By SEMA Editors

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) invites you to join them at their open meeting being held in conjunction with the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California. Catch up with fellow HRIA members and the select committee. Learn about the latest council initiatives and further opportunities for involvement.

The meeting will be held January 27, from 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m., at The Sheraton Fairplex Convention Center, Sonoma Room.

Register here!

For questions, please contact Jim Skelly, SEMA director of councils, at jimsk@sema.org or 909-978-6690.

By SEMA Editors

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) invites you to join them at their open meeting being held in conjunction with the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California. Catch up with fellow HRIA members and the select committee. Learn about the latest council initiatives and further opportunities for involvement.

The meeting will be held January 27, from 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m., at The Sheraton Fairplex Convention Center, Sonoma Room.

Register here!

For questions, please contact Jim Skelly, SEMA director of councils, at jimsk@sema.org or 909-978-6690.

By Kristin Atwan

Each company paticipating in the SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference is provided with a turnkey booth at the Custom Show Emirates. In 2016, exhibitors in the SEMA section met with pre-vetted trade buyers who traveled to the event from 10 countries.

In addition to the previously announced funding by the State of California, five more states have confirmed the availability of grants to qualified companies to participate in the SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference, to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), March 28–April 1, 2017. The program includes a turnkey booth at the Custom Show Emirates, four nights’ hotel and meals. The state funds are in addition to the $900 provided by the federal U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration.

States confirmed to have funds to defray participation costs include:

• Arizona
• California
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Nebraska
• Ohio

2017 SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference event schedule:

March 28: Briefing with U.S. government officials, buyer panel.
March 29: Visit accessory, performance and off-road retailers and wholesalers. Evening networking event with buyers.
March 30: SEMA section at the Custom Show Emirates open only to pre-vetted trade buyers.
March 31: SEMA measuring session demonstration. SEMA section open to all.
April 1: Options: Exhibit for an additional day, private meetings with buyers, depart for the United States.

Five reasons to consider the Middle East markets:

1. Deep pockets. The UAE has one of the world’s highest per-capita (ranking sixth worldwide) disposable incomes, and thus the funds to pursue hobbies.
2. Important market for U.S.-built vehicles. The Saudi Arabian market is the fifth top market for U.S. vehicle sales and the UAE market ranks eighth. All six of the GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE) are in the top 20 destinations for U.S.-made vehicles.
3. Positive perception of U.S. products and culture. In a nod to the popularity of U.S. culture in the region and the recognition that the UAE has a strong enthusiast base, the Fast and Furious 7 was filmed in the UAE. TV car customizing shows, such as “Pimp My Ride” and “Overhaulin’,” attracted big audiences
4. Very strong car culture and also a multi-car-per-family culture. The UAE has the most motorsports facilities per capita in the world. Off-roading (primarily on sand) is a national pastime, and the UAE’s national day would not be complete without an all-out classic-car display and parade including customized vehicles.
5. Similar to the United States market, light trucks are extremely popular in the Middle East. In fact, half of the passenger vehicles on Middle East roads are light trucks, with the Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Ford Explorer and Jeep among the top-selling SUVs. Top pickups include the Toyota HiLux, Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-Series, among others.

View a copy of the 2016 SEMA Middle East post-show report.

Watch a video of the 2016 trip.

Read the flyer for the 2017 trip.

Register now for the 2017 SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference.

To learn more about all of SEMA’s overseas trips, including the March 28–April 1 trip to the Middle East, the May 23–27 SEMA Business Development Program to Australia and the September trip to China, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org. 

By Kristin Atwan

Each company paticipating in the SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference is provided with a turnkey booth at the Custom Show Emirates. In 2016, exhibitors in the SEMA section met with pre-vetted trade buyers who traveled to the event from 10 countries.

In addition to the previously announced funding by the State of California, five more states have confirmed the availability of grants to qualified companies to participate in the SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference, to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), March 28–April 1, 2017. The program includes a turnkey booth at the Custom Show Emirates, four nights’ hotel and meals. The state funds are in addition to the $900 provided by the federal U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration.

States confirmed to have funds to defray participation costs include:

• Arizona
• California
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Nebraska
• Ohio

2017 SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference event schedule:

March 28: Briefing with U.S. government officials, buyer panel.
March 29: Visit accessory, performance and off-road retailers and wholesalers. Evening networking event with buyers.
March 30: SEMA section at the Custom Show Emirates open only to pre-vetted trade buyers.
March 31: SEMA measuring session demonstration. SEMA section open to all.
April 1: Options: Exhibit for an additional day, private meetings with buyers, depart for the United States.

Five reasons to consider the Middle East markets:

1. Deep pockets. The UAE has one of the world’s highest per-capita (ranking sixth worldwide) disposable incomes, and thus the funds to pursue hobbies.
2. Important market for U.S.-built vehicles. The Saudi Arabian market is the fifth top market for U.S. vehicle sales and the UAE market ranks eighth. All six of the GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE) are in the top 20 destinations for U.S.-made vehicles.
3. Positive perception of U.S. products and culture. In a nod to the popularity of U.S. culture in the region and the recognition that the UAE has a strong enthusiast base, the Fast and Furious 7 was filmed in the UAE. TV car customizing shows, such as “Pimp My Ride” and “Overhaulin’,” attracted big audiences
4. Very strong car culture and also a multi-car-per-family culture. The UAE has the most motorsports facilities per capita in the world. Off-roading (primarily on sand) is a national pastime, and the UAE’s national day would not be complete without an all-out classic-car display and parade including customized vehicles.
5. Similar to the United States market, light trucks are extremely popular in the Middle East. In fact, half of the passenger vehicles on Middle East roads are light trucks, with the Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Ford Explorer and Jeep among the top-selling SUVs. Top pickups include the Toyota HiLux, Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-Series, among others.

View a copy of the 2016 SEMA Middle East post-show report.

Watch a video of the 2016 trip.

Read the flyer for the 2017 trip.

Register now for the 2017 SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference.

To learn more about all of SEMA’s overseas trips, including the March 28–April 1 trip to the Middle East, the May 23–27 SEMA Business Development Program to Australia and the September trip to China, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org. 

This is the ’18 Ford F-150, caught on the road showing off its new face before its expected NAIAS debut.

The best-selling vehicle will get some cosmetic changes to keep it fresh and visually interesting as its tech gets updated underneath. The front end emulates the Super Duty two-bar design, but adds some softer design cues. The tailgate also gets a redesign, with a new handle and a more subdued look without a visible crease.

By the time the facelifted model appears, many F-150 models should be offered with the 10-speed automatic, developed jointly with GM and headed first for the Raptor. A revised Ecoboost V6 engine should provide more power and efficiency than before as Ford continues to seek fuel-economy gains for its big truck. A V6 diesel should also appear in time for the facelift, although the planned gas-electric hybrid version may be further off.

Expect to see the revised F-150 on sale by 2018 and debuting next week in Joe Louis Arena, according to sources.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’18 Ford F-150, caught on the road showing off its new face before its expected NAIAS debut.

The best-selling vehicle will get some cosmetic changes to keep it fresh and visually interesting as its tech gets updated underneath. The front end emulates the Super Duty two-bar design, but adds some softer design cues. The tailgate also gets a redesign, with a new handle and a more subdued look without a visible crease.

By the time the facelifted model appears, many F-150 models should be offered with the 10-speed automatic, developed jointly with GM and headed first for the Raptor. A revised Ecoboost V6 engine should provide more power and efficiency than before as Ford continues to seek fuel-economy gains for its big truck. A V6 diesel should also appear in time for the facelift, although the planned gas-electric hybrid version may be further off.

Expect to see the revised F-150 on sale by 2018 and debuting next week in Joe Louis Arena, according to sources.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’18 Ford F-150, caught on the road showing off its new face before its expected NAIAS debut.

The best-selling vehicle will get some cosmetic changes to keep it fresh and visually interesting as its tech gets updated underneath. The front end emulates the Super Duty two-bar design, but adds some softer design cues. The tailgate also gets a redesign, with a new handle and a more subdued look without a visible crease.

By the time the facelifted model appears, many F-150 models should be offered with the 10-speed automatic, developed jointly with GM and headed first for the Raptor. A revised Ecoboost V6 engine should provide more power and efficiency than before as Ford continues to seek fuel-economy gains for its big truck. A V6 diesel should also appear in time for the facelift, although the planned gas-electric hybrid version may be further off.

Expect to see the revised F-150 on sale by 2018 and debuting next week in Joe Louis Arena, according to sources.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’18 Ford F-150, caught on the road showing off its new face before its expected NAIAS debut.

The best-selling vehicle will get some cosmetic changes to keep it fresh and visually interesting as its tech gets updated underneath. The front end emulates the Super Duty two-bar design, but adds some softer design cues. The tailgate also gets a redesign, with a new handle and a more subdued look without a visible crease.

By the time the facelifted model appears, many F-150 models should be offered with the 10-speed automatic, developed jointly with GM and headed first for the Raptor. A revised Ecoboost V6 engine should provide more power and efficiency than before as Ford continues to seek fuel-economy gains for its big truck. A V6 diesel should also appear in time for the facelift, although the planned gas-electric hybrid version may be further off.

Expect to see the revised F-150 on sale by 2018 and debuting next week in Joe Louis Arena, according to sources.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’18 Ford F-150, caught on the road showing off its new face before its expected NAIAS debut.

The best-selling vehicle will get some cosmetic changes to keep it fresh and visually interesting as its tech gets updated underneath. The front end emulates the Super Duty two-bar design, but adds some softer design cues. The tailgate also gets a redesign, with a new handle and a more subdued look without a visible crease.

By the time the facelifted model appears, many F-150 models should be offered with the 10-speed automatic, developed jointly with GM and headed first for the Raptor. A revised Ecoboost V6 engine should provide more power and efficiency than before as Ford continues to seek fuel-economy gains for its big truck. A V6 diesel should also appear in time for the facelift, although the planned gas-electric hybrid version may be further off.

Expect to see the revised F-150 on sale by 2018 and debuting next week in Joe Louis Arena, according to sources.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’18 Ford F-150, caught on the road showing off its new face before its expected NAIAS debut.

The best-selling vehicle will get some cosmetic changes to keep it fresh and visually interesting as its tech gets updated underneath. The front end emulates the Super Duty two-bar design, but adds some softer design cues. The tailgate also gets a redesign, with a new handle and a more subdued look without a visible crease.

By the time the facelifted model appears, many F-150 models should be offered with the 10-speed automatic, developed jointly with GM and headed first for the Raptor. A revised Ecoboost V6 engine should provide more power and efficiency than before as Ford continues to seek fuel-economy gains for its big truck. A V6 diesel should also appear in time for the facelift, although the planned gas-electric hybrid version may be further off.

Expect to see the revised F-150 on sale by 2018 and debuting next week in Joe Louis Arena, according to sources.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde