This is the ’18 Jeep Wrangler, caught testing with a lot less camo.

With a significant amount of camo removed from the side, it appears the new Wrangler will be a mild evolution from the current Wrangler. A lot of the significant updates still remain shrouded in camo, but at least one new feature—a backup camera—is a first for the Wrangler.

The new Wrangler will resemble the outgoing one, but various aerodynamic tweaks will make it less upright. A fixed windshield and possibly longer front end will be the main giveaways.

Underneath, there will be significant amounts of aluminum in the name of weight reduction, although the body will be mostly made of steel. The Pentastar V6 and eight-speed automatic will be the mainstream powertrain, although the big news will be a 3.0L V6 turbodiesel, and a four-cylinder “Hurricane” engine. A hybrid powertrain has also been rumored.

Jeep officials have insisted the Wrangler’s off-road abilities will only be improved, despite the changes for economy.

The Wrangler should appear this year at the New York International Auto Show and go on sale by this fall.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’18 Jeep Wrangler, caught testing with a lot less camo.

With a significant amount of camo removed from the side, it appears the new Wrangler will be a mild evolution from the current Wrangler. A lot of the significant updates still remain shrouded in camo, but at least one new feature—a backup camera—is a first for the Wrangler.

The new Wrangler will resemble the outgoing one, but various aerodynamic tweaks will make it less upright. A fixed windshield and possibly longer front end will be the main giveaways.

Underneath, there will be significant amounts of aluminum in the name of weight reduction, although the body will be mostly made of steel. The Pentastar V6 and eight-speed automatic will be the mainstream powertrain, although the big news will be a 3.0L V6 turbodiesel, and a four-cylinder “Hurricane” engine. A hybrid powertrain has also been rumored.

Jeep officials have insisted the Wrangler’s off-road abilities will only be improved, despite the changes for economy.

The Wrangler should appear this year at the New York International Auto Show and go on sale by this fall.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’18 Jeep Wrangler, caught testing with a lot less camo.

With a significant amount of camo removed from the side, it appears the new Wrangler will be a mild evolution from the current Wrangler. A lot of the significant updates still remain shrouded in camo, but at least one new feature—a backup camera—is a first for the Wrangler.

The new Wrangler will resemble the outgoing one, but various aerodynamic tweaks will make it less upright. A fixed windshield and possibly longer front end will be the main giveaways.

Underneath, there will be significant amounts of aluminum in the name of weight reduction, although the body will be mostly made of steel. The Pentastar V6 and eight-speed automatic will be the mainstream powertrain, although the big news will be a 3.0L V6 turbodiesel, and a four-cylinder “Hurricane” engine. A hybrid powertrain has also been rumored.

Jeep officials have insisted the Wrangler’s off-road abilities will only be improved, despite the changes for economy.

The Wrangler should appear this year at the New York International Auto Show and go on sale by this fall.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By Jason Catullo

At the SEMA Exhibitor Summit, SEMA’s Trade Shows Director Tom Gattuso will highlight the value-added Show programs available and the tools and resources needed to help companies plan ahead.

Exhibitors are invited to Las Vegas for the SEMA Exhibitor Summit—the most direct, cost-effective way to prepare for the 2017 SEMA Show. Now in its eighth year, the summit takes place Monday and Tuesday, June 19 and 20, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas.

Trade show experts, including SEMA’s Trade Shows Director Tom Gattuso, will highlight the value-added Show programs available and the tools and resources needed to help companies plan ahead. Exhibitors will discover how to make the most of their budget through programs created to enhance Show ROI based on company goals, and discover proven strategies to get buyers to their booth.

“Making deals and attracting buyers at the Show is not a typical day at the shop for exhibitors,” said Gattuso. “The store front and familiar showroom disappear, meaning that exhibitors must to rely on existing branding, pre-Show buyer invitations, product-placement opportunities and special events to drive buyer traffic.”

Participants will also explore the promotional opportunities available through Show sponsorships and learn how to save money on material handling, electrical and other Show-related expenses.

There is no cost to participate in the Summit. Limited complimentary hotel rooms are available to exhibitors and their staff. Space is limited. Register today!

To secure booth space for the 2016 SEMA Show, Tuesday–Friday, October 31–November 3, visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

By Jason Catullo

At the SEMA Exhibitor Summit, SEMA’s Trade Shows Director Tom Gattuso will highlight the value-added Show programs available and the tools and resources needed to help companies plan ahead.

Exhibitors are invited to Las Vegas for the SEMA Exhibitor Summit—the most direct, cost-effective way to prepare for the 2017 SEMA Show. Now in its eighth year, the summit takes place Monday and Tuesday, June 19 and 20, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas.

Trade show experts, including SEMA’s Trade Shows Director Tom Gattuso, will highlight the value-added Show programs available and the tools and resources needed to help companies plan ahead. Exhibitors will discover how to make the most of their budget through programs created to enhance Show ROI based on company goals, and discover proven strategies to get buyers to their booth.

“Making deals and attracting buyers at the Show is not a typical day at the shop for exhibitors,” said Gattuso. “The store front and familiar showroom disappear, meaning that exhibitors must to rely on existing branding, pre-Show buyer invitations, product-placement opportunities and special events to drive buyer traffic.”

Participants will also explore the promotional opportunities available through Show sponsorships and learn how to save money on material handling, electrical and other Show-related expenses.

There is no cost to participate in the Summit. Limited complimentary hotel rooms are available to exhibitors and their staff. Space is limited. Register today!

To secure booth space for the 2016 SEMA Show, Tuesday–Friday, October 31–November 3, visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA U.S. Light Vehicle Fleet Snapshot report provides an overview of the passenger vehicle landscape tailored to the automotive specialty-equipment industry, along with specific examples of how VIO data can be used to help member businesses.

Understanding the size of your market and the potential opportunity it represents are vital parts of any successful strategic planning. In the automotive specialty-equipment industry, getting credible market data is often difficult, expensive or both—until now. SEMA has partnered with Experian to create the Vehicles In Operation (VIO) Program, which provides SEMA members the opportunity to take a deeper dive into United States vehicle registration data on the makes and models most relevant to their businesses.

The VIO Program can help with strategic questions, including:

Debating whether to manufacture an ECU for the C7 Corvette?

The VIO Program can provide information on how many C7 Corvettes are in operation to properly assess opportunity.

Does your distribution network put your products where they need to be?

The VIO Program can help identify the highest concentration of vehicles relevant to a company’s products.

Looking to open a new retail location?

The VIO Program can help highlight where the highest population of vehicles are that fit the parts that make up a retailer’s lines so they can open stores where there is the most demand.

And best of all, The VIO Program is free for SEMA members.

Want to know more? Visit www.sema.org/VIO and submit a request for vehicle counts on a specific make, model and year. SEMA’s research team will work directly with members to understand their goals and make sure they get the information they need to make decisions that will help their businesses succeed in 2017.

SEMA members can also check out the “U.S. Light Vehicle Fleet Snapshot” report, which provides an overview of the passenger vehicle landscape tailored to the automotive specialty-equipment industry, along with specific examples of how VIO data can be used to help member businesses. Visit www.sema.org/vehicle-snapshot for more details and to download the report.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA U.S. Light Vehicle Fleet Snapshot report provides an overview of the passenger vehicle landscape tailored to the automotive specialty-equipment industry, along with specific examples of how VIO data can be used to help member businesses.

Understanding the size of your market and the potential opportunity it represents are vital parts of any successful strategic planning. In the automotive specialty-equipment industry, getting credible market data is often difficult, expensive or both—until now. SEMA has partnered with Experian to create the Vehicles In Operation (VIO) Program, which provides SEMA members the opportunity to take a deeper dive into United States vehicle registration data on the makes and models most relevant to their businesses.

The VIO Program can help with strategic questions, including:

Debating whether to manufacture an ECU for the C7 Corvette?

The VIO Program can provide information on how many C7 Corvettes are in operation to properly assess opportunity.

Does your distribution network put your products where they need to be?

The VIO Program can help identify the highest concentration of vehicles relevant to a company’s products.

Looking to open a new retail location?

The VIO Program can help highlight where the highest population of vehicles are that fit the parts that make up a retailer’s lines so they can open stores where there is the most demand.

And best of all, The VIO Program is free for SEMA members.

Want to know more? Visit www.sema.org/VIO and submit a request for vehicle counts on a specific make, model and year. SEMA’s research team will work directly with members to understand their goals and make sure they get the information they need to make decisions that will help their businesses succeed in 2017.

SEMA members can also check out the “U.S. Light Vehicle Fleet Snapshot” report, which provides an overview of the passenger vehicle landscape tailored to the automotive specialty-equipment industry, along with specific examples of how VIO data can be used to help member businesses. Visit www.sema.org/vehicle-snapshot for more details and to download the report.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA U.S. Light Vehicle Fleet Snapshot report provides an overview of the passenger vehicle landscape tailored to the automotive specialty-equipment industry, along with specific examples of how VIO data can be used to help member businesses.

Understanding the size of your market and the potential opportunity it represents are vital parts of any successful strategic planning. In the automotive specialty-equipment industry, getting credible market data is often difficult, expensive or both—until now. SEMA has partnered with Experian to create the Vehicles In Operation (VIO) Program, which provides SEMA members the opportunity to take a deeper dive into United States vehicle registration data on the makes and models most relevant to their businesses.

The VIO Program can help with strategic questions, including:

Debating whether to manufacture an ECU for the C7 Corvette?

The VIO Program can provide information on how many C7 Corvettes are in operation to properly assess opportunity.

Does your distribution network put your products where they need to be?

The VIO Program can help identify the highest concentration of vehicles relevant to a company’s products.

Looking to open a new retail location?

The VIO Program can help highlight where the highest population of vehicles are that fit the parts that make up a retailer’s lines so they can open stores where there is the most demand.

And best of all, The VIO Program is free for SEMA members.

Want to know more? Visit www.sema.org/VIO and submit a request for vehicle counts on a specific make, model and year. SEMA’s research team will work directly with members to understand their goals and make sure they get the information they need to make decisions that will help their businesses succeed in 2017.

SEMA members can also check out the “U.S. Light Vehicle Fleet Snapshot” report, which provides an overview of the passenger vehicle landscape tailored to the automotive specialty-equipment industry, along with specific examples of how VIO data can be used to help member businesses. Visit www.sema.org/vehicle-snapshot for more details and to download the report.

By SEMA Editors

The ARMO Hot Products Showcase is a valuable opportunity for ARMO-member companies to put their product(s) in front of thousands of restoration consumers and enthusiasts at Spring Carlisle.

The Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) Hot Products Showcase is an exciting and valuable opportunity for ARMO-member companies to put their product(s) in front of 100,000 restoration enthusiasts at Spring Carlisle. Participation in the Showcase, open Thursday–Saturday, April 20–22, is included in ARMO membership.

For the cost of shipping their product(s) to the Carlisle Fairgrounds, benefits for participants will include:

• Product(s) displayed in the ARMO Hot Products tent, which is located strategically in the center of the event grounds.
• Professional product photos available for their own marketing use.
• Product photos will be displayed in the ARMO booth at the SEMA Show and in a photo gallery on www.SEMA.org.

Those who are going to Carlisle can save the shipping cost by dropping off and picking up their products on-site.

Register your product(s) now!

In addition, if a hot product is new this year, it may be entered for an ARMO New Product award in one of nine categories:

• Reproduction of Original Replacement Interior
• Non-Original Interior
• Reproduction of Original Replacement Exterior/Trim
• Non-Original Exterior/Trim
• Reproduction of Original Replacement Drivetrain/Brakes/Suspension/Wheels
• Non-Original Drivetrain/Brakes/Suspension/Wheels
• Reproduction of Original Replacement Engine/Engine Component
• Non-Original Engine/Engine Component
• Accessary Item (i.e., 8-track tape, record player, bud vase, etc.)

New Product Awards provide yet another marketing opportunity for ARMO-member companies. Judging is Thursday, April 20, and winners will be announced that evening at the ARMO Industry Mixer, held in the tent. Formal award presentations will be made at the ARMO Awards Reception at the 2017 SEMA Show.

For more information, contact Council Director Jim Skelly at 909-978-6690 or jimsk@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

The ARMO Hot Products Showcase is a valuable opportunity for ARMO-member companies to put their product(s) in front of thousands of restoration consumers and enthusiasts at Spring Carlisle.

The Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) Hot Products Showcase is an exciting and valuable opportunity for ARMO-member companies to put their product(s) in front of 100,000 restoration enthusiasts at Spring Carlisle. Participation in the Showcase, open Thursday–Saturday, April 20–22, is included in ARMO membership.

For the cost of shipping their product(s) to the Carlisle Fairgrounds, benefits for participants will include:

• Product(s) displayed in the ARMO Hot Products tent, which is located strategically in the center of the event grounds.
• Professional product photos available for their own marketing use.
• Product photos will be displayed in the ARMO booth at the SEMA Show and in a photo gallery on www.SEMA.org.

Those who are going to Carlisle can save the shipping cost by dropping off and picking up their products on-site.

Register your product(s) now!

In addition, if a hot product is new this year, it may be entered for an ARMO New Product award in one of nine categories:

• Reproduction of Original Replacement Interior
• Non-Original Interior
• Reproduction of Original Replacement Exterior/Trim
• Non-Original Exterior/Trim
• Reproduction of Original Replacement Drivetrain/Brakes/Suspension/Wheels
• Non-Original Drivetrain/Brakes/Suspension/Wheels
• Reproduction of Original Replacement Engine/Engine Component
• Non-Original Engine/Engine Component
• Accessary Item (i.e., 8-track tape, record player, bud vase, etc.)

New Product Awards provide yet another marketing opportunity for ARMO-member companies. Judging is Thursday, April 20, and winners will be announced that evening at the ARMO Industry Mixer, held in the tent. Formal award presentations will be made at the ARMO Awards Reception at the 2017 SEMA Show.

For more information, contact Council Director Jim Skelly at 909-978-6690 or jimsk@sema.org.