Thu, 04/25/2013 - 08:39
 ford

The shooters at KGP Photography caught a Ford F-Series Super Duty prototype sporting some serious, big-barreled smoke stacks. The 'stacks are clearly functional, as the cool, moist air has resulted in lots of smoke billowing out. It's unclear what to make of this one, as its not your traditional factory exhaust treatment. The shooters have seen this prototype making several test runs throughout the Dearborn, Michigan, area, and it has been frequenting Ford's usual test and development labs that are actively developing the Blue Oval's next-generation models. They have seen this 'stacked F-350 leave one lab just minutes after a mule for the next-generation F-150, so the fact that this prototype is registered on manufacturer "M" license plates, like every other prototype and test car running the streets of Dearborn, shows that it is part of some Ford testing program, whatever that may be.

Is Ford developing a smoke stack exhaust for production trucks? Who knows, but its an interesting curiosity to see as part of the Detroit test scene.

 ford

Photo Credit: KGP Photography

Thu, 04/25/2013 - 08:39
 ford

The shooters at KGP Photography caught a Ford F-Series Super Duty prototype sporting some serious, big-barreled smoke stacks. The 'stacks are clearly functional, as the cool, moist air has resulted in lots of smoke billowing out. It's unclear what to make of this one, as its not your traditional factory exhaust treatment. The shooters have seen this prototype making several test runs throughout the Dearborn, Michigan, area, and it has been frequenting Ford's usual test and development labs that are actively developing the Blue Oval's next-generation models. They have seen this 'stacked F-350 leave one lab just minutes after a mule for the next-generation F-150, so the fact that this prototype is registered on manufacturer "M" license plates, like every other prototype and test car running the streets of Dearborn, shows that it is part of some Ford testing program, whatever that may be.

Is Ford developing a smoke stack exhaust for production trucks? Who knows, but its an interesting curiosity to see as part of the Detroit test scene.

 ford

Photo Credit: KGP Photography

Thu, 04/25/2013 - 08:39
 ford

The shooters at KGP Photography caught a Ford F-Series Super Duty prototype sporting some serious, big-barreled smoke stacks. The 'stacks are clearly functional, as the cool, moist air has resulted in lots of smoke billowing out. It's unclear what to make of this one, as its not your traditional factory exhaust treatment. The shooters have seen this prototype making several test runs throughout the Dearborn, Michigan, area, and it has been frequenting Ford's usual test and development labs that are actively developing the Blue Oval's next-generation models. They have seen this 'stacked F-350 leave one lab just minutes after a mule for the next-generation F-150, so the fact that this prototype is registered on manufacturer "M" license plates, like every other prototype and test car running the streets of Dearborn, shows that it is part of some Ford testing program, whatever that may be.

Is Ford developing a smoke stack exhaust for production trucks? Who knows, but its an interesting curiosity to see as part of the Detroit test scene.

 ford

Photo Credit: KGP Photography

Thu, 04/25/2013 - 07:37
By SEMA Staff

silverado
The Silverado is available for SEMA Show project vehicle proposals.

This year’s Chevrolet SEMA Project Vehicle Program will focus on designers and manufacturers dedicated to creating new accessories and vehicle personalization items for Chevrolet's ’14 vehicles. Proposals are due April 30.

Vehicles available include:

  • Silverado (light-duty crew cab only)
  • Sonic
  • Impala
  • Camaro

Requirements:

  • Preservation of brand emblem on front and rear of vehicle
  • High level of paint and build quality; no wraps
  • Sponsorship decals to be limited to the lower 1/3 of the vehicle side
  • Commit to periodic design and build check-ins
  • Promote vehicle through November 4, 2014
  • Retain vehicle insurance totaling at least $3 million until the completion of the contract
  • Submit proposal by April 30, 2013

Proposals must include:

  • An introductory letter defining the vehicle theme, content and SEMA Show display location
  • An exterior rendering with the intended colors and modifications accurately defined
  • A build timeline with start and completion dates
  • A detailed list of upgrades and modifications
  • A promotional plan
  • Three printed copies mailed to the address listed below

Builders are urged to contact Tom Gardner at thomas.gardner@gm.com before submitting a formal proposal to discuss the vehicle theme and modifications.

Send proposals, by April 30, to:

Tom Gardner
Mail Code: 480-717-004
GM Technical Center – AEC Building
30003 Van Dyke Ave.
Office 168-04
Warren, MI 48090-9060

Thu, 04/25/2013 - 07:37
By SEMA Staff

silverado
The Silverado is available for SEMA Show project vehicle proposals.

This year’s Chevrolet SEMA Project Vehicle Program will focus on designers and manufacturers dedicated to creating new accessories and vehicle personalization items for Chevrolet's ’14 vehicles. Proposals are due April 30.

Vehicles available include:

  • Silverado (light-duty crew cab only)
  • Sonic
  • Impala
  • Camaro

Requirements:

  • Preservation of brand emblem on front and rear of vehicle
  • High level of paint and build quality; no wraps
  • Sponsorship decals to be limited to the lower 1/3 of the vehicle side
  • Commit to periodic design and build check-ins
  • Promote vehicle through November 4, 2014
  • Retain vehicle insurance totaling at least $3 million until the completion of the contract
  • Submit proposal by April 30, 2013

Proposals must include:

  • An introductory letter defining the vehicle theme, content and SEMA Show display location
  • An exterior rendering with the intended colors and modifications accurately defined
  • A build timeline with start and completion dates
  • A detailed list of upgrades and modifications
  • A promotional plan
  • Three printed copies mailed to the address listed below

Builders are urged to contact Tom Gardner at thomas.gardner@gm.com before submitting a formal proposal to discuss the vehicle theme and modifications.

Send proposals, by April 30, to:

Tom Gardner
Mail Code: 480-717-004
GM Technical Center – AEC Building
30003 Van Dyke Ave.
Office 168-04
Warren, MI 48090-9060

Thu, 04/25/2013 - 07:37
By SEMA Staff

silverado
The Silverado is available for SEMA Show project vehicle proposals.

This year’s Chevrolet SEMA Project Vehicle Program will focus on designers and manufacturers dedicated to creating new accessories and vehicle personalization items for Chevrolet's ’14 vehicles. Proposals are due April 30.

Vehicles available include:

  • Silverado (light-duty crew cab only)
  • Sonic
  • Impala
  • Camaro

Requirements:

  • Preservation of brand emblem on front and rear of vehicle
  • High level of paint and build quality; no wraps
  • Sponsorship decals to be limited to the lower 1/3 of the vehicle side
  • Commit to periodic design and build check-ins
  • Promote vehicle through November 4, 2014
  • Retain vehicle insurance totaling at least $3 million until the completion of the contract
  • Submit proposal by April 30, 2013

Proposals must include:

  • An introductory letter defining the vehicle theme, content and SEMA Show display location
  • An exterior rendering with the intended colors and modifications accurately defined
  • A build timeline with start and completion dates
  • A detailed list of upgrades and modifications
  • A promotional plan
  • Three printed copies mailed to the address listed below

Builders are urged to contact Tom Gardner at thomas.gardner@gm.com before submitting a formal proposal to discuss the vehicle theme and modifications.

Send proposals, by April 30, to:

Tom Gardner
Mail Code: 480-717-004
GM Technical Center – AEC Building
30003 Van Dyke Ave.
Office 168-04
Warren, MI 48090-9060

Thu, 04/25/2013 - 07:34

By SEMA Editors

protect your goods, UPS, SEMA
Through a partnership with UPS, SEMA members can benefit from a savings of 10% on business services, including mailboxes, copy and print services, faxing, packaging services, laminating and binding, retail shipping supplies and business supplies.

SEMA and UPS have teamed up to offer special pricing and discounts to fuel business performance for SEMA members throughout the year.

With support from your local The UPS Store, SEMA members can benefit from a savings of 10% and take advantage of the convenience of one-stop shopping. Members can save on business services, including mailboxes, copy and print services, faxing, packaging services, laminating and binding, retail shipping supplies and business supplies. There are more than 4,700 locations in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.

To take advantage of all that UPS offers to SEMA members, visit www.SEMA.org/UPS, log-in with your SEMA-member credentials and then click the “Sign Up and Save Today” button to access the UPS program enrollment website. Members will need to download a virtual card from the UPS program enrollment page. SEMA members will need to take this document to The UPS Store location and tell the center associate you are part of SEMA's corporate account program.

Get started today and begin taking advantage of these discounts.

Thu, 04/25/2013 - 07:30
  SEMA News Product and Catalog Showcase, Low-Cost Advertising, New Products and Catalogs
The Product and Catalog Showcase remains one of the most cost-effective ways to advertise in SEMA News, helping members reach more customers specific to the specialty-equipment market.
   

By SEMA Editors

Generate buzz for your products and services by participating in the 2013 SEMA News Product and Catalog Showcase featured in the June issue of SEMA News.

The Product and Catalog Showcase remains one of the most cost-effective ways to advertise in SEMA News, helping members reach more customers specific to the specialty-equipment market. Only offered twice per year in the June and November issues of SEMA News, guarantee yourself a spot in this highlighted showcase and boost your branding efforts!

Simply provide a four-color image of your new product or your catalog cover, along with about 75 words of text, and we'll build a 1/6-page ad for you. The cost is $250. Space is limited, so don't delay.

To get started, contact Brian Paik at 909-978-6677 or Monica Terlouw at 909-978-6695.

View the online version of the 2012 SEMA News Product & Catalog Showcase, featured in the November 2012 issue of SEMA News.

Thu, 04/25/2013 - 07:30
  SEMA News Product and Catalog Showcase, Low-Cost Advertising, New Products and Catalogs
The Product and Catalog Showcase remains one of the most cost-effective ways to advertise in SEMA News, helping members reach more customers specific to the specialty-equipment market.
   

By SEMA Editors

Generate buzz for your products and services by participating in the 2013 SEMA News Product and Catalog Showcase featured in the June issue of SEMA News.

The Product and Catalog Showcase remains one of the most cost-effective ways to advertise in SEMA News, helping members reach more customers specific to the specialty-equipment market. Only offered twice per year in the June and November issues of SEMA News, guarantee yourself a spot in this highlighted showcase and boost your branding efforts!

Simply provide a four-color image of your new product or your catalog cover, along with about 75 words of text, and we'll build a 1/6-page ad for you. The cost is $250. Space is limited, so don't delay.

To get started, contact Brian Paik at 909-978-6677 or Monica Terlouw at 909-978-6695.

View the online version of the 2012 SEMA News Product & Catalog Showcase, featured in the November 2012 issue of SEMA News.

Thu, 04/25/2013 - 07:28
By SEMA Editors

35
SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry who are under the age of 35 through its 35 Under 35 program.

For the second consecutive year, SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry who are under the age of 35. We need your input. If you know of a leader who is under 35—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media or distribution—we would like to hear from you.

It is very likely that SEMA members are currently working with creative and talented young professionals who are already moving the industry in new and different directions. They are also the ones who have played major roles in leveraging new and emerging technologies—in areas including marketing and product development—with a traditional automotive aftermarket business to expand company reach and customer interaction.

They could be budding superstars at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands, or innovators who have launched companies that are sure to become big names in the future. What they all will have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed. These are people who know what’s going on at ground level, who see opportunities that are now forming and who travel in circles that might be very different from those of our “old-school” industry leaders.

Nominate now for the 2013 SEMA News 35 Under 35. Nominations are due May 1, 2013.

Winners will be chosen based on their business success, contribution to their organization, industry knowledge and community involvement. We'll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.