By SEMA Editors

The Best New Products Award Winners were announced on the opening day of the 2018 SEMA Show.

The awards recognize the most innovative and cutting-edge aftermarket products that will be for sale in 2019. The awards are presented on the opening day of the 2018 SEMA Show during the New Product Awards Breakfast.

SEMA annually recognizes outstanding achievements in product development through the New Product Awards competition, which are judged in 16 categories. Each category has one winner and two runners-up. Winners are selected based on a variety of factors, such as superiority of innovation, technical achievement, quality and workmanship, consumer appeal and marketability, and more.

The New Products Award Winners are:

Winner: ITW Evercoat, OPTEX Color Changing Body Filler and Putty	Collision Repair & Refinish Product Winner: ITW Evercoat, OPTEX Color Changing Body Filler and Putty Runner Up: Bonding Solutions, Like90 Gun Cleaner Runner Up: Scangrip, NOVA-UV S
Winner: Flaming River Industries Inc., VDOG Variable Angle Gear	Engineered New Product Winner: Flaming River Industries Inc., VDOG Variable Angle Gear Runner Up: Holley/MSD, Racepak CL2 OBD2 & EFI Cloud/Mobile Based Data System Runner Up: QA1, MOD Series Shock
Winner: Lund International, AVS Aeroskin LightShield Hood Protector	Exterior Accessory Product Winner: Lund International, AVS Aeroskin LightShield Hood Protector Runner Up: ORACLE Lighting, ORACLE Lighting Vector Series Grill for the Jeep Wrangler JL Runner Up: Steelcraft, Stubby Jeep Bumper
Winner: Speed Dawg Shift Knobs, Dodge Drag Pack 1320 Racing Stripe Shift Knob	Interior Accessory Product Winner: Speed Dawg Shift Knobs, Dodge Drag Pack 1320 Racing Stripe Shift Knob Runner Up: Lock'er Down Security Products, EXxtreme Console Safe Runner Up: Intellitronix, 1967-1972 Chevy Truck Direct Replacement Analog Gauge Cluster
Winner: Dee Zee Inc., Rotary Running Board Display	Merchandising Display Winner: Dee Zee Inc., Rotary Running Board Display Runner Up: Putco, Tec Rail POP Display Runner Up: Cooper Tire, Discoverer AT3 360 Interactive Display
Winner: AAC, Trigger 4 Plus	Mobile Electronics Product Winner: AAC, Trigger 4 Plus Runner Up: Kicker, KEY 180.4 Runner Up: Daystar Products, Daystar GMRS Radio Kit for JK Wrangler
Winner: Rancho/DynoMax, Rancho JL Wrangler Sport Suspension System	Off-Road/4-Wheel Drive Product Winner: Rancho/DynoMax, Rancho JL Wrangler Sport Suspension System Runner Up: Rock-Slide Engineering, Next Generation Step Slider Runner Up: BODYGUARD, 18+ Jeep JL Full Width Front Bumper
Winner: Pedal Commander, Pedal Commander Performance Throttle Response Controller	Packaging Design Winner: Pedal Commander, Pedal Commander Performance Throttle Response Controller Runner Up: Mishimoto, Carbon Fiber Baffled Catch Can Packaging Runner Up: Surly Soap, Soap Infused Hand Cleaner
Winner: ProCharger Supercharger Systems, ProCharger CrankDrive Supercharger Gear Drive	Performance-Racing Product Winner: ProCharger Supercharger Systems, ProCharger CrankDrive Supercharger Gear Drive Runner Up: QA1, MOD Series Shock Runner Up: QA1, Carbon Fiber Sway Bar
Winner: Turbosmart, Kompact-EM Universal Blow Off Valve	Performance-Street Product Winner: Turbosmart, Kompact-EM Universal Blow Off Valve Runner Up: Dakota Digital, HDX Universal Competition Analog Instruments Runner Up: Livernois Motorsports & Engineering, DOD/AFM System Failure Prevention Kit for Gen4 GM LS Series Engines
Winner: Warn Industries Inc., VRX 45-S	Powersports Product Winner: Warn Industries Inc., VRX 45-S Runner Up: Race Sport Lighting, Race Sport Lighting Voltage Gauge Display Runner Up: Dynojet Research, Power Vision
Winner: Flaming River Industries Inc., VDOG Variable Angle Gear	Street Rod/Custom Car Product Winner: Flaming River Industries Inc., VDOG Variable Angle Gear Runner Up: Wilwood Disc Brakes, Compact Tandem Master Cylinder Runner Up: Dakota Digital, RTX 55-57 Chevy Car Instruments
Winner: Cooper Tire, Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S	Tire and Related Product Winner: Cooper Tire, Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S Runner Up: Continental Tire, Continental VikingContact 7 Runner Up: Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels, Baja Pro X
Winner: Newarc Tech LLC, NewArc SRS-3 Portable Wheel Straightening System	Tools & Equipment Product Winner: Newarc Tech LLC, NewArc SRS-3 Portable Wheel Straightening System     Runner Up: Towtector/AaLadin, UNDERCARRIAGE CLEANER Runner Up: Rhino Metals Inc., IWTC6534D
Winner: Brandmotion, Radar Blind Spot System with Cross Traffic Detection	Van/Pickup/Sport-Utility Product Winner: Brandmotion, Radar Blind Spot System with Cross Traffic Detection     Runner Up: Air Lift Co., Wireless One EZ mount Runner Up: TITAN Fuel Tanks, XXL Direct Replacement Fuel Tank
Winner: Wheel Pros, Asanti Wheels AB-816	Wheel and Related Product Winner: Wheel Pros, Asanti Wheels AB-816 Runner Up: The Wheel Group/Wheel-1, TR75 (Style No. 3275) 20x9 Brushed/Dark Tint Runner Up: APR, B&M Racing, Dinan, Flowmaster & Hurst Performance, APR S01 Forged Wheels (20x9 - Silver/Machined)

By SEMA Editors

SEMA Showgoers have several time-saving and efficient options for getting to the SEMA Show each day. While construction at the Las Vegas Convention Center has resulted in limited parking, alternative options such as the Las Vegas Monorail, hotel shuttles, taxis and Uber/Lyft are all readily available and easy to use.

SEMA Vice President of Events and Business Development Peter MacGillivray explains why you shouldn't view the 2018 SEMA Show through the internet when there are three days left and still time to register.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA Showgoers have several time-saving and efficient options for getting to the SEMA Show each day. While construction at the Las Vegas Convention Center has resulted in limited parking, alternative options such as the Las Vegas Monorail, hotel shuttles, taxis and Uber/Lyft are all readily available and easy to use.

SEMA Vice President of Events and Business Development Peter MacGillivray explains why you shouldn't view the 2018 SEMA Show through the internet when there are three days left and still time to register.

By SEMA Editors

Featuring a full gaming system in the bed, Addictive Desert Design’s ’19 Xbox Ranger is equipped for real-life and virtual adventures. The truck is on display in Ford’s Central Hall exhibit, booth #22200.

Addictive Desert Designs’ ’19 Xbox Ranger was revealed in the Ford booth at the 2018 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The truck’s colors and modern camo pattern were inspired by Xbox Design Lab, a program where gamers can customize their very own Xbox wireless controllers.

A collaboration with one of the Forza racing franchise’s most prolific gamers, Nick Andrew (best known as AR12Gaming), passengers can game with two rear-seat, custom-mounted Xbox One Xs and then pipe the Forza Horizon 4 gameplay to screens in the bed of the truck. The truck features BDS Suspension upper control arms and lift kit and 17-in. Rev 883 wheels, while BFGoodrich Mud Terrain KM3 tires provide the stance.

Addictive Desert Designs’ front and rear bumper, HoneyBadger chase rack with tire carrier and RIGID LED lighting provide the style. Everything is topped off with an Xbox Design Labs winter forces-themed vinyl wrap.

By SEMA Editors

Featuring a full gaming system in the bed, Addictive Desert Design’s ’19 Xbox Ranger is equipped for real-life and virtual adventures. The truck is on display in Ford’s Central Hall exhibit, booth #22200.

Addictive Desert Designs’ ’19 Xbox Ranger was revealed in the Ford booth at the 2018 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The truck’s colors and modern camo pattern were inspired by Xbox Design Lab, a program where gamers can customize their very own Xbox wireless controllers.

A collaboration with one of the Forza racing franchise’s most prolific gamers, Nick Andrew (best known as AR12Gaming), passengers can game with two rear-seat, custom-mounted Xbox One Xs and then pipe the Forza Horizon 4 gameplay to screens in the bed of the truck. The truck features BDS Suspension upper control arms and lift kit and 17-in. Rev 883 wheels, while BFGoodrich Mud Terrain KM3 tires provide the stance.

Addictive Desert Designs’ front and rear bumper, HoneyBadger chase rack with tire carrier and RIGID LED lighting provide the style. Everything is topped off with an Xbox Design Labs winter forces-themed vinyl wrap.

By SEMA Editors

The Ford Fastback Mustang from "Bullitt" was unveiled at the Shell Pioneering Performance Pavilion in booth #60005.

The long-lost Fastback Mustang from "Bullitt" is finally reprising its place as a public, cultural icon.

Officially unveiled Tuesday, October 30, at the Shell Pioneering Performance Pavilion in booth #60005, the car still has the original green paint job so familiar to fans of its namesake movie. The car was purchased by Bob Kiernan in 1974, and was the family’s daily driver. Steve McQueen himself called Kiernan to try and buy the car in 1977, but Kiernan declined the offer.

The car was shrouded in mystery until Kiernan’s son Sean Kiernan revealed it to the public. With help from Shell and Pennzoil, the Historic Vehicle Association documented the car and added it to the National Historic Vehicle Register.

By SEMA Editors

The Ford Fastback Mustang from "Bullitt" was unveiled at the Shell Pioneering Performance Pavilion in booth #60005.

The long-lost Fastback Mustang from "Bullitt" is finally reprising its place as a public, cultural icon.

Officially unveiled Tuesday, October 30, at the Shell Pioneering Performance Pavilion in booth #60005, the car still has the original green paint job so familiar to fans of its namesake movie. The car was purchased by Bob Kiernan in 1974, and was the family’s daily driver. Steve McQueen himself called Kiernan to try and buy the car in 1977, but Kiernan declined the offer.

The car was shrouded in mystery until Kiernan’s son Sean Kiernan revealed it to the public. With help from Shell and Pennzoil, the Historic Vehicle Association documented the car and added it to the National Historic Vehicle Register.

By SEMA Editors

Created by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, the GR Supra Racing Concept has a pure front-engine/rear-wheel-drive configuration and makes use of lightweight materials in its construction.

Toyota unveiled the GR Supra Racing Concept at the 2018 SEMA Show, reviving the name of Toyota’s most celebrated sportscar capable of performing both on the road and on the racetrack. The Supra badge first appeared in 1978 on a larger and more powerful version of the second-generation Celica before becoming established as a successful model in its own right. Known as the A40, the original Supra was followed by three further generations: the A60 in 1981, A70 in 1986 and A80 in 1993.

The GT sportscar remained in production until 2002, and in its final generation, it was Toyota’s most powerful production model. The fourth-generation Supra, introduced in 1993, became the dominant force in the All-Japan GT racing—today’s Super GT series—winning the GT500 class four times. The Toyota Supra also competed in American IMSA sportscar racing in the ’80s and twice appeared at Le Mans in the ’90s.

GR Supra Racing Concept

A compact, two-door car, the GR Supra Racing Concept has a pure front-engine/rear-wheel-drive configuration and makes use of lightweight materials in its construction. Created by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, the large “90” race number on its doors is a historical reference to Supra’s codename and a visual clue to the fact that this concept heralds Supra’s return in a fifth generation. The GR Supra will participate in international motorsport events, including the World Rally Championship, World Endurance Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours race, and will also be featured in a new update of the Gran Turismo Sport video game, scheduled for release in April 2018.

Design, Chassis and Equipment Features

The racing concept has a bodywork design that includes a large rear wing. It makes extensive use of strong but lightweight composite material for elements such as the wide front and rear bumpers, front splitter and rear diffuser, side skirts, door mirror housings and the rear wing. The hood is crafted from the same material and features louvred air inlets. The windscreen and side windows are made of plastic. The concept’s chassis features a lowered front and rear suspension using OE components. BBS racing wheels with center-nut attachment are fitted with Michelin racing tires. The braking system uses Brembo Racing callipers and discs and there is a racing exhaust. The cabin is entirely competition-focused and is fitted with a racing dashboard and OMP driver’s seat and safety harness. OMP has also supplied the quick-release steering wheel, mounted on a racing column and equipped with a paddle shift system. The doors are lined with carbon-fiber panels and the dashboard includes a racing display. Competition safety requirements are met by a full roll cage and fire extinguishers, and the fuel and brake lines, pedal box, battery and wiring looms are all designed to competition standard.

By SEMA Editors

Created by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, the GR Supra Racing Concept has a pure front-engine/rear-wheel-drive configuration and makes use of lightweight materials in its construction.

Toyota unveiled the GR Supra Racing Concept at the 2018 SEMA Show, reviving the name of Toyota’s most celebrated sportscar capable of performing both on the road and on the racetrack. The Supra badge first appeared in 1978 on a larger and more powerful version of the second-generation Celica before becoming established as a successful model in its own right. Known as the A40, the original Supra was followed by three further generations: the A60 in 1981, A70 in 1986 and A80 in 1993.

The GT sportscar remained in production until 2002, and in its final generation, it was Toyota’s most powerful production model. The fourth-generation Supra, introduced in 1993, became the dominant force in the All-Japan GT racing—today’s Super GT series—winning the GT500 class four times. The Toyota Supra also competed in American IMSA sportscar racing in the ’80s and twice appeared at Le Mans in the ’90s.

GR Supra Racing Concept

A compact, two-door car, the GR Supra Racing Concept has a pure front-engine/rear-wheel-drive configuration and makes use of lightweight materials in its construction. Created by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, the large “90” race number on its doors is a historical reference to Supra’s codename and a visual clue to the fact that this concept heralds Supra’s return in a fifth generation. The GR Supra will participate in international motorsport events, including the World Rally Championship, World Endurance Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours race, and will also be featured in a new update of the Gran Turismo Sport video game, scheduled for release in April 2018.

Design, Chassis and Equipment Features

The racing concept has a bodywork design that includes a large rear wing. It makes extensive use of strong but lightweight composite material for elements such as the wide front and rear bumpers, front splitter and rear diffuser, side skirts, door mirror housings and the rear wing. The hood is crafted from the same material and features louvred air inlets. The windscreen and side windows are made of plastic. The concept’s chassis features a lowered front and rear suspension using OE components. BBS racing wheels with center-nut attachment are fitted with Michelin racing tires. The braking system uses Brembo Racing callipers and discs and there is a racing exhaust. The cabin is entirely competition-focused and is fitted with a racing dashboard and OMP driver’s seat and safety harness. OMP has also supplied the quick-release steering wheel, mounted on a racing column and equipped with a paddle shift system. The doors are lined with carbon-fiber panels and the dashboard includes a racing display. Competition safety requirements are met by a full roll cage and fire extinguishers, and the fuel and brake lines, pedal box, battery and wiring looms are all designed to competition standard.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has proposed price increases to take effect January 27, 2019, which are being considered by the Postal Regulatory Commission. The proposal would raise mailing service costs by an average of 2.5% to make up for the USPS’ revenue shortfall, which totaled $2.7 billion in the last fiscal year. A First-Class “forever” stamp (1 oz. letters) would increase from 50 to 55 cents, while mailing service rates, including magazines and catalogs, would increase by 2.5%. Below is a breakdown of proposed price changes for mailing services and domestic priority mail flat-rate shipping:

The U.S. Department of State announced that the United States intends to withdraw from the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a 192-country postal agreement, which sets the fees that national mail carriers may charge. U.S. frustration with the UPU is largely due to a provision dating back to the ’60s that offers discounts to companies based in under-developed countries, which has enabled Chinese companies to ship parcels weighing under 4.4 lbs. to U.S. customers at rates up to 70% below what domestic companies are charged. The State Department intends to renegotiate rates to ensure that American manufacturers are not placed at a disadvantage, which will ultimately determine whether the United States completes the one-year process of withdrawing from the pact.

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