By Ashley Reyes

Despite ongoing disruptions in the economy, 70% of specialty-equipment manufacturers report sales growth over the past year, according to the new “State of the Industry—Fall 2021” report from SEMA.

The report highlights specialty-equipment market trends, including sales performance and expectations, broader economic factors that are affecting the industry, and a future outlook on the role that emerging vehicle technologies may play.

Supply-chain disruptions are affecting the automotive sector, and new-vehicle production is expected to be 7.7 million units lower in 2021 than 2020—tempering the specialty-equipment industry’s optimism regarding its short-term prospects. However, most businesses are maintaining a positive outlook, with more than 80% expecting their sales to be stable or growing over the coming year.

The latest edition of SEMA’s ongoing “State of the Industry” report series offers 70 pages of data on the specialty-equipment industry to help companies understand how the market is performing and evolving. Key findings from the report include:

• Delays in shipping and the ongoing microchip shortage have left automakers unable to keep up with consumer demand for new vehicles, pushing dealer inventories to all-time lows and the average price of a new vehicle to an unprecedented $45,000 in September 2021.
• While some businesses struggled during the beginning of the pandemic last year, especially retailers, most were able to adjust. Manufacturers in particular have done well, reporting an average of 19% sales growth over the past 12 months.
• Sales in the pickup, sports car, SUV and classic vehicle segments continue to be strong, with many businesses once again seeing double-digit sales growth this year.
• Supply-chain disruptions are starting to create some uncertainty. In the spring of 2021, 70% of specialty-equipment manufacturers and 75% of distributors expected their sales to grow over the coming year. However, those percentages have fallen to 58% and 52% respectively.
• The temporary shifts towards online sales that were made necessary by the pandemic are continuing to reverse, with the majority of specialty-equipment parts sales once again flowing through in-person retail channels.
• In the longer term, vehicle manufacturers’ plans to develop and sell more electric vehicles will require the specialty-equipment industry to plan for and adapt to these changes in the vehicle population.

For more data on the state of U.S. specialty-equipment market, download the “SEMA State of the Industry—Fall 2021” report for free today at www.sema.org/research.

By Ashley Reyes

SEMA Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) members will learn everything they need to know about legislative issues impacting automotive restoration during ARMO’s General Membership Meeting, Friday, November 19, at 10:00 a.m. (PST).

Held as a virtual event, the discussion will feature David Alkire of RPUi as moderator, as he is joined by Christian Robinson, SEMA director of state government affairs and PAC. On the agenda is a discussion and an open Q&A on the following:

• Top legislative issues for SEMA.
• State trends on emissions requirements on older vehicles.
• State trends on titling of older vehicles, specifically those using aftermarket restoration parts.
• General business regulations that could impact restoration businesses.
• How the SEMA Government Affairs office can aid businesses in dealing with a legislative issue in their state or local jurisdictions and help facilitate meeting with legislators.

The meeting, which is open to all current ARMO members and companies in the restoration industry, is the ideal time to address industry issues and connect with others in the market. A brief report on the council’s recent SEMA Show activities and current initiatives will also be discussed. Register here.

Robert Matranga of Matranga Hot Rod Fabricators took the top prize in the eighth-annual SEMA Battle of the Builders competition on the final day of the 2021 SEMA Show, Friday, November 5. The SEMA Battle of the Builders competition is widely known as one of the elite platforms for builders to showcase their work and compete for the coveted top honor.

Robert Matranga took the top prize in the eighth-annual SEMA Battle of the Builders competition with his ’55 Chevy named ”Brute Force.”

The ’55 Chevy aptly named “Brute Force” beat out more than 240 in the internationally recognized competition that unfolded during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Every part of Brute Force has been scratch-built or heavily modified to reward viewers with a seemingly infinite number of details. Brute Force gets its name from the Mike LeFever-built 540ci Merlin engine that is topped with Arias Hemi cylinder heads and force-fed by a pair of Garrett turbochargers through a custom-built Hogan intake. The 1,400hp powerplant is detuned to a drivable 800 hp.

In addition to Matranga, the three finalists who round out the top four for 2021 included: Eddie Pettus with his ’61 Austin Healey Sprite (Sport Compact), Bryan Thompson with his ’34 Ford Pickup (Truck/Off-Road), and Young Gun Dayton Jacobson with his ’00 Chevrolet S10. Each builder brought their best builds to this year’s competition and were recognized with trophies in their respective classes.

Brute Force gets its name from the Mike LeFever-built 540ci Merlin engine that is topped with Arias hemi cylinder heads and force-fed by a pair of Garrett turbochargers through a custom-built Hogan intake. The 1,400-hp powerplant is detuned to a drivable 800 hp.

The four finalists of this years’ competition will be highlighted along with other featured builders in a new TV special “2021 SEMA: Battle of the Builders,” scheduled to premiere on the History Channel January 23, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. (EST).

The 2021 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition included submissions from seasoned builders as well as new customizers representing up-and-coming stars who demonstrated extreme talent, creativity and craftsmanship in modifying cars, trucks and SUVs. The Young Guns (builders 27 years and younger) category continues to evolve and expand, providing the next generation of builders with an opportunity to get their vehicles into the Battle of the Builders competition.

Industry experts narrowed down the field of 240-plus entries to the Top 40 in the remaining categories, before selecting the Top 12 builds overall, which included two women for the first time. The 12 finalists then took over judging duties and named Robert Matranga the overall winner.

For more information about the 2021 Battle of the Builders competition or the SEMA Young Guns program, visit www.sema.org/botb, or SEMA’s YouTube channel.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration released an emergency temporary standard (ETS) requiring large employers (100 employees or more) to ensure all their workers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or are tested weekly by January 4, 2022. Though the rule has been temporarily suspended by a federal appeals court, the White House has urged companies to move ahead with plans for vaccine and testing requirements.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released an FAQ page on the COVID Vaccination and Testing ETS. For more information, contact Caroline Fletcher at carolinef@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

After months of negotiation, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)” in a bipartisan vote. Having already passed the Senate, the IIJA now heads to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. The IIJA represents a historic investment in infrastructure after similar efforts have failed in previous years. The law will help address deteriorating roads, bridges, tunnels and ports that have been neglected across the country and have contributed to supply-chain bottlenecks in recent months.

The IIJA includes the text of the surface transportation reauthorization bill, providing $550 billion in new funding over five years for all modes of transportation, water, power and energy, public lands, and broadband. Below is a brief overview of the key provisions:

• $110 billion to repair highways, bridges, and roads.
• $39 billion to expand and modernize public transit systems.
• $7.5 billion for electric-vehicle charging infrastructure.
• $65 billion to update and expand the power grid.
• $66 billion to improve passenger and freight rail service.
• $15.6 billion for the Highway Safety Improvement Program.
• $42 billion in new spending for ports and airports.
• $47 billion in infrastructure upgrades to address climate change and cyberattacks.
• $65 billion for broadband infrastructure and development.

The bill also directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue several rules to promote vehicle safety for new vehicles. These include mandating that all new vehicles have monitoring systems to detect drunk drivers as early as 2026, rear-seat reminders to alert parents if a child is left in the back seat as early as 2025, and automatic emergency braking and lane-departure warnings, although no date was set for this rule. Most automakers joined a voluntary agreement under the Obama administration to install automatic emergency braking equipment on a majority of their models by September of 2022.

For more information, contact Caroline Fletcher at carolinef@sema.org.

By Jay Carpio, Fredy Ramirez & Carr Winn

“Carr Parts” is dedicated to builders. It’s about quick tips and tricks and the newest must-have products. It’s about visiting with a fellow builder, walking around their project and getting an up-close look at their handiwork. It’s also about our industry sharing their passion for turning a wrench and taking time to give advice to fellow gearheads.

Episode 12 is a special 2021 SEMA Show edition featuring Chelsie Lesnoski and Cole Marten from Throttle Thrashers Garage, both Top 12 finalists in the 2021 Battle of the Builders (BOTB).

For more information about other talented young builders, visit SEMA's Young Guns at www.semayoungguns.com.

SEMA’s video team is currently in production on future episodes of “Carr Parts“ and we’d love to hear from you. Do you have a tip, trick or advice you can share with our audience? Drop us a note on social via @SEMA_Association and we’ll connect with you.

We can't wait to find the next guest for “Carr Parts.” And finally...keep building.

Beginning with the Monday Night Reveal, the SEMA News video team had cameras rolling throughout the 2021 SEMA Show. Here’s a look at our coverage.

The 2021 SEMA Show Monday Reveal

The 2021 SEMA Show – Day 1 Highlights

The 2021 SEMA Show – Day 2 Highlights

The 2021 SEMA Show – Day 3 Highlights

Highlights from the 2021 SEMA Show

The SEMA Data Excellence designation recognizes the companies that have worked with SEMA Data to recreate and relaunch industry-leading product data sets. Here are products from current SEMA Data members that have achieved data excellence.

HushMat
’04–’17 Volkswagen Touareg Complete Kit

HushMat’s ’04–’17 Volkswagen Touareg Complete Kit sound deadening, and thermal insulation material is designed to make every type of vehicle cool, quiet and comfortable to drive and enjoy. HushMat is an easy to install, USA-made material that molds, forms and adheres to a vehicle’s surface. No tools, glues and or special equipment is needed to install HushMat; simply peel and stick.

HushMat has invested thousands of hours over the past 15 years measuring vehicles to create a year-, make- and model-specific portfolio of 365,000 part numbers. HushMat insulates firewall, floor pan, tunnel, doors, roof and trunk. HushMat even provides installation templates to show where each piece is placed.  

PN: 68260
https://www.hushmat.com

JMS
FuelMAX

FuelMAX features exclusive JMS digital technology that provides up to an 85% increase in fuel delivery from your OEM fuel pump. Providing the highest continuous voltage and amperage output without the noise, safely supporting up to 1000hp. Plug-and-play installation connects directly to your fuel-pump driver module and activates via monitoring the pedal-position sensor, minimizing install time. The user-adjustable voltage ramp-in/ramp-out rate allows elimination of fuel pressure spikes for maximum control. FuelMAX kits are shipped complete with everything you need for installation and are compatible with all 12- and 16-volt battery systems. FuelMAX units are backed by a lifetime warranty and made in the USA.

PN: P2000PPT15
www.jmschip.com

ZyCoat Coating Services
ZyBar

ZyCoat Coating Services will coat your Full Single Exhaust 3-in. to 3.9-in. diameter with ZyBar high-temperature heat dissipation coating is designed to reduce radiant heat, reduce under-hood temperatures, offers outstanding corrosion resistance, provides lasting color stability under the most extreme engine conditions and extends the life of your components. ZyBar is rated to internal temperatures well in excess of 2000 F. ZyBar is a single component, durable polymer coating that far outperforms ceramic paints, wraps and heat tapes. ZyCoat has opened a coating services division and will coat components. ZyCoat will ship you the “one-stop” box, all shipping is prepaid and return to you coated and cured components.

PN: TC045
www.zycoat.com

By Linda Spencer

Companies already registered and those interested in learning more about the SEMA Middle East program are invited to join a one-hour conference call on Thursday, December 2, at 11:00 a.m. (PST)/2:00 p.m. (EST) to learn more about the March 22–29, 2022, SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.

Robert  Scheid  (left)  is  the  director  of  business  development  for  McLeod  Racing  LLC, which has participated on six of SEMA’s overseas trips, including to the Middle East, Australia and China.

During the call, SEMA will discuss the program, inform participants about available federal and state grants and how to apply, review the agenda and answer questions.

Additional information is also available at www.sema.org/MiddleEast.

Register for the call here.

By Ashley Reyes

After record-high media participation and significant international media joining the event, the 2022 Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference will once again take place entirely online January 25–27, 2022.  

Exhibitor applications are open exclusively to MPMC members through November 18.

The Media Trade Conference is a unique event that takes place annually and brings manufacturers of racing and performance parts and accessories together with media in up to 42 private, 30-minute meetings over a span of three days. As an online event, the program is a cost-effective way for motorsports manufacturers to share detailed information about their products, changes in their company or the latest industry trends.  

The virtual format allows for private meetings between media and manufacturers, both of whom receive personalized schedules created just for them. Unlike a traditional trade show where exhibitors meet with buyers and resellers, the Media Trade Conference is focused on media, and results in manufacturers receiving quality media coverage in trade and consumer outlets, including print, online, video/television and radio/podcasts. 

Manufacturers seeking more information can view the exhibitor application or visit or contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.