This is the ’19 Ford Ranger FX4, finally caught testing in production metal and with its production face. Up until this point, the FX4 was testing in mule form.

The Ranger FX4 will get added ground clearance and styling tweaks to make it unique from the standard Ranger. On this prototype, the grille appears to have an Explorer-ish feel to it.

In other markets, the current FX4 can be had with a 3.2L diesel engine found in the Transit. It’s unclear if it will be offered on U.S. models, but the Ranger could be offered in a number of configurations to compete with the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.

Expect a full complement of Ecoboost four and six-cylinder engines, and perhaps a diesel. Ford may use the direct-injected twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 as the premium choice. Ford’s new 10-speed automatic, co-developed with GM, is also expected.

The ’19 Ranger FX4 will be revealed next year, more than likely in Detroit.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’19 Ford Ranger FX4, finally caught testing in production metal and with its production face. Up until this point, the FX4 was testing in mule form.

The Ranger FX4 will get added ground clearance and styling tweaks to make it unique from the standard Ranger. On this prototype, the grille appears to have an Explorer-ish feel to it.

In other markets, the current FX4 can be had with a 3.2L diesel engine found in the Transit. It’s unclear if it will be offered on U.S. models, but the Ranger could be offered in a number of configurations to compete with the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.

Expect a full complement of Ecoboost four and six-cylinder engines, and perhaps a diesel. Ford may use the direct-injected twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 as the premium choice. Ford’s new 10-speed automatic, co-developed with GM, is also expected.

The ’19 Ranger FX4 will be revealed next year, more than likely in Detroit.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

In partnership with KIA, the SEMA Garage has announced it will host the ’18 KIA Stinger measuring session. Ushering in a new dynamic era for KIA Motors, the all-new ’18 Stinger is a five-passenger sportback poised to redefine a segment currently populated by European automakers. The Stinger promises to be the highest-performance production vehicle in the company’s history, and is backed by KIA’s industry-leading warranty. The Stinger is offered in five trim levels (Stinger, Premium, GT, GT1, GT2) and luxurious accommodations.

In partnership with KIA, the SEMA Garage has announced it will host the ’18 KIA Stinger measuring session. Ushering in a new dynamic era for KIA Motors, the all-new ’18 Stinger is a five-passenger sportback poised to redefine a segment currently populated by European automakers. The Stinger promises to be the highest-performance production vehicle in the company’s history, and is backed by KIA’s industry-leading warranty. The Stinger is offered in five trim levels (Stinger, Premium, GT, GT1, GT2) and luxurious accommodations.

This year, the SEMA Board of Directors has openings for two seats in the Manufacturers category, two seats in the Distributors/Retailers category and one seat in the Services category.

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

As a member of the association, your recommendation is needed for industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors. Our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the SEMA Board, but oftentimes those individuals aren’t immediately apparent to the Nominating Committee when selecting the final candidates.

Please take a moment to tell us about whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position. We also ask that you include information to help the Nominating Committee know more about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements from a leadership standpoint.

For this year’s election, the following seats are open:

• Two seats in the Manufacturers category
• Two seats in the Distributors/Retailers category
• One seat in the Services category

Nominations for the 2018 SEMA Board of Directors are due Thursday, January 4, 2018. Please complete and submit the nomination form, and be sure to include the qualification information noted above.

A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. We urge you to take part in the nominations process.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President and CEO

This year, the SEMA Board of Directors has openings for two seats in the Manufacturers category, two seats in the Distributors/Retailers category and one seat in the Services category.

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

As a member of the association, your recommendation is needed for industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors. Our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the SEMA Board, but oftentimes those individuals aren’t immediately apparent to the Nominating Committee when selecting the final candidates.

Please take a moment to tell us about whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position. We also ask that you include information to help the Nominating Committee know more about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements from a leadership standpoint.

For this year’s election, the following seats are open:

• Two seats in the Manufacturers category
• Two seats in the Distributors/Retailers category
• One seat in the Services category

Nominations for the 2018 SEMA Board of Directors are due Thursday, January 4, 2018. Please complete and submit the nomination form, and be sure to include the qualification information noted above.

A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well. We urge you to take part in the nominations process.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President and CEO

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 classifieds posted to the website.

Jobber Engagement Territory Manager: Iddea California LLC is hiring a jobber engagement territory manager for its Go Rhino and Big Country brands. This position will be responsible for driving sales by developing new, and growing existing, relationships with jobbers and dealers in the Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and New Mexico territories. Focus activities include identifying key jobbers and dealers in each market who are capable and interested in actively promoting and selling Go Rhino/Big Country brands, deploying point-of-purchase displays, product education and collaboration with distributor partners. Extensive travel within the territory will be required, as field-work is the primary responsibility. A college degree is preferred, along with a minimum of three years of related experience in automotive accessories.

OEM Sales Manager: ComeUp USA Inc. is hiring an OEM sales manager. This position will require extensive sales experience within the industrial sector, specifically on the tow truck, fire truck, utility truck and trailer market segment. This role includes but is not limited to managing assigned accounts and prospecting new business opportunities. Off-road industry/product knowledge is required. 

Technical Sales Consultant: Air Flow Research is hiring a technical sales consultant focused on the sales of performance automotive cylinder heads for domestic push-rod V8 engines. Responsibilities include recommending and selling performance products, and communicating effectively locally, online and on social media with customers through various means. The ideal candidate must have proven customer support experience or experience as a client service representative. A college degree and at least five years of experience in high-performance engine parts sales are preferred.

Automotive Collision Repair/Welding Instructor: The College of Lake County in Grayslake, Illinois, has one tenure-track faculty position available that would have joint responsibility teaching in the auto collision repair and welding programs. Assignments will emphasize teaching in the automotive refinishing or structural repair areas of the collision-repair industry. Candidates are required to have an associate’s degree, five-year collision repair or related fieldwork experience within the last 7 years and a current ASE-Collision or I-CAR certification.

Product Development Supervisor: Classic Industries is hiring a product development supervisor responsible for coordinating the gathering of OEM samples, working directly with factories and testing fit samples for quality assurance and approval. Management experience is essential. Some travel may be required occasionally. Candidates must have extensive knowledge and experience with vehicle restoration and all aspects of vehicle parts manufacturing. The ability to speak, read and write in Mandarin is a plus.

By SEMA Editors

Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

• SEMA Measuring Session: ’18 KIA Stinger, January 11, 2018, SEMA Garage, Diamond Bar, California

• MPMC Media Trade Conference, January 23–25, 2018, Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North, Santa Ana, California

• SEMA Middle East Business Development Program, April 3–8, 2018, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

• SEMA Australia Business Development Program, May 24–28, 2018, Melbourne, Australia

• Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD), July 13, 2018

• SEMA Show, October 30–November 2, 2018, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstore.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.

By SEMA Editors

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.

• Aftermarket West Sales & Marketing
• Ballard Allen Marketing
• Hurco Companies
• Hypertech
• Impact Plastics Automotive
• INTRO-TECH Automotive
• Jim Wrobleski & Co Inc.
• Lund International
• Michael A. Kunzman & Associates
• N.A. Williams Company
• Omix-ADA
• Pro Rep Marketing
• Ranch Hand Truck Accessories
• SKM Industries
• Toyo Tires
• Wes-Coast Marketing Inc.

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities (view all here) in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org. Working for a SEMA-member company has many advantages. In addition to working for a company that supports and contributes to the success of the overall industry, being employed by a SEMA-member company enables employees to participate in webinars, access free market research, join SEMA committees and more.