By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated attendance restrictions have posed significant challenges for racetracks and other live entertainment operators. Even as stay-at-home orders were lifted, many states placed restrictions on the sizes of gatherings that continue to impact the operations of entertainment businesses, including racetracks. While Congress recently created a $15 billion grant program to assist live entertainment and performing arts venues that have been adversely impacted by COVID-19 shutdown orders and occupancy restrictions, the U.S. Small Business Administration determined that racetracks and many other forms of live entertainment were not eligible to apply for grants through the Shuttered Venue Operators Grants (SVOG) program. SEMA and the Performance Racing Industry have formed a coalition in partnership with other groups that were left out of the SVOG program to advocate for Congress to create a grant program to help recreation, sports, and amusement live venues that have experienced significant revenue declines.

It is important that members of Congress hear from SEMA members about the importance of providing financial support to racetracks. To send a letter to your lawmakers in Washington, D.C., please click here.

For details, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By Linda Spencer

The Corvette C8 will be produced for the first time as a right-hand-drive (RHD) model. Japan will be the first country to receive the new configuration in 2021 with the expected delivery of 300 of these iconic General Motors vehicles.  

The 300 eighth-generation Corvettes are presold, selling out within 60 hours of them going on sale. The United Kingdom and Australia are the other two markets expected to receive the RHD Corvette in late 2021.  While the numbers are small to start—300 in the first year in Japan and 200 rumored in the first year in Australia—it’s a start for this vehicle. GM officials have noted in recent press reports that the success of the Ford Mustang RHD versions helped prove the international appeal of these late-model American musclecars.   

The RHD version will be built alongside the left-hand-drive (LHD) version in the GM Bowling Green, Kentucky, facility.

By SEMA Editors

The September 2021 issue of SEMA News will highlight rising stars in the automotive aftermarket industry who are age 35 and younger. If you know a leader in that age range as of September 1, 2021—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media, or distribution—we would like to hear from you.

Many SEMA members are currently working with creative young professionals who are already industry trailblazers. They may have played key roles in leveraging new and emerging technologies with a traditional automotive aftermarket business to expand company reach, improve product development, energize marketing efforts or upgrade customer interaction.

They could be budding talents at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands or innovators who have launched companies that might become big names in the future. What they all will have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed.

SEMA News looks for candidates drawn from diverse industry segments who are already making a significant impact through their leadership within their organizations or businesses. Entrepreneurship, commitment, insight, innovation, integrity, responsibility, demonstrated skill, involvement and success within the marketplace weigh heavily in the decision-making process. We’ll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

Nominate a candidate now for the 2021 SEMA News 35 Under 35. Nominations are due May 31.

Here’s a first look at the Corvette C8 in RHD configuration, which means Australia, Japan and the UK should be getting giddy.

Although GM showed a single image of the C8 cabin in RHD guise nearly a year ago, we have yet to see any official release, press images, or even a prototype from Chevrolet.

Talking to CorvetteBlogger, Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter stated “some of us are actually driving them around… it’s very strange to be driving a Corvette with the steering wheel on the right-hand side. We’ve built some and we’ll be doing some of our pre-production testing now in the U.S.”

Fascinatingly though, this is the first time we’ve seen a single prototype.

Expect an official debut in the coming months, with an on-sale date TBD.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here’s a first look at the Corvette C8 in RHD configuration, which means Australia, Japan and the UK should be getting giddy.

Although GM showed a single image of the C8 cabin in RHD guise nearly a year ago, we have yet to see any official release, press images, or even a prototype from Chevrolet.

Talking to CorvetteBlogger, Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter stated “some of us are actually driving them around… it’s very strange to be driving a Corvette with the steering wheel on the right-hand side. We’ve built some and we’ll be doing some of our pre-production testing now in the U.S.”

Fascinatingly though, this is the first time we’ve seen a single prototype.

Expect an official debut in the coming months, with an on-sale date TBD.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

 By Ashley Reyes

Submissions are being accepted for SEMA-member companies to participate in the 2021 Ford Project Vehicle Program.

Open to SEMA member company manufacturers, designers and/or retailers dedicated to supporting new product development, companies must be willing to actively promote the vehicle with their products through an established marketing plan and be financially capable of spending promotional dollars.

The Ford booth at the 2021 SEMA Show will highlight the following vehicles in addition to its existing lineup. The provided links below will allow you to research these products as well as find high-resolution images for your proposal rendering.

• ’21 Ford Bronco (2-Door/4-Door)
• ’21 Ford Bronco Sport
• ’21 Ford Transit
• ’21 Ford Super Duty
• ’21 F-150 (with Pro Power Onboard)
• ’21 Ford Ranger
• ’21 Mach E
• ’21 Ford Expedition
• ’21 Ford Mustang (2.3L EcoBoost/5.0L GT)

Information for the above models can be found at Ford’s media website.

2021 Ford Project Vehicle Program

Proposal Submission Deadline: March 8, 2021
Award Recipient Notification Date: by May 7, 2021

All project vehicle requests must meet the Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program Criteria shown below.

Please submit your project request in two parts:

1.  E-mail a one-page project summary—must be received by February 15, 2021.

Include bullet points for:

• Vehicle/theme.
• Vehicle modifications.
• New product development.
• Promotional plan.
• Vehicle display location at the 2021 SEMA Show.

2. E-mail, mail or send a link to where the files can be download of a detailed project proposal—must be received by March 8, 2021.

Include detail supporting the one-page project summary on company letterhead, a color rendering, and past project vehicles examples.

Information on Ford vehicles is available at www.ford.com.

Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program Criteria

Aftermarket companies requesting project vehicles should be:

• A Manufacturer or Designer/Restyler dedicated to supporting new product development.
• Financially capable and willing to spend promotional dollars.
• Actively promoting the vehicle with their product(s) through an established marketing plan.
• A current SEMA member.

Aftermarket companies receiving project vehicles must:

• Feature the vehicle in a booth at the 2021 Las Vegas SEMA Show.
• Use Ford accessory products as specified and provided by Ford Motor Company.
• Register and keep the vehicle in your company name during the entire contract period.
• Purchase and maintain $3 million in general liability Insurance, $3 million in automotive liability insurance, $1 million employer liability and demonstrate workers compensation coverage; an umbrella policy may be used to achieve coverage limits.
• Commit to feature the vehicle with the Ford logo intact and visible.
• Order a California-certified vehicle if you intend to register or use the vehicle primarily in California or any other state that has adopted California emissions standards. Failure to do so may subject you to a state fine.
• Make vehicles available to Ford or its Dealers for display, at the owner’s discretion.
• Submit written quarterly status reports for a period of 18 months, as specified in the contract, stating:

1. Product development.
2. Modifications to the vehicle.
3. Events (including dates, location and type of event).
4. Media exposure (originals or color copies).
5. Company advertising featuring the vehicle.
6. Social Media exposure with statistics.
7. A copy of your current vehicle registration.

Please submit Project Vehicle proposals to:

Ford Motor Company
21175 Oakwood Blvd., PDCDC MD579        
Dearborn, MI 48124    
Attn: Nick Terzes and Kyle Ebner                      
semainfo@ford.com

By SEMA Editors

SEMA is still accepting applications for the 2021 SEMA Memorial Scholarship and Loan Forgiveness Program. Scholarships are available to students pursuing a degree or certification that leads to a career in the automotive industry, and loan forgiveness is available to employees of SEMA-member companies.

“It’s no secret that this past year has had its challenges. Now more than ever, SEMA is available to help support future industry innovators by providing financial assistance to current students and recent graduates who have outstanding student debt,” said SEMA Senior Manager of Professional Development Gary Vigil. “There are thousands of talented, hard-working individuals seeking careers in the automotive aftermarket. The SEMA Scholarship is designed to support this next generation and allow them to focus on their studies and work, rather than be burdened with tuition costs. The Loan Forgiveness program is intended to provide financial assistance to employees of SEMA-member companies with outstanding student loans.”

Awards of up to $5,000 are available to qualified individuals. Complete details and the online application are available until March 1.  

For more information, contact SEMA Project Manager, Member Services Byron Bergmann at 909-378-4859 or byronb@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Dates and locations have been scheduled for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

 By SEMA Editors

Exhibit at the 2021 SEMA Show to shine the spotlight on your company in front of tens of thousands of qualified buyers looking for the best that the specialty automotive market has to offer.

In addition to buyers, the Show also attracts thousands of traditional media and social media influencers, ready to let the rest of the world know about your products and applications, opening up even more sales opportunities well after the Show concludes.

Access SEMA's worldwide network and create more opportunities to sell. Be there to reconnect at the 2021 SEMA Show, Tuesday-Friday, November 2-5, Las Vegas.

Reserve your spot for 2021 at www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

For additional information about exhibiting at the SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com/exhibitor.

By SEMA Editors

Latest Jobs Added to SEMA Career Center

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest jobs posted to the website.

eCommerce Product Listing Specialist
XDP is currently seeking an eCommerce product listing specialist to assist in the cataloging and management of the company’s product lines. This position will be part of a select team that is dedicated to creating the most complete and comprehensive product listings in the industry. Candidates must be familiar and comfortable with working with multi-screens and have at least two years’ computer experience.

Inside Sales Representative
Total Cost Involved is hiring an inside sales representative to conduct both inbound and outbound sales calls. This position requires travel to select car shows around the country from time-to-time to provide face-to-face selling opportunities with top dealers and end-user customers alike. Candidates must have more than five years’ proven experience in inside or outside sales, with technical sales in aftermarket auto industry helpful.

Direct Sales Representative
Advanced Flow Engineering Inc. is hiring a direct sales representative responsible for answering product-related questions, generating and processing sales and educating potential customers on product lines in an in-bound environment using phone, email, live-chat and CRM, and promoting aFe products at car/truck events. The successful candidate will have intermediate to advanced automotive knowledge, thrive on customer interaction, follow-through and attention to detail. A minimum high school diploma or equivalent with one year experience in an in-bound call center, counter or retail sales, preferably in automotive aftermarket, or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Visit the SEMA Career Center for more job opportunities.