By SEMA Editors 

The momentum is building for this year's SEMA Show, October 31-November 3, which is expected to attract buyers from all 50 states and more than 130 countries and regions around the world. 

Perhaps just as diverse as the SEMA Show audience--as recently reported in SEMA News--are the industry segments, job functions and business goals of the thousands of attendees that converge on the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Historically, buyers come to SEMA with a long list of objectives and goals, most notably to see new automotive products, technology and equipment; get fresh and innovative ideas; keep up with ever-evolving trends and developments in the industry; and find new and meet with existing vendors, suppliers, strategic partnerships and services.

The SEMA Show is once again poised to deliver high-quality audiences and high-quality buyers from across virtually all automotive segments, with the following represented last year:

• 32% retailer/jobbers 
• 28% service/installation providers
• 19% wholesaler/distributors 
• 12% builder/fabricators 
• 7% vehicle dealers 
• 2% other

Within those fields, buyers represent the gambit of leadership and support positions across businesses:

• 43% executive management 
• 26% management 
• 17% technician/craftsman/skilled trade 
• 14% support staff 

"The SEMA Show delivers top-quality buyers with purchasing influence and power. For example, during our 2022 event, 55% of buyers made buying decisions, while 32% made vital recommendations," said SEMA Show Director Andy Tompkins. "The wide variety of types of buyers creates a myriad of opportunities for exhibitors, helping companies make connections, generate leads and close sales to advance their businesses."

Exhibitors can also benefit from at-Show promotions, as 84% of buyers took advantage of a discount at the event. In addition, 86% of buyers said they planned to buy from an exhibitor within a year of the SEMA Show.

There is still time to secure booth space for the 2023 SEMA Show. Visit SEMAShow.com to start creating your Show plan today! Exhibitor, attendee, media and students/educator registration is available at SEMAShow.com/register for just $60 through September 29 and $120 after that date.

By SEMA Editors

Injen Technology, the manufacturer of high-performance automotive air intake, exhaust and filtration products, has opened a new manufacturing and warehouse facility in Montclair, California. The location is now the company's primary headquarters and distribution center.

The all-new, state-of-the-art facility is equipped with the latest filter manufacturing and distribution equipment technology, the company said, and currently warehouses a majority of the Injen catalog, including engine air filters and air intake systems. The building has a capacity for more than 10,000 pallet locations, and the company expects it will be able to better serve global customers with more efficient delivery times and higher fill rates.

Injen's primary manufacturing will remain in Pomona, California, with finished goods and filter manufacturing moving to Montclair.

"This facility will enable us to increase our production capacity and meet the growing demand for our products in the global marketplace," said Jay Crouch, the director of global business for Injen.

For more information, visit injen.com.

By Juan Torres 

Tickets for the inaugural SEMA Fest, a two-day full-throttle festival that fuses car culture and music, are on sale now at semafest.com. Set for November 3-4 at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds in Las Vegas, SEMA Fest is a must-attend event open to the public and featuring world-class musical acts Imagine Dragons, Incubus, Wiz Khalifa, AJR, Third Eye Blind, Bush, Walk The Moon, Ludacris and more (the complete lineup is below, with more to come).

"We are excited to open the gates for the inaugural SEMA Fest and welcome car and music lovers alike to enjoy this one-of-a-kind festival," said Mike Spagnola, SEMA president and CEO. "Automotive enthusiasts all over the world have been asking for years how they can be part of the SEMA Show experience, and we are delighted to include them in this brand-new extension of our popular trade show. This new event will be separate from the trade show, open to everyone and promises to be like nothing they've seen before."

SEMA Fest brings together automotive enthusiasts, the biggest names in music and the hottest automotive brands in a large-scale festival format. It will also feature a full slate of immersive automotive lifestyle events, a consumer marketplace, world-class drifting, motorsports competitions, freestyle motocross and more. Whether you are a diehard car enthusiast, a motorsports fan, a music lover or just like to have a good time, SEMA Fest is an event not to miss. More details will be announced soon, including a full concert lineup of more than 20 bands.

SEMA Fest is hosted by SEMA, producers of the SEMA Show, a massive trade-only event held annually in Las Vegas. The inaugural SEMA Fest marks the conclusion of SEMA Week, which kicks off with the 2023 SEMA Show on October 31-November 3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

For more information about SEMA Fest and to purchase tickets, visit semafest.com.

By SEMA Editors

Ely "Reeves" Callaway III, the founder and CEO of Callaway Cars, has passed away. He was 75.

Callaway founded the company in 1977 from his garage in Old Lyme, Connecticut. Among the first successful products was an aftermarket turbo kit for BMW, which renowned automotive journalist Don Sherman reviewed favorably in Car and Driver.

Callaway is well known for his work with Corvette, which helped deliver two industry firsts, including the Callaway twin-turbo Corvette "B2K" designation. The second was a world-first record in 1989 when Callaway Cars built a twin-turbo Corvette, dubbed "The Sledgehammer," that set a production-car top speed record of 254.76 mph. That record was held until 2010 when Bugatti achieved 267.85 mph in a Veyron Super Sport.

Later in 1994, Callaway launched a Germany-based racing unit, Callaway Competition, with partners Ernst Wöhr and Giovanni Ciccone.

"Thanks to Reeves' visionary entrepreneurial spirit, Callaway Cars will continue to innovate and grow in the 21st century, inspired by his unique, extraordinary vision and by his personal example of integrity, resourcefulness and leadership as our founder," said Peter Reeves Callaway, the deceased's son and current president of Callaway Cars.

For more details, visit the Callaway Cars announcement.

By Ashley Reyes

Electric vehicle (EV) conversions are a growing opportunity in the automotive aftermarket. For shop owners, technicians and product developers who work on these builds, it's crucial to clearly understand the safety practices and various EV components involved, as they are critical parts of the process.   

SEMA members are invited to the "Skateboard Platform for Electric Vehicles" webinar on Wednesday, August 9, at 11:00 a.m. PDT to learn about the complete process of an electric vehicle platform. Attendees will hear from Adam Roe, founder of Zero Labs Automotive, as he teaches the components associated with an electrified vehicle and EV conversion, as well as the component names, integration, hazards and diagnosis that are present when converting a gas-powered vehicle to electric. 

Participants will walk away with a thorough understanding of EV conversions from the ground up and engage with Roe as he addresses detailed questions from the audience. Register today!

By Ashley Reyes 

The SEMA Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) is gearing up for its Networking, Education, Resources and Development (N.E.R.D.) Symposium--taking place August 16-18 at the SEMA Garage in Detroit, Michigan. 

Automotive aftermarket engineers, programmers and product developers still have time to secure their spot for the event, where they will meet one-on-one with product and service providers who offer tools and technology that can help them get their products to market faster, boost productivity and stay ahead of the competition.

The three-day symposium will feature high-value and daily educational seminars on popular topics in the automotive technology space, followed by networking sessions and meetings in the afternoon.

The networking sessions will give participants extra time to exchange ideas and explore potential collaborations, while the education sessions provide an exclusive opportunity to learn from leading experts on essential issues and technological advancements in the aftermarket space.  

This year's education sessions are: 

• Suspension System Simulations: From Fatigue to Riding and Handling Analysis 
  • Presenter: MingYao Ding, Principal/Vice President of Engineering at Ozen/Ansys 
• Vehicle Communication Standards Update 
  • Presenter: Bob Augustine, Vice President of Business Development at Opus IVS 
• Alternative Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Technology 
  • Presenter: Tobi Burek, Chief Engineer at Ricardo
• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Update  
  • Presenter: Nick Dominato, Co-Founder and Chief Everything Officer, AutoBolt 
• Bridging the Gap from "Runs Good" to Emissions Compliance 
  • Presenter: Greg Banish, Engineering Manager, Calibrated Success
• Designing Parts for Sanctioning Body Approval 
  • Presenter: Billy Godbold, President at Godbold Engineering 
• Visualizing Fuel Injector Spray Characteristics That Impact Engine Performance 
  • Presenter: Dr. Paul Puzinauskas, University of Alabama 
• Casting Prices, Casting Properties, and AM Design: GE Additive Binder Jet--Primed for the Automotive Industry 
  • Presenter: GE Additive 

View the entire program schedule here. Learn more about the N.E.R.D. Symposium and sign up by the August 1 deadline at sema.org/nerd. 

By Ashley Reyes

A collaborative environment between men and women in the workplace is essential to building a strong, supportive environment for all professionals. In the traditionally male-dominated automotive aftermarket industry, establishing an organization in which women are supported by their male counterparts fosters innovation and success.

SEMA members are invited to the second session of the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) Male Ally Webinar Series, Real Life Scenarios: Examples of Male Ally Support, on Tuesday, July 25 at 12:00 p.m. PDT to hear from a panel of industry leaders as they share real-life scenarios of how men can further support women in their roles.

Randall Speir of RS Marqueting, Justin Perret of Oracle Lighting and Mark Taylor of Kam Marketing will give examples of successes and failures that they have experienced while being an ally to women, provide solutions for how to improve the working relationship between men and women and share tips for how women can react to or interpret male allyship.

Attendees will walk away knowing how to start the effort of being a male ally, how to spread the mindset within their teams and why a male ally program is needed. Register here!

By Ashley Reyes

Networking is not only about trading information; it’s a necessary investment that can help industry professionals build their reputations and establish long-term relationships with mutual benefits. 

SEMA members will not want to miss the next Wheel Tire & Council (WTC) Coffee & Conversation networking event, where they will establish valuable business connections and discuss the state of the wheel and tire industry. 

Taking place on Thursday, August 3 at 9:00 a.m. PDT, the event will feature an open discussion among attendees about the latest trends, innovations and market dynamics happening in the wheel and tire aftermarket. Attendees will gain insight into opportunities and challenges that other businesses are experiencing, share their experiences, exchange ideas and build business relationships that can further their career or company goals. 

Organizers will introduce a discussion topic to start the conversation, but attendees are encouraged to bring a talking point that impacts their business. Register now.

Questions can be directed to Nicole Bradle at nicoleb@sema.org. 

By SEMA Editors

Exhibitors of the 2023 SEMA Show are invited to expand their reach, product exposure and Show-floor presence by offering products to builders through the Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list.

The list, which will be updated in SEMA News, features product offers and contact information from confirmed SEMA Show exhibitors looking to collaborate with builders. 

Builders interested in obtaining a product should contact exhibitors directly. With each project vehicle required to be supported by a current 2023 SEMA Show exhibitor, all product-placement decisions, negotiations and agreements are the responsibility of the exhibiting manufacturer and the builder.

The list is open to exhibitors of the 2023 SEMA Show only. To be included in the list, complete the form.

Exhibitors: Each submission will appear on a first-come, first-served basis. As participation increases, all submissions will also be archived on the SEMA Show website.

Note: For verification purposes, the Project-Vehicle Builders form must be used to participate in the program; email submissions will not be included in the list. Participation in the list does not guarantee product or vehicle placement at the 2023 SEMA Show.

View the 2023 Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list.

By SEMA Editors

The Audi Q8, the SUV flagship of the brand, was spotted testing on the German Nürburgring race track by our sources, which noticed refreshed bumpers, fenders, side sills, tailgate and lighting units. The most significant change compared to the current Audi RS Q8 is the LED headlights and taillights graphics.

Other notable changes at the front include the honeycomb pattern on the single-frame grille, which now features larger holes. The surfacing on the front and rear fenders appears identical under the camouflage, but Audi may be hiding some trim changes. The same applies to the tail, except for the lighting units and possibly the rear diffuser.

The debut of the refreshed Audi RS Q8 is expected in 2024, six years after its original debut in 2018. In addition, an all-new second generation of the Q8 is rumored for 2026, when Audi will launch its last new internal combustion engine-powered model before going electric-only by 2033.