Just six weeks after its reveal at the 2016 North American International Auto Show, the SEMA Garage will host a measuring session for the '17 Honda Ridgeline.

Don't miss this opportunity to get up-close and personal with this exciting new player in the midsize pickup truck segment. With dramatically improved design and packaging, as well as an industry first in-bed audio system, this second generation Ridgeline will once again set new standards for truck innovation. This session is sure to be well attended, so reserve your space now to attend this one-day-only measuring session. This event is limited to SEMA members only. 

Honda staff will be on-hand to assist with any product disassembly, as well as answer any technical questions.  Photography will be permitted for product development needs only. Vehicles present will be pre-preduction, so some limitations may exist. Feel free to contact Jim Moore ahead of time should you have any questions.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/measuring-session-2017-honda-ridgeline-tickets-20635805249

Just six weeks after its reveal at the 2016 North American International Auto Show, the SEMA Garage will host a measuring session for the '17 Honda Ridgeline.

Don't miss this opportunity to get up-close and personal with this exciting new player in the midsize pickup truck segment. With dramatically improved design and packaging, as well as an industry first in-bed audio system, this second generation Ridgeline will once again set new standards for truck innovation. This session is sure to be well attended, so reserve your space now to attend this one-day-only measuring session. This event is limited to SEMA members only. 

Honda staff will be on-hand to assist with any product disassembly, as well as answer any technical questions.  Photography will be permitted for product development needs only. Vehicles present will be pre-preduction, so some limitations may exist. Feel free to contact Jim Moore ahead of time should you have any questions.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/measuring-session-2017-honda-ridgeline-tickets-20635805249

Just six weeks after its reveal at the 2016 North American International Auto Show, the SEMA Garage will host a measuring session for the '17 Honda Ridgeline.

Don't miss this opportunity to get up-close and personal with this exciting new player in the midsize pickup truck segment. With dramatically improved design and packaging, as well as an industry first in-bed audio system, this second generation Ridgeline will once again set new standards for truck innovation. This session is sure to be well attended, so reserve your space now to attend this one-day-only measuring session. This event is limited to SEMA members only. 

Honda staff will be on-hand to assist with any product disassembly, as well as answer any technical questions.  Photography will be permitted for product development needs only. Vehicles present will be pre-preduction, so some limitations may exist. Feel free to contact Jim Moore ahead of time should you have any questions.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/measuring-session-2017-honda-ridgeline-tickets-20635805249

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

BACK-UP CERTIFICATION NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR NHRA NATIONAL RECORDS: NHRA’s competition committee has announced that the longstanding 1% back-up policy to certify national record performances in the NHRA Mello Yello Series, J&A Service Pro Mod Series and Lucas Oil Series Alcohol categories will no longer be required at NHRA Drag Racing Series events starting in 2016. Under this new policy, NHRA teams who post performances for elapsed time and speed that are quicker or faster than the existing national records at any time during any national event, will be eligible for the national record. The driver holding the record at the conclusion of the race will be credited with the record. As is currently the case with all national speed records and Alcohol elapsed time records, points will no longer be awarded for elapsed time national records.

DENSO SPARK PLUGS NAMED TITLE SPONSOR OF NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES EVENT IN LAS VEGAS THIS SPRING: Denso Products and Services Americas Inc. has signed an agreement to become the title-rights sponsor of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this spring. The 17th annual Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals will be held April 1–3 and will feature competition in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock. The race is the fourth of 24 on the 2016 schedule and will be televised on FOX Sports 1 with two sessions of qualifying Friday, April 1, at 7:00 p.m. (PDT)/10:00 p.m. (EDT) and eliminations live at 2:00 p.m./5:00 p.m., Sunday, April 3.

“The NHRA appreciates Denso’s commitment to and involvement with the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series,” said Brad Gerber, NHRA vice president of sales and chief development officer. “We are excited to begin working with them to put on a great event in Las Vegas and develop beneficial activation plans around their sponsorship of the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals.”

NHRA'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY FUNNY CAR CELEBRATION KICKS OFF AT CIRCLE K NHRA WINTERNATIONALS: NHRA will officially kick off its 50th anniversary Funny Car celebration at the tradition-rich Circle K NHRA Winternationals at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, February 11–14. A wide variety of classic nostalgia Funny Cars will be on display in the Hot Rod Junction, and others will perform burnout demonstrations and make exhibition runs on the legendary dragstrip at the season-opening event in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. In addition, several legendary Funny Car drivers are scheduled to participate in a fan Q&A hosted by fan-favorite NHRA announcer Bob Frey, and they will greet fans during a very special autograph session. The first 500 fans who attend the fan Q&A will receive an NHRA Funny Car 50th anniversary commemorative autograph card. The all-star lineup of Funny Car legends who will be featured in the fan Q&A and autograph session, Saturday from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., are Don “the Snake” Prudhomme, “The King of Speed” Kenny Bernstein, Ed “the Ace” McCulloch, famed New England campaigner Al Segrini, Funny Car innovator Tom Prock and the first Winternationals Funny Car winner Clare Sanders. In addition, a special appearance will be made by Southern California Funny Car pioneer Gas Ronda.

He Said, She Said

“The move into the Pro Stock class felt a little crazy last year. I had absolutely zero experience in the car before the Sonoma race. I had driven a lot of things, and you have to just start getting to where you can slow everything down. Then actually process what you are doing one step at a time. But now I have been able to gain the needed experience for 2016. We will have the Gas Monkey Garage Camaro ready to go in a few weeks at Pomona.”

—Second-year Pro Stock racer Alex Laughlin will return to the wheel of the Gas Monkey Garage Chevrolet Camaro in 2016 as Laughlin Motorsports and Gas Monkey Garage have announced a partnership for the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series with the young Texas driver. Led by principle Richard Rawlings, Gas Monkey Garage has been a successful car-restoration business in Dallas with a unique style and is featured on the worldwide television show Fast N’ Loud on the Discovery Channel. The Gas Monkey Garage staff travels throughout Texas and surrounding states to find forgotten classic cars to buy and restore.

Inside the Numbers

24: Number of Mello Yello Drag Racing Series races, which is the full 2016 season, that Leah Pritchett will be competing in for the 2016 racing season. This will mark the first time in her career that the versatile driver enters the season with a full-time ride. She will team with Dave Connolly at Bob Vandergriff Racing for the season, and in 2015, she raced to one runner-up finish along with one semifinal appearance.

“The thing that gets me going and gets my blood pumping is knowing that finally I have a real shot at the Countdown to the Championship, a real shot at getting in the Traxxas Shootout,” Pritchett said. “Yes we have high expectations of our team and we do expect to have a couple of Ws and have a Wally at the end of the weekend.” 

Did You Know

NHRA HOSTS MEDIA DAY IN INDIANAPOLIS: Many Indianapolis-based NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series drivers took part in a media day at Harry & Izzy’s Steakhouse, January 26. Top Fuel racers Antron Brown, Shawn Langdon, J.R. Todd and Richie Crampton with Funny Car racers Cruz Pedregon and Tommy Johnson Jr., along with Pro Stock Motorcycle racers Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec as well as Fox Sports NHRA color commentator Tony Pedregon were all in attendance. The racers met with Indianapolis and national media members to preview the start of the coming 2016 season. Many of the NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car teams are based in the Brownsburg, Indiana, area, and the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals takes place annually over Labor Day weekend.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

BACK-UP CERTIFICATION NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR NHRA NATIONAL RECORDS: NHRA’s competition committee has announced that the longstanding 1% back-up policy to certify national record performances in the NHRA Mello Yello Series, J&A Service Pro Mod Series and Lucas Oil Series Alcohol categories will no longer be required at NHRA Drag Racing Series events starting in 2016. Under this new policy, NHRA teams who post performances for elapsed time and speed that are quicker or faster than the existing national records at any time during any national event, will be eligible for the national record. The driver holding the record at the conclusion of the race will be credited with the record. As is currently the case with all national speed records and Alcohol elapsed time records, points will no longer be awarded for elapsed time national records.

DENSO SPARK PLUGS NAMED TITLE SPONSOR OF NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES EVENT IN LAS VEGAS THIS SPRING: Denso Products and Services Americas Inc. has signed an agreement to become the title-rights sponsor of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this spring. The 17th annual Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals will be held April 1–3 and will feature competition in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock. The race is the fourth of 24 on the 2016 schedule and will be televised on FOX Sports 1 with two sessions of qualifying Friday, April 1, at 7:00 p.m. (PDT)/10:00 p.m. (EDT) and eliminations live at 2:00 p.m./5:00 p.m., Sunday, April 3.

“The NHRA appreciates Denso’s commitment to and involvement with the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series,” said Brad Gerber, NHRA vice president of sales and chief development officer. “We are excited to begin working with them to put on a great event in Las Vegas and develop beneficial activation plans around their sponsorship of the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals.”

NHRA'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY FUNNY CAR CELEBRATION KICKS OFF AT CIRCLE K NHRA WINTERNATIONALS: NHRA will officially kick off its 50th anniversary Funny Car celebration at the tradition-rich Circle K NHRA Winternationals at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, February 11–14. A wide variety of classic nostalgia Funny Cars will be on display in the Hot Rod Junction, and others will perform burnout demonstrations and make exhibition runs on the legendary dragstrip at the season-opening event in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. In addition, several legendary Funny Car drivers are scheduled to participate in a fan Q&A hosted by fan-favorite NHRA announcer Bob Frey, and they will greet fans during a very special autograph session. The first 500 fans who attend the fan Q&A will receive an NHRA Funny Car 50th anniversary commemorative autograph card. The all-star lineup of Funny Car legends who will be featured in the fan Q&A and autograph session, Saturday from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., are Don “the Snake” Prudhomme, “The King of Speed” Kenny Bernstein, Ed “the Ace” McCulloch, famed New England campaigner Al Segrini, Funny Car innovator Tom Prock and the first Winternationals Funny Car winner Clare Sanders. In addition, a special appearance will be made by Southern California Funny Car pioneer Gas Ronda.

He Said, She Said

“The move into the Pro Stock class felt a little crazy last year. I had absolutely zero experience in the car before the Sonoma race. I had driven a lot of things, and you have to just start getting to where you can slow everything down. Then actually process what you are doing one step at a time. But now I have been able to gain the needed experience for 2016. We will have the Gas Monkey Garage Camaro ready to go in a few weeks at Pomona.”

—Second-year Pro Stock racer Alex Laughlin will return to the wheel of the Gas Monkey Garage Chevrolet Camaro in 2016 as Laughlin Motorsports and Gas Monkey Garage have announced a partnership for the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series with the young Texas driver. Led by principle Richard Rawlings, Gas Monkey Garage has been a successful car-restoration business in Dallas with a unique style and is featured on the worldwide television show Fast N’ Loud on the Discovery Channel. The Gas Monkey Garage staff travels throughout Texas and surrounding states to find forgotten classic cars to buy and restore.

Inside the Numbers

24: Number of Mello Yello Drag Racing Series races, which is the full 2016 season, that Leah Pritchett will be competing in for the 2016 racing season. This will mark the first time in her career that the versatile driver enters the season with a full-time ride. She will team with Dave Connolly at Bob Vandergriff Racing for the season, and in 2015, she raced to one runner-up finish along with one semifinal appearance.

“The thing that gets me going and gets my blood pumping is knowing that finally I have a real shot at the Countdown to the Championship, a real shot at getting in the Traxxas Shootout,” Pritchett said. “Yes we have high expectations of our team and we do expect to have a couple of Ws and have a Wally at the end of the weekend.” 

Did You Know

NHRA HOSTS MEDIA DAY IN INDIANAPOLIS: Many Indianapolis-based NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series drivers took part in a media day at Harry & Izzy’s Steakhouse, January 26. Top Fuel racers Antron Brown, Shawn Langdon, J.R. Todd and Richie Crampton with Funny Car racers Cruz Pedregon and Tommy Johnson Jr., along with Pro Stock Motorcycle racers Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec as well as Fox Sports NHRA color commentator Tony Pedregon were all in attendance. The racers met with Indianapolis and national media members to preview the start of the coming 2016 season. Many of the NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car teams are based in the Brownsburg, Indiana, area, and the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals takes place annually over Labor Day weekend.

The SEMA Data Co-op has become “data central” for hundreds of specialty parts brands, representing millions of part numbers, and tens of millions of vehicle applications. This directory is designed to guide data users to brands that have successfully undertaken the challenge to manage their product data, and to continue to expand reference as more brands are added to the SDC repository.

Bronze - A solid foundational ACES and PIES compliant data set with images that is suitable to support most selling efforts in brick and mortar and on the web.

Silver - The Silver level builds upon the Bronze level data set with the addition of weights, dimensions, more complete descriptions, bullet points and additional images.

Gold - The Gold level further improves the Silver data set with the addition of descriptive product attributes and digital assets, including installation instructions and warranty information.

Platinum - The pinnacle of data, the Platinum level, builds upon the previous three levels with the addition of even more of the all-important digital assets, descriptions, videos, kit and interchange information and more, designed to meet even the most rigorous receiver requirements.

The SEMA Data Co-op has become “data central” for hundreds of specialty parts brands, representing millions of part numbers, and tens of millions of vehicle applications. This directory is designed to guide data users to brands that have successfully undertaken the challenge to manage their product data, and to continue to expand reference as more brands are added to the SDC repository.

Bronze - A solid foundational ACES and PIES compliant data set with images that is suitable to support most selling efforts in brick and mortar and on the web.

Silver - The Silver level builds upon the Bronze level data set with the addition of weights, dimensions, more complete descriptions, bullet points and additional images.

Gold - The Gold level further improves the Silver data set with the addition of descriptive product attributes and digital assets, including installation instructions and warranty information.

Platinum - The pinnacle of data, the Platinum level, builds upon the previous three levels with the addition of even more of the all-important digital assets, descriptions, videos, kit and interchange information and more, designed to meet even the most rigorous receiver requirements.

By SEMA Editors

The ’16 Ford Mustang is just one of the many vehicles being highlighted for Ford’s 2016 project vehicle program.

The Ford booth at the 2016 SEMA Show will highlight the following vehicles in addition to its existing lineup. The provided links will allow you to research these products and find high-resolution images that may be used for your proposal rendering.

• ’16 All-New Ford Focus RS – All-new Ford Focus RS introduces advanced performance technologies for an ultimate driving experience; pioneers innovative, race-inspired Ford Performance All-Wheel Drive, and industry-first drift mode. Aggressive, functional design inside and out makes Focus RS the most powerful production Focus ever, with highly capable performance on both road and track, and powered by Ford’s 2.3L EcoBoost engine.
• ’17 All-New Ford Super Duty – America’s work truck reinvented—the all-new Ford Super Duty is the toughest, smartest, most-capable Super Duty ever. Toughest: All-new, high-strength steel frame; segment-first, high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body; and stronger axles, springs and suspension create the only Built Ford Tough heavy-duty truck lineup that works as hard as Super Duty customers. Smartest: 16 class-exclusive new features and up to seven cameras make Super Duty the ultimate tow vehicle; and adaptive steering technology makes maneuvering easier. Most capable: Ford-engineered, Ford-built gasoline and diesel engines and transmissions power the all-new Super Duty lineup that tows and hauls more than ever.
• ’16 Freshened Ford Fusion Sport – Fusion V6 Sport is a performance sedan unlike anything in the segment with a twin-turbocharged 2.7L EcoBoost V6 delivering a projected 325 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque. All-wheel-drive Fusion V6 Sport is projected to make approximately 100 lb.-ft. of additional torque and nearly 50 more horsepower than the 3.5L V6 engines in Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.
• ’16 Ford Fiesta ST – Fiesta ST is still more proof that small cars from Ford Motor Company are anything but boring. In addition to a precision sport-tuned suspension and an improved braking system, Fiesta ST packs more punch under its hood than any other car in the segment.
• ’16 Ford Focus ST – Since its debut, Focus ST has been bringing fun-to-drive DNA to the hatch segment with a unique Ford blend of driving dynamics, performance and style. The ’16 Focus ST now features improved dynamics, an updated suspension, new styling and a more sophisticated cabin.
• ’16 Ford Mustang (2.3L EcoBoost/5.0L GT) – Mustang’s impact goes well beyond the 9 million-plus cars sold in its 50 years of continuous production. It has made thousands of appearances in film, television, music and video games, and is the world’s most-liked vehicle on Facebook. For the first time, Ford will bring Mustang to customers in key parts of Europe and Asia.
• ’16 Ford Explorer Sport – Explorer Sport: 3.5L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6, intelligent four-wheel drive with Terrain Management System, sport-tuned suspension, trailer tow package, Explorer badge on hood, fascia-integrated dual exhaust tips, 20-in. wheels, perforated leather-trimmed seats with red accent stitching, multi-piece satin chrome with carbon-fiber interior appearance inserts and a 12-speaker Sony Audio System.
• ’16 F-150 – The 2016 F-150 delivers an impressive combination of power, capability and efficiency—from advanced materials that improve durability and inhibit corrosion, to faster processors that enhance driving performance, to breakthrough cargo management and towing solutions.

Information for the above models can be found at Ford’s media site.

While the above vehicles have the greatest probability of being awarded, the entire retail Ford Product lineup—with the exception of Ford GT, Raptor, GT350/R, Lincoln and Hybrid products—is eligible for the Project Vehicle Program.

2016 Ford Project Vehicle Program

Proposal Submission Deadline: March 1, 2016
Award Recipient Notification Date: by May 2, 2016

All project vehicle requests must be submitted in two parts and meet the following Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program criteria:

Part 1

E-mail a one-page project summary—must be received by February 19, 2016. Include bullet points for:

• Vehicle/theme
• Vehicle modifications
• New-product development
• Promotional plan
• Vehicle display location at the 2016 SEMA Show

Part 2

Mail a detailed project proposal—must be received by March 1, 2016. Include details supporting the one-page project summary on company letterhead, a color rendering and past project vehicle examples.

All project vehicle requests must meet the Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program Criteria shown below. Information on Ford vehicles is available at: www.ford.com.

Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program Criteria

Aftermarket companies requesting project vehicles should be:

• A manufacturer or designer/restyler dedicated to supporting new-product development.
• Financially capable and willing to spend promotional dollars.
• Actively promoting the vehicle with their product(s) through an established marketing plan.
• A current SEMA member.

Aftermarket companies receiving project vehicles must:

• Feature the vehicle in a booth at the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
• Register and keep the vehicle in your company name during the entire contract period.
• Purchase and maintain $3 million in general liability, $3 million in automotive liability, $1 million in employer liability and demonstrate worker's compensation coverage. An umbrella policy may be used to achieve coverage limits.
• Commit to feature the vehicle with the Ford logo intact and visible.
• Order a California-certified vehicle if you intend to register or use the vehicle primarily in California or any other state that has adopted California emissions standards. Failure to do so may subject you to a state fine.
• Make vehicles available to Ford or its dealers for display, at the owner's discretion.
• Submit written quarterly status reports for a period of 18 months, as specified in the contract, stating:

1. Product development
2. Modifications to the vehicle
3. Events (including dates, location and type of event)
4. Media exposure (originals or color copies)
5. Company advertising featuring the vehicle
6. Additional exposure
7. A copy of your current vehicle registration
8. E-mail, disc or fax reports will not be accepted

Submit Ford Project Vehicle proposals to:

Ford Motor Co.
21175 Oakwood Blvd., PDCDC MD579
Dearborn, MI 48124
Attn: Mike Nicopolis & Bob Galan
semainfo@ford.com

By SEMA Editors

The ’16 Ford Mustang is just one of the many vehicles being highlighted for Ford’s 2016 project vehicle program.

The Ford booth at the 2016 SEMA Show will highlight the following vehicles in addition to its existing lineup. The provided links will allow you to research these products and find high-resolution images that may be used for your proposal rendering.

• ’16 All-New Ford Focus RS – All-new Ford Focus RS introduces advanced performance technologies for an ultimate driving experience; pioneers innovative, race-inspired Ford Performance All-Wheel Drive, and industry-first drift mode. Aggressive, functional design inside and out makes Focus RS the most powerful production Focus ever, with highly capable performance on both road and track, and powered by Ford’s 2.3L EcoBoost engine.
• ’17 All-New Ford Super Duty – America’s work truck reinvented—the all-new Ford Super Duty is the toughest, smartest, most-capable Super Duty ever. Toughest: All-new, high-strength steel frame; segment-first, high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body; and stronger axles, springs and suspension create the only Built Ford Tough heavy-duty truck lineup that works as hard as Super Duty customers. Smartest: 16 class-exclusive new features and up to seven cameras make Super Duty the ultimate tow vehicle; and adaptive steering technology makes maneuvering easier. Most capable: Ford-engineered, Ford-built gasoline and diesel engines and transmissions power the all-new Super Duty lineup that tows and hauls more than ever.
• ’16 Freshened Ford Fusion Sport – Fusion V6 Sport is a performance sedan unlike anything in the segment with a twin-turbocharged 2.7L EcoBoost V6 delivering a projected 325 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque. All-wheel-drive Fusion V6 Sport is projected to make approximately 100 lb.-ft. of additional torque and nearly 50 more horsepower than the 3.5L V6 engines in Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.
• ’16 Ford Fiesta ST – Fiesta ST is still more proof that small cars from Ford Motor Company are anything but boring. In addition to a precision sport-tuned suspension and an improved braking system, Fiesta ST packs more punch under its hood than any other car in the segment.
• ’16 Ford Focus ST – Since its debut, Focus ST has been bringing fun-to-drive DNA to the hatch segment with a unique Ford blend of driving dynamics, performance and style. The ’16 Focus ST now features improved dynamics, an updated suspension, new styling and a more sophisticated cabin.
• ’16 Ford Mustang (2.3L EcoBoost/5.0L GT) – Mustang’s impact goes well beyond the 9 million-plus cars sold in its 50 years of continuous production. It has made thousands of appearances in film, television, music and video games, and is the world’s most-liked vehicle on Facebook. For the first time, Ford will bring Mustang to customers in key parts of Europe and Asia.
• ’16 Ford Explorer Sport – Explorer Sport: 3.5L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6, intelligent four-wheel drive with Terrain Management System, sport-tuned suspension, trailer tow package, Explorer badge on hood, fascia-integrated dual exhaust tips, 20-in. wheels, perforated leather-trimmed seats with red accent stitching, multi-piece satin chrome with carbon-fiber interior appearance inserts and a 12-speaker Sony Audio System.
• ’16 F-150 – The 2016 F-150 delivers an impressive combination of power, capability and efficiency—from advanced materials that improve durability and inhibit corrosion, to faster processors that enhance driving performance, to breakthrough cargo management and towing solutions.

Information for the above models can be found at Ford’s media site.

While the above vehicles have the greatest probability of being awarded, the entire retail Ford Product lineup—with the exception of Ford GT, Raptor, GT350/R, Lincoln and Hybrid products—is eligible for the Project Vehicle Program.

2016 Ford Project Vehicle Program

Proposal Submission Deadline: March 1, 2016
Award Recipient Notification Date: by May 2, 2016

All project vehicle requests must be submitted in two parts and meet the following Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program criteria:

Part 1

E-mail a one-page project summary—must be received by February 19, 2016. Include bullet points for:

• Vehicle/theme
• Vehicle modifications
• New-product development
• Promotional plan
• Vehicle display location at the 2016 SEMA Show

Part 2

Mail a detailed project proposal—must be received by March 1, 2016. Include details supporting the one-page project summary on company letterhead, a color rendering and past project vehicle examples.

All project vehicle requests must meet the Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program Criteria shown below. Information on Ford vehicles is available at: www.ford.com.

Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program Criteria

Aftermarket companies requesting project vehicles should be:

• A manufacturer or designer/restyler dedicated to supporting new-product development.
• Financially capable and willing to spend promotional dollars.
• Actively promoting the vehicle with their product(s) through an established marketing plan.
• A current SEMA member.

Aftermarket companies receiving project vehicles must:

• Feature the vehicle in a booth at the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
• Register and keep the vehicle in your company name during the entire contract period.
• Purchase and maintain $3 million in general liability, $3 million in automotive liability, $1 million in employer liability and demonstrate worker's compensation coverage. An umbrella policy may be used to achieve coverage limits.
• Commit to feature the vehicle with the Ford logo intact and visible.
• Order a California-certified vehicle if you intend to register or use the vehicle primarily in California or any other state that has adopted California emissions standards. Failure to do so may subject you to a state fine.
• Make vehicles available to Ford or its dealers for display, at the owner's discretion.
• Submit written quarterly status reports for a period of 18 months, as specified in the contract, stating:

1. Product development
2. Modifications to the vehicle
3. Events (including dates, location and type of event)
4. Media exposure (originals or color copies)
5. Company advertising featuring the vehicle
6. Additional exposure
7. A copy of your current vehicle registration
8. E-mail, disc or fax reports will not be accepted

Submit Ford Project Vehicle proposals to:

Ford Motor Co.
21175 Oakwood Blvd., PDCDC MD579
Dearborn, MI 48124
Attn: Mike Nicopolis & Bob Galan
semainfo@ford.com

By SEMA Editors

The ’16 Ford Mustang is just one of the many vehicles being highlighted for Ford’s 2016 project vehicle program.

The Ford booth at the 2016 SEMA Show will highlight the following vehicles in addition to its existing lineup. The provided links will allow you to research these products and find high-resolution images that may be used for your proposal rendering.

• ’16 All-New Ford Focus RS – All-new Ford Focus RS introduces advanced performance technologies for an ultimate driving experience; pioneers innovative, race-inspired Ford Performance All-Wheel Drive, and industry-first drift mode. Aggressive, functional design inside and out makes Focus RS the most powerful production Focus ever, with highly capable performance on both road and track, and powered by Ford’s 2.3L EcoBoost engine.
• ’17 All-New Ford Super Duty – America’s work truck reinvented—the all-new Ford Super Duty is the toughest, smartest, most-capable Super Duty ever. Toughest: All-new, high-strength steel frame; segment-first, high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body; and stronger axles, springs and suspension create the only Built Ford Tough heavy-duty truck lineup that works as hard as Super Duty customers. Smartest: 16 class-exclusive new features and up to seven cameras make Super Duty the ultimate tow vehicle; and adaptive steering technology makes maneuvering easier. Most capable: Ford-engineered, Ford-built gasoline and diesel engines and transmissions power the all-new Super Duty lineup that tows and hauls more than ever.
• ’16 Freshened Ford Fusion Sport – Fusion V6 Sport is a performance sedan unlike anything in the segment with a twin-turbocharged 2.7L EcoBoost V6 delivering a projected 325 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque. All-wheel-drive Fusion V6 Sport is projected to make approximately 100 lb.-ft. of additional torque and nearly 50 more horsepower than the 3.5L V6 engines in Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.
• ’16 Ford Fiesta ST – Fiesta ST is still more proof that small cars from Ford Motor Company are anything but boring. In addition to a precision sport-tuned suspension and an improved braking system, Fiesta ST packs more punch under its hood than any other car in the segment.
• ’16 Ford Focus ST – Since its debut, Focus ST has been bringing fun-to-drive DNA to the hatch segment with a unique Ford blend of driving dynamics, performance and style. The ’16 Focus ST now features improved dynamics, an updated suspension, new styling and a more sophisticated cabin.
• ’16 Ford Mustang (2.3L EcoBoost/5.0L GT) – Mustang’s impact goes well beyond the 9 million-plus cars sold in its 50 years of continuous production. It has made thousands of appearances in film, television, music and video games, and is the world’s most-liked vehicle on Facebook. For the first time, Ford will bring Mustang to customers in key parts of Europe and Asia.
• ’16 Ford Explorer Sport – Explorer Sport: 3.5L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6, intelligent four-wheel drive with Terrain Management System, sport-tuned suspension, trailer tow package, Explorer badge on hood, fascia-integrated dual exhaust tips, 20-in. wheels, perforated leather-trimmed seats with red accent stitching, multi-piece satin chrome with carbon-fiber interior appearance inserts and a 12-speaker Sony Audio System.
• ’16 F-150 – The 2016 F-150 delivers an impressive combination of power, capability and efficiency—from advanced materials that improve durability and inhibit corrosion, to faster processors that enhance driving performance, to breakthrough cargo management and towing solutions.

Information for the above models can be found at Ford’s media site.

While the above vehicles have the greatest probability of being awarded, the entire retail Ford Product lineup—with the exception of Ford GT, Raptor, GT350/R, Lincoln and Hybrid products—is eligible for the Project Vehicle Program.

2016 Ford Project Vehicle Program

Proposal Submission Deadline: March 1, 2016
Award Recipient Notification Date: by May 2, 2016

All project vehicle requests must be submitted in two parts and meet the following Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program criteria:

Part 1

E-mail a one-page project summary—must be received by February 19, 2016. Include bullet points for:

• Vehicle/theme
• Vehicle modifications
• New-product development
• Promotional plan
• Vehicle display location at the 2016 SEMA Show

Part 2

Mail a detailed project proposal—must be received by March 1, 2016. Include details supporting the one-page project summary on company letterhead, a color rendering and past project vehicle examples.

All project vehicle requests must meet the Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program Criteria shown below. Information on Ford vehicles is available at: www.ford.com.

Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program Criteria

Aftermarket companies requesting project vehicles should be:

• A manufacturer or designer/restyler dedicated to supporting new-product development.
• Financially capable and willing to spend promotional dollars.
• Actively promoting the vehicle with their product(s) through an established marketing plan.
• A current SEMA member.

Aftermarket companies receiving project vehicles must:

• Feature the vehicle in a booth at the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
• Register and keep the vehicle in your company name during the entire contract period.
• Purchase and maintain $3 million in general liability, $3 million in automotive liability, $1 million in employer liability and demonstrate worker's compensation coverage. An umbrella policy may be used to achieve coverage limits.
• Commit to feature the vehicle with the Ford logo intact and visible.
• Order a California-certified vehicle if you intend to register or use the vehicle primarily in California or any other state that has adopted California emissions standards. Failure to do so may subject you to a state fine.
• Make vehicles available to Ford or its dealers for display, at the owner's discretion.
• Submit written quarterly status reports for a period of 18 months, as specified in the contract, stating:

1. Product development
2. Modifications to the vehicle
3. Events (including dates, location and type of event)
4. Media exposure (originals or color copies)
5. Company advertising featuring the vehicle
6. Additional exposure
7. A copy of your current vehicle registration
8. E-mail, disc or fax reports will not be accepted

Submit Ford Project Vehicle proposals to:

Ford Motor Co.
21175 Oakwood Blvd., PDCDC MD579
Dearborn, MI 48124
Attn: Mike Nicopolis & Bob Galan
semainfo@ford.com