This is a prototype for the upcoming rugged Ford Explorer variant, the FX4.

The Explorer FX4 will follow in the footsteps of the Expedition FX4. The prototype sports camo on the front and rear fascias, though there are a few characteristics that are clearly visible. This includes a set of aggressive rubber with black wheels. Additionally, it would appear that the front and rear bumpers have better approach and departure angles. Meanwhile, plastic fender flares and lower bodyside molding offer some protection when the crossover hits the trails.

Expect an official debut by the first quarter of 2021.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is a prototype for the upcoming rugged Ford Explorer variant, the FX4.

The Explorer FX4 will follow in the footsteps of the Expedition FX4. The prototype sports camo on the front and rear fascias, though there are a few characteristics that are clearly visible. This includes a set of aggressive rubber with black wheels. Additionally, it would appear that the front and rear bumpers have better approach and departure angles. Meanwhile, plastic fender flares and lower bodyside molding offer some protection when the crossover hits the trails.

Expect an official debut by the first quarter of 2021.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Held as a virtual event, this meeting is the ideal opportunity for YEN members to network and make new connections with other young professionals in the industry at a time when travel and physical interactions may be limited. Attendees will learn new information about this year’s Launch Pad program and meet the top 5 finalists, as well as have an opportunity to participate in career development programs.  

Held as a virtual event, this meeting is the ideal opportunity for YEN members to network and make new connections with other young professionals in the industry at a time when travel and physical interactions may be limited. Attendees will learn new information about this year’s Launch Pad program and meet the top 5 finalists, as well as have an opportunity to participate in career development programs.  

By SEMA Editors

The Jessi Combs Foundation (JCF) plans to issue scholarships annually to women who want to pursue their dreams of a career in the trades, with the first round to be awarded later this year. Additionally, JCF will leverage its extensive network of industry contacts to help applicants and program graduates with the introductions designed to kick-start their first opportunity in the trades industry.

Just over a year ago, SEMA veteran and industry pioneer Jessi Combs established the new land-speed record as the World’s Fastest Woman, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, and passed into legend. Since that time, The Jessi Combs Foundation was formed and the board of directors have launched The Jessi Combs Foundation Scholarship program in her honor.

“From her early start at WYOTech to setting the record as the World’s Fastest Woman, Jessi accomplished so much and has been an inspiration to women (and men) around the world, including me.” said Adel Adams, board member for the Jessi Combs Foundation and events marketing manager at Warn Industries Inc.

The mission of The Jessi Combs Foundation is to “Educate, Inspire and Empower” the next generation of trailblazing and stereotype-breaking women. A guiding principle to this mission is a simple question “What Would Jessi Do?” The long-term vision for the Jessi Combs Foundation is to execute this mission via three pillars:

• Educate: Trades were important to Combs—the very vehicle that provided so many opportunities to her. JCF will distribute individual scholarships and in-kind partner donations to educational institutions and learning centers to continually be a driving force behind the next generation of women in trades. Additionally, JCF plans to support live event workshops that keep alive the one-on-one interactions that Combs loved so much.
• Inspire: This will come to life via in-house projects as the foundation looks to continually set new bars and use its voice to shine light and recognition on those whose achievements, talents and accomplishments inspire others.
• Empower: Grants and sponsorships will be the primary tools to support those women with a dream of achieving their own level of greatness, and that aligns with the barrier-smashing attitude Combs embodied.  

Those interested in applying for the Jessi Combs Foundation Scholarship Program can download the application form at www.thejessicombsfoundation.com. Women are encouraged to apply by September 30. Those interested in supporting the foundation or becoming a partner are encouraged to reach out via the contact section on the website. All donations raised will go to The Jessi Combs Foundation and will be used in compliance with the official purpose of the organization.

By SEMA Editors

The Jessi Combs Foundation (JCF) plans to issue scholarships annually to women who want to pursue their dreams of a career in the trades, with the first round to be awarded later this year. Additionally, JCF will leverage its extensive network of industry contacts to help applicants and program graduates with the introductions designed to kick-start their first opportunity in the trades industry.

Just over a year ago, SEMA veteran and industry pioneer Jessi Combs established the new land-speed record as the World’s Fastest Woman, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, and passed into legend. Since that time, The Jessi Combs Foundation was formed and the board of directors have launched The Jessi Combs Foundation Scholarship program in her honor.

“From her early start at WYOTech to setting the record as the World’s Fastest Woman, Jessi accomplished so much and has been an inspiration to women (and men) around the world, including me.” said Adel Adams, board member for the Jessi Combs Foundation and events marketing manager at Warn Industries Inc.

The mission of The Jessi Combs Foundation is to “Educate, Inspire and Empower” the next generation of trailblazing and stereotype-breaking women. A guiding principle to this mission is a simple question “What Would Jessi Do?” The long-term vision for the Jessi Combs Foundation is to execute this mission via three pillars:

• Educate: Trades were important to Combs—the very vehicle that provided so many opportunities to her. JCF will distribute individual scholarships and in-kind partner donations to educational institutions and learning centers to continually be a driving force behind the next generation of women in trades. Additionally, JCF plans to support live event workshops that keep alive the one-on-one interactions that Combs loved so much.
• Inspire: This will come to life via in-house projects as the foundation looks to continually set new bars and use its voice to shine light and recognition on those whose achievements, talents and accomplishments inspire others.
• Empower: Grants and sponsorships will be the primary tools to support those women with a dream of achieving their own level of greatness, and that aligns with the barrier-smashing attitude Combs embodied.  

Those interested in applying for the Jessi Combs Foundation Scholarship Program can download the application form at www.thejessicombsfoundation.com. Women are encouraged to apply by September 30. Those interested in supporting the foundation or becoming a partner are encouraged to reach out via the contact section on the website. All donations raised will go to The Jessi Combs Foundation and will be used in compliance with the official purpose of the organization.

By Kyle Cheng

According to the latest “SEMA Industry Indicators” report, the auto sector has recovered 74% of the jobs lost during April and May, compared to just 47% for overall American manufacturing.

The U.S. economy continues to recover what was lost in the early months of the pandemic. Much of the pent-up demand from April and May has likely been satisfied, and now the economy settles into a period of smaller month-over-month growth as it works to regain what was lost in the early months of the pandemic.

The auto sector, one of the hardest hit in the early months of the pandemic, has experienced one of the better recoveries so far. It has recovered 74% of the jobs lost during April and May, compared to just 47% for overall American manufacturing. Likewise, new vehicle sales are on track to reach just over 14 million units in 2020—18% below 2019 but 60% higher than April.

Consumer confidence is down but remains higher than the lows seen during the last recession from 2007–2009. Right now, the end of stimulus and pandemic unemployment payments are headwinds against this. As the virus situation improves, consumers will gain more confidence and increase their spending.

Want more information on the trends affecting the specialty-equipment industry? Download the September “SEMA Industry Indicators Report”—available for free at www.sema.org/research.

By Kyle Cheng

According to the latest “SEMA Industry Indicators” report, the auto sector has recovered 74% of the jobs lost during April and May, compared to just 47% for overall American manufacturing.

The U.S. economy continues to recover what was lost in the early months of the pandemic. Much of the pent-up demand from April and May has likely been satisfied, and now the economy settles into a period of smaller month-over-month growth as it works to regain what was lost in the early months of the pandemic.

The auto sector, one of the hardest hit in the early months of the pandemic, has experienced one of the better recoveries so far. It has recovered 74% of the jobs lost during April and May, compared to just 47% for overall American manufacturing. Likewise, new vehicle sales are on track to reach just over 14 million units in 2020—18% below 2019 but 60% higher than April.

Consumer confidence is down but remains higher than the lows seen during the last recession from 2007–2009. Right now, the end of stimulus and pandemic unemployment payments are headwinds against this. As the virus situation improves, consumers will gain more confidence and increase their spending.

Want more information on the trends affecting the specialty-equipment industry? Download the September “SEMA Industry Indicators Report”—available for free at www.sema.org/research.

By SEMA Editors

Registration for SEMA360 is available at no cost to SEMA-member buyers. Qualified, non-SEMA-member buyers pay $25.

More than 500 high-quality, specialty-equipment manufacturers are planning for SEMA360, taking place on computers everywhere, November 2-6, 2020. SEMA360 is an online marketplace that connects buyers with companies and products across all markets, from off-road, SUVs and light trucks to hot rods and restoration, racing & performance, and collision repair.

Registration is available at no cost to SEMA-member buyers. Qualified, non-SEMA-member buyers pay $25.

You could spend time researching 500 companies on your own, but why would you? SEMA360 is the one place where you'll find it all—product and feature vehicle debuts, education sessions covering timely topics and, most importantly, company representatives ready to answer your questions.

SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso explains how getting business done in SEMA360 will be much more efficient than surfing the Internet.

“Its analogous to using the internet to look up individual restaurants versus using a consolidated resource like Yelp or OpenTable,” said Gatusso.

“In one place, you see numerous options and get menus, directions, hours and user reviews. SEMA360 uses similar technology to refine your search for the latest offerings from the best of the industry all organized on a single platform in an easy-to-use format."

Not only will you find top companies and products, SEMA360 will also save you time and eliminate the guesswork of finding the right person with whom to interact.

Gattuso continued: “You’ll be able to easily meet with manufacturers, see new products, view demonstrations, access a feature vehicle gallery, attend seminars and more. Truth is, it would take you months, even years, to find all this rich content and contact as many manufacturer representatives, vehicle builders and educators on your own.”

Find your future best sellers online from the comfort of your home or office with SEMA360. Register today!

By SEMA Editors

Registration for SEMA360 is available at no cost to SEMA-member buyers. Qualified, non-SEMA-member buyers pay $25.

More than 500 high-quality, specialty-equipment manufacturers are planning for SEMA360, taking place on computers everywhere, November 2-6, 2020. SEMA360 is an online marketplace that connects buyers with companies and products across all markets, from off-road, SUVs and light trucks to hot rods and restoration, racing & performance, and collision repair.

Registration is available at no cost to SEMA-member buyers. Qualified, non-SEMA-member buyers pay $25.

You could spend time researching 500 companies on your own, but why would you? SEMA360 is the one place where you'll find it all—product and feature vehicle debuts, education sessions covering timely topics and, most importantly, company representatives ready to answer your questions.

SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso explains how getting business done in SEMA360 will be much more efficient than surfing the Internet.

“Its analogous to using the internet to look up individual restaurants versus using a consolidated resource like Yelp or OpenTable,” said Gatusso.

“In one place, you see numerous options and get menus, directions, hours and user reviews. SEMA360 uses similar technology to refine your search for the latest offerings from the best of the industry all organized on a single platform in an easy-to-use format."

Not only will you find top companies and products, SEMA360 will also save you time and eliminate the guesswork of finding the right person with whom to interact.

Gattuso continued: “You’ll be able to easily meet with manufacturers, see new products, view demonstrations, access a feature vehicle gallery, attend seminars and more. Truth is, it would take you months, even years, to find all this rich content and contact as many manufacturer representatives, vehicle builders and educators on your own.”

Find your future best sellers online from the comfort of your home or office with SEMA360. Register today!