By Ashley Reyes

Women employed in the automotive aftermarket industry can soon elevate their impact as leaders in their organizations, thanks to the SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) Women's Leadership Forum, taking place March 11-13 in Orlando, Florida.  

Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Hotel Landy, the event will make its highly anticipated return to a brand-new location on the East Coast. For three days, the Hotel Landy will be home to education seminars, a dynamic speaker lineup and dedicated networking sessions that will offer female aftermarket professionals solutions to the biggest challenges that leaders face today. Below is a preview of what to expect from the event.  

All-New Education Program   

Whether you are looking to gain new leadership tools or strengthen existing ones, this year's education program will cover the best-kept secrets from top industry leaders. Through inspiring keynote speeches and interactive breakout sessions, you will learn to empower your team to take risks and innovate, accelerate people performance with emotional intelligence, unlock competitive advantage with generative AI and master organizational success, among many other outcomes. Your new-found knowledge will then guide your plan for reaching your goals during the daily action-planning sessions.  

Dynamic Speaker Lineup 

Top row (left to right): Sheri Jacobs, Tina Woodard, James Lawrence, Megan Cook.

Bottom row (left to right): Tiffany Martin, Sharon Gai, Candice Gottlieb-Clark

Who better to learn from than accomplished leaders, business owners and C-suite executives who have been in your shoes? This year's conference promises applicable insights from a range of expert speakers who are ready to help you reach your maximum leadership potential. Join them as they delve into game-changing strategies that will help you enhance your value in your organization. Featured speakers include:  

• Megan Cook -- Happy Companies -- Co-Founder
• Sharon Gai -- Speaker and Author
• Candice Gottlieb-Clark -- Dyanmic Team Solutions -- Founder and CEO
• Sheri Jacobs -- FASAE, CAE -- Avenue M Group -- Founder
• James Lawrence -- Happy Companies -- CEO and Co-Founder
• Tiffany Martin -- CPC/CLC -- TKMartin Consulting LLC -- CEO
• Tina Woodard -- Ed. D, PHR -- Capstone Performance Solutions, Inc. -- Founder and CEO

Quality Networking Opportunities  

The SBN Forum is exclusive to women in the aftermarket, grounding the connections made on the same passion for the industry. Through a welcome reception and dedicated networking activities, you will expand your professional network, give and receive advice, and foster quality collaborations. Kasey Tarnutzer of QA1, who attended the 2024 Forum, said "It was refreshing to see so many women in the industry who want to support and uplift each other." Echoing that sentiment was Christina Storm of Ikon Industries LLC, who shared, "I'm new to the industry and WLF helped me come out of my shell and network."  

Secure Your Spot Today  

Registration for the 2025 SBN Women's Leadership Forum is open now. SBN members receive the added benefit of registering at a discounted rate of $599, compared to the non-member rate of $799. Get the program details and register at sema.org/sbn-wlf.  

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

President Trump recently nominated Apple executive Jonathan Morrison to lead the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), bringing back to Washington, D.C., a leader with extensive experience in the automotive sector. Before joining Apple, Morrison served as chief counsel for NHTSA from 2017 to 2021 and had previously worked for the California New Car Dealers Association as director of legal and regulatory affairs. 

As the head of NHTSA, Morrison will have a prominent voice in the intersection of motor vehicles and technology, including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).  

In a statement, SEMA expressed the following: 

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) looks forward to supporting Jonathan Morrison's nomination to serve as the next administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Jonathan was a proven leader as the agency's general counsel. He is highly qualified and an excellent choice to serve as NHTSA administrator. We look forward to working with Jonathan and will share with him the important perspective of the automotive aftermarket industry and that of the nation's community of automotive enthusiasts.  

We are at a critical juncture for vehicle technology; the emergence of ADAS presents a transformative opportunity for our industry and vehicle safety. As Mr. Morrison looks to take the reins at NHTSA, we ask that he regard the automotive aftermarket as a resource for understanding how these systems interact with modified vehicles and ways to preserve automotive enthusiasts' ability to engage in legal racing and off-road use. The aftermarket, after all, gave birth to many of the safety features that are ubiquitous in today's vehicles; our unparalleled ability to innovate and meet the needs of our customers will offer highly valuable insights to Mr. Morrison and his team for the coming conversations about safety and technology.

For more information, contact Eric Snyder, SEMA's senior director for federal government affairs, at erics@sema.org.
 

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

President Trump recently nominated Apple executive Jonathan Morrison to lead the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), bringing back to Washington, D.C., a leader with extensive experience in the automotive sector. Before joining Apple, Morrison served as chief counsel for NHTSA from 2017 to 2021 and had previously worked for the California New Car Dealers Association as director of legal and regulatory affairs. 

As the head of NHTSA, Morrison will have a prominent voice in the intersection of motor vehicles and technology, including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).  

In a statement, SEMA expressed the following: 

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) looks forward to supporting Jonathan Morrison's nomination to serve as the next administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Jonathan was a proven leader as the agency's general counsel. He is highly qualified and an excellent choice to serve as NHTSA administrator. We look forward to working with Jonathan and will share with him the important perspective of the automotive aftermarket industry and that of the nation's community of automotive enthusiasts.  

We are at a critical juncture for vehicle technology; the emergence of ADAS presents a transformative opportunity for our industry and vehicle safety. As Mr. Morrison looks to take the reins at NHTSA, we ask that he regard the automotive aftermarket as a resource for understanding how these systems interact with modified vehicles and ways to preserve automotive enthusiasts' ability to engage in legal racing and off-road use. The aftermarket, after all, gave birth to many of the safety features that are ubiquitous in today's vehicles; our unparalleled ability to innovate and meet the needs of our customers will offer highly valuable insights to Mr. Morrison and his team for the coming conversations about safety and technology.

For more information, contact Eric Snyder, SEMA's senior director for federal government affairs, at erics@sema.org.
 

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

Join the Small Business Legislative Council (SBLC) on Tuesday, February 18, for a webinar to hear attorneys from Barnes & Thornburg discuss the evolving landscape of United States trade policy and recent tariff announcements by President Trump. 

• This webinar is free for SEMA members. 

The webinar will discuss recent announcements on steel and aluminum, as well as discussion on the president's proposed reciprocal tariffs.  

Register for the webinar here, which takes place February 18 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. EST. 

Go Deeper: The Trump Administration recently announced new tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, two important raw materials used in the manufacturing of motor vehicles, parts and accessories. 

• In response to recent developments, SEMA urged members to review the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) of codes for your products and imports. Most automotive parts fall under HTS Chapter 87: "Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof." Download the 2025 version of tariff rates for the various automotive subheadings here. 

About the SBLC: The SBLC is an independent, permanent coalition of trade and professional associations that share a common concern for the future of small business.  

• SEMA is a founding member of the SBLC.  

The purpose of the SLBC is twofold: to consolidate the strength and maximize the influence of business on legislative and federal policy issues of importance to the entire small business community; and secondly, to disseminate information on the impact of public policy on small business.  

For more information, contact Eric Snyder, SEMA's senior director of federal government affairs, at erics@sema.org. 

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

Join the Small Business Legislative Council (SBLC) on Tuesday, February 18, for a webinar to hear attorneys from Barnes & Thornburg discuss the evolving landscape of United States trade policy and recent tariff announcements by President Trump. 

• This webinar is free for SEMA members. 

The webinar will discuss recent announcements on steel and aluminum, as well as discussion on the president's proposed reciprocal tariffs.  

Register for the webinar here, which takes place February 18 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. EST. 

Go Deeper: The Trump Administration recently announced new tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, two important raw materials used in the manufacturing of motor vehicles, parts and accessories. 

• In response to recent developments, SEMA urged members to review the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) of codes for your products and imports. Most automotive parts fall under HTS Chapter 87: "Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof." Download the 2025 version of tariff rates for the various automotive subheadings here. 

About the SBLC: The SBLC is an independent, permanent coalition of trade and professional associations that share a common concern for the future of small business.  

• SEMA is a founding member of the SBLC.  

The purpose of the SLBC is twofold: to consolidate the strength and maximize the influence of business on legislative and federal policy issues of importance to the entire small business community; and secondly, to disseminate information on the impact of public policy on small business.  

For more information, contact Eric Snyder, SEMA's senior director of federal government affairs, at erics@sema.org. 

By Kenny Wright

You've got the goods. We've got the crowds.

Exhibit at the 2025 SEMA Show, November 4–7, Las Vegas, to showcase your latest and greatest products to 70,000-plus qualified buyers and decision-makers and 2,550-plus members of the media from around the world.

Influence the professionals who want your products and the storytellers that share what's trending in the market today.

"I came here last year as a spectator. It's a very different Show [now] as an exhibitor… We know from a brand perspective it makes total sense. It's a no-brainer, zero regrets," said 2024 exhibitor Isaac Bunick.

Reserve your 2025 SEMA Show booth here, and learn more, including why to exhibit, at semashow.com/exhibitor.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) Hot Products Showcase at the Spring Carlisle Show in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, this April, will feature a dedicated display of cutting-edge products from top restoration brands. ARMO members who would like to have their products included in the showcase and exposed to thousands of consumers at the event can sign up now at the ARMO Hot Products Showcase Registration Form. 

"The ARMO Hot Products Showcase is a popular feature of Spring Carlisle, giving manufacturers an opportunity to connect with passionate automotive enthusiasts at one of the largest collector car events in the world," said ARMO Council Director Marcy Yanus. "We are thrilled to open product entries for innovations that highlight the creativity and hard work of our members."  

Benefits of having a product in the showcase include:  

• Free participation for ARMO members 
• Product exposure to an estimated 100,000+ Spring Carlisle attendees 
• Increased visitors to your booth if exhibiting at the event 
• A chance to win a New Product or People's Choice Award 

Manufacturers are only responsible for shipping their products in advance with a return label or dropping off and picking up their products on-site. ARMO volunteers set up and take down the product display, providing the manufacturer with a seamless, minimal-effort experience. During the event, Carlisle attendees will vote for their favorite products in the categories of exterior, interior, engine, accessory item, drivetrain/brakes/suspension, and People's Choice.  

Product award winners will be recognized on SEMA's digital channels and honored at the ARMO Reception at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas this November. The awards provide added value to the manufacturer, setting them apart as leaders in innovation within the automotive restoration market.  

Click here to start the product submission process.  

For more information on the ARMO Hot Products Showcase, visit here.

Story and photos by Andreas Conradt, Automedia

Jaguar Begins Public Testing of Gran Turismo Type 00

Jaguar has been spotted testing its upcoming Gran Turismo, an all-electric model, in the north of Sweden, according to new images acquired by SEMA News.

Expected to debut in 2027, the Gran Turismo will be a four-door GT with a long hood and will signal the brand's change from a volume business to an electric luxury brand, according to Jaguar Managing Director Rawdon Glover.

The new model, which is more than 16 feet long, has an unusually long hood for an electric car and a completely new face. The Brits are also breaking new ground on the inside, focusing primarily on a small number of screens and new materials, said Head of Design Gerry McGovern.

Although many details have yet to be released, the GT is expected to have a range of more than 500 miles, be able to recharge for more than 190 miles in 15 minutes and be the most powerful Jaguar ever built, according to insiders.

Genesis GV90 Ends Up in Deep Snow

The slippery Swedish winter roads claimed a prototype of the new, all-electric Genesis GV90, according to new images.

The brand's largest SUV is being transformed into an electric vehicle (EV) and is due to arrive in 2026 with huge proportions, as evidenced by the recent photos. The prototype features some typical Genesis details, like thin, dual light strips for the headlights and taillights, as well as some other new design cues.

For example, one of the characteristics of these thin luminous stripes is that they are completely horizontal, but the images show a slight curvature at the innermost edges of the fronts. The downward deflection is necessary to backlight the edge of the grille and is reminiscent of the Neolun Concept. Additionally, the prototype is a faithful reproduction of the concept model, although the production model has central pillars and conventional rear doors.

A serious competitor to the Mercedes-Maybach EQS, the GV90 has air suspension, 22-in. alloy wheels and 285-mm tires to support a four-seat model, with two individual rear seats separated by a huge transmission tunnel with cup holders, an inductive charger and a large infotainment screen.

Net-Gen Range Rover Velar Going All-Electric

The first medium-size, all-electric Range Rover will be out in 2026, and a photographer near the Arctic Circle managed to snap new shots of the vehicle undergoing cold-climate tests in Lapland.

Likely the successor to the Range Rover Velar, it is said to be reinvented as a luxurious electric SUV, targeting the new Porsche Macan EV with improved endurance, performance and practicality.

It will be the first of several new electric Land Rover models to run down the firm's revamped production line in Halewood, United Kingdom, followed soon after by EV successors to the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport. Work to convert the factory into an EV production facility is underway and the electric Velar is expected to enter production later this year.

Details of its technical makeup and capabilities have not yet been released.

By SEMA News Editors

For the first time ever, SEMA Magazine is now available to everyone at no cost in a digital format. While previously only available in print to SEMA business members, the publication is now available digitally across the globe. Whether you're an industry member staying on top of trends or an enthusiast interested in learning more about the specialty-equipment market, the digital magazine is available in current and past issues.

Below is a step-by-step guide to claiming your free digital subscription on your phone.

Visit the link below or scan the QR code to claim your coupon voucher:

Claim your free SEMA Magazine digital subscription here.

Fill in the mandatory fields and three questions regarding your automotive interests.
 

Hit subscribe to claim your free subscription. Now, you're able to activate your account by downloading the SEMA Magazine app. Tap the IOS link for Apple devices and Google Play for others.

Download the app and open it to bring you to the home page. On the bottom right, hit "Profile" to sign up using the same email address you used to claim your coupon.

Once you sign up, you'll have full access to a year's worth of valuable industry knowledge and insights. Get to reading!

Be sure to sign up for notifications on the latest issue coming in January, featuring highlights you might have missed from the 2024 SEMA Show and so much more.

Questions? Contact members@sema.org or call 909-610-2030.

By SEMA News Editors

Cosmo Tires & Astro Tires Celebrate 30-Year Anniversary

Cosmo Tires and Astro Tires, proprietary brands of Tire Group International, are celebrating their 30-year anniversary in 2025.

Since their inception in 1995, Cosmo Tires and Astro Tires have expanded their offerings to cater to a wide range of vehicles and applications, including passenger cars, light trucks, specialty segments and more.

To commemorate the anniversary, the brands will be hosting events, special promotions and customer-appreciation initiatives throughout the year.

For more information, visit tiregroup.com.