SEMA Member News—September 2019

ETTN to Deliver Technology-Focused Learning Experiences

SEMA’s Vice President of Vehicle Technology John Waraniak gives a presentation on vehicle technology during an ETTN-sponsored education seminar.

The Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) is a community within SEMA dedicated to providing a forum for technology-centered aftermarket professionals to connect, collaborate, learn and advance their careers. With that focus in mind, ETTN has centered its attention on presenting professional-development and career-enhancing opportunities at this year’s  SEMA Show.

Engage and Connect at ETTN Vehicle Tech Lunch & Learn

From 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, ETTN will present its sixth annual Vehicle Tech Lunch & Learn. The event offers tech-savvy attendees an opportunity to talk about the latest vehicle technology trends and mingle with leading industry experts in an informal setting.

“Are you an engineer, fabricator or technical professional in your business?” asked ETTN Chair Ian Lehn. “Do you get hungry at lunchtime? Then you should seriously consider taking advantage of ETTN’s unique Tech Lunch & Learn. Our roundtable-style event will enable you to sit with experts in various disciplines ranging from additive manufacturing to rapid prototyping and legal consulting. It’s a great opportunity to connect with engineers and other technical professionals and grow your resource base, while grabbing a free meal and getting off your feet. Join us and let’s grow the industry.”

The event is also an opportunity to honor and celebrate outstanding achievement in the technology sector. Awards will be presented in three categories.

The ETTN Genius Award pays tribute to individuals whose innovations have made significant contributions toward advancing technology that positively impacts the growth and progress of the automotive industry.

The ETTN Techie Award recognizes an individual for engineering achievements of a product, process or component that demonstrates innovative or original engineering development and/or advances state-of-the-art technology as it pertains to the automotive industry or  product sector.

ETTN will also salute the winner of its Ambassador Award, which recognizes an ETTN member who has demonstrated exceptional volunteer contributions or increased membership and awareness of ETTN during the past year.

Take a Deep Dive Into Evolving Technology

Providing educational and business-growth opportunities are top ETTN priorities. Within that context, the network sponsors technology-rich seminars during the SEMA Show. This year’s Vehicle Technology Track will consist of a series of forums led by industry experts who will share valuable insights and information on the ever-evolving technology landscape.

“The technology seminars cater specifically to the innovators and developers of our industry,” Lehn said. “They aim to engage the curious and provide information on where the future of the aftermarket is headed. It is imperative that any company planning to grow and develop new ideas has representation at these seminars. With technology evolving exponentially, it is one of the best ways to ensure that you stay at the forefront.”

The technology track includes five high-powered sessions. To kick off the program on Monday, November 4, industry experts will delve into “3-D printing in the Automotive Industry: How It Will Benefit Your Business.” The session will focus on how 3-D printing is driving innovation, improving efficiency with quick design iterations, improving design cycles and thereby reducing time to market, and increasing worker productivity and safety, among other relevant aspects of additive manufacturing.

On tap for Tuesday, November 5, is a session titled “Racing and Performance Forum: Keeping Technology at the Forefront,” during which attendees will hear directly from a full grid of frontline leaders, experts and drivers on the latest technologies and innovations being used in racing and adapted to production, as well as the direction and importance of motorsports technology to the future of the performance industry.

Two technology-centered seminars are slated for Wednesday, November 6. First up: “Advanced Vehicle Technology: Practice, Policy and Challenges.” As advanced-vehicle technology changes how vehicles are designed, developed, serviced and customized, SEMA-member manufacturers, distributors and installers are facing increasing challenges now and in the years to come. The panel discussion will focus on practices, policies and product-liability considerations attendees need to know to grow and prosper in an evolving aftermarket.

The afternoon session, “Automotive 4.0: New Technologies, New Opportunities,” will bring together leading technology experts to discuss how SEMA members can compete in today’s rapidly evolving market segments as well as understand and leverage new aftermarket growth opportunities and the latest product-development and manufacturing technologies.

The fifth seminar, “Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Forum: Next-Gen Safety Performance,” is scheduled for Thursday, November 7. Many ADAS systems are already on board popular vehicles modified by member companies. To ensure that members’ aftermarket products and modifications can be successfully integrated with the latest factory-installed ADAS technologies, the briefing will touch on key considerations, including new business opportunities for passive aftermarket ADAS products, challenges members encounter with ADAS technologies, and identifying potential resources, practices, tools and approaches required to develop solutions.

SEMA Member News—September 2019

By Ellen McKoy

Tale of Two Companies

How a Manufacturer and a Restomod Builder Maximize Their SEMA Memberships

For shops, builders and manufacturers, SEMA can be much more than just a trade show.

Every year, scores of industry professionals from throughout the specialty-equipment marketplace make their annual pilgrimage to the SEMA Show. And while they are primarily there to take advantage of buy-and-sell opportunities, many fail to dig deeper to find out what else SEMA has to offer. Perhaps it’s because they’re unaware that SEMA is much more than just a trade show. Or they’re not sure how to get their foot in the door and take that first step to getting involved.

“For some folks, attending the Show is about as close as they get to being involved in SEMA,” said Sabra Johnson, owner of City Classic Cars in Houston, Texas, who was recently elected to the ARMO select committee. “I believe success starts with SEMA.”

“A lot of people go to the Show, go home and forget they’re SEMA members,” said Nils Forssman, president of Truck Covers USA in San Diego, California. “That’s a disadvantage to them. The most important thing is to use your membership to the fullest, and you’ll really benefit from getting involved.”

Face Time With a Congressman

Truck Covers USA has been a member of SEMA and the Light Truck Accessory Alliance (now the Truck & Off-Road Alliance) since 2002, and Forssman has experienced the value of membership firsthand. In 2007, LTAA-member manufacturers teamed with SEMA to conduct a wind-tunnel project to assess the effects of tonneau covers on coefficient of drag. Forssman noted that the study’s findings—that tonneaus help to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency—were a boon to manufacturers  like him.

Forssman’s company has joined the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC), earning platinum-level status by exerting extra effort to provide participating SDC resellers with the most complete product data available.

“We use a number of services that SEMA offers—the SDC, other data, meetings, networking opportunities—it’s a huge benefit,” he said.

Forssman has also hosted SEMA Town Halls.

“We held the events annually for two or three years,” he said. “Since we know so many members, we thought it would be a great opportunity to bring everyone together, share our great experiences with being SEMA members, and just have fun.”

At one event at the San Diego Automotive Museum, guests were invited to display their show cars and trucks alongside those from Truck Covers USA.

“We pulled in members and people who weren’t part of SEMA to educate them,” Forssman said. “It was a terrific opportunity to network with people in our industry.”

Forssman was recently contacted by SEMA Membership Director Gary Vigil. He asked if Forssman would host a meeting with Congressman Scott Peters, who represents Forssman’s district in Washington. It was an offer Forssman couldn’t refuse.

“Gary explained that the congressman was arranging to visit manufacturing facilities in San Diego and asked if I’d be interested in hosting an event,” he said. “Absolutely!”

Forssman worked with SEMA Director of Congressional Affairs Eric Snyder to coordinate the details. The visit included a tour of the manufacturing facility, followed by a sit-down meeting with Peters and his aide, Snyder, Vigil, Forssman and Truck Cover’s Kim Tremelling.

“The congressman was very interested in what’s going on and what the challenges are for the average company in San Diego,” said Forssman, who had a previous connection to Peters through their children’s school. “While it was a great opportunity for us, I wanted it to be more than that. I wanted the opportunity to bring up the industry’s concerns. We talked about labor issues and how tariffs are affecting our industry. Fortunately, we are 100% U.S.A.-built, but we presented the case that tariffs are of concern to everybody. He was very receptive and gave us plenty of face time.”

As a bonus, Peters’ staff posted photos of the event on the congressman’s Facebook page. In reflecting on the meeting, Forssman was quick to express his gratitude.

“Of course, we are very appreciative that the congressman would take time to visit our facility—to have face time with him was fantastic,” he said. “But we can’t thank SEMA enough for creating the opportunity. Without SEMA, it wouldn’t have happened. Bottom line for me, anyone in this industry has to be a SEMA member.”

Seeds of Success

Sabra Johnson grew up around cars. His father and uncles were avid hot rodders and classic-car enthusiasts. They raced around a small dragstrip built on his grandmother’s farm, so it’s not surprising that he followed suit and began modifying and collecting his own vehicles as a hobby. Ten years ago, he turned that hobby into a 14,000-sq.-ft. full-service restoration shop that sits on five-plus acres.

City Classic Cars today employs a staff of 16 full- and part-time employees. Billed as a restomod mecca, the company typically has 60 projects in the works at any given time and does it all in-house—paint and bodywork, engine mods, metal work, upholstery, you name it.

“Everything we do is a restomod, and we are a true one-stop shop,” said Johnson, who’s the lead designer, project manager and brand ambassador. “I have one of the largest hot-rod shops. We’re known for making cars safer, faster and more comfortable.”

Besides wearing multiple business hats, Johnson finds time to pursue other passions. He’s writing a how-to book on turning Tri-Five Chevys into restomods; he funds a mentorship youth program for high-school students; and he volunteers his time and talents to SEMA. He’s a member of SEMA’s Political Action Committee (PAC) and has attended SEMA’s Washington, D.C., Rallies in support of the PAC.

“I (participate) at the maximum financial level, because I want SEMA to continue fighting for the industry I love,” Johnson said. “But whether I choose to donate or not, SEMA still fights for the aftermarket.”

Johnson has also signed up for a new association initiative, the SEMA Senior Class: A Mentoring Program. Comprised of fellow volunteers—industry pros with decades of automotive experience—the free program is designed to help any SEMA member seeking a mentor, advice or insights into the industry. More recently, he tossed his hat into the ring and was elected to his first term on the ARMO select committee.

“SEMA advocates for innovation, for creativity, for small mom-and-pop shops across the country,” he said. “It reaches legislators to make sure that we have a seat at the table and that the industry we love is preserved. I am on the ARMO select committee because SEMA encourages involvement, and I’m honored to be of service and give back.”

For Johnson, part of giving back means extending a welcoming hand to others who may not yet be a core part of what he views as the SEMA community.

“As an African-American leader, I am passionate about greater minority participation, to make sure that they understand that SEMA is a tremendous organization that offers great opportunities and to become a part of what SEMA is,” he said. “My SEMA experience confirms than success starts with SEMA. By any measurable metric, SEMA has increased the brand value and bottom line of my business.

I am so grateful that I choose to serve as a volunteer. SEMA has provided my company with the seeds of success. Now it’s up to me to grow them into a tree.”

The Next Step

Getting involved in SEMA is about making a commitment to help advance the industry—and your company. The opportunities to volunteer are numerous, varied, and open to any SEMA-member company. Joining a SEMA council or network can be a good place to start.

No matter what market niche your business may be in—restoration, off-road, restyling, hot rods, motorsports or wheels and tires—there’s a council or network that would be a good fit. To lend support to SEMA’s legislative advocacy and raise awareness of the specialty-equipment industry on Capitol Hill, there’s also the opportunity to host a congressional visit or, like Sabra Johnson, to mentor others in the industry who look to more experienced players for guidance.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities and how to get involved, contact SEMA Director of Membership Gary Vigil at 909-978-6738 or garyv@sema.org. Also check out the SEMA website, www.sema.org, and click on the link to membership.

SEMA Member News—September 2019

By Ellen McKoy

Tale of Two Companies

How a Manufacturer and a Restomod Builder Maximize Their SEMA Memberships

For shops, builders and manufacturers, SEMA can be much more than just a trade show.

Every year, scores of industry professionals from throughout the specialty-equipment marketplace make their annual pilgrimage to the SEMA Show. And while they are primarily there to take advantage of buy-and-sell opportunities, many fail to dig deeper to find out what else SEMA has to offer. Perhaps it’s because they’re unaware that SEMA is much more than just a trade show. Or they’re not sure how to get their foot in the door and take that first step to getting involved.

“For some folks, attending the Show is about as close as they get to being involved in SEMA,” said Sabra Johnson, owner of City Classic Cars in Houston, Texas, who was recently elected to the ARMO select committee. “I believe success starts with SEMA.”

“A lot of people go to the Show, go home and forget they’re SEMA members,” said Nils Forssman, president of Truck Covers USA in San Diego, California. “That’s a disadvantage to them. The most important thing is to use your membership to the fullest, and you’ll really benefit from getting involved.”

Face Time With a Congressman

Truck Covers USA has been a member of SEMA and the Light Truck Accessory Alliance (now the Truck & Off-Road Alliance) since 2002, and Forssman has experienced the value of membership firsthand. In 2007, LTAA-member manufacturers teamed with SEMA to conduct a wind-tunnel project to assess the effects of tonneau covers on coefficient of drag. Forssman noted that the study’s findings—that tonneaus help to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency—were a boon to manufacturers  like him.

Forssman’s company has joined the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC), earning platinum-level status by exerting extra effort to provide participating SDC resellers with the most complete product data available.

“We use a number of services that SEMA offers—the SDC, other data, meetings, networking opportunities—it’s a huge benefit,” he said.

Forssman has also hosted SEMA Town Halls.

“We held the events annually for two or three years,” he said. “Since we know so many members, we thought it would be a great opportunity to bring everyone together, share our great experiences with being SEMA members, and just have fun.”

At one event at the San Diego Automotive Museum, guests were invited to display their show cars and trucks alongside those from Truck Covers USA.

“We pulled in members and people who weren’t part of SEMA to educate them,” Forssman said. “It was a terrific opportunity to network with people in our industry.”

Forssman was recently contacted by SEMA Membership Director Gary Vigil. He asked if Forssman would host a meeting with Congressman Scott Peters, who represents Forssman’s district in Washington. It was an offer Forssman couldn’t refuse.

“Gary explained that the congressman was arranging to visit manufacturing facilities in San Diego and asked if I’d be interested in hosting an event,” he said. “Absolutely!”

Forssman worked with SEMA Director of Congressional Affairs Eric Snyder to coordinate the details. The visit included a tour of the manufacturing facility, followed by a sit-down meeting with Peters and his aide, Snyder, Vigil, Forssman and Truck Cover’s Kim Tremelling.

“The congressman was very interested in what’s going on and what the challenges are for the average company in San Diego,” said Forssman, who had a previous connection to Peters through their children’s school. “While it was a great opportunity for us, I wanted it to be more than that. I wanted the opportunity to bring up the industry’s concerns. We talked about labor issues and how tariffs are affecting our industry. Fortunately, we are 100% U.S.A.-built, but we presented the case that tariffs are of concern to everybody. He was very receptive and gave us plenty of face time.”

As a bonus, Peters’ staff posted photos of the event on the congressman’s Facebook page. In reflecting on the meeting, Forssman was quick to express his gratitude.

“Of course, we are very appreciative that the congressman would take time to visit our facility—to have face time with him was fantastic,” he said. “But we can’t thank SEMA enough for creating the opportunity. Without SEMA, it wouldn’t have happened. Bottom line for me, anyone in this industry has to be a SEMA member.”

Seeds of Success

Sabra Johnson grew up around cars. His father and uncles were avid hot rodders and classic-car enthusiasts. They raced around a small dragstrip built on his grandmother’s farm, so it’s not surprising that he followed suit and began modifying and collecting his own vehicles as a hobby. Ten years ago, he turned that hobby into a 14,000-sq.-ft. full-service restoration shop that sits on five-plus acres.

City Classic Cars today employs a staff of 16 full- and part-time employees. Billed as a restomod mecca, the company typically has 60 projects in the works at any given time and does it all in-house—paint and bodywork, engine mods, metal work, upholstery, you name it.

“Everything we do is a restomod, and we are a true one-stop shop,” said Johnson, who’s the lead designer, project manager and brand ambassador. “I have one of the largest hot-rod shops. We’re known for making cars safer, faster and more comfortable.”

Besides wearing multiple business hats, Johnson finds time to pursue other passions. He’s writing a how-to book on turning Tri-Five Chevys into restomods; he funds a mentorship youth program for high-school students; and he volunteers his time and talents to SEMA. He’s a member of SEMA’s Political Action Committee (PAC) and has attended SEMA’s Washington, D.C., Rallies in support of the PAC.

“I (participate) at the maximum financial level, because I want SEMA to continue fighting for the industry I love,” Johnson said. “But whether I choose to donate or not, SEMA still fights for the aftermarket.”

Johnson has also signed up for a new association initiative, the SEMA Senior Class: A Mentoring Program. Comprised of fellow volunteers—industry pros with decades of automotive experience—the free program is designed to help any SEMA member seeking a mentor, advice or insights into the industry. More recently, he tossed his hat into the ring and was elected to his first term on the ARMO select committee.

“SEMA advocates for innovation, for creativity, for small mom-and-pop shops across the country,” he said. “It reaches legislators to make sure that we have a seat at the table and that the industry we love is preserved. I am on the ARMO select committee because SEMA encourages involvement, and I’m honored to be of service and give back.”

For Johnson, part of giving back means extending a welcoming hand to others who may not yet be a core part of what he views as the SEMA community.

“As an African-American leader, I am passionate about greater minority participation, to make sure that they understand that SEMA is a tremendous organization that offers great opportunities and to become a part of what SEMA is,” he said. “My SEMA experience confirms than success starts with SEMA. By any measurable metric, SEMA has increased the brand value and bottom line of my business.

I am so grateful that I choose to serve as a volunteer. SEMA has provided my company with the seeds of success. Now it’s up to me to grow them into a tree.”

The Next Step

Getting involved in SEMA is about making a commitment to help advance the industry—and your company. The opportunities to volunteer are numerous, varied, and open to any SEMA-member company. Joining a SEMA council or network can be a good place to start.

No matter what market niche your business may be in—restoration, off-road, restyling, hot rods, motorsports or wheels and tires—there’s a council or network that would be a good fit. To lend support to SEMA’s legislative advocacy and raise awareness of the specialty-equipment industry on Capitol Hill, there’s also the opportunity to host a congressional visit or, like Sabra Johnson, to mentor others in the industry who look to more experienced players for guidance.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities and how to get involved, contact SEMA Director of Membership Gary Vigil at 909-978-6738 or garyv@sema.org. Also check out the SEMA website, www.sema.org, and click on the link to membership.

SEMA News—September 2019

INDUSTRY NEWS

Photos courtesy SpiedBilde, Brian Williams. Reuse or reproduction without the copyright holder’s consent is prohibited.

Corvette C8 This is the mid-engine Corvette track testing. It’s also a first look at a near-production prototype without an aero package (no spoiler nor front splitter). The Corvette will undergo a landmark change in philosophy, having always been a front-engine/rear-wheel-drive sports car. The Vette was originally expected to use GM’s upcoming twin-turbocharged 4.2L V8, but there are rumors that it will borrow the 6.2L LT1. Tremec’s TR-9007 seven-speed DCT will be the one and only transmission available. Chevrolet has also trademarked the name “E-Ray,” which hints that an electrified version will be available. It could come in the form of a plug-in hybrid or possibly even an all-electric version in the vein of the Audi R8 e-tron.
Toyota’s Tundra Hybrid? This is a Toyota Tundra prototype undergoing testing in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It seems to be a prototype for the first-ever hybrid variant. While following this Tundra for about 3 mi., observers could detect the familiar Hybrid Synergy Drive hum, followed by the engine kicking in at around 25–30 mph. The truck had pretty narrow tires compared to the Tundra spied back in January. According to a source, “Toyota’s fullsize truck will use a version of the company’s 3.5L turbocharged V6 engine in combination with an electric motor/lithium-ion battery system.” The source said that the system is more powerful for the new Tundra and will reportedly produce 450 hp and 500 lb.-ft. of torque while getting 30-plus miles per gallon.
’20 Nissan Titan Pro-4X Here’s a first look at the ’20 Nissan Titan Pro-4X testing in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Nissan will give the fullsize Titan a modest facelift for ’20. However, changes on the outside will be limited to a revised grille, lights and tailgate design. Modern connectivity features are also expected as the company upgrades, providing what looks to be a large infotainment system across its lineup, but the Titan’s looks to be the largest system offered on a North American Nissan model yet. Other interior changes concern revised switches and materials that look to be more upscale. Rumors surround a V6 finally being added to the half-ton model and the XD diesel being dropped for the ’20 or ’21 model year.

SEMA News—September 2019

INDUSTRY NEWS

Photos courtesy SpiedBilde, Brian Williams. Reuse or reproduction without the copyright holder’s consent is prohibited.

Corvette C8 This is the mid-engine Corvette track testing. It’s also a first look at a near-production prototype without an aero package (no spoiler nor front splitter). The Corvette will undergo a landmark change in philosophy, having always been a front-engine/rear-wheel-drive sports car. The Vette was originally expected to use GM’s upcoming twin-turbocharged 4.2L V8, but there are rumors that it will borrow the 6.2L LT1. Tremec’s TR-9007 seven-speed DCT will be the one and only transmission available. Chevrolet has also trademarked the name “E-Ray,” which hints that an electrified version will be available. It could come in the form of a plug-in hybrid or possibly even an all-electric version in the vein of the Audi R8 e-tron.
Toyota’s Tundra Hybrid? This is a Toyota Tundra prototype undergoing testing in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It seems to be a prototype for the first-ever hybrid variant. While following this Tundra for about 3 mi., observers could detect the familiar Hybrid Synergy Drive hum, followed by the engine kicking in at around 25–30 mph. The truck had pretty narrow tires compared to the Tundra spied back in January. According to a source, “Toyota’s fullsize truck will use a version of the company’s 3.5L turbocharged V6 engine in combination with an electric motor/lithium-ion battery system.” The source said that the system is more powerful for the new Tundra and will reportedly produce 450 hp and 500 lb.-ft. of torque while getting 30-plus miles per gallon.
’20 Nissan Titan Pro-4X Here’s a first look at the ’20 Nissan Titan Pro-4X testing in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Nissan will give the fullsize Titan a modest facelift for ’20. However, changes on the outside will be limited to a revised grille, lights and tailgate design. Modern connectivity features are also expected as the company upgrades, providing what looks to be a large infotainment system across its lineup, but the Titan’s looks to be the largest system offered on a North American Nissan model yet. Other interior changes concern revised switches and materials that look to be more upscale. Rumors surround a V6 finally being added to the half-ton model and the XD diesel being dropped for the ’20 or ’21 model year.

SEMA News—September 2019

INDUSTRY NEWS

Photos courtesy SpiedBilde, Brian Williams. Reuse or reproduction without the copyright holder’s consent is prohibited.

Corvette C8 This is the mid-engine Corvette track testing. It’s also a first look at a near-production prototype without an aero package (no spoiler nor front splitter). The Corvette will undergo a landmark change in philosophy, having always been a front-engine/rear-wheel-drive sports car. The Vette was originally expected to use GM’s upcoming twin-turbocharged 4.2L V8, but there are rumors that it will borrow the 6.2L LT1. Tremec’s TR-9007 seven-speed DCT will be the one and only transmission available. Chevrolet has also trademarked the name “E-Ray,” which hints that an electrified version will be available. It could come in the form of a plug-in hybrid or possibly even an all-electric version in the vein of the Audi R8 e-tron.
Toyota’s Tundra Hybrid? This is a Toyota Tundra prototype undergoing testing in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It seems to be a prototype for the first-ever hybrid variant. While following this Tundra for about 3 mi., observers could detect the familiar Hybrid Synergy Drive hum, followed by the engine kicking in at around 25–30 mph. The truck had pretty narrow tires compared to the Tundra spied back in January. According to a source, “Toyota’s fullsize truck will use a version of the company’s 3.5L turbocharged V6 engine in combination with an electric motor/lithium-ion battery system.” The source said that the system is more powerful for the new Tundra and will reportedly produce 450 hp and 500 lb.-ft. of torque while getting 30-plus miles per gallon.
’20 Nissan Titan Pro-4X Here’s a first look at the ’20 Nissan Titan Pro-4X testing in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Nissan will give the fullsize Titan a modest facelift for ’20. However, changes on the outside will be limited to a revised grille, lights and tailgate design. Modern connectivity features are also expected as the company upgrades, providing what looks to be a large infotainment system across its lineup, but the Titan’s looks to be the largest system offered on a North American Nissan model yet. Other interior changes concern revised switches and materials that look to be more upscale. Rumors surround a V6 finally being added to the half-ton model and the XD diesel being dropped for the ’20 or ’21 model year.

SEMA News—September 2019

INDUSTRY NEWS

Photos courtesy SpiedBilde, Brian Williams. Reuse or reproduction without the copyright holder’s consent is prohibited.

Corvette C8 This is the mid-engine Corvette track testing. It’s also a first look at a near-production prototype without an aero package (no spoiler nor front splitter). The Corvette will undergo a landmark change in philosophy, having always been a front-engine/rear-wheel-drive sports car. The Vette was originally expected to use GM’s upcoming twin-turbocharged 4.2L V8, but there are rumors that it will borrow the 6.2L LT1. Tremec’s TR-9007 seven-speed DCT will be the one and only transmission available. Chevrolet has also trademarked the name “E-Ray,” which hints that an electrified version will be available. It could come in the form of a plug-in hybrid or possibly even an all-electric version in the vein of the Audi R8 e-tron.
Toyota’s Tundra Hybrid? This is a Toyota Tundra prototype undergoing testing in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It seems to be a prototype for the first-ever hybrid variant. While following this Tundra for about 3 mi., observers could detect the familiar Hybrid Synergy Drive hum, followed by the engine kicking in at around 25–30 mph. The truck had pretty narrow tires compared to the Tundra spied back in January. According to a source, “Toyota’s fullsize truck will use a version of the company’s 3.5L turbocharged V6 engine in combination with an electric motor/lithium-ion battery system.” The source said that the system is more powerful for the new Tundra and will reportedly produce 450 hp and 500 lb.-ft. of torque while getting 30-plus miles per gallon.
’20 Nissan Titan Pro-4X Here’s a first look at the ’20 Nissan Titan Pro-4X testing in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Nissan will give the fullsize Titan a modest facelift for ’20. However, changes on the outside will be limited to a revised grille, lights and tailgate design. Modern connectivity features are also expected as the company upgrades, providing what looks to be a large infotainment system across its lineup, but the Titan’s looks to be the largest system offered on a North American Nissan model yet. Other interior changes concern revised switches and materials that look to be more upscale. Rumors surround a V6 finally being added to the half-ton model and the XD diesel being dropped for the ’20 or ’21 model year.

SEMA News—September 2019

REQUIRED READING

By Juan Torres

SEMA Show exhibitors who manufacture parts for the truck and off-road markets often use pickups to showcase their latest product lineups. Those elaborate builds are easy to spot displayed in and around the Las Vegas Convention Center, and the modifications and additions made to them are clear indications of how and why the truck market segment was responsible for 27% of the nearly $45 billion spent on specialty-equipment products last year. Below are some of the media outlets that kept truck enthusiasts informed about the builds and parts unveiled at the 2018 SEMA Show.

SEMA News—September 2019

INTERNATIONAL

By Linda Spencer

Global Gearheads

Specialty Vehicle Engi­neering Inc./DBA Hamburger’s Supercharg­ers Inc. participated in two of the 2019 SEMA overseas Business Development trips—to the Middle East and Australia. Pictured here, Vice President of Marketing David Hamburger (second right) and Sales Manager P.K. Krwawecz (third right) explained the fea­tures and benefits of Hamburger’s super­chargers to potential UAE clients.

For just about as long as there have been cars around in the United States, so have there been gearheads—people who seek to personalize and improve upon their rides. Fast forward to 2019, and the phenomenon is now a $44.6 billion industry in the U.S. and many millions more abroad, as car culture has become an increasingly global phenomenon.

The Australian, Northern European and Canadian car scenes are nearly as old as that in the United States, with consumers in other countries more recently sharing the love of the automobile. As international markets for specialty products have grown, so has the demand for U.S. products as overseas consumers seek to upgrade their rides for a wide array of passions, including racing, off-roading, restoring classic cars, and improving the comfort and styling of their daily drivers.

SEMA members seeking to grow their global market face some common questions and perhaps early stumbling blocks when trying to launch their international sales. That includes everything from how to start a strategic export plan (such as prioritizing international markets and selecting potential customers) to gaining insight into the wants and unique car cultures of various overseas markets and marketing products for vehicles available for sale in the targeted market. All the while, entrepreneurs must implement best practices to protect their brands
and reputations.

It sounds like a daunting task, but there are resources available to assist SEMA members to launch or expand their overseas sales, and U.S. goods are already finding their way there.

In fact, estimated 70%–80% of SEMA-member products are also finding their way to global customers. In a December 2018 SEMA survey, 84% of participating manufacturers based in the United States reported that overseas sales now contribute to their bottom lines. A subset of companies participating in the survey noted that they have been making good progress in developing overseas distribution in a growing number of markets. Other companies reported that their products are sold on eBay or through manufacturers’ websites to end users, and some through U.S.-based warehouse distributors who then export products around the globe or have sold ad hoc to trade buyers who might’ve been met at the SEMA Show or through email introductions.

For those companies interested in growing their overseas sales but needing assistance in identifying, prioritizing and gearing up their exports, SEMA offers a number of resources. The following are just a few of them.

SEMA Overseas Business Development Program

Sign up for the SEMA Middle East trip the UAE and Saudi Arabia planned for March 31–April 7, 2020. This overseas business development program, held in partnership with the U.S. government, is the 24th trip SEMA has organized to provide members with a low-cost, high-value, turnkey trip to explore promising markets.

The Middle East market, with its high disposable income coupled with a passion for personalization as well as its strong racing and off-roading scene, is a very attractive region. Companies participating in the Middle East trip will exhibit at Abu Dhabi-based Custom Show Emirates; tour specialty-equipment shops in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; and participate in networking sessions and briefings. U.S. government grants are available for qualified companies, reducing the cost of participating. Registration opens in November.

SEMA is also exploring additional venues for overseas trips to promising regions such as Scandinavia and South Africa, along with future return trips to key markets such as Australia and China. To date, 203 SEMA companies have traveled on one or more of these programs, reporting more than $150 million in export sales.

SEMA Show exhibitors are invited to the Wednesday, November 6, International Happy Hour. The annual networking event brings together exhibitors with international buyers and editorial media.

Connect With International Buyers and Media at the 2019 SEMA Show

Thousands of trade buyers from throughout the world will descend on Las Vegas for the 2019 SEMA Show. In fact, more than 20% of all buyers at the SEMA Show are once again expected to be purchasing products for end users residing in 140 countries outside the United States. The largest number of international buyers will be coming from countries that include Canada, Mexico, Australia, Germany, Brazil, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Colombia and China.

The following programs were created for exhibitors to network with buyers outside of Show hours.

• Roundtable Discussions, Monday, November 4: Attend hour-long roundtable discussions with top international buyers and editorial media even before the SEMA Show begins. During the roundtables, participants will discover how to explore international markets through SEMA-sponsored trips and obtain U.S. government funds to defray costs; exchange business cards with attending international buyers and invite them to your booth; and learn about sales potential for their products in the featured markets. Three discussions will be held, starting with a meeting with trade buyers and other stakeholders from the Middle East, including representatives from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman. This first roundtable will convene from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., followed by a luncheon discussion with trade buyers and media from the Australian and New Zealand markets from 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m. The last session of the day will highlight opportunities in the Latin American market from 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. All three sessions will be held in room N252 in the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC).
• Register for the International Happy Hour: On Wednesday, November 6, from 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m., network with international resellers, editorial media and fellow exhibitors at the close of the Show day. More than 1,000 companies are expected to attend this year’s networking party, and exhibitors can register free at www.sema.org/international.
• Be the Recipient of a Global Media Award: Get your new products in front of buyers and the media (including international media) by participating in the New Products Showcase. A group of 35 top automotive journalists from more than 20 countries will once again be selecting the winners of the prestigious Global Media Awards (GMA). Each GMA judge will select 10 products from the New Products Showcase that he or she thinks will most appeal to consumers in their home markets. Winning companies will be recognized at the International Happy Hour, receiving Global Media Awards that signify the global appeal of their products and their companies.

A Nissan Patrol Y61 is the latest vehicle SEMA imported to provide its members access to non-U.S. models popularly customized around the world. This fifth-generation, left-hand-drive truck was built in Japan for the UAE market. It has a five-speed manual transmission and 4.8L petrol six-cylinder. This vehicle is currently sold in the Middle East, South Africa, certain Central American countries and the Philippines, among others. There is also a large pool of Y61s in Australia and New Zealand, though sales in these markets stopped in 2016.

Center for International Commerce

Located in LVCC room N255, the Center for International Commerce offers complimentary private meeting space and interpreters to facilitate meetings between exhibitors and international buyers. A team of interpreters will be on hand to assist in bilingual communication in key languages such as French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese. Exhibitors are welcome to use these export-oriented services.

International Vehicle Measuring Program

U.S. vehicles such as American musclecars, Jeeps and pickups are popular throughout the world and create opportunities for products made for the U.S. market to also be sold globally. Additional opportunities exist to provide products for vehicles popularly customized overseas but not sold in the United States. SEMA has created a program to make these vehicles available to its members in order to create export-ready products.

Since its inception nine years ago, the goal of the SEMA International Vehicle Measuring Program has been to make it easier for members to access popular international vehicles not sold in the United States. SEMA members are now invited to measure two vehicles: a Nissan Patrol Y61 and a ’16 Australian-spec Ford Ranger 4x4 double-cab. With the Ranger’s entrance into the U.S. market this year, members can view the multiple differences between the rest-of-the-world Ranger and the model sold in the United States.

These are the sixth and seventh vehicles available through the program, which SEMA launched in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce. There is no charge for members to measure the vehicles.

Schedule a time to measure one or both vehicles at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. The trucks can also be transported to your facility, if needed. To reserve a truck, contact Stephanie Martinez at stephaniem@sema.org.

Protect Your Intellectual Property at Home and Abroad

When members think about expanding their sales overseas, they should first take steps to protect their companies’ intellectual property (IP). Laws on trademarks (brand names, logos, slogans), patents (inventions), and copyrights (drawings, photos and product guides) vary by country, so it is useful to make a list of where the company plans to sell, the products it wants to sell, and the IP associated with each product.

It is important to register IP rights with the appropriate government agencies in the United States and in the relevant foreign markets. For example, if a company based in California decided to sell its Brand X wheels in China, it would be best positioned to do so from an IP standpoint if it first registered its trademark for Brand X in the United States and China.

Developing a relationship with a trustworthy distributor in the foreign country will also help with enforcing rights overseas, as the distributor will have a vested interest in making sure that local competitors do not knock off the product.

To help members navigate IP issues, SEMA maintains informational materials online at www.sema.org/ipr, and staff is available year-round to help answer IP-related questions.

Ultimately, companies may need legal counsel outside of SEMA to represent their interests and advise on specifics, but SEMA is here to provide information and help guide members in the right direction.

For more information about SEMA’s international programs or to suggest a new overseas venue or an international vehicle to include in the lending program, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

SEMA News—September 2019

INDUSTRY NEWS

Fast Facts

Denzel Lall

Continental has named Denzel Lall sales technical training specialist. In this role, Lall will join Continental’s training team and be responsible for the organization, coordination and execution of presentations and demonstrations for both existing and potential customers in the Western United States. He will provide training for both the VDO REDI-Sensor and ATE Brake Systems brands. Lall brings a wealth of experience in tire and wheel service to the team. Lall will conduct education sessions with automotive-repair shops, tire shops, parts retailers, distributors, students and instructors in the industry.

C&U Americas LLC has received the 2018 Quality & Delivery Excellence Award from BorgWarner Power Drive Systems. The award was given to C&U Americas in recognition of its supply of single-row, deep-groove ball bearings for OEM starters and alternators to the BorgWarner Power Drive Systems plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, during the 2018 business year.

Kyle Martin

Energy Suspension hired Kyle Martin to fill the role of marketing manager. He brings more than 10 years of professional sales and marketing experience with him.

CRP Automotive has been approved as a participant in the Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association’s Maxxsonics brands, including Hifonics, MB Quart, Crunch and Autotek, are growing across business units and in global markets. In order to strengthen the company’s market share in Latin America, Alden Stiefel, CEO of Maxxsonics USA, appointed a new director to drive market development. Luis M. Larralde was named Latin America sales director, effective immediately. In his new role, Larralde brings two decades of experience in consumer electronics, where he headed international sales efforts.

Mark Donnelly

Mark Donnelly was named the new West Coast territory manager for Comp Performance Group and will be based in Seattle. He has worked in all aspects of the automotive aftermarket for 23 years, including shop work as a teenager as well as warehouse picker/packer, warehouse-distributor sales, retail, repair/service and manufacturer sales. With extensive knowledge in fuel injection and drivetrain/powertrain upgrades, Donnelly’s most recent position was with Vision X Global Lighting Systems.

(MERA) Manufactured Again Certification program for its AAE steering system components remanufacturing facility. The certification denotes that CRP Industries’ remanufacturing facilities meet the same strict quality standards held by manufacturing facilities employing internationally recognized quality-management standards ISO 9001 and IATF 16949. To earn the certification, CRP was required to submit third-party evidence of conformance to these accepted quality standards.

Kevin Boyer

Stertil-Koni announced that Kevin Boyer joined the company as service manager. In his new post, Boyer provides technical support, troubleshooting assistance, vehicle-lift installation supervision and vehicle-lift use training to the company’s distributors and its customers across North America. Prior to joining Stertil-Koni, Boyer served as a sales manager and technician at BOE Marine and RV in Stevensville, Maryland, where he oversaw day-to-day operations, customer service and sales.

Neapco named Chris Youngs national sales manager for the company’s aftermarket group. Youngs’ aftermarket experience spans more than three decades, including positions in operations, logistics and, most recently, as senior manager of aftermarket sales for Dana Inc. As national sales manager, Youngs will be responsible for the strategic leadership of Neapco’s aftermarket sales group in North America. He will focus on development and execution of sales strategies to bring added value to the company’s customers in their respective markets.

Tribby Warfield	James McCoy

APC Automotive Technologies LLC announced the appointment of Tribby Warfield as its CEO and James McCoy as its COO. Warfield served as the senior vice president of business development and strategy for Nitta Corp. Prior to that, she held dual roles as the senior vice president and general manager of Kaman Fluid Power and Kaman Automation. McCoy brings more than 25 years of diversified experience, including lean manufacturing and automotive and industrial products to the APC Automotive Technologies management team. McCoy most recently worked for Forterra Inc. as a senior vice president of operations.

Power Automedia’s “Horsepower Wars” automotive show will continue a partnership with Holley for season two. Holley has been a partner of “Horsepower Wars” since its inception. “Horsepower Wars” will also partner with Dana Aftermarket’s Victor Reinz Sealing Products for Season 2. The next “Horsepower Wars” $10,000 Drag Shootout is about to take center stage and teams will once again rely on Holley parts to improve their chances of taking home the $10,000 paycheck. To watch “Horsepower Wars” Season 2, visit www.horsepowerwars.com.