The action on the SEMA Show Out Front Stage began Monday, October 31, with the SEMA Show Monday Night Reveal, a pre-Show celebration that offered a glimpse of the high-profile vehicle projects and the aftermarket’s most advanced equipment that will shine throughout the halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The SEMA Show Monday Night Reveal also featured the presentation of the SEMA Awards, which spotlighted new vehicles on the market for personalization and were voted on by SEMA Show exhibiting manufacturers. The awards were presented to automakers for the SEMA Car of the Year, SEMA Truck of the Year, SEMA 4x4-SUV of the Year, SEMA Sport Compact of the Year, SEMA Powersports Vehicle of the Year and SEMA EV of the Year.
The best new vehicles for personalization were announced at the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The SEMA Awards are presented to exhibiting OEMs annually to recognize automakers for supporting the aftermarket with vehicle platforms that encourage customization.
The SEMA Awards were presented to automakers during the SEMA Show Monday Reveal, where media and exhibitors get a sneak peek at some of the vehicles debuting at the 2022 trade-only event.
With a new category this year for electric vehicles, the SEMA Awards are voted on by exhibiting manufacturers in six categories. Categories and this year’s winners are:
Car of the Year: Dodge Challenger
Sport Compact of the Year: Toyota GR86
4x4/SUV of the Year: Jeep Wrangler
Full-size Truck of the Year: Ram
Mid-Size Truck of the Year: Jeep Gladiator
Electric Vehicle of the Year: Volkswagen ID.4
“The SEMA Award recognizes the hottest new vehicles on the market that offer the greatest opportunities for customization,” said Warren Kosikov, SEMA vice president of sales. “SEMA Award-winning vehicles are setting worldwide trends in the automotive enthusiast industry. The 2022 SEMA Show will have on many of the SEMA Award winning vehicles, each customized in its unique way.”
The SEMA Awards were presented to automakers during the SEMA Show Monday Reveal, where media and exhibitors get a sneak peek at some of the vehicles debuting at the 2022 trade-only event. As the four-day SEMA Show opens, the business-to-business trade show features thousands of uniquely modified project vehicles.
Aftermarket manufacturers are investing more in the Dodge Challenger, Toyota GR86, Jeep Wrangler, Ram, Jeep Gladiator and Volkswagen ID.4 than any other vehicle in their categories. Consumers can expect to find greater options for accessorizing these vehicles. The SEMA Show is the place to see latest trending products and hottest vehicles.
To learn more about the SEMA Show and the vehicles and products debuting at the event, visit www.SEMAShow.com.
The 2022 mid-term election will be held on Tuesday, November 8, and it’s important to know which candidates support the automotive aftermarket and racing when going to the polls or voting early. With the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate up for grabs this fall, the men and women who make up our industry along with enthusiasts have a chance to shape the outcome of this election.
When casting your vote, it’s important that you consider which lawmakers have stood up for the interests of racers and motorsports-parts businesses by supporting the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (RPM Act), H.R. 3281 and S. 2736, which guarantees the right to modify street cars, trucks and motorcycles into dedicated race vehicles and safeguards the industry’s right to offer parts that enable racers to compete.
To see a list of lawmakers that have publicly supported the RPM Act and are up for re-election in the midterms, visit saveourracecars.com/vote-racing.html.
Click here to see voter information; a list of candidates who will appear on your ballot; the elected officials that represent you at the federal, state and local levels; and information on how you can vote early or by absentee ballot.
As a part of the Save Our Race Cars initiative, PRI Members, Total Seal, Melling and NHRA have volunteered to host React4Racing at the 2022 PRI Trade Show. React4Racing gives PRI Show attendees the opportunity to test their reaction times against some of the best race-car drivers in the industry. At this year’s PRI Trade Show, Total Seal and Melling will both have two Pro Stock race cars next to each other at their booths. Set up in each booth will be Christmas tree replicas allowing PRI Trade Show attendees to learn more about PRI PAC while testing their reaction times against professional NHRA drivers.
“This group of PRI members are going above and beyond for the racing industry, and the fact that they are willing to dedicate their own time and booth space to make this happen, demonstrates just how important the Save Our Race Cars initiative is to the industry,” said PRI President Jamie Meyer. “I will definitely be stopping by to test my own reaction time!”
“When I heard about Save Our Race Cars, I knew we had to get involved and find a way to help,” said Total Seal’s Lake Speed. “Fortunately, the guys at Melling are straight across the aisle from us at PRI, so that’s how we developed the idea for React4Racing. We can’t wait to see it launch at this year’s PRI Trade Show.”
“The idea for React4Racing started at last year’s PRI Trade Show,” said Melling’s Mike Osterhaus. “We believe it will be a great way to increase awareness for the Save Our Race Cars initiative. Even though we are competitors on the track, we are friends off it who are working together committed to protecting the racing community. We look forward to seeing everyone at the PRI Trade Show.”
PRI PAC helps elect lawmakers who support the racing industry’s positions and priorities. All eligible PRI Individual Members will have the opportunity to participate in React4Racing, which is taking place at the Total Seal and Melling booths from December 8–10 during the 2022 PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis.
For more information, contact Samantha Large at samanthal@sema.org.
Navigating the Las Vegas Convention Center and obtaining details on the many SEMA Show products and vehicles is easier than ever with the use of the Official SEMA Show Mobile App. Through the product and vehicle scanning features, the mobile app provides immediate information about products in the New Products Showcase and about vehicles displayed throughout the Show.
The SEMA Show Mobile App provides a list of exhibitors, seminars, events, celebrity appearances and turn-by-turn directions for getting around the SEMA Show.
The product and vehicle scanning options were amongst the most popular features of last year’s SEMA Show mobile app. Other features of the SEMA Show Mobile App are a list of exhibitors, seminars, events, celebrity appearances and turn-by-turn directions for getting around the SEMA Show. Directions and information can be obtained while in offline mode; WiFi and/or data is not required.
“The SEMA Show Mobile App is a robust tool that gives Showgoers valuable on-site information,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “The turn-by-turn directions has always been a popular feature, and the product and vehicle scanners were huge hits last year. The tools will equip attendees to be able to make decisions immediately while at the Show.”
The official SEMA Show Mobile App is available for download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Those who downloaded and still have the SEMA Show Mobile App on their phones from previous years can update the data through the existing app; a new download is not required. In the app, go to “Settings” icon in the upper right corner, select “Exit to Show List” and select “2022 SEMA Show.” The 2022 exhibitor list, vehicle and product details, event listings and other details for this year’s SEMA Show will update.
The SEMA Show takes place November 1–4, in Las Vegas. For details, visit www.SEMAShow.com.
The SEMA Show will include, for the first time, a 6,000-sq.-ft. area dedicated to helping businesses understand how to customize and/or repair vehicles that have Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS). Located in booth #36007 (Upper South Hall), the SEMA Show ADAS Showcase, sponsored by Enterprise Holdings, will feature ADAS-related tools, equipment, demonstrations and experts throughout the four-day SEMA Show, November 1–4, in Las Vegas.
The SEMA Show ADAS Showcase, sponsored by Enterprise Holdings, will feature ADAS-related tools, equipment, demonstrations and experts throughout the four-day SEMA Show, November 1–4, in Las Vegas.
The new SEMA Show feature comes as consumer demand for, and OEM offerings of, ADAS increases. By bringing together industry experts, partners and suppliers, Showgoers will be able to network and learn how vehicle modifications impact ADAS functionality. Showgoers will also be able to see firsthand where a vehicle’s ADAS sensors are, how they work and how they are impacted by modifications.
“The SEMA Show ADAS Showcase is designed to help businesses stay in front of the technology and understand where the opportunities are,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “This is the ideal time to interact and speak directly with leading providers and experts in the ADAS space. It’s also a valuable opportunity to get hands-on experience with some of the tools and equipment, and witness live mock demonstrations.”
Visitors will be able to meet with ADAS recalibration suppliers (Airpro, Autel, Burke Porter, Hunter and John Bean/Snap-on), and with ADAS service providers (Alldata, AsTech by Repairify, AutoTechcelerators, CarADAS, i-Car, OpusIVS and Transportation Research Center). On display will be a lowered car that has been modified.
Demonstrations will be taking place on a lifted truck, to show what equipment is needed in an actual aftermarket collision and service environment.
Showgoers will also learn about the 5,000-sq.-ft. ADAS Technology Center, locating within the SEMA Garage in Detroit. With two sophisticated labs, the ADAS Technology Center is at the forefront of research and testing. Showgoers will learn about the center’s data-driven approach to dynamic testing, which has a precise level of accuracy to within millimeters and milliseconds. The SEMA Garage in Detroit opened in August 2022. While the facility is the second SEMA Garage, it is a first for SEMA in terms of ADAS testing.
“We are forging new ground with the ADAS Center at the SEMA Garage in Detroit,” said Ben Kaminsky, SEMA Garage Detroit general manager. “While SEMA is a leader in performance product emissions testing, we are just getting started with ADAS. The SEMA Garage in Detroit will offer access to static and dynamic testing for ADAS so that aftermarket parts manufacturers will be able to help troubleshoot and develop products for any make and model vehicle, regardless of the ADAS features on it.”
Kaminsky and the SEMA Garage staff from Detroit will be on hand to explain the capabilities of the facility. Live education sessions related to ADAS will also be taking place throughout the week. To learn more, visit www.semashow.com.
The final stages of the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) All-Female Build project kicked off at the end of September as the Ford Bronco 4-door Wildtrak moved from Southern California to the Motor City.
With support from the entire community, women volunteers ranging in ages and skill sets wrenched on the vehicle to get it ready for its big debut at the world-renowned SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Volunteers installed the Bronco’s roof and roof-top tent, R&R active shutter grille, Oracle headlights and taillights, AMP running boards, Ford roof rack, Yakima platform rack, Baja Forged rear bumper, Ford Lit Bronco grille and readjusted components and parts that weren’t working together.
“It was very much a hands-on learning experience, and the team was eager to take on these challenges, including mocking up bumper fitment plates from cardboard in order to fabricate the actual plates,” said Nicole Bradle, SBN liaison. “The build continues to foster growth and community, not only among the volunteers but also between organizations.”
Cleaning the underside of the vehicle, learning how to wire and install headlights with guidance from Oracle Tech, and sourcing parts when things were broken or missing are also among the list of contributions from the volunteers. Female-owned company MRT assisted the team in fabricating and painting the bumper plates and guided the volunteers through the process.
“The collaboration truly represents the spirit of the build,” added Cathy Clark, SBN chair. “This project was a chance to spotlight women in the automotive aftermarket industry and the ways in which they come together and offer support to each other.”
The SBN Bronco will be on display at the SEMA Show, November 1–4, in West Hall booth #57061, with a press conference showcasing the build’s unveiling on November 1, at 12:30 p.m. (PDT).
SEMA’s Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) will honor Roy Littlefield and Stuart Gosswein with the WTC Lifetime Achievement Award, and induct Greg Parker into the WTC Hall of Fame during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 1.
Littlefield has served the Tire Industry Association (TIA) since 1979 in numerous roles, including CEO, executive vice president and as a government affairs consultant. Beginning his career as director of government affairs for the National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association and later the American Retreaders Association, Littlefield dedicated his career to growing TIA’s membership, supporting training programs for technicians and utilizing legislative influence to create awareness of industry areas of focus and creating positive change.
“Roy has been a stalwart leader in our industry and a fighter for the betterment of technicians for years,” said Todd Steen, chair of SEMA’s WTC. “As this year’s recipient of WTC’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Roy sets the bar high for the selection of future nominees. He epitomizes service over self and will always be known as one of the greatest cheerleaders of our industry.”
Stuart Gosswein
Gosswein, having been a part of SEMA since 1983, dedicated four decades to serving SEMA by protecting the association’s interests through government affairs initiatives. He started as regulatory affairs manager, director of governmental affairs and finally as senior director of federal government affairs. Specializing in regulatory issues for the automotive aftermarket, Gosswein also serves on the on the board of directors for the Off-Road Business Association. Gosswein retired from SEMA in March 2022 to pursue his passion for art within the art community of Washington, D.C.
“Stuart is known for dedication, insight and tenacity,” said Steen. “Throughout Washington and SEMA, he has earned a reputation for getting a task done—no matter how difficult the job would be. A Lifetime Achievement Award is a small way to say thank you for giving four decades to the automotive aftermarket, but his service represents the countless wins and protections implemented for the industry.”
Greg Parker
Parker, previous WTC chair, stepped into the industry as a marketing manager 20 years ago working for SEMA Hall of Fame member Donnie Eatherly from P&E Distributors in middle Tennessee. With Eatherly’s mentorship, Parker became engaged with SEMA’s Young Executives Network (now the SEMA Future Leaders Network), eventually becoming chair in 2008. Parker also previously served within the SEMA Educational Task Force, SEMA Scholarship Committee, SEMA Cares and eventually took the chair role of the WTC in 2017. Soon to be the newest inductee of the WTC Hall of Fame, Parker’s induction is a testament to his passion for educating and creating a brighter future for SEMA members and the wheel and tire industry.
“I’m thankful for Greg’s leadership in the WTC,” added Steen. “His passion for all things automotive could never be questioned, and he’s never shy about asking the hard questions to push everyone to be better. His induction into our Hall of Fame places him in a class among those who have supported the growth of SEMA and prosperity of the WTC.”
SEMA’s WTC looks forward to celebrating Littlefield, Gosswein and Parker’s accomplishments with past Hall of Fame inductees and industry partners at WTC’s SEMA Show Reception. Registration for the reception may be completed here.
Wharton Automotive Group Acquires PowerTrain Technology
Paul Lee, president of the Wharton Automotive Group, continues to grow his portfolio with the acquisition of the small-diameter racing clutch and drivetrain component line of PowerTrain Technology (PTT) of Algonquin, Illinois. PTT will relocate to McLeod Racing’s facility in Anaheim, California, and the products will be available through McLeod Racing and its worldwide distribution network. This acquisition will expand the McLeod line to continue to grow into the one-stop-shop for all of our customers’ drivetrain needs. PTT’s founder, Steve Fox, will join the McLeod Company as a consultant while continuing to service his hydraulic street release bearing customers under the new company name PTB-USA Inc. Current and future customers can find PTT products through McLeod’s catalog and distributors. For more information, visit McLeodRacing.com.
Brembo Announces Venture Capital to Invest in Startups; Unveils New Logo
Brembo has launched Brembo Ventures, a venture capital unit that aims to “accelerate the development of innovative solutions for the mobility of tomorrow.” Brembo Ventures will invest globally as a shareholder in technology startups—with a focus on artificial intelligence, big data, sensors, mechatronics, energy efficiency and sustainability businesses—to find solutions that can be applied in the automotive sector.
Brembo Ventures most recently acquired 6.8% of PhotonPath, a deep-tech company spin-off from the University Politecnico di Milano, which develops integrated photonics-based products. Infibra Technologies—the Italian company that develops and produces integrated photonic systems—will also join Brembo Ventures following Brembo’s acqusition of a 20% stake in 2020.
In other news, Brembo has unveiled its new visual identity and logo, reflecting the company’s strategic vision: “Turning Energy into Inspiration.” The new logo will be rolled out globally across all of the company’s digital and physical assets, as well as on all of Brembo’s solutions of the future.
Kash Singh
Shelby American Adds Kash Singh to Management Team
Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc., has announced that industry veteran Kash Singh has joined the company’s management team as the sales and marketing manager. Singh was most recently with Ford Motor Company, where he last served as global Ford Performance enthusiast marketing manager and in other key roles since 2004.
In his new role, Singh will lead Shelby American’s sales efforts and help implement strategic objectives for the company. He will also be part of the product-development team, working closely with the Shelby American R&D department and Ford Motor Company to create new vehicles for worldwide distribution. In addition, he will support dealers and provide input on marketing programs. Singh is based at the Shelby American headquarters in Las Vegas.
Speedway Motors Announces Promotions
Speedway Motors, a manufacturer, retailer and distributor of high-quality automotive parts and racing products, has announced three recent promotions within the company.
Betsy Grindlay
Betsy Grindlay has been promoted to vice president of people, purchasing & marketings. Her background includes a role at First National Bank of Omaha as a management trainee, then working for FNBO Direct as an online marketing advisor. In her time at Speedway Motors, she has progressively advanced through the company from e-commerce/web content manager to brand marketing manager and director of marketing & people operations.
Melissa Ward
Melissa Ward has been promoted to director of marketing. She has held leadership and branding positions in the marketing industry for 17 years. Prior to joining the Speedway Motors team in 2018 as creative director, she led the design team at Firespring, a Lincoln-area marketing agency with notable clients across the nation, and has held marketing positions for a number of Nebraska businesses, including American Enterprise, DTN and Nebraska Book Company, Inc. As director of marketing, she will oversee all marketing efforts for Speedway Motors from research and planning to execution and analysis.
Erin Bond
Erin Bond has been promoted to director of people operations. Prior to joining the Speedway Motors team in 2020, she worked for the State of Nebraska for seven years taking on various roles and advancing through their human resources department.
Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA News. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.
MOTORTREND’s iconic HOT ROD brand has announced it will celebrate its 75th anniversary by providing free access to its massive magazine archives, featuring digital versions of every HOT ROD magazine published prior to 2022. The diamond jubilee kicks off next week in Vegas with an expert panel on the evolution of HOT ROD, the reveal of the 75th anniversary issue and the launch of both HOT ROD’s and SEMA’s first collectible NFTs.
“Not long after HOT ROD magazine publisher Robert Petersen produced the first official SEMA Show in 1967, SEMA became the worldwide destination bringing together hot rodders and performance companies annually in Las Vegas,” said HOT ROD editor-in-chief John McGann. “Today, we at HOT ROD can't think of a better partner and destination for our 75th anniversary celebration than the 2022 SEMA Show.”
MOTORTREND and SEMA will jointly celebrate the 75th Anniversary of HOT ROD by unveiling two limited-edition NFTs showcasing the unique shared history of both the HOT ROD and SEMA brands. The special anniversary NFTs created by KurumaNFT will be unveiled at HOT ROD’s SEMA Show booth on November 2, and will be the first NFTs available to the public from both organizations. The exclusive NFTs, featuring two levels of rarity, will be made available to the first 750 people who register for a free MotorTrend+ account once the NFTs are unveiled.
Also on November 2, beginning at 11:00 a.m. (PDT), a HOT ROD panel at MotorTrend’s booth will discuss “75 Years of HOT ROD Evolution.” The panel will include HOT ROD editor-in-chief John McGann, ROADKILL show host and former HOT ROD editor-in-chief David Freiburger, former HOT ROD editor-in-chief Evan Perkins and HOT ROD Garage show host Alex Taylor, as well as other legendary contributors to HOT ROD.
Throughout the week, SEMA Show attendees and classic car fans can access the HOT ROD digital archive by registering for a free MotorTrend+ account while visiting MotorTrend’s SEMA Show booth or visiting kiosks throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center. With more than 900 issues of HOT ROD magazine published since 1948—totaling more than 128,000 pages of content—the HOT ROD digital archives take readers from the early days of organized racing on the dry lake beds through the horsepower wars of the ’60s into present day.
There will be daily HOT ROD 75th Anniversary signings and giveaways at MOTORTREND’s SEMA Show booth, located outside the Las Vegas Convention Center in the Silver Lot. Visitors will also see a legendary ’32 Ford Roadster, previously owned by former HOT ROD feature editor Gray Baskerville, displayed in the booth.
HOT ROD’s 75th celebrations will continue throughout 2023. Two of MOTORTREND’s premier annual events return in late summer of 2023 to celebrate HOT ROD’s 75th anniversary: the HOT ROD Power Tour and HOT ROD Drag Week. The events are expected to bring together more than 6,000 vehicles and 100,000-plus spectators next year.
To commemorate HOT ROD’s 75th anniversary, a “HOT ROD 75” collection will also be unveiled today that features a branded, limited-edition zip-up sweatshirt, T-shirt, hat, sticker, poster and mug, for sale exclusively in the MotorTrend Store.
Wharton Automotive Group Acquires PowerTrain Technology
Brembo Announces Venture Capital to Invest in Startups; Unveils New Logo
