Looking fairly close to the concept that was revealed at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, here's a glimpse at Honda’s Accord Coupe in pre-production form.

Delivered by the shooters at Brenda Priddy & Co., the team says that the ninth-generation Accord will be revealed for dealers in late summer and is expected to reach the dealerships in mid-fall.

Photo: Brenda Priddy & Co.

The photo gallery located at www.semaphotos.com features thousands of pictures of products featured in the Show's New Products Showcase, vehicles on display and exhibiting companies from the 2011 SEMA Show. Each week in SEMA eNews, a new collection of vehicle photos is highlighted. In the spotlight this week are vehicles from GMC.

In addition to the vehicle photos, the product photos also include key details, such as product name, a brief description and exhibitor contact information.

The photo gallery located at www.semaphotos.com features thousands of pictures of products featured in the Show's New Products Showcase, vehicles on display and exhibiting companies from the 2011 SEMA Show. Each week in SEMA eNews, a new collection of vehicle photos is highlighted. In the spotlight this week are vehicles from GMC.

In addition to the vehicle photos, the product photos also include key details, such as product name, a brief description and exhibitor contact information.

Aston Martin will reportedly launch six new models over the next six years, according to Brenda Priddy & Co., who delivered these shots of the successor to the DB9. The new model is expected to arrive in 2013.

Priddy says that the styling on the DB9 will stay traditional to Aston Martin, with elements of the Rapide added to the mix, as evident with the new headlights and the bumper-mounted number plate, for example.

Other factors of the DB9 remain a bit of a mystery. Priddy's team believes that the vehicle is being developed under the codename Project VH500. But it is not known if the DB9 name will continue or jump to DB10 or DB11.

Photo Credit: Brenda Priddy & Co.

Aston Martin will reportedly launch six new models over the next six years, according to Brenda Priddy & Co., who delivered these shots of the successor to the DB9. The new model is expected to arrive in 2013.

Priddy says that the styling on the DB9 will stay traditional to Aston Martin, with elements of the Rapide added to the mix, as evident with the new headlights and the bumper-mounted number plate, for example.

Other factors of the DB9 remain a bit of a mystery. Priddy's team believes that the vehicle is being developed under the codename Project VH500. But it is not known if the DB9 name will continue or jump to DB10 or DB11.

Photo Credit: Brenda Priddy & Co.

	Four engine choices are now available on the ’13 Ford F-150.

Earlier this week, Ford unveiled the ’13 F-150—a refreshed version of the pickup. Changes include new front-end styling and an infusion of technologies, such as MyFord Touch voice-activated driver controls and high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps.

There is also a new Limited luxury model and availability of the 6.2L V8 engine, electronic-locking rear axle and additional features, such as Hill Descent Control.

Outside, the F-150 lineup gets new two- and three-bar grilles, but all models still retain recognizable F-Series cues highlighted on the XLT model. The new, L-shaped HID projector headlamps are available to deliver improved visibility and increased driver confidence, according to Ford.

The F-150 will also now offer new 18- and 20-in. wheels in various trim packages. Ford’s telescoping and power-folding trailer-tow side-view mirrors will now be available on the F-150 to provide flexibility and convenience when operating in tight quarters.

F-150 pickups are available in three new hues, including Blue Jeans Metallic, Kodiak Brown Metallic and Ruby Red Clearcoat Metallic.

There are now four engines available on the F-150; each is mated to an electronic six-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul mode and tow packages. The STX series and above adds SelectShift capability.

F-150 engine choices include:

3.7L four-valve Ti-VCT V6

• 302 hp at 6,500 rpm
• 278 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm
• 17 mpg city; 23 mpg highway (4x2)
• 6,100 lbs. maximum trailer tow

5.0L four-valve dual-overhead-camshaft Ti-VCT V8

• 360 hp at 5,500 rpm
• 21 mpg highway; 15 mpg city (4x2)
• 10,000 lbs. maximum trailer tow

6.2L two-valve single-overhead-camshaft V8

• 411 hp at 5,500 rpm
• 434 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm
• 13 mpg city; 18 mpg highway (4x2)
• 11,300 lbs. maximum trailer tow

3.5L Ti-VCT EcoBoost engine

• 365 hp at 5,000 rpm on regular fuel
• 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,500 rpm
• Up to 90% peak torque available from 1,700 rpm to 5,000 rpm
• 11,300 lbs. maximum trailer tow
• 3,120 lbs. payload vs. all competitors
• 16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway

	Classic car owners in Dubai will now be able to obtain specialty plates.

The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has teamed up with the Automobile & Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates (ATCUAE) to offer unique classic car registration and plates for vehicles older than 30 years. Individuals seeking to register their vehicles under this new program are required to have their vehicle inspected and pay a fee of AED850 (US $231).

Owners will be able to drive their vehicles up to 10,000 km (6,213 miles) per year for vehicles built between 1950–1981 and 5,000 km (3,106 miles) for vehicles built before 1950.

Dubai—one of seven Emirates in the UAE—is the second emirate after its northern neighbor, Sharjah, in creating a special registration process for classic vehicles.

This new registration process is available for original specification vehicles, though plans are to create a registration process for kit cars and hot rods in the upcoming years.

For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

	In addition to meeting with pre-vetted buyers, SEMA China Business Development Tour participants will visit tuning shops in Beijing and Shanghai.

From high-performance suspensions to under-the-hood goodies, the specialty-equipment market's luxury segment has a lot of potential for SEMA members, who can learn about these opportunities and meet with potential customers by participating in the September 2–7, 2012, SEMA China Business Development Tour to Shanghai and Beijing.

The U.S. Department of Commerce is offering a $1,000 grant off the $3,000-per-company fee for qualified companies. Check with SEMA staff for details on additional costs/discounts for two or more participants per company.

Benefits for participating SEMA members include:

• The opportunity to visit off-road and street-performance shops in Beijing and Shanghai.
• Meetings with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China during the stops in Shanghai and in Beijing.
• Interpreters assigned to your company in each city.
• Briefing by U.S. government officials based in China.
• Promote your brand to Chinese buyers now through China eNews—a periodic Chinese-language electronic newsletter sent to buyers throughout China.
• Program costs include hotel, meals, interpreters, access to buyers from throughout China and flight from Shanghai to Beijing (flights to and from the United States are not included).

In addition to meeting with pre-vetted buyers, participants will visit tuning shops in Beijing and Shanghai.

For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org, or visit the SEMA China Business Development Tour online registration page.

	In addition to meeting with pre-vetted buyers, SEMA China Business Development Tour participants will visit tuning shops in Beijing and Shanghai.

From high-performance suspensions to under-the-hood goodies, the specialty-equipment market's luxury segment has a lot of potential for SEMA members, who can learn about these opportunities and meet with potential customers by participating in the September 2–7, 2012, SEMA China Business Development Tour to Shanghai and Beijing.

The U.S. Department of Commerce is offering a $1,000 grant off the $3,000-per-company fee for qualified companies. Check with SEMA staff for details on additional costs/discounts for two or more participants per company.

Benefits for participating SEMA members include:

• The opportunity to visit off-road and street-performance shops in Beijing and Shanghai.
• Meetings with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China during the stops in Shanghai and in Beijing.
• Interpreters assigned to your company in each city.
• Briefing by U.S. government officials based in China.
• Promote your brand to Chinese buyers now through China eNews—a periodic Chinese-language electronic newsletter sent to buyers throughout China.
• Program costs include hotel, meals, interpreters, access to buyers from throughout China and flight from Shanghai to Beijing (flights to and from the United States are not included).

In addition to meeting with pre-vetted buyers, participants will visit tuning shops in Beijing and Shanghai.

For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org, or visit the SEMA China Business Development Tour online registration page.

	The Toyota Hilux is a best-selling light truck in a growing number of countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, El Salvador, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay and Peru. The vehicle is not sold in the United States or Canada but is sold in 135 countries worldwide.

Sign up for a slot at one of three measuring sessions this summer for the Toyota Hilux—a vehicle widely sold overseas but not available in the United States. The ’12 model—the seventh edition of this one-ton double-cab 4x4 pickup, which is sold in 135 countries worldwide—is expected to arrive on U.S. shores this summer and will be available to members to prototype products.

“This is the first time the association has made a vehicle available from outside the United States,” said Linda Spencer, SEMA director of international and government relations. “We’re excited about the potential the Hilux represents to our members who are looking to generate sales overseas.”

The initial session will be held at SEMA's Diamond Bar, California, headquarters this summer, with other measuring sessions in the Midwest and on the East Coast.

The vehicle was actually purchased through a partnership with the U.S. government, and will be available for companies to bring to their facility for additional measurement/fitment checks. Register now for the ’12 Toyota Hilux Measuring Session.

Questions? Contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.