This is a prototype of the upcoming ’23 Ford F-350 Chassis Cab. The model seen here is the XL trim with the Regular Cab configuration and dual rear wheels, outfitted with an aftermarket flatbed configuration.

The ’23 model year will bring about a redesign to the Super Duty lineup, complete with new front and rear fascias, interiors and potential powertrain updates. The Chassis Cab configuration seen here has the front end covered in camo, hiding its new face. Even so, we see a set of incandescent headlights and a large grille opening.

Expect the updated Super Duty to launch in late 2022.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is a prototype of the upcoming ’23 Ford F-350 Chassis Cab. The model seen here is the XL trim with the Regular Cab configuration and dual rear wheels, outfitted with an aftermarket flatbed configuration.

The ’23 model year will bring about a redesign to the Super Duty lineup, complete with new front and rear fascias, interiors and potential powertrain updates. The Chassis Cab configuration seen here has the front end covered in camo, hiding its new face. Even so, we see a set of incandescent headlights and a large grille opening.

Expect the updated Super Duty to launch in late 2022.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Dear SEMA Member:

A strong SEMA Board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. As a member of the Association, we are currently seeking your recommendation for industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors.

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

• Manufacturers (3 open seats)
• Manufacturers Rep (1 open seat)

Please take a moment and tell us 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, please include brief 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 on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. Please complete and submit the nomination form.

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.

Sincerely,

Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President & CEO

SEMA eNews highlights SEMA-member companies’ websites weekly through the Hot Links to Cool Sites section. SEMA members: To be included in Hot Links to Cool Sites, email your company name and website to enews@sema.org. Note: Make sure to include “Hot Links” in the subject line of the email.

• Powertrax
• QA1
• Road Comforts
• Sinister Diesel
• STO N SHOW
• TrailFX
• Turbosmart USA
• USA Standard Gear
• Yukon Gear
• ZROADZ

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.

Marketing Manager
CSF Cooling is hiring a marketing manager to develop brand and marketing strategies, delegate tasks to the marketing team, set and achieve targets and establish relationships with the media and clients. The ideal candidate must have a solid marketing background and work experience managing a variety of promotional projects end-to-end, including paid advertising campaigns and digital marketing techniques. This position will report directly to the director/general manager and will oversee internal marketing teams. This position will be responsible for CSF Cooling’s brand presence both on- and off-line, including the creation of all digital and physical marketing assets, social media and website management. Objectives will be to improve the brand image to both the public and customers, as well as directly and indirectly improve sales.

National Account Sales Manager
Auto Meter Products is hiring a national account sales manager with direct responsibility to achieve sales objectives in their assigned accounts. The ideal candidate must be proficient in developing positive customer relationships and successfully navigating complex organizational structures to close on programs and opportunities. Other responsibilities include interfacing with existing and new customers to drive growth, improve customer satisfaction and determine market product requirements. They will also participate in new product planning sessions that can result in the recommendation of new products that can expand the business. This position requires 50% travel nationally presenting and demonstrating programs and products. We take pride in having a creative, professional, employee-focused work environment. Candidates must have 5+ years of related experience; a bachelor’s degree is preferred. Automotive performance industry knowledge is a plus.

High-Performance Engine Assembler
Group-A Engineering is hiring a high-performance engine assembler to work on high-profile projects. Applicants must be experienced, versatile and able to work on various engines and vehicles, both import and domestic. A minimum of 3–5 years of high-performance engine-building experience is required.

By SEMA Editors

Dates and locations have been scheduled for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

It’s never too early to start planning for the Show. Last month, more than 100,000 industry exhibitors, buyers and media reconnected to do business for the first time in two years at the 2021 SEMA Show. With 2021 in the books, it’s now time to start planning for the 2022 SEMA Show, November 1–4, in Las Vegas.

More than 100,000 industry exhibitors, buyers and media reconnected to do business for the first time in two years at the 2021 SEMA Show.

Reserve a booth now!

For additional information about exhibiting at the SEMA Show, visit www.semashow.com/exhibitor.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The current digital issue of Off-Road Business magazine explores the conversion of a M1087 military truck known as Bantha into an overlanding transport. The vehicle’s nickname comes from the woolly mammoth-looking creature from Star Wars. It is fun to see how the rugged industrial behemoth now includes a comfortable living space.

View the magazine.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

In a win for proponents of off-highway vehicle (OHV) activity at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA), a study from the University of California, San Diego’s Scripps Institute of Oceanography on mineral dust particles in the dunes area indicates that “dune-derived mineral dust is more likely to be primarily caused by natural forces (i.e. wind) rather than human activities.” A central argument of those who oppose OHV activity at the SVRA is that it harms the environment by causing more particulate matter (dust) that worsens air quality in the region.

The study found that “There is no evidence that toxic compounds...are associated with the two major PM2.5 sources (dune dust and sea spray) during windy conditions at Oceano Dunes, so association of PM2.5 with detrimental health effects may be without foundation.” The study noted that PM2.5 “in urban locations is largely associated with emissions from motor vehicles that include high amounts of toxics, nanoparticles and transition metals. In areas where PM2.5 is dominated by natural emission sources rather than man-made combustion activities, the causal link between toxics and health effects is unlikely to hold.”

The California State Parks Departments’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission is holding a workshop to discuss the study on December 9. Click here for more information.

Oceano Dunes SVRA is California’s only OHV park on the Pacific Ocean, located about two hours northwest of Los Angeles near San Luis Obispo. It became a state park in 1974, originally encompassing 3,600 acres but now is less than 1,500 acres. The park draws outdoor enthusiasts from across the country and generates millions of dollars for the local economy.

Oceano Dunes SVRA has been under threat of closure for many years, primarily by groups that object to motorized recreation on the 8-mi. strip of land. Opposition is largely based on environmental arguments—airborne particulate matter (dust) and/or threatened plants and animals. For years, SEMA has joined with many other OHV groups in challenging the scientific basis for the claims and in citing the importance of the area for the enthusiast community.

Two state agencies have been locked in a conflicting jurisdictional dispute, the California Coastal Commission (CCC) and State Parks. The CCC contends that it has primacy with respect to environmental concerns while State Parks cites a mandate from the State Legislature to manage the area for OHV use.

In March 2021, the CCC voted to shut down OHV access within three years. SEMA and several other off-road groups have challenged the CCC decision in lawsuits filed in California State Superior Court for San Luis Obispo County. The Court has scheduled a hearing for January 2022.

In a separate action, the CCC is also holding a December 17 public hearing on a State Parks proposal to remove 130 acres of OHV and camping areas at Oceano Dunes as part of dust control mitigation and dune habitat restoration effort. CCC staff support State Parks request since it does not conflict with the CCC directive that all vehicular recreation be eliminated by January 2024.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

While most members of Congress were enjoying an extended Thanksgiving break with their families, U.S. Representative Jake Ellzey (R-TX) kept a busy schedule meeting with his constituents. Rep. Ellzey visited Summit Racing in Arlington, Texas, for a tour of their retail super store, order fulfillment center and distribution center. Summit Racing is headquartered in Tallmadge, Ohio, although the company has opened three other facilities, including its Arlington location in 2017, which is their largest facility at nearly 1 million sq. ft. Rep. Ellzey’s visit provided the congressman a chance to learn more about the specialty automotive aftermarket and the role the industry plays in Texas’ 6th Congressional District, which is located both to the south and west of Dallas and includes parts of Fort Worth and Arlington.

U.S. Representative Jake Ellzey (R-TX) [third from right] visited Summit Racing in Arlington, Texas, for a tour of their retail super store, order fulfillment center and distribution center.

“The tour of Summit racing was nothing short of remarkable,” said Rep. Ellzey, “You all have a tremendous facility, but what was most impressive was all of the employees. The afternoon I spent there, I could tell that everyone cared about their job, each other and the customer. I am glad that Summit Racing is in our district. It is something we can all be proud of, and I look forward to rebuilding my ’79 F-150 with a little bit of help."

Rep. Ellzey is a native Texan, and is one of the newest members of Congress, as he won a special election in July 2021. Prior to running for elected office, Rep. Ellzey served 20 years as a Naval aviator flying H-60 helicopters, F-14 Tomcats, F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets in defense of our nation. He was deployed nine times during his military career with five combat tours over Afghanistan and two in Iraq. 

The Congressman logged more than 800 carrier landings and served a tour as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller on the ground embedded with Navy SEALs. Following his tour as Commanding Officer of Strike Fighter Squadron, he served as the Air Boss on the USS Ronald Reagan. After his Navy career, he served Texas as a Commissioner of the Texas Veterans Commission, State Representative of the 10th District of Texas, ran a small business and worked as an airline pilot.

For additional information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.