By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Much of the January 2021 issue of Off-Road Business is devoted to how Ford Bronco engineers teamed up with off-road driving experts like Brad and Roger Lovell to develop the new vehicle.

Ford tested the new Bronco at Johnson Valley, the Rubicon, and other locations with challenging terrains. The magazine includes other articles including the announcement that COVID-19 safety protocols are in place allowing King of the Hammers to start on Jan. 29.

View the January 2021 issue of Off-Road Business magazine.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has outlined the process to be employed for conducting a cost-benefit regulatory analysis under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The new procedures will require the EPA to prepare a cost-benefit analysis for all future significant proposed and final regulations under the CAA. The analysis is to be conducted using best available scientific information (engineering, physical, biological sciences) and best methodological risk assessment practices. The analysis is to be presented within the regulatory preamble in a transparent and objective fashion.

While the agency will be required to take the analysis into consideration, the rule does not have to pass a cost-benefit test—costs could still outweigh benefits. The rule is expected to be challenged in court. Some parties have expressed concern that the agency could understate the benefits of reducing air pollution.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

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In partnership with Ford Motor Company, the SEMA Garage is excited to announce a Measuring Session for the upcoming 2021 Ford Bronco Sport!

The event will allow SEMA members to test-fit prototypes, 3D scan, measure, and have close-up experience with the Bronco Sport ahead of the vehicle’s public release.

The featured 2021 Bronco Sport will contain the following specs:

• Badlands Trim
• 4x4
• 2.0L EcoBoost Engine
• 8-speed Automatic Transmission

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 two separate weeks with scheduled appointments. Due to high demand, your appointment will be time limited.

Week 2: January 4, 2021 – January 8, 2021

*All registered attendees will be required to 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.

Register for the Ford Bronco Measuring Session.

The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:

As a member of the Association, we need your recommendation of industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors.

The following seats are open for this year’s election:

• Chairman-elect (1 open seat)
• Manufacturers (2 open seats)
• Distributors/Retailers (2 open seats)
• Services (1 open seat)

Please take a moment and tell us whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position by completing and submitting a nomination form. To help the vetting process, include information about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements that would make that nominee an outstanding board candidate.

Nominations for the SEMA Board of Directors are due on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. Please complete and submit the nomination form.

A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. We urge you to take part in the nominations process—our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the Board, but we need you to help bring them to the attention of the Nominating Committee.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Sincerely,
 
Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President & CEO

By SEMA Editors

Jeep is set to add a few three-row SUVs in the next few years, and the Grand Cherokee 3-row seen here looks like it’ll be ready to join the truck-based Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer.

This is one of the best looks yet at the large SUV, but this time it has dropped significant amounts of camo revealing the headlights and grille.

Similar to the current Durango in size, and set to  compete the Toyota Highlander and Ford Explorer,  it's unclear how off-road capability will be compromised by a longer rear overhang.

The new three-row will get the new platform being designed for Jeep that's based on the Giorgio platform used on Alfa Romeo models. It may receive both the current model's 3.6L Pentastar V6 that will likely be updated, and a new 3.0L inline six that will be turbocharged. It will also receive a hybrid system, effectively replacing the 5.7L Hemi V8. A plug-in hybrid (powertrain borrowed from the 4Xe) and turbodiesel models are expected to follow, given they're confirmed for the Grand Cherokee.

Expect to see the Jeep Grand Cherokee 3-row sometime in the first quarter of 2021.

By Kyle Cheng

The end of 2020 is finally here. While the economy continues to recover, growth is slowing as COVID-19 cases rise across the country. There is still significant uncertainty moving into 2021 that makes it difficult to predict the long-term economic outlook, but there is optimism as vaccines are beginning to roll out.

A key bright spot in the economic recovery has been the auto sector, which has outpaced many other industries. Overall, the auto industry has brought nearly 80% of the jobs it has lost over the last year.

Want more information on the trends affecting the specialty-equipment industry? Check out the “SEMA Industry Indicators” report each month to learn how movements in the broader economy may impact your business strategy. In this report, published monthly, you’ll find:

• Overall Economic Outlook
• New Vehicle Sales and Statistics on Auto Parts Production
• Consumer Sentiment and Spending
• Economic Growth and Unemployment
• Other Important Industry Insights

Download the December “SEMA Industry Indicators” report for free today at www.sema.org/research.

By John Santos

Priority media registration may have passed, but reporters and journalists who would like to participate in the SEMA MPMC Media Trade Conference can still sign up. Taking place entirely online from January 26-28, the event brings media and manufacturers together for private, quality interviews.

Journalists who register today at www.sema.org/mtc still have an opportunity to sit down with up to 42 (14 each day) representatives from the top motorsports parts manufacturers in the industry with more than 80 exhibitors to choose from.

Representatives from these companies are prepared to discuss their newest product lines and important updates within the company. Media participation is free for this event, making this an exclusive and affordable opportunity for journalists to obtain editorial content on the latest industry news and trends that can be shared to their audience throughout the year with the amount of quality interviews that take place throughout the three-day event.

  By SEMA Editors

Platinum status represents SDC manufacturers that have achieved the pinnacle of product data by putting in the extra effort to provide resellers with the most complete data sets available.

Learn more about the SDC at www.semadatacoop.org.

Chrono Series Gauges from AutoMeter

Developed in celebration of AutoMeter’s 60th anniversary, Chrono pays tribute to the company’s racing history while looking forward through the incorporation of new technologies. Chrono strikes a fine balance between making a statement and accentuating the original character of a classic vehicle. Design inspiration was drawn from elegant timepieces; an influence which extends from the typeface and ticking to the sculpted three-dimensional dials and polished aluminum bezels. Visibility and resolution are maximized with industry-leading analog needle sweeps up to 320 degrees which are backlit by crisp, white LED illumination.

AutoMeter’s foundations are set firmly in racing, so it should come as no surprise that Chrono is underpinned by the same cutting edge circuitry and movements racers have come to trust in the company’s competition instruments.

HushMat ’68–’82 Chevrolet Corvette Sound Deadening and Thermal Insulation Material

HushMat’s ’68–”82 Chevrolet Corvette sound deadening and thermal insulation material is designed to make every type of vehicle cool, quiet and comfortable to drive and enjoy! HushMat is an easy to install, USA Made material that molds, forms and adheres to your vehicle’s surface. No tools, glues and or special equipment needed to install HushMat. Simply peel and stick.

HushMat has invested thousands of hours over the past 15 years measuring vehicles to create a Year, Make and Model specific portfolio of 365,000 part numbers. HushMat insulates firewall, floor pan, tunnel, doors, roof and trunk. HushMat even provides installation templates to show where each piece is placed. We have taken the guess work out of “how much material do I need.” Visit www.hushmat.com or call 913-599-2600.

ZyBar 32-oz. Bronze Satin Finish (Part No. 10032)

ZyBar 32-oz. Bronze Satin Finish (part no. 10032) high temperature heat dissipation coating is designed to reduce radiant heat, reduce under hood temperatures, offers outstanding corrosion resistance, provides lasting color stability under the most extreme engine conditions and extends the life of your components. ZyBar is rated to internal temperatures well in excess of 2000 F. ZyBar is a single component, durable polymer coating that far out performs ceramic paints, wraps and heat tapes. ZyBar is spray applied inside and outside the component.

ZyBar treats manifolds, headers, turbo housings, exhaust, brakes and intakes. ZyBar is a thin .001-.0025 film coating that is either oven cured (2 hours @ 450 F) or air cured (120 hours). Builders, Jobbers, Dealers and Specialty Coating Operations interested in learning more can call 913-599-2600 or Visit www.zycoat.com.

Here’s a first look at the upcoming off-road version of the Ford Explorer completely undisguised.

This model has a few unique elements when compared to the “regular” Explorer, including a new upper and lower grille treatment resulting in a unique front fascia with what looks to be a higher approach angle. A set of red tow hooks sits in the front. Out back is a set of tucked-under exhaust tips and what seems to be a new rear end treatment. The model is running on a set of black wheels wrapped in rugged Bridgestone Dueler tires.

All badges for the vehicle have tape over them, including on the C-pillar and cargo cover. A 4WD logo, however, is present and accounted for.

Though initially believed that the model in question would be called Explorer FX4, Ford Authority recently reported that Ford is planning to introduce a new Explorer model called Timberline.

Expect a launch in the first half of the 2021 calendar year as a ’22 model.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By SEMA Editors

Steve Ames of Ames Performance passed away December 20.

Ames graduated with an engineering degree from Columbia University and immediately went into the National Guard.

Afterward, he worked for a large paper company in Maine. Shortly after, he left Maine to run a machine shop while pursing his passion for drag racing until he was 33. He started in the parts business by traveling up and down the East Coast buying NOS parts from primarily Chevy Dealers. However, there were also Pontiac parts mixed in.

He attended one of the first Carlisle events in the Fall of 1976 with Chevy and Pontiac parts. At that time, he saw how competitive the Chevy parts business was and that his Pontiac parts were also selling well, so he decided to specialize in Pontiac.

In 1980, Ames was asked for a rare 64 GTO part, which made him realize that the demand for Pontiac parts far exceeded the supply of NOS parts that he could find. So he made some connections and started to get these popular items reproduced. In 1983, he compiled one of the first full line GTO catalogs. The first Firebird catalog followed in 1984. A combination of supplying parts readily available from a Pontiac dealer, NOS and high-quality aftermarket items helped set the bar for the industry.

Ames was one of the original founders of SEMA's Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO), and was named ARMO’s Person of the Year in 2007.