By Ashley Reyes

After the top 10 competitors from the SEMA Launch Pad competition were announced, they returned to the pitching room to give the judges a close-up look and demonstration of their products in episode three of the SEMA Launch Pad video series, now available on the SEMA YouTube channel.

The new episode hones in on five of the 10 semifinalists, as they give a comprehensive look at their products. With industry judges Chip Foose of Foose Design, Jared Hare of Addictive Desert Designs, Myles Kovaks of DUB magazine and TIS Wheels, and Alex Parker of Redline Detection inspecting the products and asking the tough questions, the candidates bring out all the stops in an attempt to make it to the next round. Competitors featured in this week’s episode are:   

• Jonathan Hurley, ToolBox Widget  
• Monika Kalenski, MEK Magnet
• Adam Gruener, Off Road in Mind
• Brendan McGrath, Dyme Performance Systems
• Robert McKeirnan, Stratos Meccanica LLC

Check out episode three now, then stay tuned for next week’s episode when the remaining competitors demonstrate their products and the Top Five finalists are announced on October 19. The five finalists will vie for a grand prize valued at $100,000 live at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Learn more about SEMA Launch Pad at www.sema.org/launchpad.

By Ashley Reyes

As businesses and professionals prepare to gather for the 2021 SEMA Show, the industry’s elite contributors will be recognized with SEMA Industry Awards. Held on Thursday evening during the week of the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the 2021 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet will include announcements of the winners of SEMA’s most prestigious industry awards: SEMA Manufacturer of the Year, Warehouse Distributor of the Year, and Gen-III Innovator of the Year.

Finalists for the awards are:

Manufacturer of the Year:

• CSF Racing & High-Performance
• KW Automotive
• ORACLE Lighting Inc.

Warehouse Distributor of the Year:

• Keystone Automotive
• Meyer Distributing
• Turn 14 Distribution

Gen-III Innovator of the Year:  

• Justin Hartenstein, ORACLE Lighting Inc.
• Keith Ferry, Cerebrum Sensor Technologies Inc.
• Matt Kossoff, Driven Lighting Group

All SEMA Showgoers are invited to attend the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet on November 4. The celebration will include cocktails, dinner, awards and entertainment. Exhibitors can secure complimentary tickets and purchase additional tickets through their registration dashboard, while attendees can purchase tickets at www.semashow.com/banquet.  

The banquet is the annual celebration of the specialty-equipment industry and will also include the announcement of the 2021 SEMA Person of the Year, and a tribute to the 2021 SEMA Hall of Fame Inductees Jessi Combs, Rick Love, Bob Moore and Carl Schiefer. The evening will also include entertainment from Light Balance, a high-tech neon and LED dance group that gained popularity from “America’s Got Talent” and is about to begin a Las Vegas residency. Comedian/actor Adam Ferrara, who co-hosted the critically acclaimed BBC sensation, “Top Gear US,” for six seasons, will also be part of the banquet entertainment.  

The SEMA Show is a business-to-business trade-only event taking place Tuesday-Friday, November 2-5, in Las Vegas.

For details, visit www.semashow.com. 

By Della Domingo

As the 2021 SEMA Show approaches, news about product and vehicle debuts are making headlines. Exhibitors are beginning to share details about what attendees will see during the event, November 2–5, in Las Vegas. Some of the recent stories making headlines include:

Mopar Jeep, Ram Concepts for SEMA 2021 Revealed in Shadowy Images

• Mopar Performance has released several teaser images for the concepts that it will bring to the event.

Memphis Audio to Attend SEMA 2021

• “We don’t know what to expect from this year’s SEMA show given the nature of everything going on in the world, but we’ve committed to being there in person to spend time with our awesome dealer base who keeps this industry thriving,”

VAIS Technology to Display Its Range of Aftermarket Auto Accessories at SEMA Show

• An industry leader for vehicle technology will be on display at one of the most anticipated events of the year.

Countdown to the SEMA Show With SEMA’s CEO

• “Folks are starting to see that yes, there will be a SEMA Show. They’re gaining confidence and they’re saying I wanna be there.”

Additional news from exhibitors can be found in the SEMA Show Online Media Center at www.semashow.com/press, including the most recent releases below:

• Oracle Lighting Features New Rear Bumper Led Reverse Lights for Jeep Gladiator JT & JL at 2021 SEMA Expo
• Spark Lines Inc. Will Showcase New Products at SEMA 2021
• Bob Folkestad, Owner of Creative Werks Inc. to Debut His ’88 Foxbody Mustang at SEMA 2021
• REDARC’S Ultimate Off-Grid Tacoma Build
• Maxxsonics USA Celebrates 20th Anniversary
• Hunter Engineering Previews Wheel and Tire Service of the Future at SEMA in Las Vegas

All SEMA Show exhibitors are welcome to upload releases free of charge. Upload releases using this link.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

President Biden signed SEMA-opposed proclamations to expand the boundaries for three National Monuments, including Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments. The size of both Monuments was reduced by President Trump in 2017. This new action slightly expands the boundary of the Bears Ears National Monument from that established by President Obama in 2016 to 1.36 million acres and restores the 1.87-million-acre boundary of Grand Staircase-Escalante that was in place before reduced by the Trump Administration. SEMA will monitor the new land-management plans triggered by this action to ensure current off-road trails are not adversely impacted.

The 110-year-old Antiquities Act provides the president authority to preserve land with significant natural, cultural or scientific features. It has resulted in hundreds of millions of acres being set aside over the decades leading many to question whether the footprints are larger than necessary. Many members of Congress criticized President Biden’s use of an executive order instead of seeking a legislative solution to the boundary issue.

National Monument designations frequently lead to the closure of existing off-road roads and trails. SEMA supports a collaborative approach when making major land-use decisions, including input from local citizens, elected leaders and other stakeholders.

For more information, contact Caroline Fletcher at carolinef@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Since being elected to Congress in November 2020, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) has proven himself to be a strong ally and defender of motorsports. Sen. Kelly is an original cosponsor of S. 2736, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2021 (RPM Act), and he has championed the bill both publicly and behind the scenes. Sen. Kelly recently spoke at a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing about the importance of the RPM Act and amateur racing, noting that his wife, former U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords, raced motorcycles on the track.

“Arizona has a rich tradition of motorsports and racing which also plays a role in our state’s economy,” said Senator Kelly. “The Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2021 will protect Arizona’s amateur racers and auto mechanics from burdensome regulations so these enthusiasts can continue to enjoy the hobby and thrill of motorsports in our state and across the country.”

Prior to running for elected office, Sen. Kelly graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and has a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. He worked as a naval aviator for 25, served on the U.S.S. Midway aircraft carrier and flew 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm. Senator Kelly was later selected as an astronaut in 1996 in the same class as his twin brother Scott. He flew his first of four missions into space in 2001 aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour and retired from the Navy and NASA after commanding the final flight of Endeavour in 2011.

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

By Ashley Reyes

SEMA members at the Show have exclusive access to three Members Lounges during the event. Each Members Lounge offers the ideal place to reconnect, refuel and recharge. Amenities include:

• Meeting rooms that can accommodate small groups (10 or fewer) and are available at no charge to member exhibitors and buyers. (Non-exhibiting manufacturers and members otherwise eligible to exhibit are not permitted to use the meeting rooms.)
• Complimentary coffee, while supplies last.
• Hot or cold lunch available for purchase. (In Members Lounge – North only, a hot lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. daily. All three Lounges will offer cold “Grab ‘N Go” meals that can be purchased any time during Show hours.)
• Access to computers with a printer and Internet service.
• Charging stations.
• Networking areas.
• Rest stops.

All three Member Lounges will be open during Show hours. Lounges are located:

• North Hall, Room N251
• West Hall, Booth 58065
• Lower South Hall, Booth 49031

To learn more, contact SEMA’s Membership Director, AJ Carney at 909-978-6697 or andreac@SEMA.org.

By Ashley Reyes  

You may have heard of synthetic fuels, or e-fuels, but what exactly are they?  

While there’s still more work to be done before these fuels are practical and available, it’s important for members to understand how they impact the automotive industry.

During a Facebook live chat on October 20, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT), Bjoern Noack and Matt Turner from Bosch will break down what members need to know about the state of this technology, including:  

• What are synthetic fuels (e-fuels) and what is Bosch’s involvement?
• The benefits of synthetic fuels, from production to infrastructure and vehicle adaption.
• Synthetic fuels vs. petroleum fuels, including a discussion on octane rating and costs per liter/gallon.  
• What new technologies and products are on the horizon for Bosch and synthetic fuels.

Noack and Turner will share their expertise on the promise of this technology and demystify this new technology, live during the session.  

Location: ETTN Facebook page.

By Ashley Reyes

SEMA Showgoers will see and discover the potential benefits of accessorizing new model cars and trucks, through the SEMA PRO Cup Challenge. Targeting new car dealers and restylers, the competition includes seven restylers creating a package for a popular new-model vehicle that can be executed quickly and affordably. Modifications must be able to be completed in less than 40 hours and cost no more than $12,500.

Packages are judged based on their mass appeal, ease to replicate and potential profitability for both the restyler and the dealer.

Among the vehicles in the competition are two Kia vehicles.

’21 Kia Telluride Nightfall, Customized by Crush Customs, will feature:

• Leather
• Grille Guard
• Roof Basket
• Lift/Wheels/Tires
• Vinyl Graphic
• Custom wrapped steering wheel and trim

’21 Kia Sorrento S, Customized by City Kia/Vaccar Co., will feature:

• Hobbs Roof Rack for Sorento
• Armordillo Front Push Bar
• Brenthon Complete Badge Swap
• WingStep USA Power Running Boards
• Truxxx 2-in. Lift Kit
• Axe Wheels 20-in. EX30
• Toyo Tires 30-in. Open Country A/T III
• Custom Window Tint
• Roadwire Leather Upholstery
• Wheel install Set

Other vehicles competing in the PRO Cup Challenge include: DPS Automotive, ’22 Volkswagen Atlas; On the Rocks 4x4, ’21 Chevrolet Silverado; Integrity Customs, ’20 Jeep Gladiator; Auto Image, ’20 Ford F150 XLT; and Automotive Concepts ’21 Ford Bronco.

All seven competitors will be graded on marketability of the build, ease of reproduction, creativity and profitability by a panel of judges, while all Show attendees will have opportunity to vote for their “Fan Favorite” at the PRO booth #51085 until 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 3. The winner of the Fan Favorite and PRO Cup Challenge will be announced Wednesday during the PRO Booth Happy Hour from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Stay tuned to SEMA eNews this month as we highlight each of the PRO Cup Challenge competing vehicles.

This is the ’23 Chevy Colorado undergoing high-altitude testing in Colorado, giving us our first look at GM’s upcoming midsize truck redesign.

This one has a solid amount of heavy vinyl camo on the front and rear ends, as well as on the sides. Only the cab’s roof features the tighter-fitting checkered camo.

We can tell that the four-door, short-bed configuration is on full display, with overall dimensions appearing to be similar to those of the current model, introduced for the ’15 model year. There’s also what appears to be a set of prominent rear fenders along with a set of steelie wheels.

The next-gen Colorado is expected to launch some time in 2022 or 2023, and will use an evolution of the GMT31XX architecture used by the current trucks called 31XX-2.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’23 Chevy Colorado undergoing high-altitude testing in Colorado, giving us our first look at GM’s upcoming midsize truck redesign.

This one has a solid amount of heavy vinyl camo on the front and rear ends, as well as on the sides. Only the cab’s roof features the tighter-fitting checkered camo.

We can tell that the four-door, short-bed configuration is on full display, with overall dimensions appearing to be similar to those of the current model, introduced for the ’15 model year. There’s also what appears to be a set of prominent rear fenders along with a set of steelie wheels.

The next-gen Colorado is expected to launch some time in 2022 or 2023, and will use an evolution of the GMT31XX architecture used by the current trucks called 31XX-2.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde