By Ashley Reyes

SEMA member company employees have an exclusive opportunity to apply to reduce their student debt through the SEMA Loan Forgiveness Program. Loan Forgiveness applications are open now and run through March 1 at sema.org/loan-forgiveness. 

The SEMA Loan Forgiveness Program issues awards up to $2,000 to individuals who are paying off a degree or certification from a college, university, or career tech school in the United States or Canada. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a passion for the automotive industry and have a minimum of $2,000 in student loans. 

"Receiving a SEMA loan forgiveness award presents a unique for our members to focus more on excelling in their careers, rather than be burdened by financial strain," said SEMA Manager of Recognition Programs Chris Standifer. "It also helps to ease their stress, motivating them to pursue new goals and thrive in the automotive aftermarket industry." 

The Loan Forgiveness program is open exclusively to employees of SEMA member businesses as a benefit of membership. Review the eligibility requirements and submit your application at sema.org/loan-forgiveness. Questions can be directed to Chris Standifer at Chriss@sema.org. 

SEMA News sources recently captured images of a heavily camouflaged Audi prototype, suspected to be the forthcoming Audi Q7.

The SUV, with rims reminiscent of early Q7 test mules and other design elements similar to the new Q3, will likely be Audi's final European model with internal combustion engine (ICE) power.

However, the identity of the model is challenged by the prototype's grille, resembling that of the China-only Q6, insiders said. Pillar-mounted side mirrors add another layer of ambiguity, as they differ from the current European and American Q7. The '25 Audi Q3 will have mirrors on the doors, while the '24 Q5 opts for A-pillar mounting.

Adding to the confusion, all future Audis, whether in China, Europe or the United States, electric or ICE-powered, will feature solid brackets for door handles. Despite being an ICE-powered SUV, the photographed car displayed flush handles, a design element absent in Audis for at least a decade, according to sources.

Amid these uncertainties, the target market for this vehicle remains unknown.

Honda is launching a new global electric vehicle series, the Honda 0 Series, in 2026, and premiered two concept models, the Saloon and Space-Hub, at CES 2024.

The new EV line will coincide with a new "H mark" logo that will be used exclusively for the vehicle series.

Both models were developed using a new Honda electrification design and engineering approach that will debut with the introduction of the Honda 0 Series, the manufacturer said.

A production vehicle based on the Saloon concept (left) will debut in the North American market in 2026.

The Saloon is the flagship concept model of the Honda 0 Series. Sitting on a dedicated EV platform and utilizing sustainable materials throughout, the Saloon has a low and wide exterior coupled with a spacious interior. Inside, the instrument panel features a human-machine interface (HMI) that enables simple and intuitive operations, Honda said.

The Saloon also debuts advancements of new steer-by-wire and motion-control management systems, and features posture control that will assist the driver in a variety of driving situations, the company said. A production vehicle based on the Saloon concept is expected to come to the North American market in 2026.

The Space-Hub was developed under the theme of “augmenting people's daily lives,” Honda said, and was designed to provide a spacious cabin and excellent visibility. The concept offers a flexible space that accommodates a variety of passengers and becomes a “hub” that connects people.

For more information, visit 0.honda.

By SEMA News Editors

SEMA News highlights new products from industry companies when available. To have your product considered for upcoming issues, send product press releases to editors@sema.org.

Wilwood Disc Brakes

Universal Flexline Hose Kits for Solid Axles

Weld-On Tab Flexline Kit

3-in. Axle Clamp Flexline Kit

Wilwood has engineered two kits for mounting Flexline hoses to solid axle rearends. Either kit, offered with weld-on tabs or 3-in. axle clamps, will assist the installer by including all necessary parts to attach calipers to the chassis hardlines.

wilwood.com

Mini's first new model name in 10 years, the Aceman, was spotted in heavy camouflage outside of Munich, Germany, SEMA News sources have confirmed. The spotting is the first time the car has been seen without plastic cladding covering the lamps and bumpers.

The Aceman is a small electric crossover designed to fill the gap between the flagship Mini hatchback and Mini Countryman SUV.

The Aceman is a small electric crossover designed to fill the gap between the flagship Mini hatchback and Mini Countryman SUV.

Expected to hit dealerships later this year, the Mini Aceman is an all-new design and the second in a series of electric vehicles using Mini's Spotlight platform, developed by BMW and Chinese partner Great Wall Motors.

Measuring 5.2-ft. high, 13.2-ft. long and 6.5-ft. wide, the Aceman shares a platform with the new all-electric version of the Mini hatchback, according to insiders, and is expected to share its drivetrain options, too. The hatch will come in entry-level Cooper trim, with 184 hp and a 40-kWh battery, while the Cooper S will get 224 hp and a 50-kWh battery for a range of around 250 miles.

The Aceman shares a platform with the all-electric version of the Mini hatchback and is also expected to share its drivetrain options.

The new model also emphasizes aerodynamic efficiency, with the production-spec Aceman adopting a rounded, clean front end and a less upright stance than the concept, sources said. 

Taking over its place in Mini's new-look lineup, the Aceman will likely have similar levels of passenger space and comparable luggage capacity.

The Aceman's interior is dominated by a large central screen and a set of five toggle switches. Aside from these, buttons are almost absent from the sustainable textile or leatherette-clad dashboard fascia.

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola and four SEMA members testified at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) January 10 public hearing in opposition to the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) "Advanced Clean Cars II" (ACC II) regulations to ban the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) motor vehicles by 2035. ACC II requires that 35% of new cars, SUVs and small trucks sold in California must be zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV) starting in 2026. The regulation increases ZEV sales requirements by 6% to 8% annually through 2035, when all new vehicles sold in California must be ZEV. 

Before ACC II can be implemented, CARB must receive a waiver from the EPA for the regulations to take effect. The EPA is accepting comments through Tuesday, February 27, on whether it should grant a waiver for the ACC II regulations to take effect. SEMA will be submitting a comment to the EPA in opposition to CARB's waiver request. Click here for talking points on ACC II.

"This far too-fast mandate will create a seismic shift in the automotive industry that will hurt small businesses that don't have the capacity to make the shift this quickly," said Spagnola. "While the federal government is helping some parts of the automotive industry, small businesses aren't receiving billions of dollars in government funds to fund their electric vehicle programs." 

SEMA members Kim Pendergast, CEO of Magnuson Superchargers; Mike Copeland, CEO of Arrington Performance; Ian Lehn, CEO of BOOSTane; and Laurel Moorhead, regulatory compliance engineer for Transfer Flow testified before the EPA on ACC II to express their opposition to the regulation and the impact it will have on small businesses in the specialty automotive aftermarket industry if the EPA grants California a waiver.

SEMA has opposed ACC II through state and federal regulatory and legislative efforts. In July 2022, SEMA submitted comments opposing the ACC II proposal to CARB. SEMA continues to advocate for Congress to pass a bill to prohibit the EPA from issuing a waiver to California for ACC II and any other regulations that would ban the sale of new ICE vehicles. The SEMA-supported "Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act" (H.R. 1435) passed the U.S. House of Representatives in September. The bill awaits action in the U.S. Senate. Click here to send a letter to your U.S. Senators telling them to support the "Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act" (H.R. 1435/S. 2090). 

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.  

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola and four SEMA members testified at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) January 10 public hearing in opposition to the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) "Advanced Clean Cars II" (ACC II) regulations to ban the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) motor vehicles by 2035. ACC II requires that 35% of new cars, SUVs and small trucks sold in California must be zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV) starting in 2026. The regulation increases ZEV sales requirements by 6% to 8% annually through 2035, when all new vehicles sold in California must be ZEV. 

Before ACC II can be implemented, CARB must receive a waiver from the EPA for the regulations to take effect. The EPA is accepting comments through Tuesday, February 27, on whether it should grant a waiver for the ACC II regulations to take effect. SEMA will be submitting a comment to the EPA in opposition to CARB's waiver request. Click here for talking points on ACC II.

"This far too-fast mandate will create a seismic shift in the automotive industry that will hurt small businesses that don't have the capacity to make the shift this quickly," said Spagnola. "While the federal government is helping some parts of the automotive industry, small businesses aren't receiving billions of dollars in government funds to fund their electric vehicle programs." 

SEMA members Kim Pendergast, CEO of Magnuson Superchargers; Mike Copeland, CEO of Arrington Performance; Ian Lehn, CEO of BOOSTane; and Laurel Moorhead, regulatory compliance engineer for Transfer Flow testified before the EPA on ACC II to express their opposition to the regulation and the impact it will have on small businesses in the specialty automotive aftermarket industry if the EPA grants California a waiver.

SEMA has opposed ACC II through state and federal regulatory and legislative efforts. In July 2022, SEMA submitted comments opposing the ACC II proposal to CARB. SEMA continues to advocate for Congress to pass a bill to prohibit the EPA from issuing a waiver to California for ACC II and any other regulations that would ban the sale of new ICE vehicles. The SEMA-supported "Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act" (H.R. 1435) passed the U.S. House of Representatives in September. The bill awaits action in the U.S. Senate. Click here to send a letter to your U.S. Senators telling them to support the "Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act" (H.R. 1435/S. 2090). 

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.  

By SEMA News Editors

iRacing, IndyCar Sign Multiyear License Agreement

iRacing and IndyCar have reached a multiyear licensing agreement reuniting the two brands.

The deal also includes the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the return of the iRacing Indianapolis 500 to the platform's special events calendar, the rebranding of IndyCar events on iRacing, access to series content for private events and leagues and more.

For more information on iRacing, visit iracing.com.

For more information on IndyCar, visit indycar.com.

Evernham, Kauffman Reviving IROC Brand

IROC Holdings, a Mooresville, North Carolina-based joint venture established by NASCAR Hall-of-Famer Ray Evernham and former NASCAR Cup Series team owner Rob Kauffman, has acquired the rights to the International Race of Champions (IROC) brand.

Held annually from 1973 to 2006, the IROC series brought together the top drivers from all forms of motorsports to compete against one another on historic tracks.

The joint venture was created to host an IROC racing event in 2024 with historic IROC cars while exploring future opportunities, according to the statement announcing the acquisition.

For more information, see the full announcement.

Chris Ward Named Historic Sportscar Racing President

Chris Ward has been named president of Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR), taking over leadership of the IMSA-owned vintage and historic sports car racing sanctioning body from David Hinton.

Ward most recently served as head of motorsport for Lamborghini North America from 2014 to 2023, where he oversaw day-to-day operations of the IMSA-sanctioned Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Series, including sanctioning body coordination, team and customer liaison and acquisition, parts supply chain management and logistics and hospitality operations.

Hinton served as HSR president for the last 11 years after acquiring majority ownership of the organization in 2012 in partnership with the late George Tuma. IMSA acquired the series in 2022.

The former HSR president will also remain on the board of directors for HSR and continue to operate his historic racing team, Heritage Motorsports, out of Clearwater, Florida.

For more information, visit hsrrace.com.

For additional racing news, visit the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) website. 

By SEMA News Editors

Sources have captured the Ram 1500 RHO during its final testing phase, providing an exclusive glimpse of the highly anticipated successor to the RAM TRX.

Photos show the unmistakable wide-body treatment inherited from the TRX, and although camouflaged, three amber lights along the hood-mounted intake lead to a power dome-style hood and the high-approach front fascia.

When viewed from the side, the prototype showcases its assertive off-road tires and generous ground clearance, while the rear boasts a prominently featured dual exhaust and a high-clearance rear bumper.

In November 2023, Ram announced that, stating that in Q3 2024, a new Ram 1500 RHO would be introduced to the lineup, equipped with the potent 540hp Hurricane H/O, solidifying America's preeminent position in off-road and performance trucks.

This positions the RHO as a de facto replacement for the TRX, even though it may not bear the same name. Sources expect an official debut in the coming months, likely at the Chicago Auto Show.

By SEMA News Editors

Resellers Able to Win Custom Chevrolet Colorado Z71 in Keys to Ride Sweepstakes

The AAM Group and its partner Lippert have announced the Keys to Ride vehicle sweepstakes is back for 2024, giving its resellers a chance to win an overlanding-inspired '24 Chevy Colorado Z71 decked out with a custom wrap and products from the Lippert Automotive family of brands. The truck will be awarded to one of six lucky finalists at the 2024 SEMA Show, November 5-8 in Las Vegas.

Resellers earn entries by purchasing the following brands from their Total Truck Centers or Performance Corner® warehouse distributor from January 1 to August 31, 2024: CURT, Ranch Hand, ARIES, LUVERNE and UWS. Each month, certain featured brands will earn double entries.

Customers of AAM Group warehouses are automatically registered for the sweepstakes. In September, six finalists will be randomly drawn from among all qualified entrants, and on November 5, they will gather at the SEMA Show to find out who will win the truck. Each finalist will also receive a $1,000 gift card and two nights of hotel accommodations for the final drawing. For complete sweepstakes rules and the bonus brands schedule, visit KeysToRide.com.

Hypercraft Appoints New President

Hypercraft, an electric powertrain manufacturing and engineering company with operations in California and Utah, has appointed former Maersk executive Brian Bowers as president.

Bowers, who has more than 24 years of business development experience, will support the growth and demand from global OEMs and the aftermarket, the company said, while working closely with co-founder and CEO Jake Hawksworth.

"Hypercraft takes all of my experience building teams and solving problems and brings it to bear at a company that has the greatest potential to impact the global EV industry," said Bowers. "To make a name for Hypercraft and establish it as an industry leader is exactly the type of opportunity I love and am most excited to leverage my skills toward." 

"We're in a position of strength to build Hypercraft for the future," said Hawksworth. "I have the greatest confidence in Brian's ability to oversee our R&D and engineering departments, working with customers and team alike, supporting our expansion as we race to lead the powertrain manufacturing market." 

For more information, visit hypercraftusa.com.  

Motion Names New SVP of Strategy and Markets

Motion Industries, a distributor of maintenance, repair and operation replacement parts, and a provider of industrial technology solutions, has named Chris Cleland as its senior vice president of strategy and markets.

Cleland previously served as principal consultant at Cummings Creative Group and brings more than 25 years of experience in consulting, strategy, marketing, branding, eCommerce, business development and more.

In the new role, Cleland will lead the company's strategy development for its business groups, as well as its eCommerce and digital teams. He will report to James Howe, Motion's executive vice president, chief commercial officer and chief technology officer.

For more information, visit motion.com.

Speedway Motors Launches Loyalty Program

Speedway Motors, the Lincoln, Nebraska-based manufacturer, retailer and distributor of automotive and racing products, has launched a new loyalty program.

The program, Speedway Motors Rewards, allows customers to earn rewards and exclusive offers through their account. Membership is free, and customers can earn points for purchases that can be redeemed at various reward levels.  

"We are excited to bring a program to our customers that allows them to earn rewards as they shop for everything they need to build their dreams," said Melissa Ward, director of marketing. "With extra savings and special gifts just for them, it's our way of saying thanks for being such a great customer."

Customers can earn points online and at the company's retail stores in Lincoln and Phoenix, Arizona.

For more information, visit speedwaymotors.com.