By Jason Catullo

Attendees interested in taking advantage of the 2016 SEMA Show’s Education Program can review speaker topics and register for sessions at www.SEMAShow.com/education.

Attendees interested in taking advantage of the 2016 SEMA Show’s Education Program can review speaker topics and register for sessions at www.SEMAShow.com/education.

Known as SEMA Show Education Days, the program features industry professionals and leaders sharing insight designed to help your company navigate a range of business challenges, and the best practices to take advantage of emerging opportunities within the industry.

For the first time in the program’s history, sessions will be conducted on Friday—the last day of the Show. The inclusion of Friday offers attendees more flexibility to balance their time between the Show floor and education sessions.

Topics featured throughout the week focus on industry trends, new technologies, business innovations and market opportunities, while also providing the latest trends in business practices, including customer service, accounting, marketing and social media.

To get an idea of the speakers and topics featured during the SEMA Show, check out the SEMA Biz Tips video series.

Land Rover is already making changes to the Range Rover Sport—an SUV that’s barely two years old and many would consider to be up-to-date. The second-generation RR Sport made its debut in March 2013 at the New York Auto Show. Since then, it's been constantly upgraded: tweaked gearboxes, a hybrid engine and the SVR performance model. Even the latter is now up for a slight makeover. This half-camouflaged prototype was spotted testing near the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany. It's the first time photos of this SUV have been taken, and they are quite revealing.

The mid-cycle facelift focuses mainly on the front-end look, probably trying to make the 2.2-ton vehicle appear sportier and more elegant. The new design language features a couple of vertical air intakes to the side of the bumper and a grille that looks like a frowning face.

The upper grille’s mesh has been changed, while the clamshell hood now has a recessed area in the middle—a first for any Range Rover. Changes are a little less obvious at the back, but it might be too early to say so.

The Range Rover Sport has a full range of engines that includes everything an SUV needs. So, everything is likely to be carried over with emissions and fuel-consumption tweaks.

Considering the typical lifecycle of a Range Rover SUV is around eight years, it’s expected the updated Sport model will be revealed in late 2016 as a ’17 model.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Land Rover is already making changes to the Range Rover Sport—an SUV that’s barely two years old and many would consider to be up-to-date. The second-generation RR Sport made its debut in March 2013 at the New York Auto Show. Since then, it's been constantly upgraded: tweaked gearboxes, a hybrid engine and the SVR performance model. Even the latter is now up for a slight makeover. This half-camouflaged prototype was spotted testing near the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany. It's the first time photos of this SUV have been taken, and they are quite revealing.

The mid-cycle facelift focuses mainly on the front-end look, probably trying to make the 2.2-ton vehicle appear sportier and more elegant. The new design language features a couple of vertical air intakes to the side of the bumper and a grille that looks like a frowning face.

The upper grille’s mesh has been changed, while the clamshell hood now has a recessed area in the middle—a first for any Range Rover. Changes are a little less obvious at the back, but it might be too early to say so.

The Range Rover Sport has a full range of engines that includes everything an SUV needs. So, everything is likely to be carried over with emissions and fuel-consumption tweaks.

Considering the typical lifecycle of a Range Rover SUV is around eight years, it’s expected the updated Sport model will be revealed in late 2016 as a ’17 model.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Land Rover is already making changes to the Range Rover Sport—an SUV that’s barely two years old and many would consider to be up-to-date. The second-generation RR Sport made its debut in March 2013 at the New York Auto Show. Since then, it's been constantly upgraded: tweaked gearboxes, a hybrid engine and the SVR performance model. Even the latter is now up for a slight makeover. This half-camouflaged prototype was spotted testing near the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany. It's the first time photos of this SUV have been taken, and they are quite revealing.

The mid-cycle facelift focuses mainly on the front-end look, probably trying to make the 2.2-ton vehicle appear sportier and more elegant. The new design language features a couple of vertical air intakes to the side of the bumper and a grille that looks like a frowning face.

The upper grille’s mesh has been changed, while the clamshell hood now has a recessed area in the middle—a first for any Range Rover. Changes are a little less obvious at the back, but it might be too early to say so.

The Range Rover Sport has a full range of engines that includes everything an SUV needs. So, everything is likely to be carried over with emissions and fuel-consumption tweaks.

Considering the typical lifecycle of a Range Rover SUV is around eight years, it’s expected the updated Sport model will be revealed in late 2016 as a ’17 model.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Land Rover is already making changes to the Range Rover Sport—an SUV that’s barely two years old and many would consider to be up-to-date. The second-generation RR Sport made its debut in March 2013 at the New York Auto Show. Since then, it's been constantly upgraded: tweaked gearboxes, a hybrid engine and the SVR performance model. Even the latter is now up for a slight makeover. This half-camouflaged prototype was spotted testing near the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany. It's the first time photos of this SUV have been taken, and they are quite revealing.

The mid-cycle facelift focuses mainly on the front-end look, probably trying to make the 2.2-ton vehicle appear sportier and more elegant. The new design language features a couple of vertical air intakes to the side of the bumper and a grille that looks like a frowning face.

The upper grille’s mesh has been changed, while the clamshell hood now has a recessed area in the middle—a first for any Range Rover. Changes are a little less obvious at the back, but it might be too early to say so.

The Range Rover Sport has a full range of engines that includes everything an SUV needs. So, everything is likely to be carried over with emissions and fuel-consumption tweaks.

Considering the typical lifecycle of a Range Rover SUV is around eight years, it’s expected the updated Sport model will be revealed in late 2016 as a ’17 model.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Land Rover is already making changes to the Range Rover Sport—an SUV that’s barely two years old and many would consider to be up-to-date. The second-generation RR Sport made its debut in March 2013 at the New York Auto Show. Since then, it's been constantly upgraded: tweaked gearboxes, a hybrid engine and the SVR performance model. Even the latter is now up for a slight makeover. This half-camouflaged prototype was spotted testing near the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany. It's the first time photos of this SUV have been taken, and they are quite revealing.

The mid-cycle facelift focuses mainly on the front-end look, probably trying to make the 2.2-ton vehicle appear sportier and more elegant. The new design language features a couple of vertical air intakes to the side of the bumper and a grille that looks like a frowning face.

The upper grille’s mesh has been changed, while the clamshell hood now has a recessed area in the middle—a first for any Range Rover. Changes are a little less obvious at the back, but it might be too early to say so.

The Range Rover Sport has a full range of engines that includes everything an SUV needs. So, everything is likely to be carried over with emissions and fuel-consumption tweaks.

Considering the typical lifecycle of a Range Rover SUV is around eight years, it’s expected the updated Sport model will be revealed in late 2016 as a ’17 model.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Land Rover is already making changes to the Range Rover Sport—an SUV that’s barely two years old and many would consider to be up-to-date. The second-generation RR Sport made its debut in March 2013 at the New York Auto Show. Since then, it's been constantly upgraded: tweaked gearboxes, a hybrid engine and the SVR performance model. Even the latter is now up for a slight makeover. This half-camouflaged prototype was spotted testing near the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany. It's the first time photos of this SUV have been taken, and they are quite revealing.

The mid-cycle facelift focuses mainly on the front-end look, probably trying to make the 2.2-ton vehicle appear sportier and more elegant. The new design language features a couple of vertical air intakes to the side of the bumper and a grille that looks like a frowning face.

The upper grille’s mesh has been changed, while the clamshell hood now has a recessed area in the middle—a first for any Range Rover. Changes are a little less obvious at the back, but it might be too early to say so.

The Range Rover Sport has a full range of engines that includes everything an SUV needs. So, everything is likely to be carried over with emissions and fuel-consumption tweaks.

Considering the typical lifecycle of a Range Rover SUV is around eight years, it’s expected the updated Sport model will be revealed in late 2016 as a ’17 model.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Land Rover is already making changes to the Range Rover Sport—an SUV that’s barely two years old and many would consider to be up-to-date. The second-generation RR Sport made its debut in March 2013 at the New York Auto Show. Since then, it's been constantly upgraded: tweaked gearboxes, a hybrid engine and the SVR performance model. Even the latter is now up for a slight makeover. This half-camouflaged prototype was spotted testing near the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany. It's the first time photos of this SUV have been taken, and they are quite revealing.

The mid-cycle facelift focuses mainly on the front-end look, probably trying to make the 2.2-ton vehicle appear sportier and more elegant. The new design language features a couple of vertical air intakes to the side of the bumper and a grille that looks like a frowning face.

The upper grille’s mesh has been changed, while the clamshell hood now has a recessed area in the middle—a first for any Range Rover. Changes are a little less obvious at the back, but it might be too early to say so.

The Range Rover Sport has a full range of engines that includes everything an SUV needs. So, everything is likely to be carried over with emissions and fuel-consumption tweaks.

Considering the typical lifecycle of a Range Rover SUV is around eight years, it’s expected the updated Sport model will be revealed in late 2016 as a ’17 model.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Turn 14 Distribution Expands Off-Road Assortment With Addition of ReadyLIFT Suspension Inc. to Line Card

Turn 14 Distribution has expanded upon its off-road merchandise assortment with the debut of ReadyLIFT Suspension Inc.’s product line to its warehousing operations.

Skyjacker Named Official Shock and Suspension of 2016 Ultimate Adventure

Skyjacker has been named the official shock and suspension of the 2016 Ultimate Adventure—the flagship off-road adventure event where vehicles must endure a range of extremes, from several hundred miles at freeway speeds to tackling some of the hardest terrain imaginable.

PAC Racing Springs Opens New Mooresville, North Carolina, Facility

PAC Racing Springs—a division of Peterson Spring—has announced the opening of its new facility located in Mooresville, North Carolina. The Mooresville facility will bring an expanded level of factory support, centered in the heart of the North American racing community. The facility, opening August 1, 2016, will house suspension spring manufacturing on site and a new chassis product development center. The new facility will also provide for additional product growth and availability and improve new technology for advancements in suspension springs and chassis systems. In addition to this new facility’s opening, the PAC Racing Springs sales staff, product engineering staff and technical support team will relocate to Mooresville, thereby allowing for further services and customer support.

Dee Zee Sponsors Season 3 of “MudbuM Boys”

Dee Zee Inc. has announced its sponsorship of the “MudbuM Boys” season 3 television show. Dee Zee’s sponsorship includes exclusive product usage by “MudbuM Boys,” commercial airing and the company logo displayed in each episode, a link on www.mudbumusa.com, exposure on all “MudbuM Boys” social media platforms and product in the MudbuM Supply Shack store, located in Urbandale, Iowa. “MudbuM Boys” is aired on the Pursuit channel.

Bogi Lateiner

“All Girls Garage” Co-Host to Keynote Phoenix Area Automotive Training Event

Bogi Lateiner—a master mechanic, co-host of “All Girls Garage” on Velocity Channel and owner of the award-winning auto-repair shop 180 Degrees Automotive in Phoenix—will provide the keynote address for the April 29–30 SERVICE-EDU automotive training event at the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) campus in Avondale, Arizona. Her keynote speech will address the topic “Not Your Father’s Auto Shop.” SERVICE-EDU is sponsored by Gates, MAHLE, NGK Spark Plugs and Timken. Each of the four manufacturers will conduct a training course Saturday, April 30, from 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., focused on their category of expertise. They will provide practical information on how to diagnose failures and repair them. To register, visit www.service-edu.com.

Cobra Electronics Acquires WASPcam

Cobra Electronics has announced the acquisition of WASPcam—maker of high-performance HD action-sports cameras and accessories for outdoor enthusiasts. The acquisition further extends Cobra’s portfolio of consumer electronics products that include radar detectors, CB radios, Drive HDTM dash cams, portable power and VHF radios.

California Air Resources Board Executive Order Approval Awarded to M7 Speed

M7 Speed has received official notice that a California Air Resources Board Executive Order D-766 (CARB EO) was issued April 14, 2016, for M7 Speed’s MINI Cooper Gen 1 and Gen 2 Performance Intake Systems. The EO D-766 affirms “The installation of the air intake kits, manufactured and marketed by M7 Speed, has been found not to reduce the effectiveness of the applicable vehicle pollution control systems.” The CARB Executive Order is recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is accepted in all 50 states, meaning the M7 Speed performance intake systems can be legally purchased and installed in every state, including California. Mark Catania, CEO of M7 Speed, was the driving force behind obtaining the CARB EO. It is illegal to sell aftermarket parts without a CARB EO if the part affects emissions or the emissions-control system of a regulated vehicle. By obtaining a CARB EO, M7 Speed performance intake systems are approved as aftermarket add-ons and are now legally available to M7 Speed customers in all 50 states.

(L–R): Aaron Smoller, Dale Oestreich and Jim Walter.

St. Louis Car Restoration Company Adds Two Partners

After nearly eight years in business, Precision Restorations’ owner Dale Oestreich is bringing on investment partners and classic-car enthusiasts Aaron Smoller and Jim Walter to join him in globally growing the company. Precision Restorations is a St. Louis-based classic-car and truck restoration company. Terms of the new partnership were not provided for the company that billed $1.2 million in 2015. Oestreich will oversee all daily operations and handle sales and marketing. Smoller will assist with the company’s streamlining and growth opportunities. Walter will focus on improving the production time of restoring a car at Precision Restorations.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center.

As part of Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), the SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, powersports and RV markets.

The 2015 SEMA Show drew more than 60,000 domestic and international buyers.