Ford officially debuted the next-gen Ranger in February, but only showed the EU and Global trims. It was crickets when it came to the U.S. market, other than a guarantee from Jim Farley that the Ranger (and Raptor) would be on sale sometime in 2023.
Looking at these shots, we can see that the U.S. Ranger doesn’t stray too far from the Global Ranger. The main change comes from a revised lower front fascia and grille, where the U.S. Ranger ditches the exaggerated raised plastic that meets the grille, and opts for a smoother, more flush finish. Around back, the differences appear to be minimal, with the addition of a high-mount brake light and a backup camera.
Powertrain options are expected to remain the same, but with the addition of a hybrid option (we’re hearing PHEV) sometime in the future).
Expect an official debut for the U.S. Ranger in the coming months.
Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest jobs posted to the website.
Canepa is hiring an auto body technician. This individual must be quality-minded, hardworking and dedicated to providing the highest level of workmanship in the industry. Candidates must be highly professional, have a minimum of four years of auto-body experience and be able to work individually, as well as part of a multi-functional team.
Turn 14 Distribution is hiring a Great Lakes region outside sales manager who is goal-oriented and possesses a strong drive, and intent on helping to continue the company’s strong growth trajectory. This vital role requires strong multi-tasking skills to help already existing Turn 14 Distribution customers grow their businesses and foster new business relationships. The role of this position is to maximize sales revenue in a defined region. This candidate preferably has experience in outside sales and is accustomed to being on the road, traveling by car. This is a heavy travel position, mostly by car and occasionally by plane. The ideal candidate for this role is located near either Chicago or Detroit.
Cognito Motorsports is hiring a mechanical design engineer to: project manage the evolution of product concepts through all phases of development, including design, prototyping, fitting, testing and manufacturing; review product design for compliance with engineering principles, company standards and customer contract requirements and related specifications; and sketch rough layouts and computes angles, weights, surface areas, dimensions, radii, clearances, tolerances, leverages and location of holes. Candidates must have a B.S. in engineering and hands-on experience with computer-aided engineering (CAE) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM).
MotorTrend Names Ford F-150 Lightning 2023 Truck of the Year
MotorTrend has announced that the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning has been named the 2023 MotorTrend Truck of the Year. As the best-riding, best-handling and best-driving F-150 yet, the Lightning is the first EV pickup to appeal directly to the existing truck market. It does so with a trove of new engineering accomplishments wrapped in a practical, recognizable package truck owners have come to trust.
“The F-150 Lightning’s instantaneous torque and standout ride and handling make it without a doubt the best truck Ford has ever made. If that feels like a bold statement, consider that amongst our judges, the Lightning won Truck of the Year by unanimous decision—the first EV truck to convince all judges across the board,” said MotorTrend Group Head of Editorial Ed Loh. “The Ford F-150 Lightning is no less than a milestone achievement in the history of American mobility.”
The Ford F-150 was judged the 2023 Truck of the Year by excelling in each of MotorTrend’s six key criteria: safety, efficiency, value, advancement in design, engineering excellence and performance of intended function.
Among the highlights are its incredible value among EV trucks, including the fact every Lightning comes with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain. Eight 120-volt outlets are included to power a job site, and the standard four-door Supercrew cab style maximizes space for hauling coworkers, gear or both. Elsewhere inside, the truck features a standard 12-in. infotainment screen with built-in navigation and route-planning software to keep the Lightning charged on longer trips, as well as Ford’s CoPilot 360 2.0 safety features. The truck also has a full center console and front bucket seats on all models, and the huge frunk under the hood provides tons of additional lockable storage. The F-150 Lightning has the ability to power homes for multiple days and multiple power ports for charging devices or running high-draw electrical tools and appliances.
For more in-depth analysis on why MotorTrend named the Ford F-150 Lightning its 2023 Truck of the Year, visit the Truck of the Year award article.
Chris Douglas
Chris Douglas Named President, CEO of Edelbrock Group
Chris Douglas has been named president and CEO of the Edelbrock Group. Douglas, who was most recently chief commercial officer for the Olive Branch, Mississippi-based company, also has served in various capacities with SEMA, including on its Board of Directors. Prior to Edelbrock, Douglas held a number of executive positions at COMP Performance Group from 2009 to 2020, including vice president of marketing, COO and finally president.
Belmont Abbey College Announces MBA in Motorsports Management
During a press conference at the 2022 PRI Trade Show, Belmont Abbey College—the private Catholic baccalaureate and liberal arts institution in Belmont, North Carolina—announced the addition of a new master’s degree concentration in motorsports management. Under the direction of the business and motorsport management departments, the new degree concentration is designed for completion within 12 months. It will focus on management, finance, marketing, law, analytics and business strategy, with courses including Revenue Generation in Motorsport, Event Management in Motorsport, and Motorsport Marketing and Communications. For more information, visit bac.edu/mba.
Kyle Fickler
Kyle Fickler Joins ProCharger
Lenexa, Kansas-based Accessible Technologies, the parent company of ProCharger and Inovair, has added Kyle Fickler to the ProCharger motorsports and sales team. Fickler previously served as the director of sales and business development at Driven Racing Oil. Prior, he held leadership roles at Aeromotive and Weld Racing. He is also a member of the SEMA Board of Directors and will become chairman of the Board this summer.
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.
The SEMA Future Leaders Network (FLN) named Cece Herrell Rogers as the network’s newest spotlight member. Rogers is a senior event coordinator at FM3 Performance Marketing, a full-service marketing firm that specializes in high-performance motorsports and automotive aftermarket experiential marketing solutions.
Get to know Rogers in her interview with SEMA below:
SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?
Cece Herrell Rogers: You attract more flies with honey than vinegar. Always be kind! I am a Southern girl, so this saying has always stuck with me in every aspect of life.
SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?
CHR: I am a car enthusiast through and through. I grew up hanging out in my dad’s garage when I was little, just admiring his cars (his ’69 Z28 Camaro with a DZ302 is my favorite). Now, to be around others that share that same passion is amazing!
SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?
CHR: Saturday is CAT-ur-day. If I am not at a car event, I am at home hanging with my husband and our four cats!
SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?
CHR: I always make sure I do my research and know all the facts.
SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who it would be?
CHR: Elfi Duntov! She is known as the first lady of Corvette and I would love to just get to hear her insight on those early years of America's sports car!
Fill out an FLN member spotlight form. Selected candidates may be featured on FLN's social media, SEMA News and FLN member updates.
The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) has announced a new motorcycle class has been added to the 2023 IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals at Holly Springs Motorsports in Holly Springs, Missouri. The World Championship will now include the ET Motorcycle alongside Top (Box), Mod (No Box), Sportsman, and Junior Dragster classes.
“There are so many great motorcycle drag racers at our member tracks throughout North America. It’s time they’re recognized properly and have their own opportunity to compete against each other for an IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Championship and a prestigious IHRA Ironman trophy,” IHRA Owner and CEO Larry Jeffers said.
Additional details will be announced at a later date. For more information, visit ihra.com.
Atturo Tire Corp. Renews Partnership With Crossland Offroad Racing for 2023 Season
Atturo Tire Corp. has announced that it is continuing its partnership with off-road racer Chuck Crossland with a collaboration that will support Crossland’s racing efforts in Ultra4, Best in The Desert and SCORE INTERNATIONAL. Crossland’s first race will be the annual King of The Hammers, Every Man Challenge race in Johnson Valley, California, February 10, competing in the 4800 class.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled that the Section 232 tariffs imposed in 2018 by President Trump did not qualify under the claim of U.S. national security. The ruling applies to steel and aluminum imported from China, Turkey, Norway and Switzerland. The tariffs were global in scope when first imposed but the United States has subsequently entered into agreements with many other countries to set metal import quotas and not challenge tariffs previously imposed. These countries include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, the European Union, Great Britain, Japan, Mexico and South Korea. SEMA has opposed the tariffs since they hurt U.S. companies and consumers and have failed to address global metal overproduction, primarily by China.
Although it has taken four years to secure a ruling from the WTO, the issue remains unsettled. The U.S. Trade Representative stated that it does not intend to lift the disputed tariffs on the basis that the WTO has no authority to question the claim of a national security threat. The United States has 60 days to appeal or accept the ruling. Even if appealed, the WTO’s Appellate Body is currently not hearing cases since the United States has blocked new nominations to fill vacancies on the board. The United States contends that the WTO must first make reforms to its dispute settlement system.
For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.
During the 2022 PRI Show in Indianapolis, thousands rallied to “Save our Racecars” at Lucas Oil Stadium to show their support for the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act and PRI’s Political Action Committee (PAC).
The 2022 Save our Racecars Rally, emceed by Johnny D, featured appearances by members of the Street Outlaws, Sage “Donkmaster” Thomas and Brent Leivestad from PFI Speed. Nearly $40,000 was raised for PRI’s PAC, including proceeds from a live auction featuring ticket packages to racing events, memorabilia signed by the Street Outlaws and ride-along experiences.
The PRI PAC allows individual PRI Members to contribute personal funds to help elect lawmakers who support the racing industry’s positions and priorities, such as the RPM Act. The RPM Act is common-sense, bipartisan legislation to protect Americans’ right to convert street vehicles into dedicated racecars and the motorsports-parts industry’s ability to sell products that enable racers to compete. The bill clarifies that it is legal to make emissions-related changes to a street vehicle for the purpose of converting it into a racecar used exclusively in competition. It also confirms that it is legal to produce, market and install racing equipment.
For more information, contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.
The biggest obstacle women face on the path to senior leadership is getting the first step up to manage, according to Lean In’s Women in the Workplace Study.
For every 100 men promoted from entry level to manager, only 87 women are promoted, and only 82 women of color are promoted. As a result, men significantly outnumber women at the manager level, which consequently means that there are less women to promote into senior leadership positions.
The 2023 SBN Women’s Leadership Forum will bring women together to enhance their professional development and leadership skills, and feature targeted seminars from top speakers and experts, hands-on workshops and networking.
To ensure that professional women in the automotive aftermarket have the tools and resources needed to advance in their careers, the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) is hosting its 2023 SBN Women’s Leadership Forum, March 1–3, 2023, in Costa Mesa, California.
Registration is open now at www.sema.org/sbn-wlf, and will close February 2, 2023. The three-day comprehensive leadership program will bring women together to enhance their professional development and leadership skills, and feature targeted seminars from top speakers and experts, hands-on workshops and networking.
“This year’s keynote sessions will focus on futuristic-next level leadership trends and how to elevate one’s impact and influence,” said SBN Director Nicole Bradle. “The intimate setting is unlike any other offered in the industry and will provide women the opportunity to share their common challenges so they can inspire and support one another.”
A complete event program will be available in late December. Registration is limited. SBN members can register at a reduced rate of $599, compared to non-SEMA members at $799. Participants must make their own travel arrangements. Secure your seat today!
Tomorrow is the final opportunity for media to secure a priority schedule for the 2023 MPMC Media Trade Conference, taking place in person on January 24–26, at the Embassy Suites Anaheim South in Garden Grove, California.
Unlike traditional trade shows, where manufacturers are focused on buyers and making sales, MPMC Media Trade Conference exhibitors attend to conduct quality media interviews.
By registering before December 16, media are given first priority to select the exhibitors they would like to meet with and will receive the best possible schedule.
Unlike traditional trade shows, where manufacturers are focused on buyers and making sales, MPMC Media Trade Conference exhibitors attend to conduct quality media interviews.
There is no fee for media to participate.
Media can attend one, two or all three days—depending on what works best for their schedule.
Media can select only the manufacturers that match their readership/audience.
Complimentary lunch is provided each day.
Register today to secure quality, private meetings (up to 14 each day) with motorsports parts manufacturers.
For questions or more information, click here or contact Juan Torres at juant@sema.org.
IHRA to Debut Motorcycle Class in 2023
Atturo Tire Corp. Renews Partnership With Crossland Offroad Racing for 2023 Season
