By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) will host a virtual Coffee and Conversation networking event on Thursday, February 1, at 9:00 a.m. PST. The online gathering will bring together SEMA members to openly discuss opportunities and challenges facing the wheel and tire market. During the discussion, participants will share their expertise, grow their network, and create valuable business connections in the wheel and tire space. 

The online gathering will bring together SEMA members to openly discuss opportunities and challenges facing the wheel and tire market.

"The WTC Coffee and Conversation event is a great way to meet people, network within our industry and discuss topics that affect us all. It has been very informative, and I take part in every discussion that I can," said past participant Brian J. Doyle of Tire Service International.  

Discussion topics will be available to start the conversation, but attendees are encouraged to also bring a topic that impacts their business personally. 

Sign up now to start growing your network!

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) will host a Roundtable Discussion at the 2024 Grand National Roadster Show, in which top hot-rod builders will share their industry insights and expertise. The Roundtable Discussion will take place on Friday, February 2, 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. PST in Building 9.

SEMA members are invited to attend the event to engage with Rick Love (Vintage Air), as he moderates an informative and lively discussion between speakers Jason Slover (Pete & Jakes Hot Rod Parts), Brian Brennan (In the Garage Media), Jimmy Shine (Shine Speed Shop), and Roy Brizio (Roy Brizio Street Rods).

Attendees will hear and learn from the panelists as they swap their favorite builder stories, discuss their starts in the industry and reflect on lessons learned throughout their careers. The first 50 attendees will also receive a gift.

Secure your seat here.

SEMA News sources recently spotted a prototype of the Audi A7 wagon testing in the Arctic Circle.

The new A7, available in both wagon and sedan versions, will be powered by a hybridized combustion engine, according to Audi, and will accompany the introduction of the all-electric Audi A6 e-tron.

Although the combustion engines and electric cars will differ technically, they will share some visual similarities, according to recently captured images. The A5, which has already been spotted as a prototype, shows similarities to the A6 e-tron Concept study presented in 2021. One has a genuine single-frame radiator grille, while the other features a closed radiator grille. Additionally, both incorporate flared wings, a reminder of quattro history, and narrow LED light units at the front and rear.

Similarities between the Audi A6 e-tron and the future Audi A7 extend to the cockpit design and the associated operating concept, insiders said. As before, there will be a choice between touchscreen, steering wheel and voice control, but the wider cockpit screen will adapt its variable layouts more closely to the operating and driving situations and only display content relevant for the moment.

The new Audi A7 model family will also include a sedan version, sources said, and is likely to be presented alongside the wagon, which will appeal to families thanks to its increased space, trunk capacity and greater versatility.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Future Leaders Network (FLN), SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN), Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) and Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) are hosting a networking mixer at King of the Hammers in Johnson Valley, California. The event will take place on Thursday, February 1, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. PST inside the VIP tent.

RSVP for SEMA's networking mixer at King of the Hammers to grow your professional network.

Members of each of the four councils and networks are invited to the mixer to grow their professional networks and gain new industry resources that can help their careers and businesses. The event will include networking and comradery, as well as the chance to meet each group's select committee members, who will share ways to get involved in the industry through volunteering. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served.

Prospective members are also invited to attend, as it's a great way to introduce yourself and learn what council and network membership has to offer. RSVP for the event here.

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

West Virginia Delegate Gary Howell, chairman emeritus of SEMA's State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus, introduced SEMA-supported legislation that would prevent any state or local government unit from restricting the use or sale of motor vehicles based on the energy source used to power them, including internal combustion engines (ICE). 

West Virginia is the first state to introduce this legislation in the 2024 state legislative sessions but follows seven other states (Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and North Carolina) that have previously passed similar legislation and resolutions. 

SEMA believes West Virginians, not the government, should be allowed to choose the type of vehicle technology that best serves them and their families. 

Click here to tell West Virginia lawmakers to support internal combustion engines. 

For more information, contact Kiley Chapley at kileyc@sema.org. 

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

West Virginia Delegate Gary Howell, chairman emeritus of SEMA's State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus, introduced SEMA-supported legislation that would prevent any state or local government unit from restricting the use or sale of motor vehicles based on the energy source used to power them, including internal combustion engines (ICE). 

West Virginia is the first state to introduce this legislation in the 2024 state legislative sessions but follows seven other states (Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and North Carolina) that have previously passed similar legislation and resolutions. 

SEMA believes West Virginians, not the government, should be allowed to choose the type of vehicle technology that best serves them and their families. 

Click here to tell West Virginia lawmakers to support internal combustion engines. 

For more information, contact Kiley Chapley at kileyc@sema.org. 

Porsche vehicle owners can now register to display their cars or attend Air|Water, an all-Porsche car show on Saturday, April 27, in Costa Mesa, California.

Following its debut in 2023 at Luftgekühlt 9 on Mare Island near San Francisco, Air|Water will now become its own event, separated from the Luft series, which caters exclusively to air-cooled Porsches. Owners of every kind of street-driven or racing Porsche can register to display their vehicle.

The show’s model mix was previewed at Luftgekühlt 9, which included everything from the latest 911 GT3 RS to the current Porsche Penske 963 race car, as well as vintage 356s, survivor 914s, transaxle 944s, overland Cayennes and more.

Attendees can expect a family environment with food and beverages, vendors, aftermarket specialists, custom builders and restoration icons.

For more information or to register for the event, visit air-water.com.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) is offering a comprehensive leadership training program exclusive to women in the automotive aftermarket, the "Women's Leadership Forum," set for March 5-7 in Austin, Texas. Purchase tickets here.

The event, themed "EVOLVE: Advancing the Future of Women in Leadership," will help SBN members succeed by teaching them essential leadership skills through interactive education sessions, keynote speeches and engaging instruction from top-tier leadership experts. 

"The SBN forum offers a safe space for women to come together to share their experiences and celebrate their wins," said SBN Director Nicole Bradle. "In addition to fostering connections with women who understand their industry inside and out, attendees will walk away with tangible action plans to maximize their professional impact and communicate their value."  

Keynote sessions will focus on shifting your mindset to live an intentional life and habits that hold professionals back from a raise. Panel discussions will delve into advancing women's leadership and include workshops to define one's individual roadmap. Past attendees have also noted their success with the program. 

"The SBN Women's Leadership Forum gave me the confidence and boost I needed to advance my career," said April Rogers of Dee Zee Inc. "I learned leadership skills that were so beneficial, that will help not only me but, more importantly, the teams that I lead!"  

The forum happens at a time when women have worked their way through the ranks of the professional world to represent 58.4% of the U.S. workforce. Yet, they continue to hold a vastly smaller percentage of leadership positions than men in various sectors. According to a recent study, as of 2023, only 35% of top management positions are held by women, and women represent only 10.4% of leadership positions at Fortune 500 companies.*   

Reports also show women face unique challenges in the working world as they are often held to higher standards, and many businesses don't feel "ready" to hire women for top executive positions.* These challenges, which are tackled head-on during the SBN Women's Leadership Forum, are amplified in the traditionally male-dominated automotive industry. 

Registration for the SBN Women's Leadership Forum is now open at sema.org/sbn-wlf. 

*Source: 25 Women In Leadership Statistics [2023]: Facts On The Gender Gap In Corporate And Political Leadership--Zippia.  

By SEMA News Editors

Atlanta Motor Speedway Building New Gatehouses Ahead of Ambetter Health 400

Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, Georgia, is constructing three new gatehouses to service its Johnson, Champions and Earnhardt grandstands.

The new gatehouses will be completed before the NASCAR Cup Series Ambetter Health 400 on Sunday, February 25.

The new entrances will feature updated architecture and are designed to expedite guest entry into the grandstands, track officials said, and will be completed before Atlanta’s spring NASCAR weekend, headlined by the Ambetter Health 400 on Sunday, February 25.

For more information, visit atlantamotorspeedway.com.

POWRi Announces 2024 Schedules for War Sprint League, 305 Sprint Series

Series officials have announced the 2024 schedules for the POWRi WAR Sprint League and the POWRi 305 Sprint Series.

With 20 events at nine tracks throughout the Midwest, the POWRi WAR Sprint League opens at I-70 Motorsports Park in Odessa, Missouri, and will wrap with two days of racing at Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Missouri, on November 1-2. 

The POWRi 305 Sprint Series, meanwhile, features an eight-event showcase schedule in 2024, also opening at I-70 Motorsports Park on April 20 and closing with two days of racing at Lake Ozark Speedway on November 1-2. 

For more information, visit powri.com.

Whelen Engineering Named Mazda MX-5 Cup Title Sponsor

Whelen Engineering, an emergency warning equipment manufacturer based in Chester, Connecticut, is partnering with Mazda Motorsports to become the new title sponsor of the Mazda MX-5 Cup series beginning in 2024.

The 14-race, IMSA-sanctioned season begins on January 25 as part of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

For more information, see the full announcement at imsa.com.

By SEMA News Editors

Stellantis Appoints New North American COO

Stellantis has appointed Carlos Zarlenga as North American COO.

Zarlenga has more than a decade of automotive industry experience and joined Stellantis in 2022 as president of Stellantis Mexico. Since joining the company, Zarlenga has delivered a year-on-year improvement in sales performance, market share and adjusted operating income, leading to Stellantis Mexico's best-ever profit levels, according to the company.

For more information, visit stellantis.com.

Marc Blackman Elected to AACF Board 

Marc Blackman, CEO of Gold Eagle Company, has been elected to the board of directors of the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF), a non-profit organization supporting people in the automotive aftermarket industry and their families.

Gold Eagle Company is the manufacturer of 303 Protectant, Sta-Bil Fuel Stabilizer, HEET and other automotive, marine and RV protection products.

"We're thrilled to have Marc join AACF's Board of Trustees," said Joel Ayres, executive director of AACF. "His commitment to the industry and to volunteerism should be applauded and we're confident he'll be a strong addition to our volunteer board who works diligently to support the automotive aftermarket industry."

For more information, visit aftermarketcharity.org.

R&R Marketing Welcomes Kane McCord as Specialty Accounts Executive

R&R Marketing Consultants recently hired Kane McCord, who will join the Kansas City, Missouri-based company's sales and marketing team as specialty accounts executive.

McCord previously served as category manager at Aftermarket Performance Group/Premier and Midstates, in addition to previous experience in the aftermarket and powersports industries.

For more information, visit rrmci.com.

B&R Auto Expands Footprint, Adds to Executive Team

B&R Auto, an Oregon-based provider of recycled automotive parts, has acquired American Auto Recycling, New Way Auto Sales & Parts, and Charlies Towing. In addition to the acquisitions, B&R announced the hire of Lance Goeddel as chief administrative officer.

The acquisitions of American Auto and New Way expand B&R's business into Arizona, while Charlie's Towing grows the company's existing footprint in Oregon.

Goeddel most recently held the position of senior vice president and general counsel of Leeds West Groups. He previously served in various roles at Grease Monkey and JBS.

For more information, visit autowrecking.com.

Got company news? Releasing a new product? Contact editors@sema.org.