This is the next-gen Ford Ranger Raptor undergoing testing in light camo, showing us a few new elements about the off-road truck.

These new shots give us our best look yet at the front end, including the unique Ford script front grille and revised front fascia, which features a high-clearance front bumper plus fog lights and a front skid plate.

At the side, there’s a set of high-clearance running boards along with black wheels with beefy BFG tires, while the rear end features a set of dual exhausts with a black finish.

We also caught the first shots of the interior, complete with a large vertical screen and a healthy amount of red/orange accents throughout, bringing the Ranger Raptor in line with other Ford Raptor products, F-150 Raptor and Bronco Raptor.

With the debut of the international Ford Ranger out of the way, Ford will next reveal the Ranger for the U.S. market, followed by the debut of the Ranger Raptor for global markets.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the next-gen Ford Ranger Raptor undergoing testing in light camo, showing us a few new elements about the off-road truck.

These new shots give us our best look yet at the front end, including the unique Ford script front grille and revised front fascia, which features a high-clearance front bumper plus fog lights and a front skid plate.

At the side, there’s a set of high-clearance running boards along with black wheels with beefy BFG tires, while the rear end features a set of dual exhausts with a black finish.

We also caught the first shots of the interior, complete with a large vertical screen and a healthy amount of red/orange accents throughout, bringing the Ranger Raptor in line with other Ford Raptor products, F-150 Raptor and Bronco Raptor.

With the debut of the international Ford Ranger out of the way, Ford will next reveal the Ranger for the U.S. market, followed by the debut of the Ranger Raptor for global markets.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

In partnership with Nissan, the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, has announced a Measuring Session for the all-new ’23 Nissan Z, March 15–18.

The performance-grade Nissan Z is equipped with a standard twin-turbo V6 engine with 400 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque and six-speed manual transmission.

The event will allow SEMA members to test-fit prototypes, 3-D scan, measure and have a close-up experience with the newly designed Z.

The event will feature a Performance grade level Z, equipped with:

• A standard twin-turbo V6 engine with 400 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque.
• Six-speed manual transmission.

U.S. market consumers will have the option of a Sport- or Performance-grade vehicle, six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmission, as well as a special-edition Proto Spec (limited to just 240 units).

Please note that this will be an in-person event at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. In order to comply with state and local health guidelines, this event will require scheduled appointments. Due to high demand, all appointments will be time limited. All attendees will be required to sign an NDA upon arrival. Photography will be limited during the event.

Register now!

*All registered attendees will be required to wear face coverings and practice social distancing during their appointment. With the exception of wheels & tires, there will be no disassembly of this vehicle.

By SEMA Editors

Latest Jobs Added to SEMA Career Center

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest jobs posted to the website.

Technical Support Specialist
Derale Performance is hiring a technical support specialist responsible for answering product and technical questions via telephone and email; assisting customers with order tracking, ETA requests, missing parts and warranty issues; and logging and maintaining data for every customer interaction. Candidates must have basic automotive knowledge and be comfortable being on the phone answering customer questions and solving consumer issues.

Junior Draftsman
aFe Power is hiring a junior draftsman to support the company’s engineered products group in Corona, California. This position is responsible for the design, drawing/drafting and development of new products, as well as modifying the design of existing products. This may include performance testing and occasional working on vehicles. Candidates should have intermediate to advanced knowledge of general automotive mechanics, advanced proficiency in SolidWorks/CAD and intermediate to advanced knowledge of advanced prototyping technology.

Web Developer
Coker Tire Co. is hiring a web developer to contribute and help create the function, display and flow of web development projects. Responsibilities include executing web site development, coding, analytics and tracking; managing relevant server needs for various projects; managing workflow both internal and through outside development partners and IT resources as needed to accomplish objectives; and managing websites and web applications. Candidates must have a degree in computer science, statistics preferred or equivalent work experience and five years’ e-commerce experience.

SEMA eNews highlights SEMA-member companies’ websites weekly through the Hot Links to Cool Sites section. SEMA members: To be included in Hot Links to Cool Sites, email your company name and website to enews@sema.org. Note: Make sure to include “Hot Links” in the subject line of the email.

• Armordillo USA
• Havoc Offroad
• Injen
• JET Performance
• K100
• Lock’er Down
• LUND
• MBRP Exhaust
• Performance Distributors
• PREFIX

By SEMA Editors

Dates and locations have been scheduled for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

By Ashley Reyes

SEMA Cares, the industry’s collective fundraising group that raises money for charity, raised a record high of more than $250,000 in 2021.

SEMA Cares raised a record high of more than $250,000 for charity in 2021.

Specifically, $250,563.40 was generated from a Hemmings vehicle auction, the annual pinewood drag races, celebrity cars and, for the first time ever, a $100,000 match from SEMA.

“The SEMA Cares committee didn’t take no for an answer in 2021,” said SEMA Cares Chairwoman Kathryn Reinhardt. “They dialed for dollars and hustled for donations. As a result, we raised a tremendous amount of money to help create safe and fun environments for children in need.”

Money raised from SEMA Cares benefits three children’s charities: Austin Hatcher, ChildHelp and Victory Junction. SEMA Cares is preparing to kick of the 2022 fundraising season with the auction of a WD-40 vehicle.

“We’re grateful and humbled by the industry’s generosity,” said Reinhardt. “SEMA Cares was created in 2007 as a way for our industry to give back. I’m proud of the impact we’ve made over the years and excited that we continue to step it up year after year.”

To learn more about SEMA Cares and how to support the industry’s fundraising efforts, visit www.sema.org/sema-cares.

By Ashley Reyes

Car shows play a critical role in the hot-rod industry. As the spring car show seasons begins, hot-rod businesses must be prepared for the selling season.

Industry veterans will gather for a thought-provoking discussion about the state of car shows and consumer events, and how they are preparing for the upcoming season during the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) general membership meeting and panel discussion on March 18, at 10:00 a.m. (PST).

The live meeting will feature Amy Fitzgerald of Cool Hand Customs as she leads a panel of hot-rod industry experts sharing:

• COVID’s impact on car shows and how are companies planning differently today, compared to two years ago.
• What social-media strategies work and don’t work when promoting events, products and services.
• What are the key factors for success. 
• What is the importance of in-person events and how do companies keep customers engaged.

The meeting and discussion are open to all HRIA members and companies in the hot-rod industry, and is the ideal time to address industry concerns and learn from others in the market. A brief report on the council’s current initiatives will also be discussed.

Register here.

By Ashley Reyes

Five industry experts gathered during the recent SEMA Show for a rare discussion about the truck and off-road industry, and what they see as some of the aftermarket’s best business opportunities.  

Led by Sean Holman of MotorTrend, the seminar features Brad DeBerti, DeBerti; Cris Payne, Truck Guru’s; Sara Morosan, LGE-CTS Motorsports; and Nick Psomas, Peak Suspension.

Watch the recording of the seminar “Why Truck and Off Road Builders are Thriving, Powered by TORA” now at www.semashow.com/education. Led by Sean Holman of MotorTrend, the seminar features Brad DeBerti, DeBerti; Cris Payne, Truck Guru’s; Sara Morosan, LGE-CTS Motorsports; and Nick Psomas, Peak Suspension.

Viewers will hear the panel share what platforms they see having the most opportunity, trends that are on the horizon, their thoughts on the truck and off-road EV landscape, OEs providing a platform open to accessorization and expanding reach through social media.

“If you can see something ahead of its time and then go that direction before somebody else, then you’re going to be super successful,” said Payne. “You have to pay attention to what people are doing. Consumers are going to tell you and steer you to where you need to go, and they are the ones buying your products so at the end of the day, you really have to pay attention to where that curve is going.”

Morosan added: “I always get excited about something that’s new that’s coming to the market. That’s why we’re builders right? We’re passionate. We see something and even though they build something that’s super rad, we look at it and say, ‘how can we make it better?’ And when it actually comes to reality, you’re like, ‘That’s super cool.’ People get excited about it and it just makes you get more excited about wanting to build more products, build more trucks and go out there.”

The seminar recording is one of many available at www.semashow.com/education. New recordings are added weekly. Other recently added seminars include:

• Digital Marketing 201/301: Achieve Breakthrough Growth in Digital Marketing Using Website Conversion Rate Optimization
• Women in Leadership, Powered by SBN
• Content That Connects With Your Audience
• Bench Racing With Aftermarket Journalists  

Visit www.semashow.com/education to view and access the entire collection.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Hall of Fame is an honor bestowed upon individuals who have made a personal impact on improving the automotive specialty-equipment industry. These individuals have gone above and beyond the normal course of business to enhance the stature of the industry and/or the association’s growth.

The SEMA Hall of Fame is the most prestigious award presented to an individual by the association.

New members are inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame each year, and nominations for the 2022 program are being accepted until March 18, 2022, at www.sema.org/hof.

Below is a list of frequently asked questions to help with the nomination process.

What is the SEMA Hall of Fame?

The SEMA Hall of Fame is the most prestigious award presented to an individual by the association. It is designed to honor outstanding persons in the industry who have enhanced the stature of, or significantly contributed to, the industry and/or the association's growth.

Who is the ideal SEMA Hall of Fame candidate?

The ideal nominee will have contributed to the industry beyond the local level and achieved national or international significance. A significant contribution to SEMA is an important consideration for nomination, but not a requirement. A rule of thumb to qualify could be the following question: “How would SEMA and the industry be different without their contributions?”

Is there an age requirement for nominees?

The nominee must be at least 50 years of age prior to the SEMA Show during the year of induction or they may be at any age if deceased as long as the nomination is presented at least one year posthumous.

How many years should the nominee have contributed to the industry?

The nominee should have been involved in the industry and/or SEMA for a minimum of 10 years.

How many individuals can I nominate?

There is no nomination limit. In any given year, it’s not unusual for three or four people to earn induction. The selection committee can also choose to induct zero candidates for the 2022 class if seen fit, although this has never happened.

Where can I view a list of past SEMA Hall of Fame candidates?

The full list of SEMA Hall of Fame inductees can be viewed at http://semahof.com/inductees.aspx?view=year.

How long after someone has been nominated will the ceremony take place?

The 2022 SEMA Hall of Fame class will be announced in May. Individuals honored with Hall of Fame commendation will be recognized at the SEMA Awards banquet during the 2022 SEMA Show.

If you still have any questions, please email Chris Standifer, project manager – Recognition Programs, at chriss@sema.org, 909-978-6692.