By SEMA Editors

Feature vehicles provide exhibitors the ability to highlight products and upgrades on cars and trucks positioned in designated areas away from the company’s SEMA Show booth.

The deadline to apply for a feature vehicle at the 2019 SEMA Show is July 31. Exhibitors planning a feature vehicle for the Show are encouraged to mark their calendars now to allow ample time to choose the best car to represent their brand and promote its appearance appropriately.

Feature vehicles provide exhibitors the ability to highlight products and upgrades on cars and trucks positioned in designated areas away from the company’s SEMA Show booth. With unique style and unmatched innovations, feature vehicles are a visual marketing tool to help generate an organic appeal for an exhibitor’s products.

All feature vehicles must be approved and paid for by qualified exhibiting companies. Criteria for placement is based on how the exhibiting company’s products are showcased on the vehicle, whether the car has been featured in the SEMA Show previously, how complete the vehicle build is, and to what degree the vehicle captures all elements of the specialty-equipment market.

Each qualified exhibiting company is guaranteed placement for one feature vehicle. Additional vehicles will be prioritized by the exhibitors, using an electronic form that will be provided by SEMA Show management after July 31.

Complete details about feature vehicle registration are available in the SEMA Show Exhibitor Services Manual.

Questions about the process can be directed to Maurice O'Connell at mauriceo@sema.org or 909-978-6660.

By SEMA Editors

Feature vehicles provide exhibitors the ability to highlight products and upgrades on cars and trucks positioned in designated areas away from the company’s SEMA Show booth.

The deadline to apply for a feature vehicle at the 2019 SEMA Show is July 31. Exhibitors planning a feature vehicle for the Show are encouraged to mark their calendars now to allow ample time to choose the best car to represent their brand and promote its appearance appropriately.

Feature vehicles provide exhibitors the ability to highlight products and upgrades on cars and trucks positioned in designated areas away from the company’s SEMA Show booth. With unique style and unmatched innovations, feature vehicles are a visual marketing tool to help generate an organic appeal for an exhibitor’s products.

All feature vehicles must be approved and paid for by qualified exhibiting companies. Criteria for placement is based on how the exhibiting company’s products are showcased on the vehicle, whether the car has been featured in the SEMA Show previously, how complete the vehicle build is, and to what degree the vehicle captures all elements of the specialty-equipment market.

Each qualified exhibiting company is guaranteed placement for one feature vehicle. Additional vehicles will be prioritized by the exhibitors, using an electronic form that will be provided by SEMA Show management after July 31.

Complete details about feature vehicle registration are available in the SEMA Show Exhibitor Services Manual.

Questions about the process can be directed to Maurice O'Connell at mauriceo@sema.org or 909-978-6660.

By SEMA Editors

Feature vehicles provide exhibitors the ability to highlight products and upgrades on cars and trucks positioned in designated areas away from the company’s SEMA Show booth.

The deadline to apply for a feature vehicle at the 2019 SEMA Show is July 31. Exhibitors planning a feature vehicle for the Show are encouraged to mark their calendars now to allow ample time to choose the best car to represent their brand and promote its appearance appropriately.

Feature vehicles provide exhibitors the ability to highlight products and upgrades on cars and trucks positioned in designated areas away from the company’s SEMA Show booth. With unique style and unmatched innovations, feature vehicles are a visual marketing tool to help generate an organic appeal for an exhibitor’s products.

All feature vehicles must be approved and paid for by qualified exhibiting companies. Criteria for placement is based on how the exhibiting company’s products are showcased on the vehicle, whether the car has been featured in the SEMA Show previously, how complete the vehicle build is, and to what degree the vehicle captures all elements of the specialty-equipment market.

Each qualified exhibiting company is guaranteed placement for one feature vehicle. Additional vehicles will be prioritized by the exhibitors, using an electronic form that will be provided by SEMA Show management after July 31.

Complete details about feature vehicle registration are available in the SEMA Show Exhibitor Services Manual.

Questions about the process can be directed to Maurice O'Connell at mauriceo@sema.org or 909-978-6660.

By Kyle Cheng

New-vehicle sales bounced back in May, increasing 5.9% from April. However, sales remain relatively weak this year. Much of the weakness stems from passenger cars, while sales of new SUVs and pickups are up.

While the economic picture has worsened, higher tariffs are increasing uncertainty and global growth is slowing, although it doesn’t yet appear to be enough to push the U.S. economy into recession. The overall economy added just 75,000 new jobs in May, but unemployment remained at a 50-year low of 3.6%. Likewise, consumer sentiment remains incredibly favorable. May is just the fifth month to see the index breach 100 since the year 2000. Additionally, personal income and consumer spending are both up from last year. However, concerns about tariffs appear to weigh heavily on consumers.

New-vehicle sales bounced back in May, increasing 5.9% from April. However, sales remain relatively weak this year. Much of the weakness stems from passenger cars, while sales of new SUVs and pickups are up.

To learn more, download the June “SEMA Industry Indicators” report, now available for free at www.sema.org/research.

The “2019 SEMA Market Report” is now available from SEMA Market Research. This report provides a comprehensive look at the specialty-equipment industry, including how they’re purchased and installed, information on part buyers, key industry forecasts, vehicle registration data and much more. Download the “2019 SEMA Market Report” for free today at www.sema.org/research.

By Kyle Cheng

New-vehicle sales bounced back in May, increasing 5.9% from April. However, sales remain relatively weak this year. Much of the weakness stems from passenger cars, while sales of new SUVs and pickups are up.

While the economic picture has worsened, higher tariffs are increasing uncertainty and global growth is slowing, although it doesn’t yet appear to be enough to push the U.S. economy into recession. The overall economy added just 75,000 new jobs in May, but unemployment remained at a 50-year low of 3.6%. Likewise, consumer sentiment remains incredibly favorable. May is just the fifth month to see the index breach 100 since the year 2000. Additionally, personal income and consumer spending are both up from last year. However, concerns about tariffs appear to weigh heavily on consumers.

New-vehicle sales bounced back in May, increasing 5.9% from April. However, sales remain relatively weak this year. Much of the weakness stems from passenger cars, while sales of new SUVs and pickups are up.

To learn more, download the June “SEMA Industry Indicators” report, now available for free at www.sema.org/research.

The “2019 SEMA Market Report” is now available from SEMA Market Research. This report provides a comprehensive look at the specialty-equipment industry, including how they’re purchased and installed, information on part buyers, key industry forecasts, vehicle registration data and much more. Download the “2019 SEMA Market Report” for free today at www.sema.org/research.

By Kyle Cheng

New-vehicle sales bounced back in May, increasing 5.9% from April. However, sales remain relatively weak this year. Much of the weakness stems from passenger cars, while sales of new SUVs and pickups are up.

While the economic picture has worsened, higher tariffs are increasing uncertainty and global growth is slowing, although it doesn’t yet appear to be enough to push the U.S. economy into recession. The overall economy added just 75,000 new jobs in May, but unemployment remained at a 50-year low of 3.6%. Likewise, consumer sentiment remains incredibly favorable. May is just the fifth month to see the index breach 100 since the year 2000. Additionally, personal income and consumer spending are both up from last year. However, concerns about tariffs appear to weigh heavily on consumers.

New-vehicle sales bounced back in May, increasing 5.9% from April. However, sales remain relatively weak this year. Much of the weakness stems from passenger cars, while sales of new SUVs and pickups are up.

To learn more, download the June “SEMA Industry Indicators” report, now available for free at www.sema.org/research.

The “2019 SEMA Market Report” is now available from SEMA Market Research. This report provides a comprehensive look at the specialty-equipment industry, including how they’re purchased and installed, information on part buyers, key industry forecasts, vehicle registration data and much more. Download the “2019 SEMA Market Report” for free today at www.sema.org/research.

By Rachel Tatum

Featuring an Indy motor and a 3-D printed grille, Ernie Manansala’s Nissan R3500 placed among the Top 10 in the sport compact category of the 2018 Battle of the Builders Competition. Check out the video as Manansala gives viewers an insider’s look at the vehicle and explains why he decided to house the entire Petersen fuel system in the rear.  

To see more top vehicles from the 2018 SEMA Show, tune in Friday, July 5, as MotorTrend TV airs “SEMA Battle of the Builders,” a one-hour special featuring top builders and their vehicles. Check your local satellite or cable provider for times and details, or visit www.semashow.com/botb.

By Rachel Tatum

Featuring an Indy motor and a 3-D printed grille, Ernie Manansala’s Nissan R3500 placed among the Top 10 in the sport compact category of the 2018 Battle of the Builders Competition. Check out the video as Manansala gives viewers an insider’s look at the vehicle and explains why he decided to house the entire Petersen fuel system in the rear.  

To see more top vehicles from the 2018 SEMA Show, tune in Friday, July 5, as MotorTrend TV airs “SEMA Battle of the Builders,” a one-hour special featuring top builders and their vehicles. Check your local satellite or cable provider for times and details, or visit www.semashow.com/botb.

This is the mid-engine Vette track testing and also a first look at a near-production prototype without an aero package (no spoiler, no front splitter), presumably the base model.

The mid-engine Corvette will undergo a landmark change in philosophy, as Corvettes have always been front-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports cars. Chevrolet has studied the idea of a mid-engine Corvette at several points in the nameplate’s history (and in fact, a mid-engine Corvette program was approved in 2007 but shelved due to GM’s 2009 bankruptcy).

The Vette was originally expected to use GM’s upcoming twin-turbocharged 4.2L V8, but there are now rumors that it will borrow the 6.2L LT1. Transmission is expected to come from a DCT unit, with lightning-fast shifts, and according to Car and Driver, “Tremec’s TR-9007 seven-speed DCT will be the one and only transmission available.”

Chevrolet has also trademarked the name “E-Ray,” which likely signifies that an electrified version will be available as well. This 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.

GM has announced an $800 million investment to be designated for the Bowling Green assembly plant, which is likely tied to the introduction of this car.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the mid-engine Vette track testing and also a first look at a near-production prototype without an aero package (no spoiler, no front splitter), presumably the base model.

The mid-engine Corvette will undergo a landmark change in philosophy, as Corvettes have always been front-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports cars. Chevrolet has studied the idea of a mid-engine Corvette at several points in the nameplate’s history (and in fact, a mid-engine Corvette program was approved in 2007 but shelved due to GM’s 2009 bankruptcy).

The Vette was originally expected to use GM’s upcoming twin-turbocharged 4.2L V8, but there are now rumors that it will borrow the 6.2L LT1. Transmission is expected to come from a DCT unit, with lightning-fast shifts, and according to Car and Driver, “Tremec’s TR-9007 seven-speed DCT will be the one and only transmission available.”

Chevrolet has also trademarked the name “E-Ray,” which likely signifies that an electrified version will be available as well. This 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.

GM has announced an $800 million investment to be designated for the Bowling Green assembly plant, which is likely tied to the introduction of this car.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde