By Rachel Tatum    

The “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV special will air on MotorTrend, Monday, January 7, at 10:00 p.m. (EST/PST).

Catch the all-new “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV special airing on MotorTrend, Monday, January 7, at 10:00 p.m. (EST/PST), to get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at top vehicles from the 2018 SEMA Show.

Now in its fifth year, the competition features hosts Tanner Foust and Adrienne “AJ” Janic, who take viewers on an epic journey as builders share the stories behind their creations. This year’s program features more up-and-coming young participants than ever before. In addition to established industry icons, young builders, such as Kyle Kuhnhausen, are featured throughout the show. Kuhnhausen’s ’72 Nissan 240Z placed in the Top 4 in this year’s competition, alongside proven industry veterans.  

Learn more about the builder’s journey to “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” by tuning in Monday, January 7, at 10:00 p.m. on MotorTrend or the MotorTrend app.

By Rachel Tatum    

The “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV special will air on MotorTrend, Monday, January 7, at 10:00 p.m. (EST/PST).

Catch the all-new “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV special airing on MotorTrend, Monday, January 7, at 10:00 p.m. (EST/PST), to get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at top vehicles from the 2018 SEMA Show.

Now in its fifth year, the competition features hosts Tanner Foust and Adrienne “AJ” Janic, who take viewers on an epic journey as builders share the stories behind their creations. This year’s program features more up-and-coming young participants than ever before. In addition to established industry icons, young builders, such as Kyle Kuhnhausen, are featured throughout the show. Kuhnhausen’s ’72 Nissan 240Z placed in the Top 4 in this year’s competition, alongside proven industry veterans.  

Learn more about the builder’s journey to “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” by tuning in Monday, January 7, at 10:00 p.m. on MotorTrend or the MotorTrend app.

One Stop Automotive is an all-inclusive customization shop specializing in accessories for SUVs, trucks and RVs.

https://www.sema.org/sema-news/2018/12/one-stop-automotive

The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:

This year, the SEMA Board of Directors has openings for Chair-Elect, two seats in the Manufacturer category and one seat in the Manufacturers’ Representative category.

As a member of the association, your recommendation is needed for industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors.

The following seats are open for this year’s election:

• Chair-elect (one open seat)
• Manufacturer (two open seats)
• Manufacturers’ Representative (one open seat)

Please take a moment to tell us about whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board-member position by completing and submitting a nomination form. To help the vetting process, include information about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements that would make that nominee an outstanding board candidate.

Nominations for the SEMA Board of Directors are due Thursday, January 3, 2019. Please complete and submit the nomination form.

A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. We urge you to take part in the nominations process; our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the Board, but we need you to help bring them to the attention of the nominating committee.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President and CEO

The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:

This year, the SEMA Board of Directors has openings for Chair-Elect, two seats in the Manufacturer category and one seat in the Manufacturers’ Representative category.

As a member of the association, your recommendation is needed for industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors.

The following seats are open for this year’s election:

• Chair-elect (one open seat)
• Manufacturer (two open seats)
• Manufacturers’ Representative (one open seat)

Please take a moment to tell us about whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board-member position by completing and submitting a nomination form. To help the vetting process, include information about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements that would make that nominee an outstanding board candidate.

Nominations for the SEMA Board of Directors are due Thursday, January 3, 2019. Please complete and submit the nomination form.

A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. We urge you to take part in the nominations process; our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the Board, but we need you to help bring them to the attention of the nominating committee.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President and CEO

The SEMA Garage and SEMA International invite members to a measuring session featuring the ’19 RAM, ’18 Nissan Patrol Y61 Safari and ’16 Australian-Spec Ford Ranger.

The SEMA Garage and SEMA International invite members to a measuring session featuring the ’19 RAM, ’18 Nissan Patrol Y61 Safari and ’16 Australian-Spec Ford Ranger.

By SEMA Editors

Ford has announced its project-vehicle program for 2019.

Ford Motor Co. has announced its project-vehicle program for 2019. 

2019 Ford Project Vehicle Program

Project Summary Submission Deadline: February 15, 2019
Proposal Submission Deadline: March 1, 2019
Award Recipient Notification Date: by May 1, 2019

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

Part 1

Email a one-page project summary—must be received by February 15, 2019. Include bullet points for:

• Vehicle/theme
• Vehicle modifications
• New-product development
• Promotional plan
• Vehicle display location at the 2019 SEMA Show

Part 2

Mail a detailed project proposal—must be received by March 1, 2019. Include details supporting the one-page project summary on company letterhead, a color rendering and past project vehicle examples.

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 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
• Use Ford accessory products as specified and provided by Ford Motor Company.
• 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. Social-media exposure
7. A copy of your current vehicle registration

Information on the specific vehicles Ford plans to emphasize at the 2019 SEMA Show will follow in January. Details will be provided to allow you to research those products and find high-resolution images for renderings.

Submit Ford Project Vehicle proposals to:

Ford Motor Co.
21175 Oakwood Blvd., PDCDC MD579
Dearborn, MI 48124
Attn: Dan German and Kyle Ebner
semainfo@ford.com

By SEMA Editors

Ford has announced its project-vehicle program for 2019.

Ford Motor Co. has announced its project-vehicle program for 2019. 

2019 Ford Project Vehicle Program

Project Summary Submission Deadline: February 15, 2019
Proposal Submission Deadline: March 1, 2019
Award Recipient Notification Date: by May 1, 2019

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

Part 1

Email a one-page project summary—must be received by February 15, 2019. Include bullet points for:

• Vehicle/theme
• Vehicle modifications
• New-product development
• Promotional plan
• Vehicle display location at the 2019 SEMA Show

Part 2

Mail a detailed project proposal—must be received by March 1, 2019. Include details supporting the one-page project summary on company letterhead, a color rendering and past project vehicle examples.

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 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
• Use Ford accessory products as specified and provided by Ford Motor Company.
• 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. Social-media exposure
7. A copy of your current vehicle registration

Information on the specific vehicles Ford plans to emphasize at the 2019 SEMA Show will follow in January. Details will be provided to allow you to research those products and find high-resolution images for renderings.

Submit Ford Project Vehicle proposals to:

Ford Motor Co.
21175 Oakwood Blvd., PDCDC MD579
Dearborn, MI 48124
Attn: Dan German and Kyle Ebner
semainfo@ford.com

By SEMA Editors

Latest Jobs Added to SEMA Career Center

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest jobs posted to the website.

Website and Data Manager - This position is responsible for creating, organizing, formatting, entering and improving all data related to the e-commerce store, as well as improving and developing the websites owned by the company.

Director of Vendor Relations - AutoAnything Inc. is looking for a director of vendor relations to join the operations team. The ideal candidate will provide leadership and direction to the vendor relations department through the entire open order pipeline. Work with existing vendors in the building and manage relationships with companies that supply AutoAnything products and services, while exceeding contractual obligations by delivering quality products and services on time.

Mechanical Engineer - Moss Motors is looking for an experienced mechanical engineer to join its product development team in Goleta, California. The position requires knowledge in multiple aspects of engineering, including design analysis, ground-up design, reverse engineering, first article inspection/verification, product testing, mold/tool design and input on production materials and methods. Product designs will be carried from concept to final production, including testing. This process will often require reverse engineering of original equipment parts, aftermarket products or mating parts. The successful candidate will contribute to product improvements of existing products as well, where needed. Candidates must be comfortable working around automobiles. Strong communication skills are very important. Previous automotive parts experience highly preferred but not required. Familiarity with 3-D imaging and rapid prototyping a plus but not required. Bilingual/multilingual candidates a plus but not required.

Inside Sales and Sales Support - OE Wheel Works LLC is seeking to hire an inside sales and sales support professional. The position is responsible for assuring that all customer orders are correctly processed, and for customer service, order entry and follow-up. Candidates will communicate with inventory management, handle incoming warranty service calls and emails in a timely manner. Candidates must be extremely customer-service oriented, with excellent time management, computer skills and an emphasis on customer satisfaction.