By Carr Winn

The Jeep brand is synonymous with being “capable” of handling almost anything, and the new Jeep Gladiator falls right in line with the family. Recently, FCA invited SEMA News to join other journalists for a ride and drive in Southern California to get some seat-time in the new model. While many touch points across the exterior and interior feel very familiar to the Wrangler, the addition of a pickup bed means you can now haul 1,600 lbs. or tow 7,650 lbs almost anywhere. FCA Jeep Brand Director Scott Tallon, talked to SEMA News about the new Gladiator and its aftermarket potential.  

As Tallon mentions, the Gladiator is now arriving in dealerships across the country. The units are actually built in Toledo, Ohio, where Jeep vehicles have rolled off the assembly line since 1941. The new truck will make its production home in the south plant of the Toledo Assembly Complex, where the Jeep Wrangler JK was built until April 2018.

Powering the new Gladiator is the proven 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine at launch with a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 engine being offered in 2020. On the inside, enthusiasts can load up the vehicle with more than 80 available active and passive safety/security accessories including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross path detection, forward-facing off-road camera, adaptive cruise control and electronic stability control with electronic roll mitigation.

The first Jeep pickup was manufactured in 1947 and the new Jeep Gladiator continues to add to that heritage. For more information on all things Jeep, visit Jeep.com.

https://www.sema.org/icc

The Industry Cup Challenge features SEMA-member companies in five divisions competing against the clock to an all-out race to No. 1.

https://www.sema.org/icc

The Industry Cup Challenge features SEMA-member companies in five divisions competing against the clock to an all-out race to No. 1.

https://www.sema.org/icc

The Industry Cup Challenge features SEMA-member companies in five divisions competing against the clock to an all-out race to No. 1.

By Matt Kennedy

The first step in any successful sales or product strategy is understanding your market opportunity. How well do you know yours?

SEMA has partnered with Experian Automotive to provide members with custom-built reports on the number of vehicles currently on the road. Each report is tailored to your specific needs, helping you to evaluate new product or promotional opportunities.

Examples of business questions that the SEMA Member VIO program can help answer include:

• “We’re a performance parts and accessory retailer, and we’re looking to open a new store in Virginia or North Carolina. Which location has more potential customers who own late-model Camaros?”
• “We’re focused on the truck and off-road market, and we’re gearing up for a new marketing campaign for our Jeep Wrangler products. In which states should we focus our efforts?”
• “We manufacture turbochargers for late-model Subarus, but we’ve gotten a number of requests from customers for older models. Are there enough pre-’00 WRXs on the road to justify investing in development?”

Since the program has launched, SEMA Member VIO has helped answer hundreds of questions like these from companies like yours. And the best part? It’s free to eligible SEMA members.

For more information, or to submit a request, visit www.sema.org/vio today.

By Matt Kennedy

The first step in any successful sales or product strategy is understanding your market opportunity. How well do you know yours?

SEMA has partnered with Experian Automotive to provide members with custom-built reports on the number of vehicles currently on the road. Each report is tailored to your specific needs, helping you to evaluate new product or promotional opportunities.

Examples of business questions that the SEMA Member VIO program can help answer include:

• “We’re a performance parts and accessory retailer, and we’re looking to open a new store in Virginia or North Carolina. Which location has more potential customers who own late-model Camaros?”
• “We’re focused on the truck and off-road market, and we’re gearing up for a new marketing campaign for our Jeep Wrangler products. In which states should we focus our efforts?”
• “We manufacture turbochargers for late-model Subarus, but we’ve gotten a number of requests from customers for older models. Are there enough pre-’00 WRXs on the road to justify investing in development?”

Since the program has launched, SEMA Member VIO has helped answer hundreds of questions like these from companies like yours. And the best part? It’s free to eligible SEMA members.

For more information, or to submit a request, visit www.sema.org/vio today.

By Matt Kennedy

The first step in any successful sales or product strategy is understanding your market opportunity. How well do you know yours?

SEMA has partnered with Experian Automotive to provide members with custom-built reports on the number of vehicles currently on the road. Each report is tailored to your specific needs, helping you to evaluate new product or promotional opportunities.

Examples of business questions that the SEMA Member VIO program can help answer include:

• “We’re a performance parts and accessory retailer, and we’re looking to open a new store in Virginia or North Carolina. Which location has more potential customers who own late-model Camaros?”
• “We’re focused on the truck and off-road market, and we’re gearing up for a new marketing campaign for our Jeep Wrangler products. In which states should we focus our efforts?”
• “We manufacture turbochargers for late-model Subarus, but we’ve gotten a number of requests from customers for older models. Are there enough pre-’00 WRXs on the road to justify investing in development?”

Since the program has launched, SEMA Member VIO has helped answer hundreds of questions like these from companies like yours. And the best part? It’s free to eligible SEMA members.

For more information, or to submit a request, visit www.sema.org/vio today.

By Linda Spencer

Nissan Patrol Y61 4x4

Ford Ranger double-cab 4x4

For the past nine years since its inception, the SEMA International Vehicle Measuring Program’s (IVMP) goal has been to make it easier for members to access popular international vehicles not sold in the United States. SEMA members are now invited to measure two vehicles—a Nissan Patrol Y61 and ’16 Australian-spec Ford Ranger 4x4 double-cab. With the Ford Ranger’s entrance into the U.S. market this year, members have an opportunity to view the multiple differences between the Rest of the World (RoW) Ranger and the model sold in the United States. 

Schedule a time to measure one or both vehicles at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. The trucks can also be transported to your facility, if needed. These are the sixth and seventh vehicles made available through this program, which SEMA launched in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce. There is no charge for members to measure the vehicles.

Nissan Patrol Y61 4x4

Now in its fifth generation, this left-hand-drive truck was built in Japan for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) market. It is spec’d with a five-speed manual transmission and a 4.8L petrol six-cylinder engine. This vehicle is currently sold in the Middle East, South Africa, certain Central American countries and the Philippines, among others. There is also a large pool of Y61s in Australia and New Zealand, though sales in these markets stopped in 2016.

Ford Ranger Double-Cab 4x4

SEMA has on hand an Australian-spec, 3.2L diesel-powered, right-hand-drive ’16 Ford Ranger. The global accessory-friendly RoW Ranger has been enjoying strong sales abroad, achieving top ranking in diverse markets, such as Europe (where the Ranger is the best-selling pickup) as well as a market leader in Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Philippines and Thailand. This vehicle has also resonated with buyers in Latin America and Saudi Arabia. Under U.S. government temporary import terms, the Ranger will only be available through the end of the summer.  

To reserve a truck, contact Stephanie Martinez. For more information about SEMA’s international programs or to suggest a new overseas venue or international vehicle to include in the lending program, contact Linda Spencer.

By Linda Spencer

Nissan Patrol Y61 4x4

Ford Ranger double-cab 4x4

For the past nine years since its inception, the SEMA International Vehicle Measuring Program’s (IVMP) goal has been to make it easier for members to access popular international vehicles not sold in the United States. SEMA members are now invited to measure two vehicles—a Nissan Patrol Y61 and ’16 Australian-spec Ford Ranger 4x4 double-cab. With the Ford Ranger’s entrance into the U.S. market this year, members have an opportunity to view the multiple differences between the Rest of the World (RoW) Ranger and the model sold in the United States. 

Schedule a time to measure one or both vehicles at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. The trucks can also be transported to your facility, if needed. These are the sixth and seventh vehicles made available through this program, which SEMA launched in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce. There is no charge for members to measure the vehicles.

Nissan Patrol Y61 4x4

Now in its fifth generation, this left-hand-drive truck was built in Japan for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) market. It is spec’d with a five-speed manual transmission and a 4.8L petrol six-cylinder engine. This vehicle is currently sold in the Middle East, South Africa, certain Central American countries and the Philippines, among others. There is also a large pool of Y61s in Australia and New Zealand, though sales in these markets stopped in 2016.

Ford Ranger Double-Cab 4x4

SEMA has on hand an Australian-spec, 3.2L diesel-powered, right-hand-drive ’16 Ford Ranger. The global accessory-friendly RoW Ranger has been enjoying strong sales abroad, achieving top ranking in diverse markets, such as Europe (where the Ranger is the best-selling pickup) as well as a market leader in Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Philippines and Thailand. This vehicle has also resonated with buyers in Latin America and Saudi Arabia. Under U.S. government temporary import terms, the Ranger will only be available through the end of the summer.  

To reserve a truck, contact Stephanie Martinez. For more information about SEMA’s international programs or to suggest a new overseas venue or international vehicle to include in the lending program, contact Linda Spencer.

By Linda Spencer

2019 Export Fair participants will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with international buyers and learn top tips and best practices to grow their export sales.

Meet one-on-one with international buyers and learn top tips and best practices to grow your export sales at the 2019 SEMA Export Fair. The July 23–24 event, to be held at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, will include seminars featuring seasoned exporters, overseas buyers and other key stakeholders. The biannual event, co-sponsored with the U.S. Department of Commerce, is limited to the first 100 registrants.

The event will feature:  

• Educational sessions, including “How to Find Whether Counterfeits of Your Products Are Being Sold on Popular Online Platforms,” such as Alibaba, and the steps to quickly have these fakes removed; “Racing in the UAE and Surrounding Companies: Opportunities for U.S. Manufacturers;” and “How to Communicate Effectively with Overseas Buyers: Hint—It’s NOT by Email!”
• 20-minute private, confidential meetings with an IPR attorney to learn about taking the appropriate steps to protect your patents and trademarks.
• One-on-one meetings with trade buyers from top overseas markets, including Australia, Latin America and the United Arab Emirates.
• A networking happy hour.

The 2019 SEMA Export Fair registration is limited. The cost is $125 for the first participant per company and $65 for each additional participant from the same company.

Register now!