By SEMA Editors

Each year, the SEMA Show displays hundreds of vehicles throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center as part of the unique Feature Vehicle Display program. The cars come from various categories and applications, allowing manufacturers to expand their footprint at the SEMA Show well beyond their booth.

Each vehicle accepted will also be featured in the SEMA Show app displaying the vehicle's image, make, model, year, color, products used as part of the build, builder's name, and the name and booth number of the sponsoring exhibitor company.

Applications are now open for the 2023 SEMA Show Feature Vehicle Display program here. For the complete rules, visit here.

When completing the Feature Vehicle application, you can request information on how you may enter your vehicle for the SEMA Battle of the Builders (BOTB). The competition is judged by industry experts, with awards presented to individuals who have demonstrated extreme talent, creativity and craftsmanship in modifying cars, trucks, SUVs, sport compacts and luxury and exotic builds.

Submit your Feature Vehicle Display application by Friday, July 28. Additional vehicles will be considered on a space-available basis. Exhibiting companies with multiple vehicle application submissions will be asked to rank vehicles based on priority.

For a complete list of SEMA Show deadlines, visit here.

For more information on the Feature Vehicle application, contact Maurice O'Connell at mauriceo@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

In partnership with Ford Motor Company, the SEMA Garage Detroit is excited to announce a Measuring Session for the newly designed '23 Ford SuperDuty.

SEMA members will be allowed to test-fit prototypes, 3D scan and measure, and have a close-up experience with their builds.

This event will feature two '23 Ford SuperDuty Truck platforms:

F-250 SRW 4x4 Super Cab

• 6.8L DEVAT NA PRI V8 Engine
• FX4 Package
• Upfitter Switches
• BOXLINK option
• Cloth seats
• 4.2-in. productivity screen
• 8-ft. pickup box 

F-350 SRW 4x4 Crew Cab

• 6.7L Hi Output Diesel Power Stroke
• Tremor Off Road and Lariat Ultimate Package
• Pro Power Onboard-2Kw
• Roof clearance lights
• Leather seats
• 12-in. productivity screen 
• 6-ft. pickup box 

In addition, SEMA has also recently added new, highly anticipated OEM CAD data into the Tech Transfer program. More details can be found at semagarage/techtransfter.

Event Dates: June 27–29, 2023 

This will be an in-person event at the SEMA Garage Detroit in Plymouth, Michigan. The event will require scheduled appointments.

Due to high demand, all appointments will be time limited. Please only register two attendees per member company. A follow-up email will be sent to confirm additional attendees.

Visit the link below for event registration details:

Click here to register.

By SEMA Editors

Nancy Edelbrock, the wife of Vic Edelbrock Jr. of the Edelbrock Group, has passed away. She was 86. 

Along with raising their three daughters, Camee, Christi and Carey, Nancy would join Vic at the SEMA Show and races to promote the company. She was an integral part of Edelbrock, even if she didn't have an official title. She was referred to as "the Real Boss" by Vic and played an essential role in supporting and nurturing the growth of the iconic Edelbrock brand. 

Vic often asked Nancy for her opinions on Edelbrock. Nancy was also fluent in Spanish and would translate Vic's speeches during celebrations to make everyone feel welcome. Nancy's grace, elegance and commitment to excellence were instrumental in shaping the company's success.

Edelbrock Group consists of brands Edelbrock, COMP Cams, FAST, TCI Automotive, Russel and Lunati. 

For more information and photos, visit Edelbrock's announcement here or edelbrockgroup.com.

By Laura Pitts

Attendees of the 2023 SEMA Show, October 31-November 3 in Las Vegas, can expect an expanded SEMA Education program as part of a new SEMA initiative to create a more robust career- and professional-development program year-round.

The SEMA Show Education program will feature thought-provoking sessions, allowing attendees to tailor their program with a customizable learning journey of skill development and competency-based industry education.

In addition, SEMA Education has announced an exclusive diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiative that will transform the learning experience with women and diverse speakers. The DEI program is highlighted by three sessions beginning with the "Women in Automotive Symposium" (Wednesday, November 1, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.). Attendees will engage, discover and connect with industry leaders and subject-matter experts on various industry topics during 15-minute, rapid-fire-style sessions. In addition, there will be a lineup of "micro-seminars," including "Becoming Certified Woman-Owned Enterprise," "Self-Branding: The ACTION Behind Building Your Personal Brand," "The Power of Mentorship, Sponsorship and Allyship as a Strategy for Success," and "Make the Jump! Four Steps to Becoming the Authority in Your Industry."

In addition, "NextGen in Motorsports--Showcasing the Next Generation in Motorsports" (Wednesday, November 1, 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.) will focus on the young racers breaking barriers and setting records. Attendees will hear how they have overcome adversity and achieved success as they share inspiring and entertaining anecdotes about their backgrounds, experiences and life stories. Attendees will gain insights as they learn about career pathways in motorsports and how racers are encouraging their peers to step into the world of auto competition.

Finally, "Reimagining Your Customer, and Your Brand, for Effective Product, Marketing and Business Strategies" (Monday, October 30, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.) will provide a deeper and alternate understanding of customer leads to better direct product, pricing and strategic business decisions for future success. In this session led by Toyota North America's Marcus Umlauff (General Manager - Truck Strategy) and Michael L. Moore (General Manager, Vehicle Marketing and Communications), attendees will explore the newfound definition of the "customer" and effective ways to message them using values, attitudinal and multicultural-based strategies.

Stay tuned for more on the world-class SEMA Education program for 2023, including the announcement of the keynote speaker, partner education tracks and more details.

SEMA Show management is dedicated to making the event as cost-effective as possible for all. Register at SEMAShow.com/register by June 30 for just $40. Registration is $60 through September 29 and $120 after that date.

By SEMA Editors

Lifestyle brand RealTruck Inc.-- the premier manufacturer and retailer of aftermarket truck parts and accessories--will kick off National Get Outdoors Day (Saturday, June 10) by introducing its roster of outdoor enthusiasts who "live and breathe the RealTruck way of life." The RealTruck Crew features off-roaders and overlanders, extreme sportsmen and women, truck enthusiasts and others whose passion is to live and explore.

"It's core to our brand DNA to inspire truck owners and followers to get 'Out in the Real' and experience life off the grid," said Tony Ambroza, chief growth officer at RealTruck. 

RealTruck also recently featured female crew members on International Women's Day with its "Women in the Real" campaign, which features women from various outdoor industries, including overlanding's Priya Mareedu.

The RealTruck sales team recently visited the SEMA Garage in Detroit, Michigan. Read about that here.

Industry Veteran Vic Wood Joins Sander Engineering

Longtime industry veteran Vic Wood has joined Sander Engineering, the drag-racing manufacturer based in Torrance, California, according to published reports. 

Wood comes from Race Winning Brands, where he served as regional tech support manager.

Bartec USA Hires Cody Rainwater for Southwestern Region

Bartec USA--the provider of tire-pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) equipment for OE assembly plants--has announced Cody Rainwater will oversee the Southwestern region.

Based in Las Vegas, Rainwater brings more than 10 years of experience in the automotive industry at various levels, including auto sales and service.

By Ashley Reyes

Aftermarket engineers looking to learn about new technologies that can help get their products to market faster, boost productivity and stay ahead of the competition can register now for the 2023 Networking, Education, Resources and Development (N.E.R.D.) Symposium--a unique event that will connect them with product and service providers who offer tools and services to streamline the product development process.

Taking place August 16-18 at the SEMA Garage in Detroit, Michigan, the event offers one-on-one quality meetings where engineers will learn about available resources and how they are relevant to their businesses. Education sessions on alternative internal combustion engine (ICE) technology, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) trends, emissions compliance and more are included in the program schedule, helping attendees stay informed on topics, products and services relevant to the future of the automotive aftermarket.

"We are just getting into the manufacturing realm, and a lot of this helped open our eyes to resources available in our space," said 2022 N.E.R.D. Symposium attendee Tara Thompson of Dixie 4 Wheel Drive. "On our shop level, the ADAS information really helped open my eyes to what liability we could see down the road as more vehicles go down that path."

Separate networking sessions will allow for further collaboration between engineers and product and service providers and allow attendees to learn and gain different perspectives from industry experts who share common concerns and challenges.  

Start discovering new resources and gain the knowledge needed to optimize your business's processes and the quality of your product. Secure your seat today!

By SEMA Editors

In partnership with General Motors, SEMA Garage Detroit has announced an all-new measuring session for the newly designed '23 and '24 Chevrolet and GMC trucks.

The event, June 13-15, will allow companies to measure, 3D scan, test-fit prototypes, and have a close-up experience with the trucks.

The session will feature a combination of '23 and '24 Chevrolet and GMC midsize, light-duty and heavy-duty platforms with the most popular options, including different bed, cab and powertrain configurations.

Chevrolet: 

• Colorado Trail Boss 
• Silverado 1500 
• Silverado 2500HD 

GMC: 

• Canyon AT4X Edition 1 
• Sierra 1500 AT4 
• Sierra 3500HD Denali Ultimate Dually

Event Dates: June 13-15, 2023

This will be an in-person event at the SEMA Garage Detroit, 14655 Jib St., Plymouth, MI 48170. Sessions will require scheduled appointments. Due to high demand, all appointments will be time-limited. Please only register two attendees per company, and keep an eye out for a follow-up email to confirm your time slot.

Visit the link below for event registration details.

Click here to register.

The staff, Board of Directors and volunteer leadership of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) would like to thank William "Bill" G. Miller for nearly 16 years of service. Miller, who will move on from the association as of July 7, has served as senior vice president of operations since 2007 and will provide consulting services through December 2023.

Mike Spagnola, SEMA president and CEO, stated, "I was fortunate to introduce Bill to SEMA back in 1996 and work with him on a daily basis for the last decade. It is always bittersweet to have someone like Bill leave our team to pursue new opportunities, but we wish him and his family nothing but the best."

During Miller's tenure as senior vice president, the association evolved to meet the challenges and needs of its membership. Working with the SEMA staff and Board, he was integral in helping navigate the association through several challenges and opportunities.

A permanent replacement has not yet been named.

By Ashley Reyes

Virtually every new OEM vehicle features advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as a standard today, and automakers utilize different types of tests to develop and validate their respective systems. Knowing how these vehicles are evaluated can help automotive professionals plan their new-product development processes and better understand the vehicle's performance.

During the webinar "Testing of ADAS Technologies" on Wednesday, June 14, at 1:00 p.m. PDT, SEMA members will learn about the types of tests performed and how data is recorded, in a very controlled manner, to assess the performance of ADAS systems accurately.

Taylor Manahan, director of advanced mobility at Transportation Research Center, will share the types of sensors being used for these technologies, as well as the facilities, equipment and methods utilized for testing these technologies. Attendees will also gain an understanding of how track testing is conducted.

Register for the webinar presented by the SEMA Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) here.

By the SEMA D.C. office

The Specialty Equipment Market Association's (SEMA) joint lawsuit with EcoLogic Partners--a legal collaboration between the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA), American Sand Association (ASA) and American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) District 37--challenges the California Coastal Commission's plans to prohibit motorized recreational and overnight camping access at Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area (SVRA). The coalition's lawsuit is scheduled for a June 15, 2023, hearing in the California Superior Court of San Luis Obispo County. 

SEMA and EcoLogic Partners seek recognition from the court that the California Coastal Commission does not have the authority to terminate off-highway vehicle (OHV) use and beach camping at the state-authorized and legislatively sanctioned Oceano Dunes SVRA. The lawsuit is combined with a suit filed by Friends of Oceano Dunes making similar allegations. 

SEMA, ORBA, ASA and AMA are leading advocates for motorized recreational activities, and the upcoming hearing marks a crucial moment in the ongoing battle to protect motorized recreation access in California and across the United States.

Oceano Dunes SVRA is a premier destination for motorized recreation enthusiasts and tourists alike as the only off-road park in the state offering direct access to the Pacific Ocean. For decades, recreationists and off-roaders have enjoyed riding all types of motorized vehicles, from trucks and SUVs to dune buggies and quads, on the California beach, which is now threatened by the Commission's March 2021 amendments to Coastal Development Permit 4-82-300 that demanded the California Department of Parks and Recreation phase out OHV access to Oceano Dunes SVRA by 2024.

"SEMA advocates for land-use policies that provide motorized recreational access to publicly owned lands while providing reasonable safeguards needed to protect natural resources," said SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola. "The Coastal Commission's efforts to stop off-road access at Oceano Dunes are unreasonable and set a dangerous precedent. Oceano Dunes is enjoyed by more than two million enthusiasts and tourists each year. SEMA is committed to their rights to responsibly recreate on California's coast and public lands throughout the country."

The Honorable Tana Coates is the presiding judge for the June 15 hearing. The judge is expected to issue a final decision in July or August. Any additional appeals following this ruling could extend the outcome of this litigation for an additional 10-13 months.

The trial court's decision is critically important to SEMA and EcoLogic Partners' efforts to protect motorized recreational access at Oceano Dunes.

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