This Ford Bronco Raptor undergoing testing is the very first development prototype of the Bronco Raptor, according to the photographers on site.

All the expected workings of a Bronco Raptor are present, including a significantly higher ground clearance, wider wheel arches, and a wider stance. The significant amount of thick camouflage covers up the majority of the vehicle, but the camo can only do so much to disguise what are clearly wider flares.

The prototype rides on a set of BF Goodrich AT All Terrain T/A tires, though we can't quite make out the size (they appear to 17inch wheels). It's not clear what suspension upgrades are in place, but the Bronco Raptor is definitely expected to feature a more rugged and more capable chassis, even compared to the range-topping Wildtrak Bronco model. The latest rumors suggest a Bronco Raptor launch for the ’23 model year.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By Ashley Reyes

Fury Tires continues to set the bar for the off-road and wheel/tire segment of the automotive aftermarket. Learn how company sales director Bob Day, and owner Jaimie Jang discovered a new unique niche for tire sizes, collaborated with manufacturers, and implemented a marketing strategy that resulted in amassing more than 140,000 organic social media followers in just three years, in the latest video from the 2019 SEMA Show STAGE. 

“We talked to wheel companies – we had a lot of feedback from them. And then we talked to builders […] and with that collaboration, it just grew. We had the 26 and 28s—last year we launched the 30 in.,” said Day. “The funny thing is, the 26s and 28s, maybe one or two wheel companies had it. Now everybody has a 26 or 28 and there’s probably three or four companies that have a 30 in. within one year. So it’s amazing the way it happened.”

Get to know what’s next for the future of Fury Tires, learn Day’s insight on the importance of marketing and utilizing social media, and hear what advice he has for companies looking to grow their brand by watching the full video.

Stay tuned to SEMA eNews for additional featured interviews powered by SEMA Education in partnership with the SEMA Wheel and Tire Council (WTC).  For the latest news and updates on the STAGE, follow SEMA Education on Facebook and Instagram.

By Ashley Reyes

Fury Tires continues to set the bar for the off-road and wheel/tire segment of the automotive aftermarket. Learn how company sales director Bob Day, and owner Jaimie Jang discovered a new unique niche for tire sizes, collaborated with manufacturers, and implemented a marketing strategy that resulted in amassing more than 140,000 organic social media followers in just three years, in the latest video from the 2019 SEMA Show STAGE. 

“We talked to wheel companies – we had a lot of feedback from them. And then we talked to builders […] and with that collaboration, it just grew. We had the 26 and 28s—last year we launched the 30 in.,” said Day. “The funny thing is, the 26s and 28s, maybe one or two wheel companies had it. Now everybody has a 26 or 28 and there’s probably three or four companies that have a 30 in. within one year. So it’s amazing the way it happened.”

Get to know what’s next for the future of Fury Tires, learn Day’s insight on the importance of marketing and utilizing social media, and hear what advice he has for companies looking to grow their brand by watching the full video.

Stay tuned to SEMA eNews for additional featured interviews powered by SEMA Education in partnership with the SEMA Wheel and Tire Council (WTC).  For the latest news and updates on the STAGE, follow SEMA Education on Facebook and Instagram.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Wheel and Tire Council (WTC) remains committed to providing its members with a forum to address industry-related issues by offering year-round networking and educational opportunities.

All WTC members are invited and encouraged to attend the council’s virtual ambassador meeting, September 15, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT). Participants will receive updates on the council’s current initiatives and opportunities to connect with each other on both wins and challenges in the industry.

WTC’s Ambassador meetings are the ideal opportunity for members to get involved and learn how to maximize their council membership. Attendees will work together to identify common problems and opportunities relating to the custom performance wheel and tire markets, and receive updates on important industry-related issues, such as ADAS and and the impact of tariffs.

Register here.

Questions regarding the event can be directed to WTC Council Director Nicole Bradle at nicoleb@sema.org.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Wheel and Tire Council (WTC) remains committed to providing its members with a forum to address industry-related issues by offering year-round networking and educational opportunities.

All WTC members are invited and encouraged to attend the council’s virtual ambassador meeting, September 15, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT). Participants will receive updates on the council’s current initiatives and opportunities to connect with each other on both wins and challenges in the industry.

WTC’s Ambassador meetings are the ideal opportunity for members to get involved and learn how to maximize their council membership. Attendees will work together to identify common problems and opportunities relating to the custom performance wheel and tire markets, and receive updates on important industry-related issues, such as ADAS and and the impact of tariffs.

Register here.

Questions regarding the event can be directed to WTC Council Director Nicole Bradle at nicoleb@sema.org.

By Ashley Reyes

Jared Cohen, SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) Select Committee Member and 2018 PRO Restyler of the Year, has been named as the council’s latest Volunteer Spotlight member. Cohen is the CEO of Action Auto Group, a leading company in aftermarket accessory installations that services the needs of dealerships in the Northeast region of the U.S. Get to know what advice he has about always doing right by others, and what keeps him passionate about the industry in his Q&A with SEMA and PRO.

SEMA: What inspired you to pursue a career in restyling/manufacturing?

Jared Cohen: As a family business in which my father suddenly passed away, I was inspired to continue his legacy at the time rather than any thrill to jump into the restyling business. Today, safety technology and helping reduce crashes is what inspires me.

SEMA: Why did you decide to volunteer for PRO? How has it or will it impact you?

JC: Having peers on the committee allowed me to better understand the initiative. The ability to have a voice in our industry through PRO has been great. I hope PRO will continue to allow me to meet great people in the industry with a common goal for progress.

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?

JC: Work hard, show up every day on time and always do the right things and you will grow. I believe these are simple traits anyone can possess in any field, not simply the automotive aftermarket

SEMA: What is your dream vehicle? Where would we find you in it on any weekend?

JC: My dream vehicle would be a Ferrari, but I must admit, I would need to learn to drive a stick first.   You will find me in any new restaurant and or rooftop lounge hanging with friends and family.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?  

JC: Always be able to put your head on your pillow at night. This means that no matter if anyone would know it or not, always do right by others as integrity is most important.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

JC: The future of what’s to come with smart cities and autonomous vehicle opportunities.

SEMA: Where can we find you on a Saturday?

JC: Working and then a little play in the evening.

By Ashley Reyes

Jared Cohen, SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) Select Committee Member and 2018 PRO Restyler of the Year, has been named as the council’s latest Volunteer Spotlight member. Cohen is the CEO of Action Auto Group, a leading company in aftermarket accessory installations that services the needs of dealerships in the Northeast region of the U.S. Get to know what advice he has about always doing right by others, and what keeps him passionate about the industry in his Q&A with SEMA and PRO.

SEMA: What inspired you to pursue a career in restyling/manufacturing?

Jared Cohen: As a family business in which my father suddenly passed away, I was inspired to continue his legacy at the time rather than any thrill to jump into the restyling business. Today, safety technology and helping reduce crashes is what inspires me.

SEMA: Why did you decide to volunteer for PRO? How has it or will it impact you?

JC: Having peers on the committee allowed me to better understand the initiative. The ability to have a voice in our industry through PRO has been great. I hope PRO will continue to allow me to meet great people in the industry with a common goal for progress.

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?

JC: Work hard, show up every day on time and always do the right things and you will grow. I believe these are simple traits anyone can possess in any field, not simply the automotive aftermarket

SEMA: What is your dream vehicle? Where would we find you in it on any weekend?

JC: My dream vehicle would be a Ferrari, but I must admit, I would need to learn to drive a stick first.   You will find me in any new restaurant and or rooftop lounge hanging with friends and family.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?  

JC: Always be able to put your head on your pillow at night. This means that no matter if anyone would know it or not, always do right by others as integrity is most important.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

JC: The future of what’s to come with smart cities and autonomous vehicle opportunities.

SEMA: Where can we find you on a Saturday?

JC: Working and then a little play in the evening.

By Ashley Reyes

Michael Hicks of The Retrofit Source has been named the SEMA Young Executives Network’s (YEN) newest Spotlight member. Get to know what his Number One action step is for preparing for an important meeting, and how he applies it to succeed in everyday business.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Michael Hicks: Want it badder than you want to breath, then you can be successful.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

MH: First, the love for cars and the need to advance something to the next level - be it performance or cosmetic! Second, excitement for how the industry grows. It seems as if there is no limit as to what can be done!

SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?

MH: Driving through the mountains, wrenching on my personal vehicles, spending time with the family, or in most cases a mixture of all.

SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?

MH: Listening. An important meeting has no value if you do not listen, obtain the information, and apply it. Often times taking notes when applicable.

SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who it would be?    

MH: This is a hard one because the industry is filled with great leaders. That’s why it's as vast as it is today. If I have to choose, I had the pleasure of working with Justin Norton from Atlanta Custom Wraps, and seeing where he started to being a repeat SEMA attendee with the success in his company to go with it. I would sit down with him and have more conversations on what it takes to reach that level.

By Ashley Reyes

Michael Hicks of The Retrofit Source has been named the SEMA Young Executives Network’s (YEN) newest Spotlight member. Get to know what his Number One action step is for preparing for an important meeting, and how he applies it to succeed in everyday business.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Michael Hicks: Want it badder than you want to breath, then you can be successful.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

MH: First, the love for cars and the need to advance something to the next level - be it performance or cosmetic! Second, excitement for how the industry grows. It seems as if there is no limit as to what can be done!

SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?

MH: Driving through the mountains, wrenching on my personal vehicles, spending time with the family, or in most cases a mixture of all.

SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?

MH: Listening. An important meeting has no value if you do not listen, obtain the information, and apply it. Often times taking notes when applicable.

SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who it would be?    

MH: This is a hard one because the industry is filled with great leaders. That’s why it's as vast as it is today. If I have to choose, I had the pleasure of working with Justin Norton from Atlanta Custom Wraps, and seeing where he started to being a repeat SEMA attendee with the success in his company to go with it. I would sit down with him and have more conversations on what it takes to reach that level.

By Rich Hail

James Thomas, who entered but fell just shy of advancing in last year’s Young Guns competition with an unfinished version of the same ’49 Ford F1 that helped him win this year, was motivated to return and win.

James Thomas is the winner of the 2020 SEMA Battle of the Builders (BOTB) Young Guns NorCal virtual regional qualifier. He will go on to compete alongside top vehicle builders in the BOTB competition in November.

Thomas, who entered but fell just shy of advancing in last year’s Young Guns competition with an unfinished version of the same ’49 Ford F1 that helped him win this year, was motivated to return and win.

The first-generation Ford F-Series pickup was formerly a piece of yard art that Thomas hand-excavated from within the earth. He has always been drawn to older pickups like this one, and the patina on this septuagenarian told a story that he couldn’t help but pick up and give a new ending to.  

At Chico State, Thomas honed his skillset of engineering, 3D modeling, CNC machining and welding, all of which played a part in bringing the truck back to life. While most builders would opt for a Coyote or an LS powerplant, Thomas defied the norm and went with a 2JZ paired to a replica GT45 turbo complete with a T51R Mod. A T56 six-speed sequential shifter from S1 Sequential with a custom-built adapter is bolted up to a transmission donated from a Ford Cobra.

Most of the frame was replaced, having been designed in 3D Space and built by this very capable Young Gun. The independent front and rear suspension come from a Supra while the airbags, which were modified to fit the hand-built shock towers, came from a Mercedes Benz. A modified engine harness from Tweak’d Performance and a CAN bus-controlled tablet run all of the electronics via the touch-screen dash.

Thomas states, “[My] goal was to set out and do something no one has ever done before. To make people love to hate it.”

With the exception of the AN fittings, which were donated by Phenix Industries, he built most of the components himself, from the intake manifold to the intercooler to the fluid tanks. After all the pieces were put in place, the truck was tuned by Bend Calibration out of Bend, Oregon.

The Battle of the Builders competition celebrates the amazing craftsmanship and talents of people who create and build some of the most unique cars in the world. The Young Guns program is a feeder to the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, and offers up-and-coming builders who are 27 or under the opportunity to compete to earn a spot in the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition. Furthermore, the Young Guns program recognizes and inspires the next wave of young builders and gets them actively involved within the aftermarket industry.

To enter the 2020 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition or the SEMA Young Guns program, visit www.semabotb.com or www.semayoungguns.com.