Many airlines, including United, are offering discounted airfare to the 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

SEMA Show organizers have been working with major air carriers to secure discounted airfare for 2012 SEMA Show attendees. American, Delta and United are among the first airlines offering up to 10% off on round-trip airfare to Las Vegas.

American Airlines
2012 SEMA Show travelers using American Airlines can save 5% off published fares during valid travel dates of October 25–November 6, 2012. Make your reservation at www.aa.com/group, choose your flight times and access your meeting discounts by inserting 62H2BZ in the Promotion Code box. Or, call a travel professional at American Airlines Meeting Services Desk at 800-433-1790 for reservations. Refer to Promotion Code: 62H2BZ. Some restrictions apply.

Delta Airlines
Delta Airlines is offering discounted airfares ranging from 5%–10% on full/unrestricted airfares to 2012 SEMA Show travelers. Valid travel dates run from October 26–November 5, 2012. Discounts are applicable to United States-Canada-originating passengers only. Reservations and ticketing is available via www.delta.com. When booking online, select Meeting Event Code NME84, and enter the meeting code in the box provided on the Search Flight page. Reservations may also be made by calling Delta Meeting reservations at 800-328-1111, Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Note: There is a direct ticketing fee for booking through the reservation number above.

United Airlines
Receive discounts of 5% or more with United Airlines. Valid travel dates run from October 27–November 5, 2012. Book online at www.united.com. Enter ZN47297943 in the Offer Code Box. You can also call United Meetings at 800-521-4041. Note: A $25 service fee will be collected per ticket when using United Meeting Reservations.

For further information about travel and lodging for the 2012 SEMA Show, visit Travel and Lodging.

	Industry veteran Steve Brown joined Bestop as marketing database manager.

Bestop Names Steve Brown Marketing Database Manager
Bestop added Steve Brown to the company's sales and marketing team as marketing database manager. The company reports that Brown is an industry veteran with more than 30 years in the automotive aftermarket, and that he brings a wealth of experience in product information and automotive-related marketing knowledge. Bestop Director of Sales and Marketing Jim Chick stated, “We read recently that data is as important as production alongside labor and capital. It used to be about getting shelf space, now we are starting to focus on getting the right data to the right places at the right time. With Steve Brown being added to the team, we can fulfill that goal.”

Leadership Changes Announced at CARQUEST U.S.
General Parts International Inc. announced that CARQUEST U.S. President Mike Broderick has decided to leave the company. In the interim, President and CEO O. Temple Sloan III will assume responsibility for the CARQUEST U.S. business, and David McCartney, EVP chief information officer for GPI Technologies will lead information technology and supply chain operations. In addition, Ken Bush has been promoted to senior vice president of merchandising and marketing, and Braxton O’Neal was promoted to senior vice president, global product supply, both reporting directly to Sloan. Bush, who will lead merchandising and marketing, joined CARQUEST in July 2006 as vice president, national account sales, and transitioned to division vice president, store operations and sales, and most recently, vice president of merchandising. Bush has more than 24 years in the industry, in various positions, including merchandising, store operations and commercial sales and operations. In his new role, O’Neal will lead purchasing, inventory management, pricing, classification, product information and global sourcing. O’Neal has been with CARQUEST for the past 25 years.

King Engine Bearings Launches Facebook Page
King Engine Bearings launched an official Facebook page for business customers and consumers at www.facebook.com/King.Bearings. "Facebook is another way for us to get closer to our customers and fans, and obtain feedback on our products," said Limor DePetro, director of sales and marketing, King Engine Bearings. "We encourage people to visit our page to share information and upload photos of their engines and vehicles powered by King Engine Bearings." DePetro added that King will be posting contests and promotions through Facebook similar to the company's 50th anniversary "Hit the Bull's Eye" promotion that concluded earlier this year.

Meyer Distributing Announces Little Rock Location
Meyer Distributing has announced a new cross-dock location in Little Rock, Arkansas. The new addition will have a direct feed from the company's hub in Jasper, Indiana, which houses more than 500,000 sq. ft. of inventory. “The addition of the Little Rock cross-dock enhances our ability to offer logistical services throughout the region," states Jason Braun, executive vice president of Meyer Distributing. "The new site has already been fully integrated with our distribution system and technology framework and will provide unmatched service to customers in this market." 

Robert Kibbe, Dan Kahn Host New "Cars For A Living" Podcast
Robert Kibbe, owner an creator of TheMuscleCarPlace.com, and Dan Kahn, president of Kahn Media, are hosting a new podcast on the The Muscle Car Place podcast network. Known as "Cars For a Living" (C4AL), the goal of the show is to provide a fun atmosphere where business owners, marketers and future entrepreneurs can talk, ask questions and share tips on how to grow, improve and succeed in the auto industry. The goal of the show is to help automotive enthusiasts turn their passions into income. The new podcast is available through iTunes, TheMuscleCarPlace.com and CarsforaLiving.com.

ESAB Adds New Features, Savings Calculators to its Website
ESAB Welding & Cutting Products has added several new features to its website, www.esabna.com. The company announced that customers are now able to view or download product literature online, free of charge. Using the site’s “quick link” drop-down menu, customers can access literature for plasma arc, gas apparatus, filler metals, cutting systems and welding automation products. Customers may still request hard copies to be mailed. ESAB also offers two new Savings Calculators: the Energy Savings Calculator allows customers to compare the savings of using ESAB products versus products from other manufacturers, and the Weld Metal Cost Calculator allows customers to compare weld metals and welding processes and to calculate the savings realized by varying the metal and process.

Looking fairly close to the concept that was revealed at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, here's a glimpse at Honda’s Accord Coupe in pre-production form.

Delivered by the shooters at Brenda Priddy & Co., the team says that the ninth-generation Accord will be revealed for dealers in late summer and is expected to reach the dealerships in mid-fall.

Photo: Brenda Priddy & Co.

Looking fairly close to the concept that was revealed at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, here's a glimpse at Honda’s Accord Coupe in pre-production form.

Delivered by the shooters at Brenda Priddy & Co., the team says that the ninth-generation Accord will be revealed for dealers in late summer and is expected to reach the dealerships in mid-fall.

Photo: Brenda Priddy & Co.

The photo gallery located at www.semaphotos.com features thousands of pictures of products featured in the Show's New Products Showcase, vehicles on display and exhibiting companies from the 2011 SEMA Show. Each week in SEMA eNews, a new collection of vehicle photos is highlighted. In the spotlight this week are vehicles from GMC.

In addition to the vehicle photos, the product photos also include key details, such as product name, a brief description and exhibitor contact information.

The photo gallery located at www.semaphotos.com features thousands of pictures of products featured in the Show's New Products Showcase, vehicles on display and exhibiting companies from the 2011 SEMA Show. Each week in SEMA eNews, a new collection of vehicle photos is highlighted. In the spotlight this week are vehicles from GMC.

In addition to the vehicle photos, the product photos also include key details, such as product name, a brief description and exhibitor contact information.

Aston Martin will reportedly launch six new models over the next six years, according to Brenda Priddy & Co., who delivered these shots of the successor to the DB9. The new model is expected to arrive in 2013.

Priddy says that the styling on the DB9 will stay traditional to Aston Martin, with elements of the Rapide added to the mix, as evident with the new headlights and the bumper-mounted number plate, for example.

Other factors of the DB9 remain a bit of a mystery. Priddy's team believes that the vehicle is being developed under the codename Project VH500. But it is not known if the DB9 name will continue or jump to DB10 or DB11.

Photo Credit: Brenda Priddy & Co.

Aston Martin will reportedly launch six new models over the next six years, according to Brenda Priddy & Co., who delivered these shots of the successor to the DB9. The new model is expected to arrive in 2013.

Priddy says that the styling on the DB9 will stay traditional to Aston Martin, with elements of the Rapide added to the mix, as evident with the new headlights and the bumper-mounted number plate, for example.

Other factors of the DB9 remain a bit of a mystery. Priddy's team believes that the vehicle is being developed under the codename Project VH500. But it is not known if the DB9 name will continue or jump to DB10 or DB11.

Photo Credit: Brenda Priddy & Co.

	Four engine choices are now available on the ’13 Ford F-150.

Earlier this week, Ford unveiled the ’13 F-150—a refreshed version of the pickup. Changes include new front-end styling and an infusion of technologies, such as MyFord Touch voice-activated driver controls and high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps.

There is also a new Limited luxury model and availability of the 6.2L V8 engine, electronic-locking rear axle and additional features, such as Hill Descent Control.

Outside, the F-150 lineup gets new two- and three-bar grilles, but all models still retain recognizable F-Series cues highlighted on the XLT model. The new, L-shaped HID projector headlamps are available to deliver improved visibility and increased driver confidence, according to Ford.

The F-150 will also now offer new 18- and 20-in. wheels in various trim packages. Ford’s telescoping and power-folding trailer-tow side-view mirrors will now be available on the F-150 to provide flexibility and convenience when operating in tight quarters.

F-150 pickups are available in three new hues, including Blue Jeans Metallic, Kodiak Brown Metallic and Ruby Red Clearcoat Metallic.

There are now four engines available on the F-150; each is mated to an electronic six-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul mode and tow packages. The STX series and above adds SelectShift capability.

F-150 engine choices include:

3.7L four-valve Ti-VCT V6

• 302 hp at 6,500 rpm
• 278 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm
• 17 mpg city; 23 mpg highway (4x2)
• 6,100 lbs. maximum trailer tow

5.0L four-valve dual-overhead-camshaft Ti-VCT V8

• 360 hp at 5,500 rpm
• 21 mpg highway; 15 mpg city (4x2)
• 10,000 lbs. maximum trailer tow

6.2L two-valve single-overhead-camshaft V8

• 411 hp at 5,500 rpm
• 434 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm
• 13 mpg city; 18 mpg highway (4x2)
• 11,300 lbs. maximum trailer tow

3.5L Ti-VCT EcoBoost engine

• 365 hp at 5,000 rpm on regular fuel
• 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,500 rpm
• Up to 90% peak torque available from 1,700 rpm to 5,000 rpm
• 11,300 lbs. maximum trailer tow
• 3,120 lbs. payload vs. all competitors
• 16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway

	Classic car owners in Dubai will now be able to obtain specialty plates.

The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has teamed up with the Automobile & Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates (ATCUAE) to offer unique classic car registration and plates for vehicles older than 30 years. Individuals seeking to register their vehicles under this new program are required to have their vehicle inspected and pay a fee of AED850 (US $231).

Owners will be able to drive their vehicles up to 10,000 km (6,213 miles) per year for vehicles built between 1950–1981 and 5,000 km (3,106 miles) for vehicles built before 1950.

Dubai—one of seven Emirates in the UAE—is the second emirate after its northern neighbor, Sharjah, in creating a special registration process for classic vehicles.

This new registration process is available for original specification vehicles, though plans are to create a registration process for kit cars and hot rods in the upcoming years.

For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.