SEMA News—May 2023

By Gigi Ho

NEW PRODUCTS

SEMA Data Product News

The products featured below are from SEMA Data member companies that have attained Gold- or Platinum-level data, which means that their product data is robust and complete—likely to drive customer purchase decisions. SEMA Data members meeting data scorecard requirements are invited to submit product releases for consideration to enews@semadata.org.

Injen EVOLUTION Cold Air Intake System, ’21–’22 Ford Bronco L4-2.3L Turbo

Injen Technology’s new EVO9300 Cold Air Intake for the ’21–’22 Ford Bronco equipped with the 2.3L EcoBoost engine is here. One look at the stats of this intake system, and you’ll know that it’s the right choice for your new Bronco. The EVO9300 is a true 3-D-designed intake system that simply drops in without any modifications, plus it delivers on those performance gains without the need for additional and expensive engine tuners. Simply install our intake system and you’re set with no “check-engine” lights and no drama!

PN: EVO9300
www.injen.com

KW Coilover Kit V1

The KW V1 INOX-LINE Coilover Kit is our entry point into our street performance lineup. The high-quality INOX-LINE stainless-steel coilover struts, corrosion-resistant springs, bumpstops and dampers are optimally tuned by our engineers. The result is a balanced and sporty feel specific to each vehicle application designed for long-lasting driving pleasure. With KW V1 coilovers, you can achieve maximum lowering within an approved lowering range that ensures a proper-functioning suspension and adequate travel after your car is lowered.

PN: 10210005
www.kwsuspensions.com

Auto Ventshade Side Window Deflector

AVS Ventshade is the original AVS product. Offered for many classic vehicles, it is the standard that created the side window deflector industry. Its ledge profile that is mounted in the window channel, combined with stainless-steel construction, keeps rain out and lets fresh air in. Manufactured from high-quality steel. Available in polished stainless and black finishes. Quick and easy installation. Backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

PN: 14202
www.autoventshade.com

TI Automotive High-Performance Gas Brushless Pump and Controller

TI Automotive fuel pumps are available for in-tank or in-line needs across a variety of fuels featuring the award-winning 39/50 in-tank pump and the GSS line featuring the popular 255-lph pump. They deliver high-pressure, high-flow performance for engines with more than 500 hp. Pump kits, filters and accessories are available to help you with your installation needs and are designed as direct-fit replacements. Our fuel pumps and modules are never manufactured or assembled by a third party or sourced from an outside company.

PN: BKS1001
https://aftermarket.tiautomotive.com/

SEMA Data is “data central” for the specialty-equipment segment, containing millions of products and vehicle fitments from performance and accessories brands. Created by SEMA, SEMA Data is the definitive, industry-owned and -operated centralized data warehouse, complete with comprehensive online tools, and a team of dedicated data and technology experts to assist manufacturers and resellers with product data needs. Learn more at www.semadata.org.

SEMA News—May 2023

MARKET RESEARCH SNAPSHOT

Vehicles in Operation and New Light-Vehicle Sales Update

By Market Research

Share of Light Vehicle Sales in 2022

13.7 Million Vehicles Sold in 2022

Around 46% of new vehicle sales in 2022 were CUV models (6.3 million units). However, pickup sales were also strong at 19% (2.6 million units).

Due to supply issues, high interest rates and component shortages, new-vehicle sales in 2022 dipped below 2021 levels at 13.7 million. This is just over a million short of 2021 levels and around 3 million below the levels seen in 2019. Consequently, it’s projected that new light-vehicle sales won’t return to pre-pandemic levels until 2025. Despite slower than expected sales, there are still a lot of light vehicles on the road today—more than 284 million cars and light trucks. CUVs continue to dominate sales and have a large presence on U.S. roads, however pickups also are strong. Despite all the disruption seen over the last year, consumers continue to spend money modifying and accessorizing their vehicles.

New vehicle sales in 2022 finished at just over a million units short of 2021. Delays and shortages mean sales should return to pre-pandemic levels by 2025.

Vehicles Currently in Operation

There are more than 284 million light vehicles in operation today. CUVs are now the most common vehicle on the road, followed by pickups and midsize/large vehicles.

To learn more about the specialty-equipment and broader automotive industries, download the “Fall 2022 SEMA State of the Industry” report today at www.sema.org/research.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA, the CAR Coalition, MEMA Aftermarket and the Auto Care Association applaud a new group of bipartisan cosponsors of the "Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act" (H.R. 906), a bill that will ensure choice, fairness and safety in the vehicle-repair market. In addition to original sponsor Representative Neal Dunn (R-FL), and co-sponsors Reps. Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Warren Davidson (R-OH) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), eight additional members have signed on in support of the REPAIR Act: Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Glenn Thompson (R-PA), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Tim Walberg (R-MI), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), Ann Kuster (D-NH) and Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL).

New co-sponsor Rep. Gimenez said the REPAIR Act's public safety provisions are critical to his support. "As a career first responder, protecting the American people and our public safety has been one of my top priorities in Congress," said Gimenez (FL-28). "I'm proud to join my colleagues in co-sponsoring the bipartisan REPAIR Act, which ensures that car owners have access to their vehicle’s data and can make informed, cost-saving decisions on where to take their car for repairs."

Specifically, the REPAIR Act will:

• Preserve consumer access to high-quality and affordable vehicle repair by ensuring that vehicle owners and their repairers of choice have access to necessary repair and maintenance tools and data as vehicles continue to become more advanced.
• Ensure cybersecurity by allowing vehicle manufacturers to secure vehicle-generated data and requiring the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to develop standards for how vehicle-generated data necessary for repair can be accessed securely.
• Provide transparency for consumers by requiring that vehicle owners be informed that they can choose where and how to get their vehicle repaired.
• Create a stakeholder advisory committee and providing them with the statutory authority to provide recommendations to the FTC on how to address emerging barriers to vehicle repair and maintenance.
• Provide ongoing enforcement by establishing a process for consumers and independent repair facilities to file complaints with the FTC regarding alleged violations of the requirements in the bill and a requirement that the FTC act within five months of a claim.

Click here to send a letter to your U.S. Representative that asks them to support the REPAIR Act by cosponsoring the bill.

While the REPAIR Act is important to repair-and-replace businesses, there is still more work to do. The current legislation does not extend to a right to modify. SEMA is committed to protecting the right to modify vehicles by prohibiting automakers from locking down ECUs and ensuring aftermarket companies have access to the information needed to recalibrate vehicles with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) after they have been modified.

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA, the CAR Coalition, MEMA Aftermarket and the Auto Care Association applaud a new group of bipartisan cosponsors of the "Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act" (H.R. 906), a bill that will ensure choice, fairness and safety in the vehicle-repair market. In addition to original sponsor Representative Neal Dunn (R-FL), and co-sponsors Reps. Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Warren Davidson (R-OH) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), eight additional members have signed on in support of the REPAIR Act: Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Glenn Thompson (R-PA), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Tim Walberg (R-MI), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), Ann Kuster (D-NH) and Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL).

New co-sponsor Rep. Gimenez said the REPAIR Act's public safety provisions are critical to his support. "As a career first responder, protecting the American people and our public safety has been one of my top priorities in Congress," said Gimenez (FL-28). "I'm proud to join my colleagues in co-sponsoring the bipartisan REPAIR Act, which ensures that car owners have access to their vehicle’s data and can make informed, cost-saving decisions on where to take their car for repairs."

Specifically, the REPAIR Act will:

• Preserve consumer access to high-quality and affordable vehicle repair by ensuring that vehicle owners and their repairers of choice have access to necessary repair and maintenance tools and data as vehicles continue to become more advanced.
• Ensure cybersecurity by allowing vehicle manufacturers to secure vehicle-generated data and requiring the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to develop standards for how vehicle-generated data necessary for repair can be accessed securely.
• Provide transparency for consumers by requiring that vehicle owners be informed that they can choose where and how to get their vehicle repaired.
• Create a stakeholder advisory committee and providing them with the statutory authority to provide recommendations to the FTC on how to address emerging barriers to vehicle repair and maintenance.
• Provide ongoing enforcement by establishing a process for consumers and independent repair facilities to file complaints with the FTC regarding alleged violations of the requirements in the bill and a requirement that the FTC act within five months of a claim.

Click here to send a letter to your U.S. Representative that asks them to support the REPAIR Act by cosponsoring the bill.

While the REPAIR Act is important to repair-and-replace businesses, there is still more work to do. The current legislation does not extend to a right to modify. SEMA is committed to protecting the right to modify vehicles by prohibiting automakers from locking down ECUs and ensuring aftermarket companies have access to the information needed to recalibrate vehicles with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) after they have been modified.

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The SEMA California Rally is just around the corner, and SEMA members based in the state are invited to register at sema.org/carally. This event is an excellent opportunity for SEMA-member companies to advocate on behalf of the automotive aftermarket industry with key lawmakers.

The Rally will take place on June 8 in Sacramento, and SEMA members will come together to discuss issues, such as supporting new vehicle technologies, manufacturing tax incentives and the CARB Executive Order process. By attending the Rally, SEMA members will have the chance to meet with lawmakers and their staff to advocate for policies that will benefit the industry.

The SEMA California Rally is open to all SEMA-member companies based in California, and registration is now open. Members can register at sema.org/carally, where they will also find lodging information. We encourage all SEMA members based in California to register for this event and take part in the advocacy efforts.

The automotive aftermarket industry is facing significant challenges, and it is crucial that our voices are heard. By attending the SEMA California Rally, we can make our concerns known and advocate for policies that will support our industry's growth and innovation.

Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to advocate for our industry. Register for the SEMA California Rally today at sema.org/carally. We look forward to seeing you in Sacramento on June 8.

Design Engineering Inc. (DEI) will be the official heat-and-sound control sponsor of the Triple Crown of Rodding, a new premier event for hot rods and trucks, at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon Tennessee, September 8-9. The Triple Crown of Rodding showcases hot rods, customs, classics and musclecars through '72 and American-made trucks through '98.

The Triple Crown of Rodding event was inspired by Shades of the Past, an event that was held for more than 40 years the weekend after Labor Day in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. When that show ended in 2022, Bobby Alloway of Alloway’s Rod Shop teamed up with Gary Case of Stylin’ Concepts and the Sport Truck Nationals to create the Triple Crown of Rodding.

The Triple Crown of Rodding will feature an elite-level awards program with more than 40 state-of-the-art trophies including the Triple Crown Winners: Best Street Rod, Best Street Machine, Best Street Cruiser, Best Truck (up to '72) Best Truck ('73-'87) and Best Truck ('88-'98). A brand new '23 Chevrolet Pickup Hot Rodded by Alloway's Rod Shop will be given away to one registered participant. For more information about the Triple Crown of Rodding, visit triplecrownofrodding.com.

Lubrication Specialties Hires Bud Prenatt as Director of Marketing

Lubrication Specialties (LSI) has announced the addition of Bud Prenatt to the company's marketing team. Prenatt, an experienced product marketing leader in the heavy-duty transportation industry, joined LSI in February 2023. Formerly the product marketing manager for an Ohio-based company focused on the class 3-6 truck and off-highway market segments, Prenatt will oversee and develop a strategy to promote the Hot Shot’s Secret brand of performance additives and lubricants across multiple channels: direct, online and retail and diverse markets.

Prenatt has nearly 20 years of experience in sales and marketing with a proven track record of growing brands and developing new market segments to significantly improve the bottom line by increasing gross margins and working with strategic partners to reduce costs. He is experienced in working cross-functionally with OEM and OES team operations. Prenatt’s expertise runs the gamut of market research, customer engagement, digital strategy and content, product research and development, Six Sigma Green Belt techniques and promotions. His prior positions also include working in technical sales in the automotive industry as well as working as a product development manager in the construction and agricultural market segments.

Bandimere Speedway Sells Property, Intends to Relocate

The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and the Bandimere family have jointly announced that the 2023 Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals (July 14-16) will be the last NHRA national event at Bandimere Speedway just outside of Denver. The Bandimere family has agreed to sell the current property and land in Morrison, Colorado, but plans to relocate the historic NHRA-sanctioned drag strip to another location in the Denver area, officials said.

In addition, the NHRA leadership team has announced discussions with NHRA member tracks not currently on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series circuit to host future national events, including replacing the Denver date on the 2024 schedule. NHRA and the Bandimere family invite racers and fans to be part of the last NHRA Mile-High Nationals, July 14-16. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Bandimere website.

Motion Names New Senior Vice President, CFO

Motion Industries has announced the promotion of Patrick Cummings to senior vice president and CFO. Cummings first joined Motion in 2012 as AVP of corporate compliance. He held the position of U.S. controller from 2014-2019, before becoming vice president of financial planning and analysis, until he was asked to serve as interim CFO after Greg Cook, Motion's previous CFO, moved to the U.S. Automotive Group at Genuine Parts Company (GPC). Cummings will report to Breaux and will also work closely with Bert Nappier, executive vice president and CFO of GPC.

Gold Eagle Co. Announces Second Annual Cars & Coffee

STA-BIL and 303, two automotive aftermarket brands manufactured by Gold Eagle Co., have announced the company's second annual Cars & Coffee. This free public event will showcase a large collection of luxury, classic and sports cars combined with coffee and light refreshments. Scheduled for Saturday, May 6, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., the event is being held at the company's headquarters in Chicago.

To enter a vehicle for Cars & Coffee, arrive at Gold Eagle’s main entrance parking lot by 9:00 a.m. Each participating vehicle entered will receive four raffle tickets for the chance to win two general admission tickets to attend NASCAR Chicago Street Race Weekend scheduled for July 1-2. The winner of the tickets will be announced at the close of the event and must be present to win. All make and model vehicles are welcome. Two additional Cars & Coffee events are being planned for Saturday, July 1, and Saturday, September 30.

Zetterström Announces Global Partnership With Edelbrock, KW Parts

European Top Fuel record holder Ida Zetterström has announced a new global partnership between Edelbrock Group and KW Parts to support her efforts in winning the FIA Championship driving for RF Motorsport. Edelbrock Group helped Zetterström in her successful first FIA Top Fuel season in 2022, where the team became the first to clock a 3.7-second pass in Europe and picked up their first FIA event win together at Tierp Arena in Sweden. For 2023, Edelbrock is expanding its commitment to become a primary partner on her dragster alongside new sponsor KW Parts.

MAHLE Motorsport Develops Performance Ring Webinar

MAHLE Motorsport recently produced a performance ring webinar for Epartrade, a global online motorsports network. The webinar answers many key questions engine builders have about performance rings. The webinar, episode #334, was presented by Joe Maylish, MAHLE Motorsport program manager and MAHLE Motorsport engineer George Wright and hosted by Brad Gillie, SiriusXM, channel 90, Late Shift talk host on the EPARTRADE website and is also available to view in its entirety here.

Wright explains how new materials and MAHLE’s partnership with OEs, racers, race teams and builders has driven the goal to produce lighter rings with increased material hardness, higher tensile and yield strength that are also stronger and more conformable. Additionally, Maylish talks about their proprietary HV385 thermal spray coating that is embedded into the piston rings to improve scuff resistance, increase bond strength, provide quick and consistent break-in and sealing and reduce the coefficient of friction.

Polaris Announces First Shipment of All-Electric RANGER XP Kinetic

Polaris Inc. has announced the first shipments of its all-new electric RANGER XP Kinetic vehicles are headed to dealers this week for customer pickup. Polaris manufactures its fully electric RANGER XP Kinetic off-road vehicles at the company's more than 900,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility in Huntsville, Alabama. Polaris plans to take additional orders on the RANGER XP Kinetic this summer. The RANGER XP Kinetic features an all-electric powertrain, engineered for off-road use through Polaris' exclusive 10-year partnership with Zero Motorcycles.

A class-leading 110 hp and 140 lb.-ft. of instant torque deliver maximum power and capability, including the ability to tow up to 2,500 lbs. and haul 1,250 lbs. Its electric powertrain delivers smooth, precise control when operating at low speeds, so customers have full control while towing or backing up to a trailer, while the instantaneous torque also delivers quicker acceleration.

All '23 RANGER XP Kinetic models are equipped with RIDE COMMAND+, which offers connected-vehicle services, including remote-vehicle location, battery-status monitoring, enhanced group ride tracking and more. More details on the RANGER XP Kinetic can be found by visiting Polaris.com.

Dodge Gives Fans an Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Look at Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

To celebrate HEMI Day on April 26, the Dodge brand launched a 22-minute video, "Dodge Demon 170: Devil in the Details," capturing the reveal of the 1,025hp Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 in Las Vegas last month. Dodge owners, fans and enthusiasts can learn how the stunt came to life at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and hear from Dodge executives, including CEO Tim Kuniskis, the manager of the Challenger SRT program; the helicopter pilot who safely delivered the Demon 170 onto the track and insiders, including Jay Leno, all who describe inspiration behind the reveal and their passion for the Dodge brand.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA News. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

Exhibitors and attendees preparing for the 2023 SEMA Show can lock in the guaranteed lowest hotel rate now by booking in the Show block.

Making hotel reservations in the block provides you with the most affordable and convenient options for a wide range of hotels located on and off the Strip.

SEMA Showgoers can save more than $200 per night at several Las Vegas hotels, including Bellagio, by booking in the SEMA Show block.

All of the hotels available through the SEMA Show block come with a low-price guarantee. Whether you're looking for your favorite place to stay, or for a hotel within close proximity to the Show, you can book with confidence knowing you will get the rooms you need at the the most affordable price available.

The SEMA Show also provides shuttle service to and from the Show for the hotels listed that are not within walking distance to the Las Vegas Convention Center.

There are more than 45 hotels available in the block. For more information on the hotels listed below, including rating, price per night and distance from the Las Vegas Convention Center, visit SEMAShow.com.

SEMA has negotiated exclusive, discounted nightly rates at the best hotels in Las Vegas. However, you can only get the discounted rates when you book through the SEMA Show’s official hotel provider. Save more than $200 a night at the following SEMA Show hotels:

• Bellagio
• The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
• MGM Grand
• New York New York
• The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino
• Park MGM
• The Signature at MGM Grand
• SpringHill Suites convention Center
• Tropicana LV - A Doubletree by Hilton
• The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino
• Waldorf Astoria

Book your hotel now!

To reserve your booth for the 2023 SEMA Show, visit SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

The All-Female Build '21 Ford Bronco Wildtrak that was revealed at the 2022 SEMA Show will be on display at the 2023 Bronco Safari in Moab, Utah, May 2-6, hosted by the Utah Bronco Club. The four-door SUV provided by the Ford Motor Co. underwent modifications that represented a culmination of the work of more than 125 female volunteers from throughout the United States and Canada. They included veterans, students, mother-daughter and even granddaughter duos, as well as automotive technicians, race-car drivers and award-winning car-building sisters.

The SBN-styled Bronco will be on display at the main Bronco Safari area at the Spanish Trails Arena for hundreds of Bronco fanatics to enjoy. This 12th annual Bronco Safari hosts organized trail rides throughout the week and concludes on Friday with a huge show and shine with vendor participation.

Bronco Safari is excited to host the build: "I tracked the whole build and although I couldn't go to the SEMA Show myself, I sent my husband to the reveal to send me pictures," said Amanda Williams, a Bronco Safari coordinator and Utah Bronco Club member. "I am excited to be able to put the Bronco on display during our event for everyone to recognize the ladies' efforts in the Industry."

For more information on the SBN Bronco, visit sites.sema.org/sbn-build.

By Ashley Reyes

Automotive aftermarket professionals aged 39 and under are invited to expand their network during the SEMA Future Leaders Network (FLN) Networking Mixer at the SEMA Garage in Detroit.

Taking place on Wednesday, May 10, from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. (EDT), the event will connect members from the area. Attendees will kick off FLN's second Professional Development Program, mix and mingle with industry friends and discover resources to help up-and-coming leaders succeed in the automotive aftermarket.

FLN select committee members will be on-site to answer questions and share how to get involved. Complimentary light refreshments will be provided.

RSVP here to secure your attendance.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) is providing its members an opportunity to establish valuable business connections during its WTC Coffee & Conversation networking event, taking place May 4, at 9:00 a.m. (PDT).   

As part two of the five-part Coffee & Conversation networking series, the free online event will bring wheel and tire members together to discuss the aftermarket's hottest topics and issues. Attendees will meet the "who's who" of the wheel and tire market, discuss opportunities and challenges facing the industry today and gain insight from others that can benefit their business.   

"The WTC Coffee and Conversation series is a great opportunity to connect with industry leaders to discuss the current wheel and tire landscape," said Matthew Harris of Custom Wheel House, who attended the first event of the series in March. "The dialogue is insightful, engaging and the topics are pertinent to our industry today."

A discussion topic will be introduced to start the conversation; however, attendees are welcome to bring a topic that impacts their business personally. 

Register here.