By Luis Morales

Initial CAD data for the ’21 Ford F-150 will include (but is not limited to): 4x4 suspension, exhaust, frame, steering, rear axle, dash, center stack, wheel well liners and cargo bed.

SEMA Tech Transfer has announced that CAD data for the ’21 Ford F-150 is now available.

Initial data will include (but is not limited to): 4x4 suspension, exhaust, frame, steering, rear axle, dash, center stack, wheel well liners and cargo bed.

New data will continuously be uploaded, upon release, so keep an eye on the Tech Transfer website’s “Latest Files” log, located at the bottom of the main landing page.  

For those who are already Tech Transfer members, feel free to browse through the website’s OEM CAD Repository to view all the available files. If you are not a Tech Transfer member and are interested in accessing SEMA’s 3D Scan data and OEM CAD data, contact garage@sema.org.

Join the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) as they host a Facebook Live Chat with Melanie Hellwig White, president of Hellwig Products, on December 2, at 12:00 p.m. (PST).

Join the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) as they host a Facebook Live Chat with Melanie Hellwig White, president of Hellwig Products, on December 2, at 12:00 p.m. (PST).

By Ashley Reyes

Cristina Jorge is this week’s SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) Volunteer Spotlight member.

Jorge is the head of the communications task force for PRO and vice president of Specialty Automotive Treatments. In her Q&A with SEMA, Jorge shares how she stays ahead of new changes in the industry, and why her father’s influence inspired her to propel a career in automotive restyling.

SEMA: What inspired you to pursue a career in restyling/manufacturing?   

Cristina Jorge: Restyling and the automotive business has always been part of my life growing up; my father, Ralph Jorge Sr., started Specialty Automotive Treatments in 1979. My father has been the biggest inspiration in my life to work in this business. His passion for cars and this industry has always propelled me.

SEMA: Why did you decide to volunteer for PRO? How has it or will it impact you?

CJ: After some years in the business as a restyler, it hit me how quickly how much the automotive business changes year after year. There's always something new happening or being released that will affect my business in some way. Being a part of PRO helps me to stay as ahead of those changes as possible, and maybe somewhere along the way even become a part of it.  

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?   

CJ: Be persistent and be patient. People at the top of their game in the automotive aftermarket industry are typically enthusiasts, experts in their craft, and have been at it a long time. I can say from my personal experience, it can be intimidating. Find these experts/“Pro’s” and surround yourself in their good company. Learn as much as possible from them and network whenever possible.

SEMA: What is your dream vehicle?

CJ: “The Real McCoy” ’56 Chevrolet Corvette. I’ve always loved the simplicity of classic cars.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

CJ: If you learn from your failure, it can be one of the most valuable stepping-stones in your journey to success.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

CJ: When I listen to other friends and people talk about work and describe their days, it sounds so boring. I truly love what I do. Like most, there are aspects of my job that I don't appreciate. However, most days, whether it’s my sales team or my customers I feel genuinely blessed to be able to wake up and talk to people about cars and how we can make them look exciting.

SEMA: On a Saturday, where can you be found?

CJ: At a restaurant ordering half the menu. Saturday is my cheat day!

By Ashley Reyes

Cristina Jorge is this week’s SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) Volunteer Spotlight member.

Jorge is the head of the communications task force for PRO and vice president of Specialty Automotive Treatments. In her Q&A with SEMA, Jorge shares how she stays ahead of new changes in the industry, and why her father’s influence inspired her to propel a career in automotive restyling.

SEMA: What inspired you to pursue a career in restyling/manufacturing?   

Cristina Jorge: Restyling and the automotive business has always been part of my life growing up; my father, Ralph Jorge Sr., started Specialty Automotive Treatments in 1979. My father has been the biggest inspiration in my life to work in this business. His passion for cars and this industry has always propelled me.

SEMA: Why did you decide to volunteer for PRO? How has it or will it impact you?

CJ: After some years in the business as a restyler, it hit me how quickly how much the automotive business changes year after year. There's always something new happening or being released that will affect my business in some way. Being a part of PRO helps me to stay as ahead of those changes as possible, and maybe somewhere along the way even become a part of it.  

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?   

CJ: Be persistent and be patient. People at the top of their game in the automotive aftermarket industry are typically enthusiasts, experts in their craft, and have been at it a long time. I can say from my personal experience, it can be intimidating. Find these experts/“Pro’s” and surround yourself in their good company. Learn as much as possible from them and network whenever possible.

SEMA: What is your dream vehicle?

CJ: “The Real McCoy” ’56 Chevrolet Corvette. I’ve always loved the simplicity of classic cars.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

CJ: If you learn from your failure, it can be one of the most valuable stepping-stones in your journey to success.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

CJ: When I listen to other friends and people talk about work and describe their days, it sounds so boring. I truly love what I do. Like most, there are aspects of my job that I don't appreciate. However, most days, whether it’s my sales team or my customers I feel genuinely blessed to be able to wake up and talk to people about cars and how we can make them look exciting.

SEMA: On a Saturday, where can you be found?

CJ: At a restaurant ordering half the menu. Saturday is my cheat day!

By SEMA Editors

The Society of Collision Repair Specialists’ (SCRS) entire line of Repairer Driven Education (RDE) online offerings, which debuted earlier this month in conjunction with SEMA360, is now available.

Unlike online webinars, the nearly 24 hours of programming features speakers filmed onsite in front of a room situated similar to how an event-room would be set. Topics include business-oriented subject matters ranging from preparation in order to get paid for scans, overcoming insurer objections, leveraging OEM certifications, technology that will disrupt your business, marketing online, litigating and winning short payments and more. Technical topics include duplicating OEM seam sealer, interpreting component level data and Glue Pull Repair. The OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit session delves deeper into emerging realities in the automotive space, with presentations from executives and engineers at GM, Subaru America, Ford and Audi of America, with an in-depth look at Materials, technology and changes in automotive design in North America, from the perspective of Ducker.

Visit the SCRS website for a complete list of the RDE sessions, which be available to users through August 2021.

By SEMA Editors

The Society of Collision Repair Specialists’ (SCRS) entire line of Repairer Driven Education (RDE) online offerings, which debuted earlier this month in conjunction with SEMA360, is now available.

Unlike online webinars, the nearly 24 hours of programming features speakers filmed onsite in front of a room situated similar to how an event-room would be set. Topics include business-oriented subject matters ranging from preparation in order to get paid for scans, overcoming insurer objections, leveraging OEM certifications, technology that will disrupt your business, marketing online, litigating and winning short payments and more. Technical topics include duplicating OEM seam sealer, interpreting component level data and Glue Pull Repair. The OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit session delves deeper into emerging realities in the automotive space, with presentations from executives and engineers at GM, Subaru America, Ford and Audi of America, with an in-depth look at Materials, technology and changes in automotive design in North America, from the perspective of Ducker.

Visit the SCRS website for a complete list of the RDE sessions, which be available to users through August 2021.

The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:

Seats in four different categories are open for this year’s SEMA Board of Directors election.

As a member of the Association, we need your recommendation of industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors.

The following seats are open for this year’s election:

• Chairman-elect (1 open seat)
• Manufacturers (2 open seats)
• Distributors/Retailers (2 open seats)
• Services (1 open seat)

Please take a moment and tell us whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position by completing and submitting a nomination form. To help the vetting process, include information about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements that would make that nominee an outstanding board candidate.

Nominations for the SEMA Board of Directors are due on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. Please complete and submit the nomination form.

A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. We urge you to take part in the nominations process—our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the Board, but we need you to help bring them to the attention of the Nominating Committee.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Sincerely,
 
Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President & CEO

The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:

Seats in four different categories are open for this year’s SEMA Board of Directors election.

As a member of the Association, we need your recommendation of industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors.

The following seats are open for this year’s election:

• Chairman-elect (1 open seat)
• Manufacturers (2 open seats)
• Distributors/Retailers (2 open seats)
• Services (1 open seat)

Please take a moment and tell us whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position by completing and submitting a nomination form. To help the vetting process, include information about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements that would make that nominee an outstanding board candidate.

Nominations for the SEMA Board of Directors are due on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. Please complete and submit the nomination form.

A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. We urge you to take part in the nominations process—our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the Board, but we need you to help bring them to the attention of the Nominating Committee.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Sincerely,
 
Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President & CEO

By Ashley Reyes

Ricardo Salinas is this week’s SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) spotlight member. Salinas works at Phastek Performance, an aftermarket retailer that services Camaro owners with custom parts and vehicle upgrades. Learn about his passion for the industry in his Q&A with SEMA.   

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Ricardo Salinas: Remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint. If we are committed to the long-term then we need to stay focused on what drives us.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

RS: The people—be it the CEO, upper management, sales, support members and most of all the customers. They all play a crucial part in the industry to keeping it alive.

SEMA: On a Saturday, where can you be found?

RS: With family or in the garage. The weekly grind requires some quality family time and much needed personal garage time.

SEMA: How you do prepare for an important meeting?

RS: Prepared for anything that can happen.  

SEMA: If you can go to lunch with one industry leader, who would it be?

RS: Carroll Shelby because he and his team did it all before the internet made it easier. I would like to know the grind that happened behind the scenes to make the magic happen in front of the world before it was mainstream.