members and their families are known to live in Moore, Oklahoma, which was hit hardest by the EF5 tornado. The tragedy also hit close to home for Richard Freeman and the Elite Motorsports LLC/Elite Performance employees, whose Wynnewood headquarters is just an hour from the heart of the destruction. The Elite group—along with fellow NHRA competitors and friends Mark Stockseth, Rickie Jones and his father Rick Jones of RJ Racecars—have joined forces to offer support for the victims of this terrible tragedy, and they hope to encourage members of the NHRA community to offer support as well through donations made to the American Red Cross.

This nearly undisguised prototype for BMW's all-new F15 X5 SUV was snapped as it returned to the assembly plant after a shakedown run of an early-build X5.

The new front-end treatment gets a variation of the headlight-meets-grille look pioneered on the latest BMW 3-series. The headlight and grille treatment is the most polished version of this design theme seen to date. A completely unobstructed look at the X5's profile shows a tweaked version of the Hofmeister kink and an interesting up-kick around the A-pillar. There is also a new, subtly integrated air-slit just aft of the front wheel.

The new X5's design is evolutionary, but the result appears to be the most svelte, athletic-looking X5 since the nameplate brought BMW into the SUV market.

Photo credit: KGP Photography/PalBay

This nearly undisguised prototype for BMW's all-new F15 X5 SUV was snapped as it returned to the assembly plant after a shakedown run of an early-build X5.

The new front-end treatment gets a variation of the headlight-meets-grille look pioneered on the latest BMW 3-series. The headlight and grille treatment is the most polished version of this design theme seen to date. A completely unobstructed look at the X5's profile shows a tweaked version of the Hofmeister kink and an interesting up-kick around the A-pillar. There is also a new, subtly integrated air-slit just aft of the front wheel.

The new X5's design is evolutionary, but the result appears to be the most svelte, athletic-looking X5 since the nameplate brought BMW into the SUV market.

Photo credit: KGP Photography/PalBay

This nearly undisguised prototype for BMW's all-new F15 X5 SUV was snapped as it returned to the assembly plant after a shakedown run of an early-build X5.

The new front-end treatment gets a variation of the headlight-meets-grille look pioneered on the latest BMW 3-series. The headlight and grille treatment is the most polished version of this design theme seen to date. A completely unobstructed look at the X5's profile shows a tweaked version of the Hofmeister kink and an interesting up-kick around the A-pillar. There is also a new, subtly integrated air-slit just aft of the front wheel.

The new X5's design is evolutionary, but the result appears to be the most svelte, athletic-looking X5 since the nameplate brought BMW into the SUV market.

Photo credit: KGP Photography/PalBay

By Jason Catullo

	As of the conclusion of last week's Priority Space Selection, more than 2,000 exhibitors have selected their spots on the 2013 SEMA Show floor, representing a 6% increase compared same timeframe in 2012.

With registration live and about five months remaining until the opening of the 2013 SEMA Show, more than 2,000 companies have selected their booth locations for the specialty-equipment industry's premiere trade event. As of the conclusion of last week's Priority Space Selection, the number of exhibitors with booth space represents a 6% increase compared to the selection process in 2012.

As the booth-selection process was conducted, the floorplan for the event was updated with the latest companies and their booth locations. The floorplan for the 2013 SEMA Show is online at www.SEMAShow.com/floorplan.

Two of the Show's sections that experienced the largest increases in exhibitors compared to 2012 are Collision Repair, with 28% more companies participating, and Tools & Equipment, which has increased in exhibitors by 17%.   

"The growth and interest in the Tools & Equipment section is related to the value that section represents to exhibitors and the efforts to connect a range of equipment producers with the buyers seeking the latest in tool technology," stated Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events.

As for the Collision Repair & Refinish, the boost in interest may be linked to the announcement made earlier this month regarding the enhanced features established for the companies in that market. Exhibitors and attendees will benefit from additional targeted activities inside and outside the Las Vegas Convention Center and an upgraded educational program.

To see the entire exhibitor list and the current layouts of the Show's 12 sections, use the 2013 SEMA Show online floorplan.

The 2013 SEMA Show takes place Tuesday–Friday, November 5–8, in Las Vegas. The Show is expected to draw more than 130,000 industry professionals from throughout the world. Manufacturers interested in exhibiting may do so by visiting www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth. Registration for attendees, media and exhibitors (who have secured booth space) is available online at www.SEMAShow.com/register.

The 2013 SEMA Show is broken down into these sections: Business Services; Collision Repair & Refinish; Global Tire Expo, Powered by TIA; Hot Rod Alley; Mobile Electronics & Technology; Powersports & Utility Vehicles; Racing & Performance; Restoration Marketplace; Restyling & Car Care Accessories; Tools & Equipment; Trucks, SUVs, Off-Road; and Wheels & Accessories.

By Jason Catullo

	As of the conclusion of last week's Priority Space Selection, more than 2,000 exhibitors have selected their spots on the 2013 SEMA Show floor, representing a 6% increase compared same timeframe in 2012.

With registration live and about five months remaining until the opening of the 2013 SEMA Show, more than 2,000 companies have selected their booth locations for the specialty-equipment industry's premiere trade event. As of the conclusion of last week's Priority Space Selection, the number of exhibitors with booth space represents a 6% increase compared to the selection process in 2012.

As the booth-selection process was conducted, the floorplan for the event was updated with the latest companies and their booth locations. The floorplan for the 2013 SEMA Show is online at www.SEMAShow.com/floorplan.

Two of the Show's sections that experienced the largest increases in exhibitors compared to 2012 are Collision Repair, with 28% more companies participating, and Tools & Equipment, which has increased in exhibitors by 17%.   

"The growth and interest in the Tools & Equipment section is related to the value that section represents to exhibitors and the efforts to connect a range of equipment producers with the buyers seeking the latest in tool technology," stated Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events.

As for the Collision Repair & Refinish, the boost in interest may be linked to the announcement made earlier this month regarding the enhanced features established for the companies in that market. Exhibitors and attendees will benefit from additional targeted activities inside and outside the Las Vegas Convention Center and an upgraded educational program.

To see the entire exhibitor list and the current layouts of the Show's 12 sections, use the 2013 SEMA Show online floorplan.

The 2013 SEMA Show takes place Tuesday–Friday, November 5–8, in Las Vegas. The Show is expected to draw more than 130,000 industry professionals from throughout the world. Manufacturers interested in exhibiting may do so by visiting www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth. Registration for attendees, media and exhibitors (who have secured booth space) is available online at www.SEMAShow.com/register.

The 2013 SEMA Show is broken down into these sections: Business Services; Collision Repair & Refinish; Global Tire Expo, Powered by TIA; Hot Rod Alley; Mobile Electronics & Technology; Powersports & Utility Vehicles; Racing & Performance; Restoration Marketplace; Restyling & Car Care Accessories; Tools & Equipment; Trucks, SUVs, Off-Road; and Wheels & Accessories.

By Linda Spencer

Looking to grow your online sales in China? China's explosive e-commerce growth makes online retailing one of the most effective ways to reach customers. Learn more about the opportunities and challenges facing e-commerce retailers from industry leaders, such as FedEx, Amazon China and the American Society of Transportation & Logistics. Together, they will highlight aspects of China’s fragmented logistics channel and the future of logistics and e-commerce in China. Commercial guidance will also be provided by the U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Embassy in Beijing. Participants will gain insight into the following:

• E-commerce ecosystem
• Fulfillment channels
• Express delivery industry
• Amazon’s delivery model in China

The webinar, to be held May 28, 2013, from 8:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. (EDT), will feature a Q&A enabling you to ask experts specific questions. The webinar will introduce the Sino-American Logistics Conference held this year in Chicago from October 27–30.

The cost of the webinar is $10. Register today and gain practical knowledge in online retail fulfillment and answer your China e-commerce questions! For more information contact Kellie.Holloway@trade.gov.

By Linda Spencer

Sixty-five companies have measured the Ford Ranger T6—a difficult-to-access vehicle, popular around the world but not sold in the United States. This vehicle arrived in the United States in mid-February and is in the country under a one-year temporary import program.

SEMA-member manufacturers are invited to measure the ’13 Ford Ranger at Dearborn, Michigan-based Link Engineering, at the rescheduled Midwest session now taking place June 6, from 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.


SEMA, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, has brought the ’13 Ford Ranger T6 to the United States. The one-ton pickup is being sold throughout the world, but not in the United States or Canada.

The new Ford Ranger—a body-on-frame, Australian-designed, midsized pickup is offered in three cab body styles—Double, Super and Regular. The vehicle available to members is a 4x4 Double cab with a 2.5L five-speed gasoline engine. The SEMA vehicle, which was imported from the Middle East, was assembled in South Africa.

This is the second vehicle to be imported as part of the International Vehicle Measuring Program, which makes available difficult-to-access vehicles so that members can measure them and create export-ready product.

If you have previously registered for the Dearborn session please e-mail Kamra Delaney at kamradelaney@gmail.com to RSVP for the June 6 session. If you have not yet registered for the Ranger session, please register online. A ’12 Toyota HiLux is also available.

For general questions on how to measure the Ranger or Toyota HiLux, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.