Spies in Northern Sweden caught another look at the Mercedes Maybach S-Class. Maybach these days is the top-range Mercedes models with an add-on in exclusivity and style, and the next-generation S-Class will be the best example of that.

Equipped with a new front grille and modified exhaust pipes, painted in two-tone color and with the added space of nearly one meter, the Maybach will become the crown jewel of Mercedes-Benz and will try to rival the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley.

The Maybach S-Class will remain available as S560 and S650, automatic will be standard and four-wheel drive will be available as an option.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Spies in Northern Sweden caught another look at the Mercedes Maybach S-Class. Maybach these days is the top-range Mercedes models with an add-on in exclusivity and style, and the next-generation S-Class will be the best example of that.

Equipped with a new front grille and modified exhaust pipes, painted in two-tone color and with the added space of nearly one meter, the Maybach will become the crown jewel of Mercedes-Benz and will try to rival the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley.

The Maybach S-Class will remain available as S560 and S650, automatic will be standard and four-wheel drive will be available as an option.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Spies in Northern Sweden caught another look at the Mercedes Maybach S-Class. Maybach these days is the top-range Mercedes models with an add-on in exclusivity and style, and the next-generation S-Class will be the best example of that.

Equipped with a new front grille and modified exhaust pipes, painted in two-tone color and with the added space of nearly one meter, the Maybach will become the crown jewel of Mercedes-Benz and will try to rival the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley.

The Maybach S-Class will remain available as S560 and S650, automatic will be standard and four-wheel drive will be available as an option.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By Ashley Reyes

Held January 21–23, at the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North in Santa Ana, California, the 2020 MPMC Media Trade Conference gives editors and reporters an opportunity to have up to 14 one-on-one meetings each day of the event.

Media who have signed up for the 2020 MPMC Media Trade Conference will receive their schedules via email, January 13. The event, taking place January 21–23, at the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North in Santa Ana, California, includes personalized schedules for journalists to meet privately with motorsports parts manufacturers.

All media who have registered and received a confirmation before December 20, will receive their schedules via email by January 13. Schedules for all other registrants will be available for pick up onsite at the event.

Media who have not yet registered can still do so. Schedules will be filled as openings are available and provided to media onsite at the event.

Media with questions can visit www.sema.org/mtc or contact Juan Torres at juant@sema.org.

By Ashley Reyes

Held January 21–23, at the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North in Santa Ana, California, the 2020 MPMC Media Trade Conference gives editors and reporters an opportunity to have up to 14 one-on-one meetings each day of the event.

Media who have signed up for the 2020 MPMC Media Trade Conference will receive their schedules via email, January 13. The event, taking place January 21–23, at the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North in Santa Ana, California, includes personalized schedules for journalists to meet privately with motorsports parts manufacturers.

All media who have registered and received a confirmation before December 20, will receive their schedules via email by January 13. Schedules for all other registrants will be available for pick up onsite at the event.

Media who have not yet registered can still do so. Schedules will be filled as openings are available and provided to media onsite at the event.

Media with questions can visit www.sema.org/mtc or contact Juan Torres at juant@sema.org.

SEMA News—January 2020

EVENTS

By Linda Spencer

2019 SEMA Show Connects Exhibitors, International Buyers and Media

Winners of the 2020 Global Media Awards had the opportunity to speak with the journalists who selected their product for an award. In addition to providing general coverage of the SEMA Show, these editorial media typically provide extensive coverage of the winning products and provide insights into their selection process.

International Buyers from 130 countries descended on the 2019 SEMA Show, walking the aisles to find products that would resonate well with their customers back home and to see the latest trends in customizing. Networking with the more than 20% of buyers residing overseas features high on the list of priorities of exhibitors. Global recognition of their products from a panel of international journalists is a sought-after recognition and serves to assist companies in identifying promising export markets. The SEMA Show organizes a number of programs and resources to assist in making those connections.

This is part one of a two-part SEMA News story on the international programs and resources featured at the 2019 SEMA Show. What follows below are some highlights of the programs and resources at this year’s Show. An upcoming SEMA News article will feature the 172 companies winning Global Media Awards (GMA) at the 2019 Show, including the top 2020 GMA winner RSI SmartCap with eight awards. It was a favorite among judges from a diverse group of countries, including Australia, Canada, China, Peru and New Zealand. Also covered will be the second top vote getter, Factor 55, which won six 2020 GMAs, and judge’s comments about all the winning products.

SEMA held a Latin America session with buyers and enthusiast media from more than half a dozen countries in the region, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico and Venezuela. The buyers and journalists covered nearly every SEMA niche, including restoration, off-road, circuit and drag racing, as well as street-performance upgrades. The discussions focused on everything from online versus brick-and-mortar shops; the size of markets; and regional versus country differences and similarities. Obstacles to exporting to certain countries in the region (such as the high tariffs imposed by the Brazilian and Argentinian governments) were also discussed. In contrast, due to U.S. free-trade agreements, there are zero taxes on U.S. products in a number of countries in the region, including Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.	The day before the 2019 SEMA Show officially opened, exhibitors and key buyers and media participated in roundtables on three promising markets.
Nearly 30 enthusiast journalists from 20 countries in Europe, Asia, Oceania, North America and Latin America served on the GMA panel. Armed with their extensive knowledge of their home markets, including trends and local terrain and vehicle mix. In addition to covering the Show for their publications, each was charged with selecting 10 products from the more than 3,000 in the New Products Showcase that they believed would best fit in their markets. The winners of the GMA had the opportunity to meet the journalists selecting them for international recognition at the International Happy Hour.	The Center for International Commerce (CIC) served as home base for visitors from outside the United States during the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, as well as a quiet place for exhibitors to meet with current or potential overseas customers. Among the resources available in the CIC were translators, private meeting rooms, a lounge area, complimentary Wi-Fi and refreshments.
Exhibitors who ordered complimentary “We Export” signs could signal to the international buyers from 130 countries walking the Show that they were interested in exporting.	The 16th edition of the 2019 International Happy Hour once again attracted about 1,000 attendees—exhibitors, international buyers and media—at the largest annual automotive specialty-equipment global networking event. The 280 GMAs were presented to exhibitors selected by a panel of nearly 30 international media, who each selected 10 products that they believed would best suit their markets.
Three SEMA member companies—Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels, MW Company and Motorstate Distributing—received prestigious Department of Commerce Export Achievement Awards for impressive success in growing their export sales. Each of the companies participated in one or more of the 2019 trips that SEMA conducted to explore the potential of the specialty-equipment industry with markets overseas. The awards were presented to this year’s recipients at the 2019 SEMA International Happy Hour reception by Liz Clark, an official from the U.S. Department of Commerce. From left: Liz Clark, U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration’s automotive team leader; Robert Ledesma, international team lead, Motorstate Distributing; Darren Lane, B2B e-commerce and export sales manager, Motorstate Distributing; Ace Chatoo, MW Company’s regional sales manager/Middle East sales manager; James Lawrence, SEMA Chair-Elect and CEO of Power Automedia; and, from Mickey Thompson Tires and Wheels, Bill O’Roake, international sales manager, Caroline Perkins, credit manager, and Don Sneddon, advertising manager.	Roundtable discussions held on Monday, November 4, on the Middle East, Australia/New Zealand and Latin America provided exhibitors with information on top markets, with insights into distribution, unique characteristics and trends. The sessions also provided an excellent networking opportunity, allowing exhibitors to meet with key buyers and overseas enthusiast media before the SEMA Show began.

SEMA News—January 2020

REQUIRED READING

By Juan Torres

SEMA’s Council and Network Leaders Talk 2020 Trends

SEMA’s council and network leaders recently shared the initiatives that they are working on, what’s currently trending in their markets, what they envision the future might hold, and the challenges they face.

https://www.sema.org/sema-news/2019/12/whats-trending-for-2020

SEMA News—January 2020

By Fredy Ramirez

EVENTS

SEMA Members Team With WD-40 and SEMA Garage to Raise Money for Charity

SEMA Garage, WD-40 and many others came together in order to create a custom ’66 Ford Bronco that will be auctioned off to benefit Childhelp. The first steps were to remove the body, assess the tired components, then sandblast the frame.

Sometimes people come together for a special cause and create something extraordinary. SEMA Garage, WD-40 and many others in the industry came together in order to create a custom ’66 Ford Bronco that will be auctioned off to benefit Childhelp later in the year. Childhelp is an organization dedicated to closing the cycle of child abuse in the United States by helping victims and those at risk.

For even the most experienced craftsmen, building a vehicle takes time, effort and money. Most of the parts for this vehicle came via donations. All those who worked on the build, which required extensive custom adaptations, donated their time to ensure the creation of a quality vehicle.

The design concept was simple: to keep the classic look and operational simplicity of a ’66 Bronco, but build one that delivers up-to-date driving capabilities and improved off-road utility. The team’s first step was to assess the vehicle’s condition. “We had to strip the entire vehicle down to the frame,” Project Lead Luis Morales said. “We started taking things apart to see what could be salvaged and what needed to be replaced.”

SEMA Garage Engineer Conner Morris (right) and Project Lead Luis Morales worked to shoehorn the 3.5L EcoBoost engine into the Bronco engine bay.

After the assessment stage, the Bronco received a systematic, frame-up makeover from tail to bonnet. Solo Motorsports installed a rollcage and new radius arms developed specifically for the Bronco. While at the paint and body shop, the chassis and all the underpinnings were sandblasted and repainted. LGE-CTS Motorsports painted the body a color reminiscent of WD-40 blue, with PPG Industries providing the paint. The team also added a Rhino Linings flooring liner to create an interior that could be easily cleaned and resist rust and abrasion.

Under the hood lies a 3.5L EcoBoost engine that develops 375 hp and a whopping 470 lb.-ft. of torque.

When the rolling chassis returned to SEMA Garage, the team began to work on the suspension, which employs Skyjacker Suspensions springs and shocks. A set of 4.56-ratio Currie front and rear axles with Yukon Gear and Axle gears provided ideal strength and gearing for off-road use. The rear axle is a Ford 9-in., and the front is a Dana 44; locking hubs are from Warn.

When the newly painted body pieces returned to the SEMA Garage, they were fitted to the chassis. “Joining those things when there had been modifications to each of them independently was challenging,” Morales said, but in the end the Bronco’s clean, purposeful appearance and overall stance was exactly what the build called for.

The custom ’66 Ford Bronco was displayed at the 2019 SEMA Show in the WD-40 booth—the vehicle’s first public appearance.

Next came work on the exterior, with lighting and trim provided by Drake Automotive Group. Lund International donated fender flares, and AMP Research provided powersteps. BCR Custom Wiring installed the wiring.

Under the hood lies a 3.5L EcoBoost engine that develops 375 hp and a whopping 470 lb.-ft. of torque. The EcoBoost is a bigger engine than the inline-six that originally powered the ’66 Bronco. To make the swap work with space at a premium, the team engineered a custom cooling system using Mishimoto components, relocated the Optima battery, and worked with GReddy to install an air-induction system to fit the cramped engine bay.

The Bronco’s interior features Distinctive Industries/Roadwire Interiors panels and upholstery.

With a bigger power unit came a custom driveshaft rated to handle the output. Wilwood installed new brakes and contributed a plan to optimize the rear brake lines. Summit Racing provided an original-spec fuel tank. New wheels from American Racing Wheels and 35-in. tires from Toyo Tires were also added. MagnaFlow dropped by the SEMA Garage to create and install a one-off exhaust system.

The Bronco features a number of one-off parts, many of which were 3-D printed. The center console, the ECU cover and some of the dash covers are 3-D-printed, one-off designs. Two companies, Stratasys and Dinsmore Inc. helped print parts for the Bronco. The interior also features Distinctive Industries/Roadwire Interiors interior panels and upholstery.

The Bronco’s first public appearance came at the SEMA Show in November. The auction has been tentatively scheduled for mid-January.

SEMA News—January 2020

By Fredy Ramirez

EVENTS

SEMA Members Team With WD-40 and SEMA Garage to Raise Money for Charity

SEMA Garage, WD-40 and many others came together in order to create a custom ’66 Ford Bronco that will be auctioned off to benefit Childhelp. The first steps were to remove the body, assess the tired components, then sandblast the frame.

Sometimes people come together for a special cause and create something extraordinary. SEMA Garage, WD-40 and many others in the industry came together in order to create a custom ’66 Ford Bronco that will be auctioned off to benefit Childhelp later in the year. Childhelp is an organization dedicated to closing the cycle of child abuse in the United States by helping victims and those at risk.

For even the most experienced craftsmen, building a vehicle takes time, effort and money. Most of the parts for this vehicle came via donations. All those who worked on the build, which required extensive custom adaptations, donated their time to ensure the creation of a quality vehicle.

The design concept was simple: to keep the classic look and operational simplicity of a ’66 Bronco, but build one that delivers up-to-date driving capabilities and improved off-road utility. The team’s first step was to assess the vehicle’s condition. “We had to strip the entire vehicle down to the frame,” Project Lead Luis Morales said. “We started taking things apart to see what could be salvaged and what needed to be replaced.”

SEMA Garage Engineer Conner Morris (right) and Project Lead Luis Morales worked to shoehorn the 3.5L EcoBoost engine into the Bronco engine bay.

After the assessment stage, the Bronco received a systematic, frame-up makeover from tail to bonnet. Solo Motorsports installed a rollcage and new radius arms developed specifically for the Bronco. While at the paint and body shop, the chassis and all the underpinnings were sandblasted and repainted. LGE-CTS Motorsports painted the body a color reminiscent of WD-40 blue, with PPG Industries providing the paint. The team also added a Rhino Linings flooring liner to create an interior that could be easily cleaned and resist rust and abrasion.

Under the hood lies a 3.5L EcoBoost engine that develops 375 hp and a whopping 470 lb.-ft. of torque.

When the rolling chassis returned to SEMA Garage, the team began to work on the suspension, which employs Skyjacker Suspensions springs and shocks. A set of 4.56-ratio Currie front and rear axles with Yukon Gear and Axle gears provided ideal strength and gearing for off-road use. The rear axle is a Ford 9-in., and the front is a Dana 44; locking hubs are from Warn.

When the newly painted body pieces returned to the SEMA Garage, they were fitted to the chassis. “Joining those things when there had been modifications to each of them independently was challenging,” Morales said, but in the end the Bronco’s clean, purposeful appearance and overall stance was exactly what the build called for.

The custom ’66 Ford Bronco was displayed at the 2019 SEMA Show in the WD-40 booth—the vehicle’s first public appearance.

Next came work on the exterior, with lighting and trim provided by Drake Automotive Group. Lund International donated fender flares, and AMP Research provided powersteps. BCR Custom Wiring installed the wiring.

Under the hood lies a 3.5L EcoBoost engine that develops 375 hp and a whopping 470 lb.-ft. of torque. The EcoBoost is a bigger engine than the inline-six that originally powered the ’66 Bronco. To make the swap work with space at a premium, the team engineered a custom cooling system using Mishimoto components, relocated the Optima battery, and worked with GReddy to install an air-induction system to fit the cramped engine bay.

The Bronco’s interior features Distinctive Industries/Roadwire Interiors panels and upholstery.

With a bigger power unit came a custom driveshaft rated to handle the output. Wilwood installed new brakes and contributed a plan to optimize the rear brake lines. Summit Racing provided an original-spec fuel tank. New wheels from American Racing Wheels and 35-in. tires from Toyo Tires were also added. MagnaFlow dropped by the SEMA Garage to create and install a one-off exhaust system.

The Bronco features a number of one-off parts, many of which were 3-D printed. The center console, the ECU cover and some of the dash covers are 3-D-printed, one-off designs. Two companies, Stratasys and Dinsmore Inc. helped print parts for the Bronco. The interior also features Distinctive Industries/Roadwire Interiors interior panels and upholstery.

The Bronco’s first public appearance came at the SEMA Show in November. The auction has been tentatively scheduled for mid-January.