By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Garage recently partnered with the Midway Group to host a joint measuring session featuring the ’17 Ferrari 488 and the ’17 Mercedes AMG GT. SEMA members headed to Midway’s MG Studio in Los Angeles with tools and cameras in hand ready to gather specs, research model additions and develop plans for new products.

The association created measuring sessions to provide a single location for members to schedule time with vehicles to gather specs, research model additions and changes, and develop plans for new products.

In addition to member access, the two elite European sport coupes shared time under the FARO arm to generate accurate 3D scans of the exteriors, as well as detailed scans of the exhausts, brakes, wheels and more. The scan data helps engineers develop products that are guaranteed to fit, eliminating the need for reverse engineering. Access to the vehicle data collected from the FARO arm, along with the real-world measurements and photos taken by session participants, can drastically reduce the time needed to take a product idea from concept to showroom.

“One of the most vital components of product development is the Measuring Session; it’s really where that process starts,” said Jim Moore, SEMA director of OEM relations. “Traditionally, we host sessions at the SEMA Garage, or at OEM establishments. When were looking for non-traditional vehicles that don’t necessarily fit in to the norm, we look for outside partners, like the Midway Group.”

In addition to the Ferrari-Mercedes session at Midway Group, this year the SEMA Garage has already conducted measuring sessions for the ’18 Toyota C-HR and ’16 Australian-spec Ford Ranger, with a ’18 Audi Q5 Measuring Session scheduled for Tuesday, February 7.

“Midway Group specializes in vehicle procurement for partners like SEMA to provide vehicles for OEMs, manufacturers, marketing agencies and press agencies,” said Bryan Fitzgibbon, Midway Group’s director of client services. “While not necessarily in the garage right now, we typically have about 20 to 25 vehicles that are ours, and the goal is to use the vehicles for more than one program of this type.”

Upcoming Measuring Sessions are announced in SEMA eNews when details are made available. To learn more about SEMA Measuring Sessions and the SEMA Garage, visit www.semagarage.com.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Garage recently partnered with the Midway Group to host a joint measuring session featuring the ’17 Ferrari 488 and the ’17 Mercedes AMG GT. SEMA members headed to Midway’s MG Studio in Los Angeles with tools and cameras in hand ready to gather specs, research model additions and develop plans for new products.

The association created measuring sessions to provide a single location for members to schedule time with vehicles to gather specs, research model additions and changes, and develop plans for new products.

In addition to member access, the two elite European sport coupes shared time under the FARO arm to generate accurate 3D scans of the exteriors, as well as detailed scans of the exhausts, brakes, wheels and more. The scan data helps engineers develop products that are guaranteed to fit, eliminating the need for reverse engineering. Access to the vehicle data collected from the FARO arm, along with the real-world measurements and photos taken by session participants, can drastically reduce the time needed to take a product idea from concept to showroom.

“One of the most vital components of product development is the Measuring Session; it’s really where that process starts,” said Jim Moore, SEMA director of OEM relations. “Traditionally, we host sessions at the SEMA Garage, or at OEM establishments. When were looking for non-traditional vehicles that don’t necessarily fit in to the norm, we look for outside partners, like the Midway Group.”

In addition to the Ferrari-Mercedes session at Midway Group, this year the SEMA Garage has already conducted measuring sessions for the ’18 Toyota C-HR and ’16 Australian-spec Ford Ranger, with a ’18 Audi Q5 Measuring Session scheduled for Tuesday, February 7.

“Midway Group specializes in vehicle procurement for partners like SEMA to provide vehicles for OEMs, manufacturers, marketing agencies and press agencies,” said Bryan Fitzgibbon, Midway Group’s director of client services. “While not necessarily in the garage right now, we typically have about 20 to 25 vehicles that are ours, and the goal is to use the vehicles for more than one program of this type.”

Upcoming Measuring Sessions are announced in SEMA eNews when details are made available. To learn more about SEMA Measuring Sessions and the SEMA Garage, visit www.semagarage.com.

By SEMA Editors

Troy Ladd’s ’36 Packard roadster, the Mullholland Speedster, prevailed in a field of 12 finalists to win the coveted 10-ft. America’s Most Beautiful Roadster trophy.

Troy Ladd, legendary customizer and owner of Hollywood Hot Rods, was honored with the top award at the 68th Annual Grand National Roadster Show held in Pomona, California, January 27–29, 2017. Ladd’s ’36 Packard roadster, the Mullholland Speedster, prevailed in a field of 12 finalists to win the coveted 10-ft. trophy.

Ladd follows his Grand National achievement with his first television series, “Botched Ride Rescue.” Teaming with car expert and TV personality Courtney Hansen, the duo will rescue and customize poorly modified cars and trucks in the spirit of fun for deserving owners. The 10-episode series will premiere on Velocity on primetime in the third quarter of 2017.

Follow “Botched Ride Rescue” on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

By Matt Kennedy

SEMA Market Research’s latest report, “Shopping Habits: In-Store & Online,” examines data collected from 5,000 consumers on what parts they buy, where they buy them and how they research ideas for new parts for their vehicles.

It’s no secret that a sizeable number of specialty-equipment parts are now bought online, while just a decade ago the thought of buying a performance upgrade on the web might have seemed unthinkable for most automotive consumers. But what’s the reality of the situation? And what does that mean for your business?

SEMA Market Research’s latest report, “Shopping Habits: In-Store & Online,” answers this by examining data collected from 5,000 consumers about the parts they buy, where they buy them and how they research ideas for new parts for their vehicles. While the internet is definitely a big slice of the industry’s sales, most products are actually still bought in-store and almost all consumers still buy at least some of their parts from physical locations. This report offers valuable information about these buying habits.

To download the report, “Shopping Habits: In-Store & Online,” go to www.sema.org/shopping-habits-report.

Additional information on what and where consumers buy can be found in the most recent Annual Market Study, available at www.sema.org/2016marketreport.

Meanwhile, as 2017 gets underway, many SEMA members are planning updates to their product offerings to meet their customers’ demands. But do you have the information you need to make an informed decision about what vehicles you should be covering? The SEMA Member VIO Program allows United States-based manufacturer, distributor and retailer/installer members to get hard data about how many specific vehicle makes and models of interest are on the road today.

For more information, check out www.sema.org/vio.

By Matt Kennedy

SEMA Market Research’s latest report, “Shopping Habits: In-Store & Online,” examines data collected from 5,000 consumers on what parts they buy, where they buy them and how they research ideas for new parts for their vehicles.

It’s no secret that a sizeable number of specialty-equipment parts are now bought online, while just a decade ago the thought of buying a performance upgrade on the web might have seemed unthinkable for most automotive consumers. But what’s the reality of the situation? And what does that mean for your business?

SEMA Market Research’s latest report, “Shopping Habits: In-Store & Online,” answers this by examining data collected from 5,000 consumers about the parts they buy, where they buy them and how they research ideas for new parts for their vehicles. While the internet is definitely a big slice of the industry’s sales, most products are actually still bought in-store and almost all consumers still buy at least some of their parts from physical locations. This report offers valuable information about these buying habits.

To download the report, “Shopping Habits: In-Store & Online,” go to www.sema.org/shopping-habits-report.

Additional information on what and where consumers buy can be found in the most recent Annual Market Study, available at www.sema.org/2016marketreport.

Meanwhile, as 2017 gets underway, many SEMA members are planning updates to their product offerings to meet their customers’ demands. But do you have the information you need to make an informed decision about what vehicles you should be covering? The SEMA Member VIO Program allows United States-based manufacturer, distributor and retailer/installer members to get hard data about how many specific vehicle makes and models of interest are on the road today.

For more information, check out www.sema.org/vio.

The SEMA Battle of the Builders (BOTB) competition has become a renowned program, featuring the country’s top vehicle builders who have already proven themselves by having a vehicle displayed at the SEMA Show. Check out this ’65 Mustang coupe turned fastback that landed a spot in the top 21 of this year’s competition. Jason Pecikonis, owner of Timeless Kustoms, provides more details on what it took to build this “vicious” pony.

For more information on SEMA Battle of the Builders, visit www.semashow.com/botb.

The SEMA Battle of the Builders (BOTB) competition has become a renowned program, featuring the country’s top vehicle builders who have already proven themselves by having a vehicle displayed at the SEMA Show. Check out this ’65 Mustang coupe turned fastback that landed a spot in the top 21 of this year’s competition. Jason Pecikonis, owner of Timeless Kustoms, provides more details on what it took to build this “vicious” pony.

For more information on SEMA Battle of the Builders, visit www.semashow.com/botb.

The SEMA Battle of the Builders (BOTB) competition has become a renowned program, featuring the country’s top vehicle builders who have already proven themselves by having a vehicle displayed at the SEMA Show. Check out this ’65 Mustang coupe turned fastback that landed a spot in the top 21 of this year’s competition. Jason Pecikonis, owner of Timeless Kustoms, provides more details on what it took to build this “vicious” pony.

For more information on SEMA Battle of the Builders, visit www.semashow.com/botb.

The SEMA Battle of the Builders (BOTB) competition has become a renowned program, featuring the country’s top vehicle builders who have already proven themselves by having a vehicle displayed at the SEMA Show. Check out this ’65 Mustang coupe turned fastback that landed a spot in the top 21 of this year’s competition. Jason Pecikonis, owner of Timeless Kustoms, provides more details on what it took to build this “vicious” pony.

For more information on SEMA Battle of the Builders, visit www.semashow.com/botb.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The province of British Columbia has again issued a proclamation designating July 8, 2017, as Collector Car Appreciation Day.

Thanks to the efforts of the Specialty Vehicle Association of British Columbia, the province of British Columbia has again issued a proclamation designating July 8, 2017, as Collector Car Appreciation Day in the province. The province also proclaimed the month of July 2017 to be Collector Car Appreciation Month. Earlier this year, the SEMA Action Network (SAN) announced dates in July to mark the eighth commemoration in what has become an annual event to raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society. The SAN is again working to secure a U.S. Senate resolution to recognize the day’s significance. 

For details, contact Colby Martin at colbym@sema.org.