By Carr Winn

SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry who are under the age of 35 through its 35 Under 35 program. We need your input. If you know of a leader who is under 35—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media or distribution—we would like to hear from you.

The following is a short profile on one of last year's 35 Under 35 winners—Lee McGuire. At 32, McGuire is director of marketing and operations at Skyjacker Suspensions.

Lee McGuire, 32

Director of Marketing and Operations—Skyjacker Suspensions

In the decade that she has worked with Skyjacker, Lee McGuire has racked up an impressive list of accomplishments and awards. Plus, as a former chairman of SEMA’s Young Executives Network and an active member of the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network, she has never been hesitant to volunteer to advance the aftermarket industry. “I didn’t grow up in racing or the automotive world, but I love marketing,” she said. “The aftermarket has given me an avenue to do advertising and marketing on a national level. “I think the important trends to look out for are certainly what’s new or up-and-coming in social media. Social media and all the new channels to reach consumers are changing the way people are searching and buying suspension products.” On the other hand, McGuire believes that the industry’s greatest challenges lay in adapting to new vehicle technologies and marketing trends. “In the aftermarket, we are not always the first to embrace new trends, but that is becoming more important to reach the new consumers getting into the hobby.” In her briefcase: An iPhone, a small stack of business cards, a pen and a yellow legal pad plus her favorite lipstick, which “a girl has to have wherever she goes.”

Do you have a friend or colleague who deserves to be recognized? If so, please contact the editorial team at SEMA News and submit a nomination for the 2014 SEMA News 35 Under 35. Nominations are due May 9, 2014. Winners will be chosen based on their business success, contribution to their organization, industry knowledge and community involvement. We'll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

For more details on the 35 Under 35 program and complete details on all of last year's winners, read through the following article taken from the September 2013 issue of SEMA News.

By Carr Winn

SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry who are under the age of 35 through its 35 Under 35 program. We need your input. If you know of a leader who is under 35—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media or distribution—we would like to hear from you.

The following is a short profile on one of last year's 35 Under 35 winners—Lee McGuire. At 32, McGuire is director of marketing and operations at Skyjacker Suspensions.

Lee McGuire, 32

Director of Marketing and Operations—Skyjacker Suspensions

In the decade that she has worked with Skyjacker, Lee McGuire has racked up an impressive list of accomplishments and awards. Plus, as a former chairman of SEMA’s Young Executives Network and an active member of the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network, she has never been hesitant to volunteer to advance the aftermarket industry. “I didn’t grow up in racing or the automotive world, but I love marketing,” she said. “The aftermarket has given me an avenue to do advertising and marketing on a national level. “I think the important trends to look out for are certainly what’s new or up-and-coming in social media. Social media and all the new channels to reach consumers are changing the way people are searching and buying suspension products.” On the other hand, McGuire believes that the industry’s greatest challenges lay in adapting to new vehicle technologies and marketing trends. “In the aftermarket, we are not always the first to embrace new trends, but that is becoming more important to reach the new consumers getting into the hobby.” In her briefcase: An iPhone, a small stack of business cards, a pen and a yellow legal pad plus her favorite lipstick, which “a girl has to have wherever she goes.”

Do you have a friend or colleague who deserves to be recognized? If so, please contact the editorial team at SEMA News and submit a nomination for the 2014 SEMA News 35 Under 35. Nominations are due May 9, 2014. Winners will be chosen based on their business success, contribution to their organization, industry knowledge and community involvement. We'll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

For more details on the 35 Under 35 program and complete details on all of last year's winners, read through the following article taken from the September 2013 issue of SEMA News.

By Carr Winn

SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry who are under the age of 35 through its 35 Under 35 program. We need your input. If you know of a leader who is under 35—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media or distribution—we would like to hear from you.

The following is a short profile on one of last year's 35 Under 35 winners—Lee McGuire. At 32, McGuire is director of marketing and operations at Skyjacker Suspensions.

Lee McGuire, 32

Director of Marketing and Operations—Skyjacker Suspensions

In the decade that she has worked with Skyjacker, Lee McGuire has racked up an impressive list of accomplishments and awards. Plus, as a former chairman of SEMA’s Young Executives Network and an active member of the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network, she has never been hesitant to volunteer to advance the aftermarket industry. “I didn’t grow up in racing or the automotive world, but I love marketing,” she said. “The aftermarket has given me an avenue to do advertising and marketing on a national level. “I think the important trends to look out for are certainly what’s new or up-and-coming in social media. Social media and all the new channels to reach consumers are changing the way people are searching and buying suspension products.” On the other hand, McGuire believes that the industry’s greatest challenges lay in adapting to new vehicle technologies and marketing trends. “In the aftermarket, we are not always the first to embrace new trends, but that is becoming more important to reach the new consumers getting into the hobby.” In her briefcase: An iPhone, a small stack of business cards, a pen and a yellow legal pad plus her favorite lipstick, which “a girl has to have wherever she goes.”

Do you have a friend or colleague who deserves to be recognized? If so, please contact the editorial team at SEMA News and submit a nomination for the 2014 SEMA News 35 Under 35. Nominations are due May 9, 2014. Winners will be chosen based on their business success, contribution to their organization, industry knowledge and community involvement. We'll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

For more details on the 35 Under 35 program and complete details on all of last year's winners, read through the following article taken from the September 2013 issue of SEMA News.

Strengthen Your Company Through Community

No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, reps, trucks or wheels and tires—there's a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of niche-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular market segment.

Visit SBN's website.

Network with Fellow SBN Members

By Gigi Ho

Visit TORA's website.

TORA to Host Media Preview at the 2014 SEMA Show

TORA will host a Media Preview for a limited number of manufacturer members at the 2014 SEMA Show. Participants will have the opportunity to meet with a wide variety of truck and off-road editors and writers in a designated area, Monday, November 3, from 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

These focused meetings ensure that editors and reporters can ask their most pressing questions and photograph new products while manufacturers give the full story.

By participating just before the start of the SEMA Show, media members gain an early scoop on the latest products, and manufacturers have quality time with editors and reporters without sacrificing valuable floor time with customers. Participating manufacturers will be provided with various media training resources through the SEMA Education Institute to help them prepare and maximize their meetings. To give manufacturers the best chance for success, participants will be asked to meet media kit production milestones.

To be considered for participation in the 2014 TORA Media Preview, your company’s application must be received by 5:00 p.m. (PDT), Friday, May 30, 2014. Review the rules and regulations and apply today.

Not yet an TORA member? Join today to become eligible for the 2014 Media Preview.

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Visit YEN's website

Launch Pad Competition to Return for 2014 SEMA Show

By Bryan Harrison

After the success of last year’s Launch Pad competition, SEMA has announced that it will return for a second year.

This competition offers innovators under the age of 40 an industry platform to showcase their business for marketing a new automotive product or service.

Industrywide Awareness


The top 10 competitors will vie for the most votes on SEMA’s official Facebook/YouTube voting platform. The top five will receive an invitation to pitch their businesses in front of an industry-packed crowd during a live event at the SEMA Show.

Tools to Fuel Your Biz


The winner’s prize package will take their business to the next level, including a 10x10 booth at the 2015 SEMA Show, a one-page ad in SEMA News, an ad in Hot Rod magazine or 4-Wheel & Off Road magazine, a rep consultation with the Manufacturers’ Representative Network (MRN), public relations and social media consultation from Kahn Media, an event-level sponsorship package to either a Family Events truck and off-road group property or a Family Events performance car group property and much more.

Access to Decision Makers


This year’s event will feature another judging panel composed of industry experts who will offer coaching and advice to the contestants. Returning from the 2013 event will be Doug Evans, executive vice president and group publisher at Source Interlink Media, and SEMA’s chairman-elect of the Board, and Ron Coleman, president and CEO of COMP Performance Group. Joining them will be Tracie Nunez, president of the Performance Warehouse Association (PWA); Todd Ballard, director of sports marketing at GoPro; and Glenn Rogers, partner at Beyond Marketing.

Interested? It’s time to launch the next young automotive entrepreneur. For more information and to fill out an application, visit www.sema.org/launch-pad. If you have questions, please contact Bryan Harrison at bryanh@sema.org.

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstoreusa.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstoreusa.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstoreusa.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstoreusa.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.

Compiled by John Stewart

China continues to be a very important market for Chrysler’s Jeep line. Last year it became the brand’s largest global market. Imported models have driven that growth, but Chrysler has been talking for years about producing Jeeps in China. It looks as though that will become a reality next year. Adding domestically produced models to the mix should boost both sales of Jeeps and opportunities for SEMA members. 

Meanwhile, the Jeep brand introduced four new design concepts at the 2014 Beijing International Motor Show earlier this week. The four design concepts include two interpretations of the all-new Jeep Cherokee—the Sageland and Urbane—a premium, luxury version of the Jeep Wrangler called the Jeep Wrangler Sundancer, and the Zi You Xia, a special design concept based on the all-new ’15 Jeep Renegade.

“Jeep is one of the fastest-growing imported brands in China, and this is our largest Jeep market outside the U.S.,” said Mike Manley chief operating officer for Asia Pacific and president and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “It makes sense for us to use this year’s Beijing Motor Show as a platform to explore how consumers react to these new Chinese-inspired ideas that may find their way into future production vehicles.”

The Jeep Wrangler lineup in China currently includes the Sport, Sahara and the Rubicon model on which the Jeep Wrangler Sundancer design concept is based. Jeep Wranglers in China are fitted with 3.6L V6 Pentastar engines or 3.0L V6 Pentastar engines.

In 2012, a previous special version of the Jeep Wrangler, the Wrangler Dragon, debuted at the Beijing Show as a design concept and is now being produced and sold not only in China but also in markets such as the United States, Australia and Puerto Rico.

Nearly 800,000 people attended the Beijing Motor Show in previous years.

Jeep Zi You Xia Design Concept

	Jeep Zi You Xia

Following its world-premiere appearances at the 2014 Geneva and New York auto shows, the all-new Jeep Renegade now debuts as a special design concept in Beijing. Zi You Xia, which means “rebel,” is a new concept that highlights a more sophisticated aspect of the Renegade’s personality. The roof panel, grille surrounds and door mirror caps are painted a dark charcoal to provide harmonious accents and a more premium appearance throughout. Twenty-inch, dark anodized bronze alloy wheels contribute additional visual flair and hint at the vehicle’s on-road/off-road driving dynamics.

The all-new Renegade offers a nine-speed automatic transmission. Designed for global markets and manufactured with up to 16 powertrain combinations—the most ever in a Jeep vehicle—it has been engineered to meet the specific requirements of customers all around the world.

Jeep Cherokee Urbane Design Concept

	Jeep Cherokee Urbane

The new Jeep Cherokee Urbane design concept couples the night life of a modern megacity. The Urbane features a sleek, maximum steel metallic exterior with hyper black accents on the roof rack, door mirror caps, grille collars, front and rear fascias, wheel finishings, vehicle badging and antenna. In China, the all-new Jeep Cherokee is equipped with the 3.2L V6 Pentastar and the 2.4L MultiAir petrol engines coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Jeep Cherokee Sageland Design Concept

Jeep Cherokee Sageland

The design theme and color palette for the new Jeep Cherokee Sageland was inspired by the historical landmarks and natural sceneries found throughout the Shangri-La region. The concept’s exterior is painted in ivory tri-coat pearl with bronze grille collars and front and rear fascia appliques. The daylight opening (DLO), roof rack, door mirror caps and exhaust tips are painted in satin bronze chrome, enhancing the overall look and adding to the vehicle's style.

Inside Sageland, the earth-tone color palette continues with a combination of light, neutral gray Nappa leather seats with red and water-blue accent stitches. The seats also feature stitching inspired by traditional Chinese knot design, and the pattern on the door appliqués derived from the color and finish of Chinese ornamental door knobs.

Jeep Wrangler Sundancer Design Concept

	Jeep Wrangler Sundancer

For the Beijing Show, Jeep designers combined the capability of the Jeep Wrangler with a touch of sophistication to create the Jeep Wrangler Sundancer. The design concept is painted a tri-coat chocolate brown metallic color with gold accents. The fender flares feature a golden bronze tone-on-tone ghosted pattern, and the windows also have bronze tinted glass. Completing the Jeep Wrangler Sundancer’s exterior appearance are 20-in. pale-gold billet aluminum wheels with polished gold inserts, and a multi-piece billet aluminum fender badge.

Read more about "China's Growing Love Affair with Jeeps" in the April issue of SEMA News.