Students preparing for careers in the automotive industry may be eligible to receive financial awards ranging from $1,000–$4,000 through the 2012 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund (SMSF). The scholarship application requires college transcripts and letters of recommendation and is now available at www.sema.org/scholarships.

Since the fund's inception in 1984, it has awarded more than $1.5 million in scholarships to more than 600 students engaged in studies leading to careers in the automotive aftermarket or related fields.

“Paying for a high-quality education is a challenge for many people, particularly in today’s tough economy,” said Jamie Eriksen, SEMA education director. “SEMA is pleased to play a part in helping students prepare for careers in our industry. The specialty-equipment industry is innovative, dynamic and holds many opportunities for the next generation.”

Unlike financial aid and student loans, the SEMA Memorial Scholarship is a one-time award that does not have to be paid back. Awards are granted to eligible applicants based on academic achievements, work experience, community involvement, essay content and recommendations. Students may re-apply each year, provided that they still meet the eligibility criteria.

A loan forgiveness award is also available to recent graduates who are working for SEMA-member companies and paying off existing student loans. Details and applications for both the scholarship and the loan-forgiveness awards are available at www.sema.org/scholarships.

Winners will be notified in the summer of 2012. Scholarship payments are sent directly to the student’s college, university, trade or vocational school to help offset the cost of tuition. Loan-forgiveness payments are sent directly to the financial institutions.

To review eligibility requirements or to access the application, visit www.sema.org/scholarships or contact Juliet Marshall at julietm@sema.org, 909-978-6655.

Students preparing for careers in the automotive industry may be eligible to receive financial awards ranging from $1,000–$4,000 through the 2012 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund (SMSF). The scholarship application requires college transcripts and letters of recommendation and is now available at www.sema.org/scholarships.

Since the fund's inception in 1984, it has awarded more than $1.5 million in scholarships to more than 600 students engaged in studies leading to careers in the automotive aftermarket or related fields.

“Paying for a high-quality education is a challenge for many people, particularly in today’s tough economy,” said Jamie Eriksen, SEMA education director. “SEMA is pleased to play a part in helping students prepare for careers in our industry. The specialty-equipment industry is innovative, dynamic and holds many opportunities for the next generation.”

Unlike financial aid and student loans, the SEMA Memorial Scholarship is a one-time award that does not have to be paid back. Awards are granted to eligible applicants based on academic achievements, work experience, community involvement, essay content and recommendations. Students may re-apply each year, provided that they still meet the eligibility criteria.

A loan forgiveness award is also available to recent graduates who are working for SEMA-member companies and paying off existing student loans. Details and applications for both the scholarship and the loan-forgiveness awards are available at www.sema.org/scholarships.

Winners will be notified in the summer of 2012. Scholarship payments are sent directly to the student’s college, university, trade or vocational school to help offset the cost of tuition. Loan-forgiveness payments are sent directly to the financial institutions.

To review eligibility requirements or to access the application, visit www.sema.org/scholarships or contact Juliet Marshall at julietm@sema.org, 909-978-6655.

A time lapse video shows the buildup and tear down of the entire Ford display at the 2011 SEMA Show.

 

	Pictured here is the 2011–2012 SEMA Board of Directors. For more information, refer to the article in the December issue of SEMA News.

As a member of the Association, we need your recommendation of industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors. Our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the SEMA Board, but oftentimes those individuals aren’t immediately apparent to the committee that is responsible for selecting the final candidates.

Please take a moment to tell us about whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a Board member position.

It would also be most helpful if you would include information to help the Nominating Committee know more about the qualifications of the nominees, such as background, experience and achievements from a leadership standpoint.

 Nominations for the 2012 SEMA Board of Directors are due Thursday, January 4, 2012.

Please complete and submit the nomination form, and be sure to include the qualification information noted above.

Your Association is vitally important to the industry and your company. Your participation in helping to ensure strong leadership for the SEMA Board of Directors is essential.



Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE


SEMA President and CEO

Jeep Wrangler Diesel

Toyota Hilux

Ford Ranger Double Cab

SEMA, in partnership with the U.S. Commerce Department, will provide vehicles for measuring opportunities that are popular in key international markets but not available in the United States. You can help select them. Among the contenders:

• Jeep Wrangler Diesel. Among other regions, the Wrangler Diesel is available in Europe (where more than 80% of Jeeps purchased are diesel-powered) and Australia. While Chrysler recently announced that it will sell a diesel Cherokee in the United States by 2013, there are no plans to bring a diesel-powered Wrangler to North America.
• Toyota Hilux. This vehicle is sold in nearly every market except for North America. It is a best seller in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, throughout Europe, South Africa, southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. 
• Ford Ranger. The new Ranger, which was engineered primarily in Australia, will go into production shortly at the Ford plant in Rayong, Thailand. It will eventually be assembled in Argentina and South Africa and, after the complete rollout, available in more than 180 countries on five continents. The United States is not one of them.

View the full list of vehicles under consideration and register your vote.

Buyers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar have identified a growing list of products they are seeking. Middle East buyers have expressed an interest in suspension kits, tonneau covers, superchargers, turbochargers, exhausts, air intakes, wheels, tires, fender flares and lights.

 It's not too late to participate in the inaugural Middle East matchmaking event, being held in the UAE April 17–20, 2012.

Better yet, qualified U.S. companies can be immediately approved for a $1,000 grant to help defray the costs.

 This is a very limited opportunity for only a few more U.S. SEMA-member manufacturers to meet with interested Middle East buyers.

For more information or to register, visit SEMA.org/MiddleEast.

Questions? Contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

Buyers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar have identified a growing list of products they are seeking. Middle East buyers have expressed an interest in suspension kits, tonneau covers, superchargers, turbochargers, exhausts, air intakes, wheels, tires, fender flares and lights.

 It's not too late to participate in the inaugural Middle East matchmaking event, being held in the UAE April 17–20, 2012.

Better yet, qualified U.S. companies can be immediately approved for a $1,000 grant to help defray the costs.

 This is a very limited opportunity for only a few more U.S. SEMA-member manufacturers to meet with interested Middle East buyers.

For more information or to register, visit SEMA.org/MiddleEast.

Questions? Contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

Brian Williams for Brenda Priddy & Co. recently supplied these photos of what he referred to as the first evidence of a face-lifted and freshened Ford Raptor.

While the details are scarce and the changes well-hidden under the mesh fabric, Priddy and the team expect minor revisions to the grille and the headlamps for the ’13 model year. They also are anticipating some light updates to the Raptor's interior.

Priddy and her team will keep us posted as more details are made available.

Photo Credit: Brian Williams for Brenda Priddy & Co.

Brian Williams for Brenda Priddy & Co. recently supplied these photos of what he referred to as the first evidence of a face-lifted and freshened Ford Raptor.

While the details are scarce and the changes well-hidden under the mesh fabric, Priddy and the team expect minor revisions to the grille and the headlamps for the ’13 model year. They also are anticipating some light updates to the Raptor's interior.

Priddy and her team will keep us posted as more details are made available.

Photo Credit: Brian Williams for Brenda Priddy & Co.

The second annual SEMA Award was presented to the Jeep Wrangler for the Hottest 4x4-SUV, Chevrolet Camaro for Hottest Car, Ford F-Series for the Hottest Truck and Fiat 500 for the Hottest Sport Compact Car. The winners were announced on the opening day of the 2011 SEMA Show. View the the Jeep Wranglers on display at the 2011 SEMA Show.

The SEMA Award winners represent the models that industry experts—the SEMA Show exhibitors—most often feature in their booths as the hottest rides for the enthusiast market.

The SEMA Award honors those vehicles that specialty-equipment manufacturers believe are the best platforms for accessorization and that showcase this year’s coolest products. The award recognizes four outstanding vehicle models in four categories—“Hottest 4x4-SUV,” “Hottest Car,” “Hottest Truck” and “Hottest Sport Compact Car.” It also underscores the cooperative relationship between the automakers and SEMA-member companies.