This is the upcoming Ford F-150 EV, providing a first look at the (production-intent) electric pickup.
Though clad in a substantial amount of camouflage, the familiar shape of the 14th-generation F-150 can still be seen. The prototype features a SuperCrew cabin along with a short bed.
Despite the vehicle’s camo having a cutout for what would be a fuel door, there are no visible elements of an exhaust system. But there is a rather substantial electric motor at the rear axle, some interesting throwing-star rims, and we’re told the Frida Kahlo-inspired light over the grille will make it to production.
Range is expected to come in at least 300 miles, although it is rumored that if demand is great enough, there may be an extended-range battery that could be added to the truck.
Production is slated to start in mid-2022 at Ford’s Rouge Truck plant in Dearborn, Michigan. It should be in showrooms shortly after, more than likely beating Rivian (delays) and Tesla (no running prototypes and have yet to bring the roadster/semi to market) to the marketplace.
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.
Events Coordinator Holley is hiring an event coordinatorto travel to and activate at various automotive consumer events and trade shows around the country. The position will assist with event display creation and related materials for Holley brands. The position also includes logistics responsibilities for safe travel and setup of Holley properties to and from events. A passion and knowledge of automotive functionality and parts is important and familiarity with Holley brand products is preferred. This position is a client-facing role, as it requires on-site customer assistance to provide product recommendations for Holley brands. Cross-functionality with internal departments is required for strategic planning.
Inside Sales Professional Bed Wood and Parts is hiring an experienced inside sales professionalwith an assertive and deliberate follow-up process to make sure every opportunity is followed to a close or until the opportunity becomes a non-target. The successful candidate must have a track record of closing phone sales. This full-time position offers a base wage plus commission with unlimited earning potential. A minimum of three years of experience in a commission-based sales environment is required.
Digital Sales Director Internet Brands is hiring adigital sales director for its Auto Classifieds division. Responsibilities include directing the daily activities of a growing team of inside sales reps to ensure that the team goals are met and exceeded, establishing team measurements and providing regular reporting on progress, coaching and mentoring sales representatives for success in this role and developing effective promotional campaigns and track results. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree, more than five years of successful sales and sales management experience and proven experience managing successful teams of 10+ sales teams to above quota performance.
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.
The ’21 Aston Martin DBX will be available for measuring, March
22–26, at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California.
In partnership with Aston Martin, the SEMA Garage has announced a Measuring Session for the ’21 Aston Martin DBX.
This event will allow SEMA members to test-fit prototypes, 3-D scan, measure and have a close-up experience with the ’21 Aston Martin DBX, featuring:
A 4.0L twin-turbo V8 engine.
Nine-speed automatic transmission.
Adaptive air suspension.
Electric anti-roll control system (eARC).
Aston Martin’s first fullsize five-seat model.
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 take place over one week with scheduled appointments. Due to high demand, your appointment will be time limited.
Week 1: March 22, 2021–March 26, 2021
*All registered attendees will be required to take an initial temperature check, wear face coverings and gloves, as well as practice social distancing during their appointment. The vehicle will be sanitized in between each appointment.
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.
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
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.
The SEMA Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) is kicking off the 2021 car show season at the annual Spring Carlisle Collector Car Flea Market, Corral & Auction in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where more than 100,000 enthusiasts are expected to gather in person on April 21–25.
In addition to bringing the industry together and viewing amazing vehicles, the annual event is also home to the ARMO Hot Products Showcase—a member-only council benefit that provides automotive restoration professionals with an exclusive no-cost opportunity to display and promote their products to a worldwide audience.
New to this year’s Hot Products Showcase is an online gallery in which all submissions are automatically included. As in previous years, all submissions will still qualify for the New Products Awards (with the exception of the People’s Choice Award), with the winners recognized at the SEMA Show in November. ARMO members may now register their product and enter the Hot Products Showcase.
The annual Spring Carlisle Collector Car Flea Market,
Corral & Auction is home to the ARMO Hot Products
Showcase—a member-only council benefit that
provides automotive restoration professionals with
an exclusive no-cost opportunity to display and
promote their products to a worldwide audience.
After registering online, companies are also able and encouraged to send or bring their registered products to Spring Carlisle for display at the in-person event. Benefits of having the product included at the event in Pennsylvania include:
Onsite product exposure to an estimated 100,000+ attendees.
Increased visitors to company or dealer booth if exhibiting at Spring Carlisle in person.
A chance to win a New Product or People’s Choice Award.
A free industry mixer will take place Thursday, April 22, at 5:00 p.m., for all manufacturers and ARMO-member companies. This annual event is a great opportunity to strengthen networking and build new relationships with other ARMO members. Questions can be directed to ARMO Council Liaison Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org, 909-978-6690.
Holley, the performance automotive aftermarket company based in Bowling Green, Kentucky, will become a public company as part of a definitive merger agreement with Empower Ltd.—a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition company. As a result of the agreement, Holley will become a publicly listed company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the new ticker symbol “HLLY.” Holley President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Tomlinson and the current management team will continue to lead the combined company. Empower’s management team is led by Chief Executive Officer Matt Rubel and President Graham Clempson. Rubel is expected to serve as chairman of the Board of Directors. Holley is controlled by Sentinel Capital Partners, L.L.C.—a midmarket private equity firm that will remain Holley’s largest shareholder upon closing.
Eric Ryan
NASCAR Hires Eric Ryan as Vice President of Communications
NASCAR has announced that Eric Ryan has been named to the position of vice president of communications. Ryan will provide leadership across strategic initiatives, and day-to-day operations of the sanctioning body’s communications and public relations work in his new role. Based out of the company’s headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida, Ryan will report to Chief Communications and Social Responsibility Officer Eric Nyquist. With two decades of communications experience, Ryan has served in leadership roles at the New York Stock Exchange, AT&T, and most recently, at Nike. Working across Fortune 100 companies and some of the world’s most respected brands, Ryan managed teams responsible for integrated internal and external communication initiatives across numerous corporate functions.
Goodyear Makes Leadership Changes After Cooper Tire Acquisition
Following the company’s recent announcement of its acquisition of Cooper Tire, Goodyear has announced that Ryan Patterson, currently president of its Asia Pacific business unit, will lead the integration effort as senior vice president, business integration. Nathaniel Madarang, currently managing director of Goodyear China, will succeed Patterson as president of Goodyear Asia Pacific. Prior to his role in Asia Pacific, Patterson was president of Goodyear’s North America Consumer business, where he developed the company’s consumer strategy and its focus on high-value segments. Goodyear says he led the creation and implementation of the company’s aligned distribution model in North America, and launched goodyear.com, driving e-commerce sales for distributors and dealers.
Prior to his work in North America, Patterson worked in several roles of increasing responsibility in Latin America since joining the company in 2002. Madarang has been with Goodyear since 2008. Prior to his role as managing director of Goodyear China, he was vice president of finance for Goodyear’s Asia Pacific business, and prior to that, vice president of Goodyear’s China Consumer business and finance director for Goodyear China. Prior to joining Goodyear, he served in several leadership roles for Procter & Gamble in China and ASEAN.
Hardy Hamann
Dynabrade CEO and President Hardy Hamann Retires
Dynabrade Inc. has announced the retirement of President and CEO Hardy Hamann, effective March 31. Hamann had served as the 98th president of the Industrial Supply Manufacturers Association (now part of ISA), representing 550 North American Manufacturers in ’02–‘03. Dynabrade will announce its new company president at a later date.
Meyer Distributing Inc. has announced the addition of its Bear, Delaware, location. The cross-dock will have a direct, next-day feed from Meyer’s East Hanover, New Jersey-based distribution hub, which houses one of the largest inventories of automotive accessories, exhaust and related parts in the region.
Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.
The “Classic Cars, Modern Markets” report from SEMA Market
Research reveals new data on market sizing, purchasing habits, and
vehicle usage of classic car vehicle owners and explores how modern
consumers feel about, work on, and engage with their fellow
enthusiasts about classic vehicles.
With more than 9.4 million pre-’90 vehicles estimated on the road today, more consumers and businesses report that they are modifying classic cars with modern parts and technology. While a significant number of consumers and businesses continue to restore classic cars to their original factory specifications, a growing number are customizing the vehicles to include upgraded engines with enhanced performance, increased efficiency, and modern-day comforts (a practice often referred to as “restomodding”).
The “Classic Cars, Modern Markets” report from SEMA Market Research reveals new data on market sizing, purchasing habits, and vehicle usage of classic car vehicle owners and explores how modern consumers feel about, work on, and engage with their fellow enthusiasts about classic vehicles.
“Classic cars and trucks have been a key part of the specialty automotive aftermarket since it began, and for many people who own older vehicles, fixing them up or modifying them into something new is a passion project that can span decades,” said SEMA Director of Market Research Gavin Knapp. “This report will help businesses understand this unique customer base, how to reach them, and where the current and future opportunities are for the vintage and automotive restoration aftermarket.”
The report, which researched classic car owners and businesses, found:
A growing number of businesses (62%) see restomodding on the rise and, on average, say that half the work they do on classics is part of a restomod job.
Younger classic car owners are more likely to seek a restomod build, with 38% of owners under 45 going for a restomod, compared to 22% of older owners.
Owners tend to view a classic as a long-term investment, with 44% saying they want to keep the vehicle forever.
While 50% of owners use their classic vehicles for running errands, classic vehicles are much less likely to be used as commuter vehicles with 15% of classic car owners doing so (compared to 64% of the general population).
80% percent of classic owners are comfortable doing at least some of the work on their vehicle on their own.
Unrestored ‘60s musclecars and pony cars remain popular barn finds among collectors, but the emerging market for ‘70s and ‘80s vehicles represent an important opportunity.
Despite loving old-school cars, classic owners are not shy about going online to learn and shop for parts—especially younger owners.
To learn more about the current state of the classic vehicle market and where the opportunity is for your business, download the “Classic Cars, Modern Markets” report for free today at www.sema.org/market-research.
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.
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.
The SEMA 
