This is the ’17 GMC Sierra Denali HD 3500 caught testing in the Rockies.

The HD trucks will adopt a look similar to the ones introduced on the 1500s for 2016, complete with a taller and bolder front end and a new hood scoop that reveals the pickup is equipped with the latest version of the current 6.6L V8 turbodiesel. It will be comprehensively modified to unseat the Ford Super Duty in efficiency and hauling capacities, pushing it comfortably over the 425 hp mark, and at least 860 lb.-ft. of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is also likely to become standard, but the 10-speed unit may not be far behind.

The revised HD trucks are supposed to last until 2020 or so, when the next-generation GM pickups will adopt a more aluminum-intensive architecture to reduce weight, also carrying downsized engines for better efficiency.

Expect to see the ’17 Sierra HD by the summer.
Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’17 GMC Sierra Denali HD 3500 caught testing in the Rockies.

The HD trucks will adopt a look similar to the ones introduced on the 1500s for 2016, complete with a taller and bolder front end and a new hood scoop that reveals the pickup is equipped with the latest version of the current 6.6L V8 turbodiesel. It will be comprehensively modified to unseat the Ford Super Duty in efficiency and hauling capacities, pushing it comfortably over the 425 hp mark, and at least 860 lb.-ft. of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is also likely to become standard, but the 10-speed unit may not be far behind.

The revised HD trucks are supposed to last until 2020 or so, when the next-generation GM pickups will adopt a more aluminum-intensive architecture to reduce weight, also carrying downsized engines for better efficiency.

Expect to see the ’17 Sierra HD by the summer.
Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’17 GMC Sierra Denali HD 3500 caught testing in the Rockies.

The HD trucks will adopt a look similar to the ones introduced on the 1500s for 2016, complete with a taller and bolder front end and a new hood scoop that reveals the pickup is equipped with the latest version of the current 6.6L V8 turbodiesel. It will be comprehensively modified to unseat the Ford Super Duty in efficiency and hauling capacities, pushing it comfortably over the 425 hp mark, and at least 860 lb.-ft. of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is also likely to become standard, but the 10-speed unit may not be far behind.

The revised HD trucks are supposed to last until 2020 or so, when the next-generation GM pickups will adopt a more aluminum-intensive architecture to reduce weight, also carrying downsized engines for better efficiency.

Expect to see the ’17 Sierra HD by the summer.
Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’17 GMC Sierra Denali HD 3500 caught testing in the Rockies.

The HD trucks will adopt a look similar to the ones introduced on the 1500s for 2016, complete with a taller and bolder front end and a new hood scoop that reveals the pickup is equipped with the latest version of the current 6.6L V8 turbodiesel. It will be comprehensively modified to unseat the Ford Super Duty in efficiency and hauling capacities, pushing it comfortably over the 425 hp mark, and at least 860 lb.-ft. of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is also likely to become standard, but the 10-speed unit may not be far behind.

The revised HD trucks are supposed to last until 2020 or so, when the next-generation GM pickups will adopt a more aluminum-intensive architecture to reduce weight, also carrying downsized engines for better efficiency.

Expect to see the ’17 Sierra HD by the summer.
Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’17 GMC Sierra Denali HD 3500 caught testing in the Rockies.

The HD trucks will adopt a look similar to the ones introduced on the 1500s for 2016, complete with a taller and bolder front end and a new hood scoop that reveals the pickup is equipped with the latest version of the current 6.6L V8 turbodiesel. It will be comprehensively modified to unseat the Ford Super Duty in efficiency and hauling capacities, pushing it comfortably over the 425 hp mark, and at least 860 lb.-ft. of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is also likely to become standard, but the 10-speed unit may not be far behind.

The revised HD trucks are supposed to last until 2020 or so, when the next-generation GM pickups will adopt a more aluminum-intensive architecture to reduce weight, also carrying downsized engines for better efficiency.

Expect to see the ’17 Sierra HD by the summer.
Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By Jon Wyly

Google has announced that it requires full compliance on its Global Trade Identification Numbers (GTIN) requirement for most products to qualify for inclusion on Google Shopping feeds. The GTIN-12 is used in the United States and Canada and is encoded into 12-digit UPC Barcodes. After May 16, Google will begin to show “item level disapprovals” for products that don’t meet the requirement. That is, you will need to meet the GTIN requirements to continue serving ads for your products through Google. And this doesn’t just mean the items with out GTINs will be excluded, but rather if a certain modest percentage of items don’t comply, the entire data feed will be rejected.

An initial look at the industry data repository operated by the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) shows that roughly 25% of the parts managed and stored in the SDC system are missing GTINs. In some cases they are hit-and-miss; in other cases, the manufacturer has made a conscious decision not to invest in GTINs.

Well, the game has now officially changed, and it’s time to fill in those blanks and get compliant on GTINs, not just for Google, but also for the countless retailers that have the same requirement. Rest assured, Google’s stand will be the tip of the iceberg, creating an ideal opportunity for others who have been “flexible” on GTINs to firm up their position as well.

So, how do you fix this situation? It’s pretty simple actually. If you are a large manufacturer in need of several thousand or more GTINs, you need to contact GS1—a neutral, non-profit standards organization that has managed GTINs globally since that first scan back in 1974. There you can sign up for your own unique identifier and purchase your GTINs. If you are already an existing subscriber through GS1, then get those blanks filled in as soon as possible!

But what about the smaller manufacturer that needs 50, 100, 500 or a couple thousand GTINs and can’t afford a unique subscription through GS1? Well, that’s where your SEMA-member benefits kick in! Since its inception, the SDC has been an official source of GS1 GTINs, which have been offered at a price of $1 each, with no minimum purchase requirement.

Now, in response to Google’s requirement, the SDC is committed to providing up to 2,500 official GS1 GTINs to any SDC-member company (that has never worked directly with GS1) at no charge. 

If you are an SDC supplier member and need GTINs, contact our data lab at 888-958-6698, ext. 40 and get started today. If you are not yet an SDC member, then contact Jim Graven, director of membership at JimG@SemaDataCoop.org or 888-958-6698, ext. 4 for information on this and many other benefits of joining the SDC.

Don’t delay—your sales depend on it.

More information can be found on Google.

By Jon Wyly

Google has announced that it requires full compliance on its Global Trade Identification Numbers (GTIN) requirement for most products to qualify for inclusion on Google Shopping feeds. The GTIN-12 is used in the United States and Canada and is encoded into 12-digit UPC Barcodes. After May 16, Google will begin to show “item level disapprovals” for products that don’t meet the requirement. That is, you will need to meet the GTIN requirements to continue serving ads for your products through Google. And this doesn’t just mean the items with out GTINs will be excluded, but rather if a certain modest percentage of items don’t comply, the entire data feed will be rejected.

An initial look at the industry data repository operated by the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) shows that roughly 25% of the parts managed and stored in the SDC system are missing GTINs. In some cases they are hit-and-miss; in other cases, the manufacturer has made a conscious decision not to invest in GTINs.

Well, the game has now officially changed, and it’s time to fill in those blanks and get compliant on GTINs, not just for Google, but also for the countless retailers that have the same requirement. Rest assured, Google’s stand will be the tip of the iceberg, creating an ideal opportunity for others who have been “flexible” on GTINs to firm up their position as well.

So, how do you fix this situation? It’s pretty simple actually. If you are a large manufacturer in need of several thousand or more GTINs, you need to contact GS1—a neutral, non-profit standards organization that has managed GTINs globally since that first scan back in 1974. There you can sign up for your own unique identifier and purchase your GTINs. If you are already an existing subscriber through GS1, then get those blanks filled in as soon as possible!

But what about the smaller manufacturer that needs 50, 100, 500 or a couple thousand GTINs and can’t afford a unique subscription through GS1? Well, that’s where your SEMA-member benefits kick in! Since its inception, the SDC has been an official source of GS1 GTINs, which have been offered at a price of $1 each, with no minimum purchase requirement.

Now, in response to Google’s requirement, the SDC is committed to providing up to 2,500 official GS1 GTINs to any SDC-member company (that has never worked directly with GS1) at no charge. 

If you are an SDC supplier member and need GTINs, contact our data lab at 888-958-6698, ext. 40 and get started today. If you are not yet an SDC member, then contact Jim Graven, director of membership at JimG@SemaDataCoop.org or 888-958-6698, ext. 4 for information on this and many other benefits of joining the SDC.

Don’t delay—your sales depend on it.

More information can be found on Google.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

“Mad Mike” Whiddett will compete in his ’16 Mazda MX-5 Miata while Formula DRIFT champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. will make the U.S. competition debut of his ’16 Ford Mustang RTR at the Streets of Long Beach event, April 8–9.

Team Nitto Fields Two New Cars and One New Driver in Formula DRIFT

Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc. has announced its 2016 Formula DRIFT lineup. Returning for 2016 are Formula DRIFT champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. and international drift celebrity “Mad Mike” Whiddett, both of whom will debut new rides this year. Alongside these Team Nitto veterans is Alex Heilbrunn—one of the biggest up-and-coming drivers in the sport. Not only will Nitto will provide these drivers with NT05 tires throughout the season, but they will also give them on-site technical support. Gittin Jr. will make the U.S. competition debut of his ’16 Ford Mustang RTR at the Streets of Long Beach event, April 8–9. This year, Whiddett is sporting a new look on RADBUL that matches the new styling of his ’16 Mazda MX-5 Miata. Heilbrunn, who won the 2015 Formula DRIFT Pro 2 championship in his first year of competing professionally, has earned a spot in the top-level Pro Series, and will compete in his supercharged LS-powered BMW E46.

ROUSH Performance Partners with Formula Drifter Justin Pawlak for 2016 Season

Teaming with main sponsor ROUSH Performance, professional drifter Justin Pawlak will drive a ’16 ROUSH supercharged Mustang with a Ford Performance Aluminator crate engine during the 2016 Formula DRIFT series. Pawlak, who began his drifting career in 2005, secured first-place finishes at Los Angeles NOPI Drift and the first round of 2011 Formula DRIFT. He has been a consistent top-7 performer in Formula D since 2011. For the 2016 drifting season, Pawlak built a brand new S550-chassis Mustang that features the ROUSH 2.3L TVS supercharger, which pushes out almost 1,000 hp and 831 lb.-ft. of torque.

Team MSD of Tulsa Tech Takes First Place in Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Qualifying Event

Taking first place at the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Tarrant County College Qualifying Event last weekend in Fort Worth, Texas, was Team MSD of Tulsa Tech, Oklahoma, with a low time of 24:30. Team Edelbrock from Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Center (29:42) with Teams K&N (30:53) and Energy Suspension (32:44) of Tulsa Tech also qualified this past weekend. These students now all have a spot at the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Dual National Championships later this year at the 2016 SEMA and PRI Shows.

Michael Essa returns to the E46 BMW M3 chassis in which he captured the Formula DRIFT championship in 2013.

Formula DRIFT Champion Michael Essa Slides into the 2016 Season on CCW Forged Performance Wheels

Formula DRIFT champion Michael Essa will compete during the 2016 season using 18x10-in. Corsair Hybrid wheels from CCW Forged Performance—a WELD brand. Essa returns to the E46 BMW M3 chassis in which he captured the Formula DRIFT championship in 2013. Kern says the Hybrid series of wheels are specifically designed for use on track and is the wheel of choice for top performance builders. Essa will kick off the 2016 Formula DRIFT season at the opening event in Long Beach, California, April 8–9.

Lucas Oil Modified Series Has Strongest Sponsor Group Ever for 2016 Season

The Lucas Oil Modified Series presented by LoanMart waved the green flag on its 11th championship season last week at Havasu 95 Speedway with the strongest group of sponsors in series history. LoanMart returns as the series sponsor for the fourth year. Sunoco Race Fuel has been the exclusive race fuel supplier, and has sponsored the Winner's Circle program and other bonus funds. Hoosier Tire West has been the exclusive tire supplier and the sponsor of the championship points fund. K&N Filters has contributed in a variety of ways over the past decade, and this year has agreed to sponsor the series’ tow money program to help defray travel expenses for the top 24 drivers in the point standings. BILSTEIN is the series’ official shock absorber and sponsor of the B main events that pay $500 to win. Optima Batteries is the long-time sponsor of the Hard Charger award, which goes to the driver who improves his position the most during a race, and SuperClean is the sponsor of the Lucky Dog award, which is presented to the first driver at least a lap behind at the checkered flag. General Tire, GEICO, E3 Spark Plugs and Carlyle Tools-NAPA are core members of Team Lucas, along with Lucas Oil Products Inc., Protect the Harvest, MAVTV, The Motorsports Channel and LucasOilRacing.TV.

Mickey Thompson Pro Mod racer Jonathan Gray achieved a 5.751 elapsed time at 258.02 mph for a new national record.

Jonathan Gray Sets National Pro Mod Record on Mickey Thompson Tires

Mickey Thompson Pro Mod racer Jonathan Gray has entered the national Pro Mod record books following the NHRA Mello Yello Gatornationals event. A former Pro Stock racer, Gray entered the season with the PTE flagship 2014 Pro Mod Chevrolet Camaro built by Larry Jeffers Race Cars. The Camaro, previously driven by Don Walsh Jr. and named the “Best Engineered Car” in Pro Mod, is now racing with Mickey Thompson’s ET Drag “Bubba” tires. Gray achieved a 5.751 elapsed time at 258.02 mph for a new national record.

5th Annual Nitto Tire NMCA WEST Spring Nationals to Be Held April 1–3 at Auto Club Dragway

Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, California, will once again host the season-opening Nitto Tire NMCA WEST Spring Nationals the weekend of April 1–3. The event will feature Pro Modifieds, the ProCharger Limited Street class and the Hotchkis Cup Autocross presented by Nitto Tire. The professionally designed course offers racers a chance to test their skills and their car’s handling capabilities.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

“Mad Mike” Whiddett will compete in his ’16 Mazda MX-5 Miata while Formula DRIFT champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. will make the U.S. competition debut of his ’16 Ford Mustang RTR at the Streets of Long Beach event, April 8–9.

Team Nitto Fields Two New Cars and One New Driver in Formula DRIFT

Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc. has announced its 2016 Formula DRIFT lineup. Returning for 2016 are Formula DRIFT champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. and international drift celebrity “Mad Mike” Whiddett, both of whom will debut new rides this year. Alongside these Team Nitto veterans is Alex Heilbrunn—one of the biggest up-and-coming drivers in the sport. Not only will Nitto will provide these drivers with NT05 tires throughout the season, but they will also give them on-site technical support. Gittin Jr. will make the U.S. competition debut of his ’16 Ford Mustang RTR at the Streets of Long Beach event, April 8–9. This year, Whiddett is sporting a new look on RADBUL that matches the new styling of his ’16 Mazda MX-5 Miata. Heilbrunn, who won the 2015 Formula DRIFT Pro 2 championship in his first year of competing professionally, has earned a spot in the top-level Pro Series, and will compete in his supercharged LS-powered BMW E46.

ROUSH Performance Partners with Formula Drifter Justin Pawlak for 2016 Season

Teaming with main sponsor ROUSH Performance, professional drifter Justin Pawlak will drive a ’16 ROUSH supercharged Mustang with a Ford Performance Aluminator crate engine during the 2016 Formula DRIFT series. Pawlak, who began his drifting career in 2005, secured first-place finishes at Los Angeles NOPI Drift and the first round of 2011 Formula DRIFT. He has been a consistent top-7 performer in Formula D since 2011. For the 2016 drifting season, Pawlak built a brand new S550-chassis Mustang that features the ROUSH 2.3L TVS supercharger, which pushes out almost 1,000 hp and 831 lb.-ft. of torque.

Team MSD of Tulsa Tech Takes First Place in Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Qualifying Event

Taking first place at the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Tarrant County College Qualifying Event last weekend in Fort Worth, Texas, was Team MSD of Tulsa Tech, Oklahoma, with a low time of 24:30. Team Edelbrock from Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Center (29:42) with Teams K&N (30:53) and Energy Suspension (32:44) of Tulsa Tech also qualified this past weekend. These students now all have a spot at the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Dual National Championships later this year at the 2016 SEMA and PRI Shows.

Michael Essa returns to the E46 BMW M3 chassis in which he captured the Formula DRIFT championship in 2013.

Formula DRIFT Champion Michael Essa Slides into the 2016 Season on CCW Forged Performance Wheels

Formula DRIFT champion Michael Essa will compete during the 2016 season using 18x10-in. Corsair Hybrid wheels from CCW Forged Performance—a WELD brand. Essa returns to the E46 BMW M3 chassis in which he captured the Formula DRIFT championship in 2013. Kern says the Hybrid series of wheels are specifically designed for use on track and is the wheel of choice for top performance builders. Essa will kick off the 2016 Formula DRIFT season at the opening event in Long Beach, California, April 8–9.

Lucas Oil Modified Series Has Strongest Sponsor Group Ever for 2016 Season

The Lucas Oil Modified Series presented by LoanMart waved the green flag on its 11th championship season last week at Havasu 95 Speedway with the strongest group of sponsors in series history. LoanMart returns as the series sponsor for the fourth year. Sunoco Race Fuel has been the exclusive race fuel supplier, and has sponsored the Winner's Circle program and other bonus funds. Hoosier Tire West has been the exclusive tire supplier and the sponsor of the championship points fund. K&N Filters has contributed in a variety of ways over the past decade, and this year has agreed to sponsor the series’ tow money program to help defray travel expenses for the top 24 drivers in the point standings. BILSTEIN is the series’ official shock absorber and sponsor of the B main events that pay $500 to win. Optima Batteries is the long-time sponsor of the Hard Charger award, which goes to the driver who improves his position the most during a race, and SuperClean is the sponsor of the Lucky Dog award, which is presented to the first driver at least a lap behind at the checkered flag. General Tire, GEICO, E3 Spark Plugs and Carlyle Tools-NAPA are core members of Team Lucas, along with Lucas Oil Products Inc., Protect the Harvest, MAVTV, The Motorsports Channel and LucasOilRacing.TV.

Mickey Thompson Pro Mod racer Jonathan Gray achieved a 5.751 elapsed time at 258.02 mph for a new national record.

Jonathan Gray Sets National Pro Mod Record on Mickey Thompson Tires

Mickey Thompson Pro Mod racer Jonathan Gray has entered the national Pro Mod record books following the NHRA Mello Yello Gatornationals event. A former Pro Stock racer, Gray entered the season with the PTE flagship 2014 Pro Mod Chevrolet Camaro built by Larry Jeffers Race Cars. The Camaro, previously driven by Don Walsh Jr. and named the “Best Engineered Car” in Pro Mod, is now racing with Mickey Thompson’s ET Drag “Bubba” tires. Gray achieved a 5.751 elapsed time at 258.02 mph for a new national record.

5th Annual Nitto Tire NMCA WEST Spring Nationals to Be Held April 1–3 at Auto Club Dragway

Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, California, will once again host the season-opening Nitto Tire NMCA WEST Spring Nationals the weekend of April 1–3. The event will feature Pro Modifieds, the ProCharger Limited Street class and the Hotchkis Cup Autocross presented by Nitto Tire. The professionally designed course offers racers a chance to test their skills and their car’s handling capabilities.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has provided guidance on the requirement that manufacturers provide NHTSA with any communications to dealers, owners or purchasers about a product defect or noncompliance. NHTSA is required to post these communications, including technical service bulletins, on the agency’s www.safercar.gov website. The communications must include an index with a concise summary of the subject matter. For equipment manufacturers, the index should include descriptive information about the equipment when it is not associated with a specific vehicle make, model and model year. 

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.