The new face of Ford—the Aston Martinesque mug that debuted on the ’13 Ford Fusion—is now being readied for the Focus and C-Max, as evidenced by these mules caught running the streets of Dearborn, Michigan.

The testing strategy caught on these Focus and C-Max test cars follows the exact strategy that was applied to early Ford Fiesta mules, as they readied their take on the Fusion's grille design. Over time, the grille work on these Focus and C-Max models will be further integrated into an entirely new front fascia, which will bring Ford's C-segment offerings in line with Ford's new family face.

Photo Credit: KGP Photography

The new face of Ford—the Aston Martinesque mug that debuted on the ’13 Ford Fusion—is now being readied for the Focus and C-Max, as evidenced by these mules caught running the streets of Dearborn, Michigan.

The testing strategy caught on these Focus and C-Max test cars follows the exact strategy that was applied to early Ford Fiesta mules, as they readied their take on the Fusion's grille design. Over time, the grille work on these Focus and C-Max models will be further integrated into an entirely new front fascia, which will bring Ford's C-segment offerings in line with Ford's new family face.

Photo Credit: KGP Photography

The new face of Ford—the Aston Martinesque mug that debuted on the ’13 Ford Fusion—is now being readied for the Focus and C-Max, as evidenced by these mules caught running the streets of Dearborn, Michigan.

The testing strategy caught on these Focus and C-Max test cars follows the exact strategy that was applied to early Ford Fiesta mules, as they readied their take on the Fusion's grille design. Over time, the grille work on these Focus and C-Max models will be further integrated into an entirely new front fascia, which will bring Ford's C-segment offerings in line with Ford's new family face.

Photo Credit: KGP Photography

By SEMA Staff

	Mike Spagnola

SEMA has hired industry veteran Mike Spagnola to fill the newly created position of vice president, OEM and product development programs, effective immediately. Spagnola brings with him 40 years of specialty auto parts experience, including more than 20 years of product development and project vehicle work. With a focus on heightening SEMA services to help members develop products quickly and efficiently, Spagnola will collaborate with the SEMA OEM and vehicle technology departments while serving as a resource and liaison for members and automakers.

“We’re excited to have Mike join SEMA in developing services that help members with product development and OEM initiatives,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “SEMA’s vehicle technology and OEM programs, led by John Waraniak and Bill Wolf, have proven to be extremely beneficial over the years. Mike will work with our existing team to enhance and add to the services SEMA makes available to our members.”

Spagnola’s experience includes retail, distribution and manufacturing. Most recently, he served as president for Street Scene Equipment where he managed the company’s day-to-day business for 16 years. His project vehicles have been featured on the covers of more than 50 enthusiast magazines, and honored with more than a dozen design awards from various OEMs. Spagnola has also completed six years of service on the SEMA Board of Directors, a position from which he resigned effective with his new role as a staff member.

“I’ve personally witnessed the industry, particularly the product-development process, change significantly over the years,” said Spagnola. “Through the use of new technology and partnerships, manufacturers can develop products faster, more accurately and less expensively than ever before. Programs such as SEMA’s Technology Transfer, Rapid Prototyping and vehicle Measuring Sessions can all be enhanced to help our member companies make and sell more products. I look forward to developing tools and services to add to these programs and to educating members about how they work.”

Spagnola will oversee the new SEMA Product Development Center located adjacent to the SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California. The building has a history of serving as a vehicle technology center, giving SEMA the opportunity to offer these services without having to start at ground-zero. While based in Southern California, these programs and services will be available to SEMA members everywhere.

“The SEMA Product Development Center is going to be an amazing resource for SEMA members,” Spagnola said. “I’m excited to be a part of the expansion.”

To learn more about SEMA’s OEM programs and product development services, contact Spagnola at mikes@sema.org.

By SEMA Staff

	If you are interested in being a session presenter or panelist at the 2013 SEMA Show, please complete the online speaker form by Friday, March 22.

Planning for the 2013 SEMA Show education program is well under way. This year's schedule will once again feature several "tracks," including Business Management, Customer Service and Sales, Marketing, Industry Trends, Online Marketing and more.

Are you interested in being a session presenter or panelist? We'd love to hear from you. Please complete our online speaker form by Friday, March 22.

To increase the likelihood of having your recommendation used, please be sure to include three or four bullet points on the topic, who the target audience will be and why the subject is of importance. Also, note that all sessions will be one hour in length.

These sessions are designed for general business topics (i.e., marketing, customer service, sales, etc.) and do not include product-specific topics. Exhibitors will have the opportunity to sign up for a separate program—Exhibitor Product Training sessions—in June.

Please submit suggestions on or before Friday, March 22, using the online speaker submission form or contact Jamie Eriksen at JamieE@sema.org.

By SEMA Staff

	If you are interested in being a session presenter or panelist at the 2013 SEMA Show, please complete the online speaker form by Friday, March 22.

Planning for the 2013 SEMA Show education program is well under way. This year's schedule will once again feature several "tracks," including Business Management, Customer Service and Sales, Marketing, Industry Trends, Online Marketing and more.

Are you interested in being a session presenter or panelist? We'd love to hear from you. Please complete our online speaker form by Friday, March 22.

To increase the likelihood of having your recommendation used, please be sure to include three or four bullet points on the topic, who the target audience will be and why the subject is of importance. Also, note that all sessions will be one hour in length.

These sessions are designed for general business topics (i.e., marketing, customer service, sales, etc.) and do not include product-specific topics. Exhibitors will have the opportunity to sign up for a separate program—Exhibitor Product Training sessions—in June.

Please submit suggestions on or before Friday, March 22, using the online speaker submission form or contact Jamie Eriksen at JamieE@sema.org.

By SEMA Staff

	If you are interested in being a session presenter or panelist at the 2013 SEMA Show, please complete the online speaker form by Friday, March 22.

Planning for the 2013 SEMA Show education program is well under way. This year's schedule will once again feature several "tracks," including Business Management, Customer Service and Sales, Marketing, Industry Trends, Online Marketing and more.

Are you interested in being a session presenter or panelist? We'd love to hear from you. Please complete our online speaker form by Friday, March 22.

To increase the likelihood of having your recommendation used, please be sure to include three or four bullet points on the topic, who the target audience will be and why the subject is of importance. Also, note that all sessions will be one hour in length.

These sessions are designed for general business topics (i.e., marketing, customer service, sales, etc.) and do not include product-specific topics. Exhibitors will have the opportunity to sign up for a separate program—Exhibitor Product Training sessions—in June.

Please submit suggestions on or before Friday, March 22, using the online speaker submission form or contact Jamie Eriksen at JamieE@sema.org.

By SEMA Staff

The deadline for members to submit their SEMA Hall of Fame nominations is Friday, March 22, 2013. The SEMA Hall of Fame Award honors outstanding persons in the automotive specialty-equipment industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments on a national basis have enhanced the stature of and significantly contributed to the industry’s growth.

A rule of thumb to qualify could be the following question: “If this person had never existed, how would SEMA and the industry be different?”

Please take a moment to review the Hall of Fame website and SEMA Hall of Fame criteria and listings of past inductees. In order to assist the Hall of Fame Committee in making their selection, please provide a brief statement, including accomplishments and comments as to why, based on the award criteria, the individual is deserving of this honor. Your completed nomination form is confidential and vital to helping the Hall of Fame Committee make their selection for the 2013 SEMA Hall of Fame.

Please submit your 2013 SEMA Hall of Fame form by Friday, March 22, 2013.

By SEMA Staff

The deadline for members to submit their SEMA Hall of Fame nominations is Friday, March 22, 2013. The SEMA Hall of Fame Award honors outstanding persons in the automotive specialty-equipment industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments on a national basis have enhanced the stature of and significantly contributed to the industry’s growth.

A rule of thumb to qualify could be the following question: “If this person had never existed, how would SEMA and the industry be different?”

Please take a moment to review the Hall of Fame website and SEMA Hall of Fame criteria and listings of past inductees. In order to assist the Hall of Fame Committee in making their selection, please provide a brief statement, including accomplishments and comments as to why, based on the award criteria, the individual is deserving of this honor. Your completed nomination form is confidential and vital to helping the Hall of Fame Committee make their selection for the 2013 SEMA Hall of Fame.

Please submit your 2013 SEMA Hall of Fame form by Friday, March 22, 2013.

By Arlene Wood

SEMA's council leaders.

Nominations for a Select Committee seat on one of SEMA's councils and member networks are now open.

Do you have a business challenge that goes beyond the walls of your shop? See a change in the market that needs to be made? Have an idea but need some industry muscle to make it happen? Then it may be time for you to volunteer to be an industry leader and make your voice heard.

The Select Committee serves as the volunteer leadership body for the entire membership of a specific council or network. These volunteers are in tune with their market and have the drive needed to influence change. Elected volunteers are entrusted to direct SEMA resources toward building solutions to matters facing the industry, benefits and opportunities that help companies succeed and prosper. 
There are currently 10 council and network groups within SEMA, and each represents a collection of SEMA members who share a common business purpose or market segment. Councils work to identify related business goals, issues and challenges that require a special focus by the association.

Find out who is currently involved in SEMA's councils and networks and follow the link to the group that supports your interests.

Get started now by using the online council nominations form; it's quick and easy to complete, and no printing or faxing is required. All nominations must be received by 5:00 p.m. (PDT) March 22, 2013.



For more information on SEMA's councils and committees or the nomination and election process, contact Arlene Wood at arlenew@sema.org.