The shooters at KGP Photography caught a convoy of heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado (top) and GMC Sierra (bottom) prototypes on the open roads, providing the best look yet at the rugged remakes of the crew-cab versions of the standard and dualie trucks due in 2016. The goal must certainly be to bump the current 6.6L Duramax turbo diesel's horsepower, torque and towing capacity to counter Ford's recently upgraded 6.7L Powerstroke V8 turbo diesel. Ford's revamped 6.7L diesel currently outguns GM's 6.6L units; the Ford generates 440 hp and 860 lb.-ft. of torque vs. GM's 397 hp and 760 lb.-ft. of torque.

Deeper Breathing To Add Power

Part of GM's strategy is to feed more air into the engine, via a new functional hood air intake designed into the trucks' redesigned hoods. The new air duct sits prominently near the leading edge of the hood—the GMC gets a circular mesh intake grille while the Chevy appears to get a diamond-shaped interweaving mesh grille insert. The Silverado and Sierra pickups had uncovered grilles and lightly camouflaged front bumpers, with a heavier vinyl hood hiding the hood's new air intake. The new breathing apparatus has been added in conjunction with a revamped diesel engine, reportedly using a modified turbo and new engine-management software resulting in a power boost to battle Ford's Powerstroke diesel engines.

The prototypes were all sporting diesel exhaust, and a fuel fill-up had confirmed that these trucks were thirsting for diesel fuel. The fuel door reads "Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel Only."

Photo credit: KGP Photography

	KAM Marketing was recognized as SEMA’s 2014 Manufacturers’ Rep Agency of the Year.
	Motor State Distributing won the award for SEMA’s 2014 WD of the Year.

SEMA is currently seeking nominations for the 2015 Rep Agency of the Year and Warehouse Distributor of the Year awards. All SEMA members are invited to nominate companies that conduct business in a way that furthers the interests of the entire industry. The award winners will be celebrated for their accomplishments at the 2015 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday, November 5, during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Rep Agency of the Year: The SEMA Rep Agency of the Year Award honors a manufacturers’ rep agency for its contribution to the industry for the past 12 months (corresponding with the SEMA fiscal year, July 1–June 30). Considerations include product-line knowledge, communication of critical information between supplier and the client network, updated catalogs, databases and price sheets, and continuous training and education programs.

WD of the Year: The SEMA WD of the Year Award recognizes a warehouse distributor that operates with the integrity and business practices that set the company apart as an industry leader. Over the last year, the ideal candidate will have been involved in industry events, serviced and communicated with suppliers and resellers with excellence and provided development opportunities for clients and staff.

To make a nomination, visit the SEMA Awards webpage. Once there, review the full criteria for each of the awards and complete the online nomination forms. Nominations for both awards are due by 5:00 p.m. (PDT) on Friday, July 10. If you have any questions, contact Lindsay Bianco at 909-978-6692 or lindsayb@sema.org.

	KAM Marketing was recognized as SEMA’s 2014 Manufacturers’ Rep Agency of the Year.
	Motor State Distributing won the award for SEMA’s 2014 WD of the Year.

SEMA is currently seeking nominations for the 2015 Rep Agency of the Year and Warehouse Distributor of the Year awards. All SEMA members are invited to nominate companies that conduct business in a way that furthers the interests of the entire industry. The award winners will be celebrated for their accomplishments at the 2015 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday, November 5, during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Rep Agency of the Year: The SEMA Rep Agency of the Year Award honors a manufacturers’ rep agency for its contribution to the industry for the past 12 months (corresponding with the SEMA fiscal year, July 1–June 30). Considerations include product-line knowledge, communication of critical information between supplier and the client network, updated catalogs, databases and price sheets, and continuous training and education programs.

WD of the Year: The SEMA WD of the Year Award recognizes a warehouse distributor that operates with the integrity and business practices that set the company apart as an industry leader. Over the last year, the ideal candidate will have been involved in industry events, serviced and communicated with suppliers and resellers with excellence and provided development opportunities for clients and staff.

To make a nomination, visit the SEMA Awards webpage. Once there, review the full criteria for each of the awards and complete the online nomination forms. Nominations for both awards are due by 5:00 p.m. (PDT) on Friday, July 10. If you have any questions, contact Lindsay Bianco at 909-978-6692 or lindsayb@sema.org.

	KAM Marketing was recognized as SEMA’s 2014 Manufacturers’ Rep Agency of the Year.
	Motor State Distributing won the award for SEMA’s 2014 WD of the Year.

SEMA is currently seeking nominations for the 2015 Rep Agency of the Year and Warehouse Distributor of the Year awards. All SEMA members are invited to nominate companies that conduct business in a way that furthers the interests of the entire industry. The award winners will be celebrated for their accomplishments at the 2015 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday, November 5, during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Rep Agency of the Year: The SEMA Rep Agency of the Year Award honors a manufacturers’ rep agency for its contribution to the industry for the past 12 months (corresponding with the SEMA fiscal year, July 1–June 30). Considerations include product-line knowledge, communication of critical information between supplier and the client network, updated catalogs, databases and price sheets, and continuous training and education programs.

WD of the Year: The SEMA WD of the Year Award recognizes a warehouse distributor that operates with the integrity and business practices that set the company apart as an industry leader. Over the last year, the ideal candidate will have been involved in industry events, serviced and communicated with suppliers and resellers with excellence and provided development opportunities for clients and staff.

To make a nomination, visit the SEMA Awards webpage. Once there, review the full criteria for each of the awards and complete the online nomination forms. Nominations for both awards are due by 5:00 p.m. (PDT) on Friday, July 10. If you have any questions, contact Lindsay Bianco at 909-978-6692 or lindsayb@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Wade Kawasaki	Susan Carpenter
Laurel Dasher	Dan Kahn
Jim Bingham	Nick Gramelspacher

Wade Kawasaki of the Coker Group has been elected the chairman-elect of SEMA and joins the newly elected Board members to help lead the association for the 2015–2017 term. Kawasaki fills the position held for the past two years by Doug Evans of Luken Communications. Evans will begin serving his term as chairman in July. The newly elected SEMA Board volunteers are Susan Carpenter of JR Products, Laurel Dasher of Powerteq and Dan Kahn of Kahn Media Inc. Jim Bingham of Winner’s Circle Speed & Custom Inc. and Nick Gramelspacher of Meyer Distributing were re-elected and will serve another term.

2015–2016 SEMA Board of Directors

• Chairman of the Board: Doug Evans, Executive Vice President, Luken Communications
• Chairman-elect: Wade Kawasaki, President, Coker Group
• Immediate-Past Chairman/Secretary: Nate Shelton, Chief Marketing Officer, Driven Performance Brands

Board Members

• Greg Adler – CEO, Transamerican Auto Parts
• Jeff Bates – Partner, Bob Cook Sales
• Jim Bingham – President and CEO, Winner’s Circle Speed & Custom Inc.
• Susan Carpenter – President, JR Products
• Laurel Dasher – Northeast Sales Manager, Powerteq
• Kyle Fickler – Director of Business Development, Aeromotive Inc.
• Nick Gramelspacher – Vice President Sales & Marketing, Meyer Distributing
• Dan Kahn – President, Kahn Media Inc.
• Tim Martin – Chief Operations Officer, K&N Engineering
• Tim Watts – President, Superlift Suspension

John Johnson of The Spartan Group will continue to serve as treasurer, and Russ Deane of Trainum, Snowdon & Deane continues as general counsel.

The newly elected SEMA Board of Directors will be recognized during the SEMA Installation Gala, Friday, July 24, at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. Also during the banquet, outgoing Board members Scooter Brothers of COMP Performance Group, Luanne Brown of eTool Developers, John Hotchkis of Hotchkis Performance LLC and Russell Stephens of MSD Performance, will be recognized and honored for their service and contributions to the industry. The event will also feature a special tribute to the 2015 SEMA Hall of Fame Inductees—Joel Ayres, Jim Bingham and Dennis Gage.  

By SEMA Editors

Wade Kawasaki	Susan Carpenter
Laurel Dasher	Dan Kahn
Jim Bingham	Nick Gramelspacher

Wade Kawasaki of the Coker Group has been elected the chairman-elect of SEMA and joins the newly elected Board members to help lead the association for the 2015–2017 term. Kawasaki fills the position held for the past two years by Doug Evans of Luken Communications. Evans will begin serving his term as chairman in July. The newly elected SEMA Board volunteers are Susan Carpenter of JR Products, Laurel Dasher of Powerteq and Dan Kahn of Kahn Media Inc. Jim Bingham of Winner’s Circle Speed & Custom Inc. and Nick Gramelspacher of Meyer Distributing were re-elected and will serve another term.

2015–2016 SEMA Board of Directors

• Chairman of the Board: Doug Evans, Executive Vice President, Luken Communications
• Chairman-elect: Wade Kawasaki, President, Coker Group
• Immediate-Past Chairman/Secretary: Nate Shelton, Chief Marketing Officer, Driven Performance Brands

Board Members

• Greg Adler – CEO, Transamerican Auto Parts
• Jeff Bates – Partner, Bob Cook Sales
• Jim Bingham – President and CEO, Winner’s Circle Speed & Custom Inc.
• Susan Carpenter – President, JR Products
• Laurel Dasher – Northeast Sales Manager, Powerteq
• Kyle Fickler – Director of Business Development, Aeromotive Inc.
• Nick Gramelspacher – Vice President Sales & Marketing, Meyer Distributing
• Dan Kahn – President, Kahn Media Inc.
• Tim Martin – Chief Operations Officer, K&N Engineering
• Tim Watts – President, Superlift Suspension

John Johnson of The Spartan Group will continue to serve as treasurer, and Russ Deane of Trainum, Snowdon & Deane continues as general counsel.

The newly elected SEMA Board of Directors will be recognized during the SEMA Installation Gala, Friday, July 24, at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. Also during the banquet, outgoing Board members Scooter Brothers of COMP Performance Group, Luanne Brown of eTool Developers, John Hotchkis of Hotchkis Performance LLC and Russell Stephens of MSD Performance, will be recognized and honored for their service and contributions to the industry. The event will also feature a special tribute to the 2015 SEMA Hall of Fame Inductees—Joel Ayres, Jim Bingham and Dennis Gage.