By Kyle Cheng

According to the latest “SEMA Industry Indicators” report, the auto sector has recovered 74% of the jobs lost during April and May, compared to just 47% for overall American manufacturing.

The U.S. economy continues to recover what was lost in the early months of the pandemic. Much of the pent-up demand from April and May has likely been satisfied, and now the economy settles into a period of smaller month-over-month growth as it works to regain what was lost in the early months of the pandemic.

The auto sector, one of the hardest hit in the early months of the pandemic, has experienced one of the better recoveries so far. It has recovered 74% of the jobs lost during April and May, compared to just 47% for overall American manufacturing. Likewise, new vehicle sales are on track to reach just over 14 million units in 2020—18% below 2019 but 60% higher than April.

Consumer confidence is down but remains higher than the lows seen during the last recession from 2007–2009. Right now, the end of stimulus and pandemic unemployment payments are headwinds against this. As the virus situation improves, consumers will gain more confidence and increase their spending.

Want more information on the trends affecting the specialty-equipment industry? Download the September “SEMA Industry Indicators Report”—available for free at www.sema.org/research.

By SEMA Editors

Registration for SEMA360 is available at no cost to SEMA-member buyers. Qualified, non-SEMA-member buyers pay $25.

More than 500 high-quality, specialty-equipment manufacturers are planning for SEMA360, taking place on computers everywhere, November 2-6, 2020. SEMA360 is an online marketplace that connects buyers with companies and products across all markets, from off-road, SUVs and light trucks to hot rods and restoration, racing & performance, and collision repair.

Registration is available at no cost to SEMA-member buyers. Qualified, non-SEMA-member buyers pay $25.

You could spend time researching 500 companies on your own, but why would you? SEMA360 is the one place where you'll find it all—product and feature vehicle debuts, education sessions covering timely topics and, most importantly, company representatives ready to answer your questions.

SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso explains how getting business done in SEMA360 will be much more efficient than surfing the Internet.

“Its analogous to using the internet to look up individual restaurants versus using a consolidated resource like Yelp or OpenTable,” said Gatusso.

“In one place, you see numerous options and get menus, directions, hours and user reviews. SEMA360 uses similar technology to refine your search for the latest offerings from the best of the industry all organized on a single platform in an easy-to-use format."

Not only will you find top companies and products, SEMA360 will also save you time and eliminate the guesswork of finding the right person with whom to interact.

Gattuso continued: “You’ll be able to easily meet with manufacturers, see new products, view demonstrations, access a feature vehicle gallery, attend seminars and more. Truth is, it would take you months, even years, to find all this rich content and contact as many manufacturer representatives, vehicle builders and educators on your own.”

Find your future best sellers online from the comfort of your home or office with SEMA360. Register today!

By SEMA Editors

Registration for SEMA360 is available at no cost to SEMA-member buyers. Qualified, non-SEMA-member buyers pay $25.

More than 500 high-quality, specialty-equipment manufacturers are planning for SEMA360, taking place on computers everywhere, November 2-6, 2020. SEMA360 is an online marketplace that connects buyers with companies and products across all markets, from off-road, SUVs and light trucks to hot rods and restoration, racing & performance, and collision repair.

Registration is available at no cost to SEMA-member buyers. Qualified, non-SEMA-member buyers pay $25.

You could spend time researching 500 companies on your own, but why would you? SEMA360 is the one place where you'll find it all—product and feature vehicle debuts, education sessions covering timely topics and, most importantly, company representatives ready to answer your questions.

SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso explains how getting business done in SEMA360 will be much more efficient than surfing the Internet.

“Its analogous to using the internet to look up individual restaurants versus using a consolidated resource like Yelp or OpenTable,” said Gatusso.

“In one place, you see numerous options and get menus, directions, hours and user reviews. SEMA360 uses similar technology to refine your search for the latest offerings from the best of the industry all organized on a single platform in an easy-to-use format."

Not only will you find top companies and products, SEMA360 will also save you time and eliminate the guesswork of finding the right person with whom to interact.

Gattuso continued: “You’ll be able to easily meet with manufacturers, see new products, view demonstrations, access a feature vehicle gallery, attend seminars and more. Truth is, it would take you months, even years, to find all this rich content and contact as many manufacturer representatives, vehicle builders and educators on your own.”

Find your future best sellers online from the comfort of your home or office with SEMA360. Register today!

By Kyle Cheng

The “2020 SEMA Market Report” provides a comprehensive look at how the products your company sells are purchased and installed.

Interested in finding out the next hottest trend? Want to see where consumers are purchasing their parts? Whatever your business objectives may be, SEMA Market Research’s reports can help connect you with the information you need to make informed business decisions. All of these reports, and much more, are available for free at www.sema.org/research.

Here are some of the latest reports from SEMA Market Research:

2020 SEMA Market Report: Looking for a deeper dive into the specialty-equipment market? The “2020 SEMA Market Report” provides a comprehensive look at how the products your company sells are purchased and installed. Also included is the most up-to-date information on parts buyers, key industry trends and forecasts and insights into the vehicles currently on the road.

SEMA State of the Consumer Report – July 2020: In this report, the SEMA Market Research team explores the current state of consumers within the United States and their outlook for the future. This quick snapshot looks at how consumers are emerging from coronavirus lockdown—including recent driving patterns, retail behavior and how they are interacting with the specialty-equipment industry.

The SEMA Market Research team is here to help you and your business. If you have any questions or information needs, feel free to reach out to us at research@sema.org.

By Kyle Cheng

The “2020 SEMA Market Report” provides a comprehensive look at how the products your company sells are purchased and installed.

Interested in finding out the next hottest trend? Want to see where consumers are purchasing their parts? Whatever your business objectives may be, SEMA Market Research’s reports can help connect you with the information you need to make informed business decisions. All of these reports, and much more, are available for free at www.sema.org/research.

Here are some of the latest reports from SEMA Market Research:

2020 SEMA Market Report: Looking for a deeper dive into the specialty-equipment market? The “2020 SEMA Market Report” provides a comprehensive look at how the products your company sells are purchased and installed. Also included is the most up-to-date information on parts buyers, key industry trends and forecasts and insights into the vehicles currently on the road.

SEMA State of the Consumer Report – July 2020: In this report, the SEMA Market Research team explores the current state of consumers within the United States and their outlook for the future. This quick snapshot looks at how consumers are emerging from coronavirus lockdown—including recent driving patterns, retail behavior and how they are interacting with the specialty-equipment industry.

The SEMA Market Research team is here to help you and your business. If you have any questions or information needs, feel free to reach out to us at research@sema.org.

By Richard Hail

Mattteo Medoro’s winning build was created from the cab and front end of a ’47 Dodge two-ton pickup joined to the frame of a ’92 Dodge Cummins 4x4.

Matteo Medoro once again joins the ranks of the SEMA Young Guns with a win at the 2020 SEMA Battle of the Builders (BOTB) Young Guns Pacific Northwest virtual regional qualifier. For the second year in a row, he moves on to compete alongside his peers in the BOTB competition this November.

His winning build, which he started working on immediately following the 2019 SEMA Show, was created from the cab and front end of a ’47 Dodge two-ton pickup joined to the frame of a ’92 Dodge Cummins 4x4. After having the frame sandblasted, he gave it a healthy coating of POR-15 rust preventer. Then he lifted the cab into place, making sure the late-model diesel powerplant would fit into the classic’s frame. Once aligned, he designed and created all of the mounts and adapters needed to fuse the two trucks together including a custom bumper and deck with ample storage for tools, a full-size jack and more.  

From there, Medoro added a Northern Radiator behind the cab, fabricating all of the radiator lines and intercooler lines himself out of copper. The powertrain includes an upgraded turbo, injection pump, injectors, lift pump and a rebuilt transmission putting out 550 hp and more than 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque. A customized FLO-PRO exhaust runs through the cab and along the running boards.

The interior boasts a headliner sewn together from upcycled old Albertan potato sacks and burlap, while the seats and door panels were created from distressed leather with a pattern stitched into the seats that are based off of Medoro’s cowboy boots. The imposing truck sits on 37-in. tires all around and boasts a finish that is part patina, part fauxtina.

The Battle of the Builders competition celebrates the amazing craftsmanship and talents of people who create and build some of the most unique cars in the world. The Young Guns program is a feeder to the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, and offers up-and-coming builders who are 27 or under the opportunity to compete to earn a spot in the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition. Furthermore, the Young Guns program recognizes and inspires the next wave of young builders and gets them actively involved within the aftermarket industry.

To see more of this build alongside hundreds of others, register for SEMA360, where you’ll also receive access to Feature Vehicle displays, the latest aftermarket products and industry-leading educational sessions. Manufacturers and buyers can register and connect at www.sema360.com.

By Richard Hail

Mattteo Medoro’s winning build was created from the cab and front end of a ’47 Dodge two-ton pickup joined to the frame of a ’92 Dodge Cummins 4x4.

Matteo Medoro once again joins the ranks of the SEMA Young Guns with a win at the 2020 SEMA Battle of the Builders (BOTB) Young Guns Pacific Northwest virtual regional qualifier. For the second year in a row, he moves on to compete alongside his peers in the BOTB competition this November.

His winning build, which he started working on immediately following the 2019 SEMA Show, was created from the cab and front end of a ’47 Dodge two-ton pickup joined to the frame of a ’92 Dodge Cummins 4x4. After having the frame sandblasted, he gave it a healthy coating of POR-15 rust preventer. Then he lifted the cab into place, making sure the late-model diesel powerplant would fit into the classic’s frame. Once aligned, he designed and created all of the mounts and adapters needed to fuse the two trucks together including a custom bumper and deck with ample storage for tools, a full-size jack and more.  

From there, Medoro added a Northern Radiator behind the cab, fabricating all of the radiator lines and intercooler lines himself out of copper. The powertrain includes an upgraded turbo, injection pump, injectors, lift pump and a rebuilt transmission putting out 550 hp and more than 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque. A customized FLO-PRO exhaust runs through the cab and along the running boards.

The interior boasts a headliner sewn together from upcycled old Albertan potato sacks and burlap, while the seats and door panels were created from distressed leather with a pattern stitched into the seats that are based off of Medoro’s cowboy boots. The imposing truck sits on 37-in. tires all around and boasts a finish that is part patina, part fauxtina.

The Battle of the Builders competition celebrates the amazing craftsmanship and talents of people who create and build some of the most unique cars in the world. The Young Guns program is a feeder to the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, and offers up-and-coming builders who are 27 or under the opportunity to compete to earn a spot in the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition. Furthermore, the Young Guns program recognizes and inspires the next wave of young builders and gets them actively involved within the aftermarket industry.

To see more of this build alongside hundreds of others, register for SEMA360, where you’ll also receive access to Feature Vehicle displays, the latest aftermarket products and industry-leading educational sessions. Manufacturers and buyers can register and connect at www.sema360.com.

By Richard Hail

Mattteo Medoro’s winning build was created from the cab and front end of a ’47 Dodge two-ton pickup joined to the frame of a ’92 Dodge Cummins 4x4.

Matteo Medoro once again joins the ranks of the SEMA Young Guns with a win at the 2020 SEMA Battle of the Builders (BOTB) Young Guns Pacific Northwest virtual regional qualifier. For the second year in a row, he moves on to compete alongside his peers in the BOTB competition this November.

His winning build, which he started working on immediately following the 2019 SEMA Show, was created from the cab and front end of a ’47 Dodge two-ton pickup joined to the frame of a ’92 Dodge Cummins 4x4. After having the frame sandblasted, he gave it a healthy coating of POR-15 rust preventer. Then he lifted the cab into place, making sure the late-model diesel powerplant would fit into the classic’s frame. Once aligned, he designed and created all of the mounts and adapters needed to fuse the two trucks together including a custom bumper and deck with ample storage for tools, a full-size jack and more.  

From there, Medoro added a Northern Radiator behind the cab, fabricating all of the radiator lines and intercooler lines himself out of copper. The powertrain includes an upgraded turbo, injection pump, injectors, lift pump and a rebuilt transmission putting out 550 hp and more than 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque. A customized FLO-PRO exhaust runs through the cab and along the running boards.

The interior boasts a headliner sewn together from upcycled old Albertan potato sacks and burlap, while the seats and door panels were created from distressed leather with a pattern stitched into the seats that are based off of Medoro’s cowboy boots. The imposing truck sits on 37-in. tires all around and boasts a finish that is part patina, part fauxtina.

The Battle of the Builders competition celebrates the amazing craftsmanship and talents of people who create and build some of the most unique cars in the world. The Young Guns program is a feeder to the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, and offers up-and-coming builders who are 27 or under the opportunity to compete to earn a spot in the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition. Furthermore, the Young Guns program recognizes and inspires the next wave of young builders and gets them actively involved within the aftermarket industry.

To see more of this build alongside hundreds of others, register for SEMA360, where you’ll also receive access to Feature Vehicle displays, the latest aftermarket products and industry-leading educational sessions. Manufacturers and buyers can register and connect at www.sema360.com.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Steve Matusek debuted his 2020 Pro Mod Mustang with his new title sponsor Tequila Comisario before enduring a roll-over crash in round one of eliminations.

Aeromotive Founder Regears for Remainder of NHRA Pro Mod Season Following Wreck in Indy

Owner and founder of Aeromotive Inc. Steve Matusek has announced his plans to continue the 2020 Pro Mod season following an incident at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis on September 6. Matusek debuted his 2020 Pro Mod Mustang with his new title sponsor Tequila Comisario before enduring a roll-over crash in round one of eliminations. With continued support from Tequila Comisario, Matusek will return to the Pro Mod class in a backup race car from Elite Motorsports. Matusek is familiar with the black sixth-generation Camaro as he drove it to a personal best of 5.739 at 252.05 mph during the 2020 Drag Illustrated Door Slammer Nationals in Orlando. It utilizes a ProCharger supercharger as a power-adder for motivation on the dragstrip. The car’s livery will feature the Tequila Comisario logo and bottles. Matusek will attend the remaining four Pro Mod races in the 2020 NHRA season: the AMALIE Motor Oil Gatornationals in Gainesville, the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Midwest Nationals presented by Pennzoil at World Wide Technology Raceway, the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex, and the Dodge NHRA Finals presented by Pennzoil in Las Vegas over the weekend of October 30–November 1.

Don’s Auto Parts & Machine Shop will serve as the presenting sponsor of the 26th Annual World Power Wheel Standing Championships at Byron Dragway, October 3–4.

Don’s Auto Parts & Machine Shop Named Presenting Sponsor of World Power Wheel Standing Championships

Byron Dragway has announced that Don’s Auto Parts & Machine Shop will serve as the presenting sponsor of the 26th Annual World Power Wheel Standing Championships at Byron Dragway, October 3–4. The weekend-long event features a variety of drag-racing action that is headlined by two-wheel-stand contest sessions on Sunday, October 4, at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. (CDT). For more event information, visit www.byrondragway.com.

Perris Auto Speedway Cancels Glenn Howard Classic

Perris Auto Speedway announced that, due to state and county mandates prohibiting fans because of the COVID-19 virus, the September 26 Glenn Howard Classic for the USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series has been cancelled. To date, only the season-opening event, Night of Destruction on March 7, has taken place. Every other scheduled race slated for the ambitious silver anniversary campaign has been canceled. The PAS is open for private and group practice sessions as well as for television, movie, and commercial shoots. Contact kazariandon@gmail.com for details.

Texas Motorplex has received approval to host 50% of its capacity for the 35th annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals.

Texas Motorplex Receives Approval For Fans At NHRA FallNationals

Texas Motorplex, the 1/4-mile drag strip in Ennis, Texas, has received approval to host 50% of its capacity for the 35th annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, October 14–18. Officials announced updated procedures, including increased hand sanitizing stations throughout the facility and a newly reconfigured pit area with wider traffic flow. Fans will also be provided with masks if they need it. For more information, visit www.texasmotorplex.com.

Phoenix Raceway to Host Limited Fans for NASCAR Championship Weekend

Phoenix Raceway will host a limited number of fans for the NASCAR Championship Weekend set for November 6–8, in accordance with guidance and approvals from local officials as well as enhanced safety protocols. In addition to maintaining strict adherence to the CDC-recommended 6-ft. social distancing throughout the venue, all guests will be screened prior to entering the gates, including a non-contact temperature check, and guests ages 3 and up will be required to bring and wear mandatory face coverings. Multiple handwashing and hand sanitizing stations will be placed throughout the operating areas and entrances, and a “clean team” of staff, clearly identified for guests, will be cleaning or disinfecting at all times. More information can be found at www.phoenixraceway.com/protocols. The INfield Experience will be unavailable, while other fan hospitality options such as Legends and Dos Equis Curve will operate at a reduced capacity. Camping will still be available. For more information, including ticketing information, visit Phoenix Raceway’s website.

IMSA President John Doonan’s presentation included provisional schedules for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and IMSA Prototype Challenge.

IMSA Reveals WeatherTech Championship 2021 Schedule, New Class

IMSA President John Doonan revealed details on the 2021 season during his first State of the Sport presentation this week. The presentation included provisional schedules for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and IMSA Prototype Challenge. Doonan also unveiled a new class and qualifying format for the WeatherTech Championship and a new points structure. The WeatherTech Championship schedule will see the series return to traditional venues next year, beginning at Daytona International Speedway in January through the 10-hour Motul Petit Le Mans in its season-ending slot in October at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. In addition, the Daytona Prototype international (DPi), Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2), GT Le Mans (GTLM), and GT Daytona (GTD) classes will be joined by a new class—Le Mans Prototype 3 (LMP3)—at select events. A new generation of LMP3 models will be introduced to IMSA competition in 2021-2022 from four approved constructors—Ligier, Duqueine Engineering, Ginetta, and Adess—using 455 horsepower Nissan VK56 engines. New LMP3 cars or earlier models that have been updated to the new Evo will be eligible for WeatherTech Championship LMP3 competition.

IMSA will also adopt a new championship points structure for the WeatherTech Championship, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and IMSA Prototype Challenge for all race events. Points will be 10 times what they were in previous years, with a win now worth 350 points, 320 for second, 300 for third, etc. Points will continue to be awarded to 30th place in each class.

In addition, the WeatherTech Championship will begin awarding points for qualifying at 10% of the 2021 points structure. A pole will be worth 35 points, with 32 points for a second-place qualifier, 30 for third, etc. down to 30th place in each class. Points from qualifying will be awarded for all drivers in each car in addition to each team. Each manufacturer’s highest-qualifying car also will earn points toward the manufacturers’ championship.

For more information, including the complete provisional schedules, new qualifying format information, and more, visit the IMSA website.

For more racing news, visit Performance Racing Industry’s (PRI) website.

Best Practices: Workplace Cleaning and Sanitation Protocol Sources

A guide of COVID-19 sanitation protocol sources to help companies adapt to the "new normal" business climate.


https://www.sema.org/sema-news/2020/09/reopening-a-guide-to-covid-19-workplace-cleaning-and-sanitation-protocol-sources