Here’s the upcoming Ford Maverick (Lariat?) AWD running with light camouflage, providing a best look yet at Ford's upcoming unibody pickup.

The model seen here appears to be a high-end trim, complete with LED headlights, stylized wheels, a sliding rear window and an independent rear suspension that will enable AWD capability. Front-wheel-drive models will be equipped with a lower-cost, twist-beam rear suspension.

The Maverick will share a lot with the new Ford Bronco Sport, including its production site in Mexico. The vehicle is expected to launch later this year, given that COVID-19 doesn’t disrupt production or supply lines.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By SEMA Editors

The September 2021 issue of SEMA News will highlight rising stars in the automotive aftermarket industry who are age 35 and younger. If you know a leader in that age range as of September 1, 2021—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media, or distribution—we would like to hear from you.

Many SEMA members are currently working with creative young professionals who are already industry trailblazers. They may have played key roles in leveraging new and emerging technologies with a traditional automotive aftermarket business to expand company reach, improve product development, energize marketing efforts or upgrade customer interaction.

They could be budding talents at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands or innovators who have launched companies that might become big names in the future. What they all will have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed.

SEMA News looks for candidates drawn from diverse industry segments who are already making a significant impact through their leadership within their organizations or businesses. Entrepreneurship, commitment, insight, innovation, integrity, responsibility, demonstrated skill, involvement and success within the marketplace weigh heavily in the decision-making process. We’ll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

Nominate a candidate now for the 2021 SEMA News 35 Under 35. Nominations are due May 31.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibit at the 2021 SEMA Show to shine the spotlight on your company in front of tens of thousands of qualified buyers looking for the best that the automotive specialty-equipment market has to offer.

In addition to buyers, the Show also attracts thousands of traditional media and social-media influencers, ready to let the rest of the world know about your products and applications, opening up even more sales opportunities well after the Show concludes.

Access SEMA's worldwide network and create more opportunities to sell. Be there to reconnect at the 2021 SEMA Show, Tuesday-Friday, November 2-5, Las Vegas.

Reserve your spot for 2021 at www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

Below are key dates that SEMA Show exhibitors are encouraged to mark on their calendars.

• The Exhibitor Services Manual (ESM) will be live in May. The ESM contains all of the forms and applications required to prepare for the Show: feature vehicles, new products, booth vehicles, celebrity appearances, etc.
• The Exhibit Space Rental Application and deposit are due May 7.
• Dates for the SEMA Show Space Selection: June 7-23

For additional information about exhibiting at the SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com/exhibitor.

By Ashley Reyes

Rxn Motorsports Ltd. is the latest SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Member Spotlight company. The company’s very name, Rxn, is an abbreviated form for reaction—a process involving change—so it comes as little surprise that Rxn was formed during the pandemic. Read more about the company from Chris Stacey, one of the company’s co-owners.   

SEMA: Tell us the story of your shop. How did you start?

Chris Stacey: I have been building cars for my entire career. I wasn't even old enough to drive the very first car I ever built. It was a frame-off restoration of an Austin Mini, complete with a roll cage and everything. Rxn Motorsports is brand new. We just hit the end of year number one. It’s been a little bit of a crazy start during the pandemic, but Amber and I wanted to create a company that really focused on taking care of the mental health and well-being of the people we lead, and creating one-of-a-kind builds for clients that really honor who they are and their story.

SEMA: What was your breakthrough moment?

CS: There was never really any “aha,” lightning-bolt moment. The pandemic has been so hard on so many people, and for those of us in the automotive restoration industry who are seeing exponential growth right now, we are so grateful.

SEMA: Tell us about your business now in 2021 and what projects are you working on?

CS: We have been very fortunate to be looking forward to a busy year ahead with a number of really cool projects on the go. This year, we’ll be doing four LS swapped Chevelles, a ’66 Nova and a crazy ’70 LT Camaro.

SEMA: Tell us about a build you are proud of.

CS: I am really hard on myself. As an artist and a creator, it’s hard to look at any project as done. There’s always something that could be a little bit better, or a little bit different. Of all the builds I’ve ever done, the one that I am most proud of was a wide-bodied ’70 Camaro that I built for a friend.

SEMA: What advice do you have for young professionals contemplating a career in the automotive aftermarket?

CS: Never give up, keep on going, keep on learning and keep on growing. Take pride in what you do and pay attention to all details. Cutting a few corners here or there might seem insignificant, but when added together over the course of the whole build, it really shows.

Fill out an HRIA member spotlight form to highlight how your company is contributing to the hot-rod industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on HRIA’s and media, SEMA eNews and future ARMO-member updates.

By Ashley Reyes

SEMA Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) members are preparing for the council’s first in-person industry mixer of 2021, taking place at the Spring Carlisle Collector Car Flea Market, Corral & Auction in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Thursday, April 22, inside the Hot Products Showcase tent.

With more than 100,000 enthusiasts annually, Spring Carlisle is the ideal time and place for ARMO members to promote their restoration products to a consumer audience. Through the ARMO Hot Products Showcase, restoration products are promoted, and can be displayed in front of a worldwide audience throughout the week of April 21–25.

“As the largest restoration event of the year, our members are excited to gather again safely to do what they love doing best—celebrate all things automotive with other fellow collector and classic automotive enthusiasts,” said SEMA’s ARMO Council Director Jim Skelly. “In addition to the mixer and having their products displayed in the ARMO Hot Product Showcase, our members are able to strengthen their networking and build new relationships with other ARMO members by participating in this event.”

The product submission deadline is April 1, and products being shipped must arrive at Spring Carlisle between Thursday, April 15, and no later than Wednesday, April 21.

Questions can be directed to ARMO Council Liaison Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org, 909-978-6690.

By Ashley Reyes

SEMA members attending Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, are invited to join the SEMA Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) for a trail ride and a mixer on Thursday, April 1.

Participants will meet at 8:00 a.m. (MDT) and proceed to the Funs & Things 4x4 trailhead for a fun ride along an almost 10-mile route. (View more info here: Fins & Things 4×4 Trail, Grand County, Utah – Official Website.) The route offers exciting obstacles and beautiful scenery, while the program includes a stop for lunch in the great outdoors, and will conclude at around 1:00–2:00 p.m. (MDT).

Participants will be able to relax and unwind before reconnecting at the TORA Industry Mixer at Dixie 4 Wheel Drive, 11858 S. Highway 191, Moab, UT, from 6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. (MDT). This will be an ideal time to strengthen and build new relationships and share stories from the trail ride earlier in the day.

Register here.

Questions can be directed to Denise Waddingham at deniselw@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Nominations are now open for aftermarket professionals to volunteer to serve on any one of SEMA’s nine council or network select committees at www.sema.org/volunteer.

Select Committees are critical to helping SEMA staff direct, guide and lead its efforts. SEMA’s elected leaders work alongside other automotive professionals to identify common challenges and opportunities, create awareness to their industry niche and influence industry progress. The ideal candidate will have strong strategic planning skills, significant aftermarket knowledge, a passion for giving back to the industry, and be willing to serve a minimum of a two-year term.

Learn more about the benefits of volunteering below.

Community Building: Volunteers build connections among other council and network members. In the past year alone, select committee volunteers have spearheaded and created some of SEMA’s most robust events and programs, including but not limited to, in-person and virtual networking events, SEMA-member spotlight programs, education opportunities and more.

Connect with Industry Leaders: When members raise their hand to volunteer, they are connected with industry peers who are passionate about the advancement of the industry as a whole. They work together to strategically align initiatives with current and member and industry needs, share new ideas and grow their network.

Recognition Opportunities: Volunteers are recognized regularly on SEMA communication channels, such as SEMA eNews, social media and council and network member updates.

If you would like to nominate yourself or someone who has the skills and character to influence industry progress, fill out the nomination form by Tuesday, April 13, 2021.

By Kyle Cheng

Economic activity has improved significantly over the last month. The rate of vaccinations is accelerating and the number of COVID-19 cases, while still high, is improving. Additionally, the COVID relief bill likely will push economic growth above forecasts for the back half of 2021 and through much of 2022. All of this paints a much better economic outlook for the economy as we move past the pandemic.

While the outlook is optimistic, there are some potential risks. Inflation is a possibility, and prices in some segments of the economy are already moving higher. Supply chains are constrained because of the disruption from the virus. Additionally, over the past year, consumers spent more money on goods as many services were closed. Consumers stayed at home and bought items such as electronics and auto parts. As the country opens up and restrictions lift, consumers will likely divert more money to things they haven’t been able to do, potentially slowing growth for certain segments of the economy.

For more information, download the new March “SEMA Industry Indicators” report today at www.sema.org/research.

For a more in-depth look at the path of recovery for our industry and the economy, as well as potential scenarios for the next few years, check out the “SEMA Future Trends – January 2021” report at www.sema.org/research. 

By Jay Carpio, Fredy Ramirez & Carr Winn

“Carr Parts” is dedicated to builders. It's about quick tips and tricks and the newest must-have products. It's about visiting with a fellow builder, walking around their project and getting an up-close look at their handy work. It's also about our industry sharing their passion for turning a wrench and taking time to give advice to fellow gearheads. Episode six features the Throttle Thrashers Garage's Cole Marten, talking about taking care of the rods and the bearings, to keep your engine running stronger, longer.

For more information about other talented young builders visit SEMA's Young Guns www.semayoungguns.com.

SEMA’s video team is currently in production on future episodes of ”Carr Parts“ and we’d love to hear from you. Do you have a tip, trick or advice you can share with our audience? Drop us a note at marketing@semaignited.com and we’ll connect with you.

We can't wait to find the next guest for “Carr Parts.” And finally...keep building.

By SEMA Editors

Platinum status represents SDC manufacturers that have achieved the pinnacle of product data by putting in the extra effort to provide resellers with the most complete data sets available.

KC HiLites
Universal Wire Hider

The KC Universal Wire Hider featuring 3M VHB double-sided adhesive is as simple as it sounds. It is a 3.3-ft. strip of rubber extrusion that has an internal channel to help you hide your wires for a clean install of off-road lights and other accessories. This automotive wire management is perfect for those who are sick of having exposed wires running up their windshield, roof rack, along the frame, or anywhere else on the vehicle.

Features

• Rubber extrusion to hide your wires
• Maintains an OEM look for a clean and professional install
• Includes 3M VHB tape to securely route wiring
• Conceals wires up to 8mm in diameter

Website: www.kchilites.com
PN: 6300-Main/6300-Styled

ORACLE Lighting
Oculus 7-inch Bi-LED Projector Headlights  

The market leader in high-quality and innovative LED solutions for the automotive/12Volt, powersports, motorcycle, and marine markets, is proud to announce the launch of its new Oculus 7-in. bi-LED projector. Now available for pre-order and scheduled to ship in April 2021, the new headlights are designed for ’07–‘18 Jeep Wrangler JK, ’97–‘06 Jeep Wrangler TJ (w/ H4 wiring adapter) and classic cars/trucks (with H4 wiring adapter and some modification).

Website: www.oraclelights.com
PN: 5876-001