By SEMA Editors

Fisker Names Former U.S. Congressman, House Majority Leader as Advisor

Henrik Fisker (left) and Richard Gephardt at the 2019 North American International Auto Show.

Technology and e-mobility company Fisker Inc. officially announced its new working partnership with former U.S. Representative Richard (Dick) Gephardt. He has taken on the role of advisor to Fisker Inc.—advising on vehicle-manufacturing site selection in the United States and innovative labor contracts in line with both Fisker Inc. and Gephardt Group green initiatives

Gephardt, a former member of the board at Ford Motor Company, has been working with Fisker over the past five months as a key consultant as Fisker readies itself for significant industry announcements.

Fisker Inc. is planning to launch a range of electric vehicles engineered to be affordable, futuristic and segment leaders. Fisker Inc. is also developing several new technologies for the company's future EVs, including next generation Fisker solid-state battery technology.

Power Automedia Hires Art Michalik as Editorial Director

Art Michalik

Power Automedia announced that the company named Art Michalik as editorial director. Michalik joined the team in early 2019, and brings with him a wealth of knowledge that will benefit Power Automedia’s readers and magazines.

Michalik raced in the SCCA Formula Vee series in his early days and translated his passion into a professional career. Early in his career, Michalik worked as director of client services for Stewart Holt Advertising and was involved in managing many premium automotive brands including Brembo, Toyota Racing Development, PowerTrack, K&N and others.

Later, Michalik worked at both Yokohama and Bridgestone in a marketing capacity, served as the general manager of the Skip Barber Racing School at the legendary Laguna Seca road course in California, and also was employed as a senior marketing manager at eBay Motors.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Ameduri's industry experience spans more than 30 years with a range of automotive aftermarket companies.

The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) announced that it has hired Tom Ameduri as West Coast sales manager.

Ameduri has been working in the automotive aftermarket industry for more than 30 years, with companies that include Hayden Oil Coolers, Dunham Bush, Perma Cool, Hooker Headers, and most recently, T-REX Grilles. He also previously owned Hot Rod’s Speed and Custom, a fabrication company with stores in Norco and Temecula.

Ameduri is excited to share his experience with SEMA member companies and help demonstrate the benefits of providing and maintaining quality data. His goal is to help more manufacturers understand the benefits of good data and how it effects their bottom line.

“I’ve been a user of SEMA Data Co-Op for many years,” said Ameduri. “I understand the importance of providing good data and how it impacts the sales process from manufacture to reseller over multiple channels.”

The SDC is an industry-owned and -operated centralized data repository, complete with a comprehensive set of online data management tools.

Learn more about the SDC at www.semadatacoop.com.

By SEMA Editors

Ameduri's industry experience spans more than 30 years with a range of automotive aftermarket companies.

The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) announced that it has hired Tom Ameduri as West Coast sales manager.

Ameduri has been working in the automotive aftermarket industry for more than 30 years, with companies that include Hayden Oil Coolers, Dunham Bush, Perma Cool, Hooker Headers, and most recently, T-REX Grilles. He also previously owned Hot Rod’s Speed and Custom, a fabrication company with stores in Norco and Temecula.

Ameduri is excited to share his experience with SEMA member companies and help demonstrate the benefits of providing and maintaining quality data. His goal is to help more manufacturers understand the benefits of good data and how it effects their bottom line.

“I’ve been a user of SEMA Data Co-Op for many years,” said Ameduri. “I understand the importance of providing good data and how it impacts the sales process from manufacture to reseller over multiple channels.”

The SDC is an industry-owned and -operated centralized data repository, complete with a comprehensive set of online data management tools.

Learn more about the SDC at www.semadatacoop.com.

By Della Domingo

Young Gun regional winner from 2018, Natalie Haynes, discusses her Camaro project with SEMA Chairman Wade Kawasaki.

The nationwide search for aspiring, up-and-coming young vehicle builders kicks off March 16, as the SEMA Youngs Guns Regional Program takes place at TX2K19 at Houston Raceway Park, just outside of Houston, Texas. 

As the first event in the 2019 SEMA Young Guns Regional Program, TX2K19 will feature 10 builders age 27 or younger vying for a chance to participate in the 2019 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition and showcase their vehicle at the world-renowned SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Since 2014, the SEMA Battle of the Builders has served as the automotive industry’s premier vehicle competition. Open exclusively to builders with vehicles on display at the SEMA Show, the competition expanded in 2017 to provide exposure for a limited number of rising young builders.

Natalie Haynes' Camaro.

This year’s program includes partnerships with nine venues, with one winner from each venue awarded an all-expenses paid trip for two to the 2019 SEMA Show, transportation of the winner’s vehicle, a designated feature spot at the Show and entry into the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition.

“We’re excited to kick off the SEMA Young Guns Program at TX2K19,” said SEMA Vice President of Marketing Ira Gabriel. “TX2K19 represents a new partnership for the Young Guns Program, and will allow us to reach a new group of young builders. Our goals are to discover new talent, promote vehicle customization to the younger generation and make the hobby accessible to more people. We’re confident that TX2K19 will aid us in reaching our goals.”

Vehicle builders age 27 and younger are invited to enter the Young Guns Regional Competition at www.semayoungguns.com, where they will be able to select from nine venues. The deadline for the TX2K19 event is March 8, after which time 10 applicants will be selected to compete in Houston, for a chance to advance on to the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition in Las Vegas.

For additional details, visit www.semayoungguns.com or contact marketing@semaignited.com.

Here is the latest prototype of the mid-engine Corvette, with photos of the production headlights, taillights, "Batwing" and other details that we haven't seen before.

The all-LED headlight cluster appears to house a multi-matrix LED configuration for the primary lighting unit. A white accent strip (orange when turning) resides at the top of the headlight cluster.

Things get even more interesting out back, as we get our first look at the production-intent taillights. The overall design direction of the taillights is highly reminiscent of the current C7 Corvette—with a taillight element featuring two vertical bars connecting a horizontal one. That pattern repeats four times on the rear end—twice on the driver's side and twice on the passenger side—much like on the C7 today. We also captured the dynamic turn indicator sequence, which commences inboard and progresses outboard, toward the edge of the vehicle.

This particular tester also appears to have a rather aggressive front fascia, but we believe that this is because it's not wearing part of the front bumper cover, but that could also just be the camo playing tricks.

Official debut expected in late 2019 or first quarter 2020.

Photo Credit Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here is the latest prototype of the mid-engine Corvette, with photos of the production headlights, taillights, "Batwing" and other details that we haven't seen before.

The all-LED headlight cluster appears to house a multi-matrix LED configuration for the primary lighting unit. A white accent strip (orange when turning) resides at the top of the headlight cluster.

Things get even more interesting out back, as we get our first look at the production-intent taillights. The overall design direction of the taillights is highly reminiscent of the current C7 Corvette—with a taillight element featuring two vertical bars connecting a horizontal one. That pattern repeats four times on the rear end—twice on the driver's side and twice on the passenger side—much like on the C7 today. We also captured the dynamic turn indicator sequence, which commences inboard and progresses outboard, toward the edge of the vehicle.

This particular tester also appears to have a rather aggressive front fascia, but we believe that this is because it's not wearing part of the front bumper cover, but that could also just be the camo playing tricks.

Official debut expected in late 2019 or first quarter 2020.

Photo Credit Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here is the latest prototype of the mid-engine Corvette, with photos of the production headlights, taillights, "Batwing" and other details that we haven't seen before.

The all-LED headlight cluster appears to house a multi-matrix LED configuration for the primary lighting unit. A white accent strip (orange when turning) resides at the top of the headlight cluster.

Things get even more interesting out back, as we get our first look at the production-intent taillights. The overall design direction of the taillights is highly reminiscent of the current C7 Corvette—with a taillight element featuring two vertical bars connecting a horizontal one. That pattern repeats four times on the rear end—twice on the driver's side and twice on the passenger side—much like on the C7 today. We also captured the dynamic turn indicator sequence, which commences inboard and progresses outboard, toward the edge of the vehicle.

This particular tester also appears to have a rather aggressive front fascia, but we believe that this is because it's not wearing part of the front bumper cover, but that could also just be the camo playing tricks.

Official debut expected in late 2019 or first quarter 2020.

Photo Credit Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here is the latest prototype of the mid-engine Corvette, with photos of the production headlights, taillights, "Batwing" and other details that we haven't seen before.

The all-LED headlight cluster appears to house a multi-matrix LED configuration for the primary lighting unit. A white accent strip (orange when turning) resides at the top of the headlight cluster.

Things get even more interesting out back, as we get our first look at the production-intent taillights. The overall design direction of the taillights is highly reminiscent of the current C7 Corvette—with a taillight element featuring two vertical bars connecting a horizontal one. That pattern repeats four times on the rear end—twice on the driver's side and twice on the passenger side—much like on the C7 today. We also captured the dynamic turn indicator sequence, which commences inboard and progresses outboard, toward the edge of the vehicle.

This particular tester also appears to have a rather aggressive front fascia, but we believe that this is because it's not wearing part of the front bumper cover, but that could also just be the camo playing tricks.

Official debut expected in late 2019 or first quarter 2020.

Photo Credit Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here is the latest prototype of the mid-engine Corvette, with photos of the production headlights, taillights, "Batwing" and other details that we haven't seen before.

The all-LED headlight cluster appears to house a multi-matrix LED configuration for the primary lighting unit. A white accent strip (orange when turning) resides at the top of the headlight cluster.

Things get even more interesting out back, as we get our first look at the production-intent taillights. The overall design direction of the taillights is highly reminiscent of the current C7 Corvette—with a taillight element featuring two vertical bars connecting a horizontal one. That pattern repeats four times on the rear end—twice on the driver's side and twice on the passenger side—much like on the C7 today. We also captured the dynamic turn indicator sequence, which commences inboard and progresses outboard, toward the edge of the vehicle.

This particular tester also appears to have a rather aggressive front fascia, but we believe that this is because it's not wearing part of the front bumper cover, but that could also just be the camo playing tricks.

Official debut expected in late 2019 or first quarter 2020.

Photo Credit Brian Williams, SpiedBilde