Thu, 11/19/2020 - 12:59

By Kyle Cheng

Market Research
In the new “SEMA State of the Industry” report, SEMA Market Research looks at the current state of the specialty-equipment industry, including how companies have adapted to the virus, current sales and forecasts, industry trends, and outlook for the future.

Despite the disruption from the virus, new research shows that the specialty-equipment industry is bouncing back and optimistic for the future.

Approximately 70% of companies think the industry will be back to its pre-pandemic levels by the middle of next year, and 90% think it will be back by the end of 2021 at the latest.

In the new “SEMA State of the Industry” report, SEMA Market Research looks at the current state of the specialty-equipment industry, including how companies have adapted to the virus, current sales and forecasts, industry trends, and outlook for the future.

Most companies met or exceeded their sales goals in Q3 2020: 79% of manufacturers, 70% of distributors, and 69% of retailers.

  • 55% of companies expect their 2020 sales to finish higher or at least the same as 2019.
  • 93% of companies report being mostly business as usual or only impacted short term.
  • Despite the pandemic, in-store and physical channels continue to drive our industry’s sales and outpace online sales.

Want to learn more about the current state of the specialty-equipment industry? Download the new “SEMA State of the Industry – Fall 2020” report today at  www.sema.org/research.

Thu, 11/19/2020 - 12:59

By Kyle Cheng

Market Research
In the new “SEMA State of the Industry” report, SEMA Market Research looks at the current state of the specialty-equipment industry, including how companies have adapted to the virus, current sales and forecasts, industry trends, and outlook for the future.

Despite the disruption from the virus, new research shows that the specialty-equipment industry is bouncing back and optimistic for the future.

Approximately 70% of companies think the industry will be back to its pre-pandemic levels by the middle of next year, and 90% think it will be back by the end of 2021 at the latest.

In the new “SEMA State of the Industry” report, SEMA Market Research looks at the current state of the specialty-equipment industry, including how companies have adapted to the virus, current sales and forecasts, industry trends, and outlook for the future.

Most companies met or exceeded their sales goals in Q3 2020: 79% of manufacturers, 70% of distributors, and 69% of retailers.

  • 55% of companies expect their 2020 sales to finish higher or at least the same as 2019.
  • 93% of companies report being mostly business as usual or only impacted short term.
  • Despite the pandemic, in-store and physical channels continue to drive our industry’s sales and outpace online sales.

Want to learn more about the current state of the specialty-equipment industry? Download the new “SEMA State of the Industry – Fall 2020” report today at  www.sema.org/research.

Thu, 11/19/2020 - 12:17

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Matt Michielin
Matt Michielin

Matt Michielin Joins Eleven Engineering Marketing Team

Eleven Engineering Inc. has announced that Matt Michielin has joined the company as marketing team leader. His responsibilities at Eleven Engineering include maintaining the SKAAstore and the creation of the new SKAAstore website, customer service, office operations, database management and social media and communications assistance. Prior to joining Eleven Engineering, Michielin worked with Clean Harbors Environmental Services, The Government of Alberta, and Special Olympics Alberta.

Voyomotive Partners With CerebrumX

Voyomotive has announced a partnership with CerebrumX to offer new analytics-based solutions for the Insurtech market. The Voyomotive telematics platform will provide embedded vehicle data to CerebrumX’s Augmented Deep Learning Platform (ADLP).  The combination of the two systems will enable new dynamic pricing models for Pay As You Drive (PAYD) and Manage How You Drive (MHYD) policies while providing real time insights that increase driver safety. This new partnership follows the recent release by Voyomotive and Intelematics of the FailSAFE algorithm for predictive battery failure. Companies developing machine learning and analytics applications that require advanced telematics data are invited to make enquiries at contact@voyomotive.com.

Permatex
Dan Clarke

Permatex Names Dan Clarke Director of Marketing for the Engine Repair Business

Permatex has appointed Dan Clarke to the position of director of marketing for the Engine Repair Division. In his role, Clarke will be responsible for driving the development and execution of all marketing activities for the Engine Repair business to meet strategic objectives and deliver financial goals. The announcement was made by Lee Burtelson, vice president/general manager, Engine Repair. With Permatex since 2015, Clarke recently served as the company’s sales director for the U.S. traditional channel. Promoted to director of traditional sales in 2018, Clarke successfully drove the company’s efforts to increase new product sales in the traditional automotive channel and implemented a preferred distribution program that better focused on Permatex’s customers in the traditional automotive aftermarket and helped simplify business activities in the channel. Clarke began his career at Permatex as senior product manager where he oversaw significant growth in revenue, market share and margin in his product categories. Prior to Permatex, Clarke was a business unit manager at Coburn Technologies Inc., and spent 11 years with HID Global Corp. in various management and sales positions.

Beta Tools
Beta Tools USA has announced its North American presence as a wholly owned subsidiary of Beta Utensili S.P.A.

Beta Tools USA Establishes Presence to Serve North America With Italian-Designed Professional Tools

Beta Tools USA has announced its North American presence as a wholly owned subsidiary of Beta Utensili S.P.A., which will expand its global presence. The company offers Italian-designed and manufactured tools for mechanics, industrial maintenance and car repair professionals and tool enthusiasts.

Red Line Synthetic Oil Announces New Partnership With Oil Changers

Red Line Synthetic Oil has announced a new partnership with quick lube chain Oil Changers. Through this partnership, Red Line will supply the company’s high-performance oil for use at Oil Changers locations. The company’s high-performance engine oil will be used to service all types of vehicles.

NGK Announces Executive Changes

NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.) Inc. has announced two promotions within its executive team. Brian Norko has been promoted to senior vice president of commercial business. In this role, he will be responsible for all sales, product development, and marketing strategies for the NGK Commercial Busines’ automotive aftermarket, OEM, and OES channels. Prior to this promotion, Norko served as the vice president, aftermarket for three years. Lesley Skinner has been promoted to vice president, culture, communication and people. In this newly created role, Skinner will be responsible for driving the company culture, corporate communications, and administration strategies. Skinner was previously the senior director of human resources and administration and has been with NGK for nine years.

Ford
LGE-CTS is customizing a Ford F-250 Platinum 4x4 Diesel truck.

Win a Custom LGE-CTS Ford F-250 and $20,000 Cash

LGE-CTS is customizing a Ford F-250 Platinum 4x4 Diesel truck featuring a leather interior and a turbodiesel V8 that produces more than 1000 lb.-ft. of torque. LGE-CTS Motorsports customizations include Baja Forged 5-in. bulge carbon-fiber fenders and bed sides, Baja Forged front and rear tubular bumpers, a bed cage spare tire rack, a rigid light bar and accessory lights, a Warn 9,500-lb. winch, an ICON Stage 5 coilover conversion suspension with a 3.5-in. lift, 8-in. Method wheels with 37-in. Toyo tires, Banks cat-back exhaust, iDash and Pedal Monster. The sweepstakes begin on February 18, and the winner will be announced on March 10. Proceeds will benefit the First Responders Children’s Foundation, which has provided financial support to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty as well as families enduring significant hardships due to tragic circumstances. Enter for your chance to win the truck along with $20,000 cash.

Jenna Jefferies
Jenna Jefferies

Jenna Jefferies Joins PerTronix Performance Brands

PerTronix Performance Brands has announced that industry veteran Jenna Jefferies has joined the company as national account manager. She previously spent 18 years at K&N as national account manager and two years at Pilot Automotive as vice president of sales. In her new role, Jefferies will be responsible for growing national account revenue and for providing new product feedback to the PerTronix engineering team. She comes from a motorsports family and is passionate about desert off-road racing. Just last week, SEMA SBN honored her as its SHEIsSEMA Woman of the Year.

Brembo Announces Acquisition Of SBS Friction A/S

Brembo has acquired SBS Friction A/S—a Danish company that develops and manufactures eco-friendly sintered and organic-material brake pads for motorbikes. Brembo will integrate the company’s brake pads into its current product range, strengthening its position in the motorbike sector. The agreement is expected to be finalized in the first quarter of 2021.

Continental
Continental earned 2020 Automotive Communications Awards for the advertising program featuring its new Autodiagnos Automotive Diagnostic System and Autodiagnos TPMS Service Tools.

Continental Receives 2020 Automotive Communications Awards for Best Ad Campaign

Continental earned 2020 Automotive Communications Awards for the advertising program featuring its new Autodiagnos Automotive Diagnostic System and Autodiagnos TPMS Service Tools. The award was presented during the 2020 Virtual AAPEX Experience tradeshow by Women in Auto Care, part of the Auto Care Association, for the Best Ad Campaign to the Distribution and Retail Audience. Continental was recognized for its strategic, multi-channel advertising and marketing campaign supporting the launch and promotion of the new Autodiagnos brand in the automotive aftermarket.

Meyer Distributing Announces New Bridgeport, West Virginia, Location

Meyer Distributing Inc. has announced a new location in Bridgeport, West Virginia. The cross-dock will have a direct, next-day feed from Meyer’s Jasper, Indiana, distribution hub, which houses one of the largest inventories of automotive accessories, exhaust and RV parts in the region.

Steve Grimshaw
Steve Grimshaw
Mark Sanders
Mark Sanders

Caliber Announces Internal Promotions

Caliber has announced that its current President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Sanders will succeed longtime CEO Steve Grimshaw, effective January 1, 2021. Grimshaw will move to full-time executive chairman at this time. Sanders has spent his entire career in the automotive industry and joined Caliber Collision in 1997 as they expanded their operations into Texas. As President and COO, Sanders led the growth strategy, which expanded Caliber Collision’s footprint throughout the U.S., while also positioning Caliber for the future through the strategic acquisition of other lines of business. He also led the consolidation and alignment of all brands—Caliber Collision, Caliber Auto Care, and Caliber Auto Glass under the Caliber umbrella, priming Caliber for its next phase of growth. Caliber plans to name Sanders’ successor in the near-term. During Steve’s tenure, the organization grew from 68 locations in two states to more than 1,200 locations in 34 states across the U.S. Caliber’s revenue also increased from $284 million to $4 billion.

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.

Thu, 11/19/2020 - 12:13

By SEMA Editors

Latest Jobs Added to SEMA Career Center

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.

Business Development Manager
Kelford Cams is hiring a business development manager with extensive experience and a broad network in the performance automotive aftermarket industry. Your primary mission will be to dramatically extend market penetration throughout North America in the domestic automotive segment by supporting existing distributors and developing new distribution relationships. After an extensive training, your role will be to help grow sales from the company’s existing distributor network through training and support and establish new resellers and distributors throughout North America by leveraging your vast network of industry contacts. Candidates must have 7-10 years’ sales and vendor/distributor/dealer management experience in the high-performance automotive aftermarket industry. 

Executive Assistant
Coker Tire Company is hiring an executive assistant to the president to ensure smooth functioning of activities and processes in multiple lines of business, both domestically and internationally. The person in this position must be a highly motivated self-starter, multi-tasker, detail-oriented professional, capable of efficiently managing their time, workload and prioritizing tasks in a fast paced/high volume executive office. Full-time availability with flexible hours is required as is absolute confidentiality regarding company, employee-specific and industry information.

Customer Development Manager
American Tire Distributors (ATD) is hiring a customer development manager responsible for new business growth within assigned accounts. This position will work with tools and applications created by ATD’s advanced analytics team. These tools cover a wide range of applications, including analyzing a dealer’s business to determine what products they should stock, recommending prices across thousands of products, identifying which dealers are best positioned to take advantage of promotional offers, generating new customer leads and more. Backed by big data and cutting-edge analytics, the customer development manager will be empowered to take their selling career to the next level at ATD.

Thu, 11/19/2020 - 12:10

By SEMA Editors

Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstore.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.

Thu, 11/19/2020 - 12:09

SEMA Editors

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.

Thu, 11/19/2020 - 12:06

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org.

Thu, 11/19/2020 - 11:57

By SEMA Editors

Hot Wheels
The ’70 Pontiac Trans Am custom car, built by Riley Stair of Sacramento, will be inducted into the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends and will join the Hot Wheels collection as a 1:64 scale die-cast.

Mattel has announced the winner of the 2020 Hot Wheels Legends Tour. The ’70 Pontiac Trans Am custom car, built by Riley Stair of Sacramento, will be inducted into the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends and will join the Hot Wheels collection as a 1:64 scale die-cast. The ’70 Pontiac Trans Am is the third fan’s car to become a Hot Wheels die-cast and will hit store shelves worldwide in 2021. The announcement was made during the Hot Wheels Legends Tour Finale event by Ted Wu, vice president of global design for vehicles at Mattel.

The final stop was live-streamed from Jay Leno’s Garage and co-hosted by Jay Leno and motorsports ambassador Jarod DeAnda. Viewers tuned into Jay Leno’s Garage YouTube Page and Hot Wheels’ Facebook Page to see the winner determined by Hot Wheels designers and car-loving celebrity judges Jay Leno, Snoop Dogg, Gabriel ‘Fluffy’ Iglesias and Brionna Lynch. Special guests including 007 driver Ben Collins, Paxton Booth and NASCAR driver Tony Stewart also participated in the event.

Riley Stair’s build was chosen from thousands of cars entered in the Hot Wheels Legends Tour, which had 14 stops throughout Europe, LATAM, Asia and North America. While all finalists who competed at the global finale event embodied Hot Wheels high standards or performance and design, the winning custom build was selected for its true representation of the Hot Wheels garage spirit.

“By going virtual, the third year of the Hot Wheels Legends Tour demonstrated tremendous growth, engaging over 10 million fans from around the world,” said Ted Wu, vice president, global head of design for vehicles, Mattel. “With more vehicle entries this year than ever before, we know we found a special build that embodies the Hot Wheels challenger spirit with the ’70 Pontiac Trans Am. You see the vehicle and instantly know it is meant to be a Hot Wheels with the unique frame, engine, and purpose-driven build.”

The ’70 Pontiac Trans Am is a one of a kind race car engineered by Riley Stair on the side of his parents’ house. Revving up to 10,000 RPM, the vehicles motor is entirely custom built, and the foundation for the engine is a 400-cubic inch LS V8.

“To have my car immortalized as a Hot Wheels die-cast for car lovers of all ages to enjoy means the world to me,” said Legends Tour Winner Riley Stair. “To think that my car in a 1:64 scale could make a lasting impression for a young kid who loves cars, as Hot Wheels have for so many of us, is a dream come true. I can’t wait to see my nephew Noah pushing my car around the living room!”

A team of judges, including Hot Wheels designers, celebrities and automotive influencers, chose the Legends Tour winner for its authenticity, originality and garage spirit. The Legends Tour winner’s life-size car and die-cast version will also join the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends, a collection of one-of-a-kind cars immortalized as Hot Wheels die-casts that meet the brand’s high benchmarks of style and performance.

The Hot Wheels Legends Tour Finale event was made possible in partnership with Mobil 1, Walmart, Ford, American Pinball, Hagerty and Horizon Brands. Learn more about the Hot Wheels Legends Tour.

Thu, 11/19/2020 - 11:57

By SEMA Editors

Hot Wheels
The ’70 Pontiac Trans Am custom car, built by Riley Stair of Sacramento, will be inducted into the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends and will join the Hot Wheels collection as a 1:64 scale die-cast.

Mattel has announced the winner of the 2020 Hot Wheels Legends Tour. The ’70 Pontiac Trans Am custom car, built by Riley Stair of Sacramento, will be inducted into the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends and will join the Hot Wheels collection as a 1:64 scale die-cast. The ’70 Pontiac Trans Am is the third fan’s car to become a Hot Wheels die-cast and will hit store shelves worldwide in 2021. The announcement was made during the Hot Wheels Legends Tour Finale event by Ted Wu, vice president of global design for vehicles at Mattel.

The final stop was live-streamed from Jay Leno’s Garage and co-hosted by Jay Leno and motorsports ambassador Jarod DeAnda. Viewers tuned into Jay Leno’s Garage YouTube Page and Hot Wheels’ Facebook Page to see the winner determined by Hot Wheels designers and car-loving celebrity judges Jay Leno, Snoop Dogg, Gabriel ‘Fluffy’ Iglesias and Brionna Lynch. Special guests including 007 driver Ben Collins, Paxton Booth and NASCAR driver Tony Stewart also participated in the event.

Riley Stair’s build was chosen from thousands of cars entered in the Hot Wheels Legends Tour, which had 14 stops throughout Europe, LATAM, Asia and North America. While all finalists who competed at the global finale event embodied Hot Wheels high standards or performance and design, the winning custom build was selected for its true representation of the Hot Wheels garage spirit.

“By going virtual, the third year of the Hot Wheels Legends Tour demonstrated tremendous growth, engaging over 10 million fans from around the world,” said Ted Wu, vice president, global head of design for vehicles, Mattel. “With more vehicle entries this year than ever before, we know we found a special build that embodies the Hot Wheels challenger spirit with the ’70 Pontiac Trans Am. You see the vehicle and instantly know it is meant to be a Hot Wheels with the unique frame, engine, and purpose-driven build.”

The ’70 Pontiac Trans Am is a one of a kind race car engineered by Riley Stair on the side of his parents’ house. Revving up to 10,000 RPM, the vehicles motor is entirely custom built, and the foundation for the engine is a 400-cubic inch LS V8.

“To have my car immortalized as a Hot Wheels die-cast for car lovers of all ages to enjoy means the world to me,” said Legends Tour Winner Riley Stair. “To think that my car in a 1:64 scale could make a lasting impression for a young kid who loves cars, as Hot Wheels have for so many of us, is a dream come true. I can’t wait to see my nephew Noah pushing my car around the living room!”

A team of judges, including Hot Wheels designers, celebrities and automotive influencers, chose the Legends Tour winner for its authenticity, originality and garage spirit. The Legends Tour winner’s life-size car and die-cast version will also join the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends, a collection of one-of-a-kind cars immortalized as Hot Wheels die-casts that meet the brand’s high benchmarks of style and performance.

The Hot Wheels Legends Tour Finale event was made possible in partnership with Mobil 1, Walmart, Ford, American Pinball, Hagerty and Horizon Brands. Learn more about the Hot Wheels Legends Tour.

Thu, 11/19/2020 - 11:43

Kia

The all-new Kia Sportage, Kia’s twin to the ’21 Hyundai Tucson, is starting to take shape. A thinly-disguised (at least for Kia) prototype for the ’22 Kia Sportage has been snapped testing on the ’Ring ahead of its likely reveal in April next year. The ’22 Sportage will ride on a variation of the platform underpinning the ’21 Hyundai Tucson revealed last month. It’s expected to be longer, wider and taller than the current model—which is now looking small in comparison to the latest Toyota RAV4, despite only launching in 2015.

These images show the car will have wide fenders and sharper flanks than the current model, along with wheels that share plenty in common with those of the Hyundai Tucson. Korean Car Blog reports the Sportage won’t just be a shrunken version of the seven-seat Sorento on the outside, instead debuting its own design language.

It’s expected to be offered with gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains, like the Tucson.

Measuring up at 4630mm long, 1865mm wide, and 1665mm tall with a 2755mm wheelbase, the new Tucson is 15mm longer than a Toyota RAV4 with a 65mm longer wheelbase, although both are the same width. Kia’s Sportage will therefore be of similar dimensions.

Kia

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde