By SEMA Editors

This is the ’16 Chevy Cruze LT sedan, caught testing outside of Milford.

The mainstay of the Cruze lineup, the LT sedan, is pictured here uncovered and less adorned than the highly optioned Premier models. Modest 17-in. wheels and less chrome are modest highlights; however, the sedan will make up the majority of Cruze sales, providing plenty of options for aftermarket upgrades.

The Cruze gets a turbocharged engine standard, a 1.4L with 153 hp with higher performance and efficiency than before. The six-speed automatic that most models will have also gains stop-start technology, which is still unusual in this class. The Cruze four-door should be on sale soon, with the five-door hatch recently revealed in Detroit joining the lineup at the end of the year. Diesel and hybrid models are still planned for 2017.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By SEMA Editors

This is the ’16 Chevy Cruze LT sedan, caught testing outside of Milford.

The mainstay of the Cruze lineup, the LT sedan, is pictured here uncovered and less adorned than the highly optioned Premier models. Modest 17-in. wheels and less chrome are modest highlights; however, the sedan will make up the majority of Cruze sales, providing plenty of options for aftermarket upgrades.

The Cruze gets a turbocharged engine standard, a 1.4L with 153 hp with higher performance and efficiency than before. The six-speed automatic that most models will have also gains stop-start technology, which is still unusual in this class. The Cruze four-door should be on sale soon, with the five-door hatch recently revealed in Detroit joining the lineup at the end of the year. Diesel and hybrid models are still planned for 2017.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By SEMA Editors

This is the ’16 Chevy Cruze LT sedan, caught testing outside of Milford.

The mainstay of the Cruze lineup, the LT sedan, is pictured here uncovered and less adorned than the highly optioned Premier models. Modest 17-in. wheels and less chrome are modest highlights; however, the sedan will make up the majority of Cruze sales, providing plenty of options for aftermarket upgrades.

The Cruze gets a turbocharged engine standard, a 1.4L with 153 hp with higher performance and efficiency than before. The six-speed automatic that most models will have also gains stop-start technology, which is still unusual in this class. The Cruze four-door should be on sale soon, with the five-door hatch recently revealed in Detroit joining the lineup at the end of the year. Diesel and hybrid models are still planned for 2017.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By SEMA Editors

This is the ’16 Chevy Cruze LT sedan, caught testing outside of Milford.

The mainstay of the Cruze lineup, the LT sedan, is pictured here uncovered and less adorned than the highly optioned Premier models. Modest 17-in. wheels and less chrome are modest highlights; however, the sedan will make up the majority of Cruze sales, providing plenty of options for aftermarket upgrades.

The Cruze gets a turbocharged engine standard, a 1.4L with 153 hp with higher performance and efficiency than before. The six-speed automatic that most models will have also gains stop-start technology, which is still unusual in this class. The Cruze four-door should be on sale soon, with the five-door hatch recently revealed in Detroit joining the lineup at the end of the year. Diesel and hybrid models are still planned for 2017.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By SEMA Editors

This is the ’16 Chevy Cruze LT sedan, caught testing outside of Milford.

The mainstay of the Cruze lineup, the LT sedan, is pictured here uncovered and less adorned than the highly optioned Premier models. Modest 17-in. wheels and less chrome are modest highlights; however, the sedan will make up the majority of Cruze sales, providing plenty of options for aftermarket upgrades.

The Cruze gets a turbocharged engine standard, a 1.4L with 153 hp with higher performance and efficiency than before. The six-speed automatic that most models will have also gains stop-start technology, which is still unusual in this class. The Cruze four-door should be on sale soon, with the five-door hatch recently revealed in Detroit joining the lineup at the end of the year. Diesel and hybrid models are still planned for 2017.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By SEMA Editors

’16 All-New Ford Focus RS

The Ford booth at the 2016 SEMA Show will highlight the following vehicles in addition to its existing lineup. The provided links will allow you to research these products and find high-resolution images that may be used for your proposal rendering.

• ’16 All-New Ford Focus RS – All-new Ford Focus RS introduces advanced performance technologies for an ultimate driving experience; pioneers innovative, race-inspired Ford Performance All-Wheel Drive, and industry-first drift mode. Aggressive, functional design inside and out makes Focus RS the most powerful production Focus ever, with highly capable performance on both road and track, and powered by Ford’s 2.3L EcoBoost engine.
• ’17 All-New Ford Super Duty – America’s work truck reinvented—the all-new Ford Super Duty is the toughest, smartest, most-capable Super Duty ever. Toughest: All-new, high-strength steel frame; segment-first, high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body; and stronger axles, springs and suspension create the only Built Ford Tough heavy-duty truck lineup that works as hard as Super Duty customers. Smartest: 16 class-exclusive new features and up to seven cameras make Super Duty the ultimate tow vehicle; and adaptive steering technology makes maneuvering easier. Most capable: Ford-engineered, Ford-built gasoline and diesel engines and transmissions power the all-new Super Duty lineup that tows and hauls more than ever.
• ’16 Freshened Ford Fusion Sport – Fusion V6 Sport is a performance sedan unlike anything in the segment with a twin-turbocharged 2.7L EcoBoost V6 delivering a projected 325 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque. All-wheel-drive Fusion V6 Sport is projected to make approximately 100 lb.-ft. of additional torque and nearly 50 more horsepower than the 3.5L V6 engines in Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.
• ’16 Ford Fiesta ST – Fiesta ST is still more proof that small cars from Ford Motor Company are anything but boring. In addition to a precision sport-tuned suspension and an improved braking system, Fiesta ST packs more punch under its hood than any other car in the segment.
• ’16 Ford Focus ST – Since its debut, Focus ST has been bringing fun-to-drive DNA to the hatch segment with a unique Ford blend of driving dynamics, performance and style. The ’16 Focus ST now features improved dynamics, an updated suspension, new styling and a more sophisticated cabin.
• ’16 Ford Mustang (2.3L EcoBoost/5.0L GT) – Mustang’s impact goes well beyond the 9 million-plus cars sold in its 50 years of continuous production. It has made thousands of appearances in film, television, music and video games, and is the world’s most-liked vehicle on Facebook. For the first time, Ford will bring Mustang to customers in key parts of Europe and Asia.
• ’16 Ford Explorer Sport – Explorer Sport: 3.5L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6, intelligent four-wheel drive with Terrain Management System, sport-tuned suspension, trailer tow package, Explorer badge on hood, fascia-integrated dual exhaust tips, 20-in. wheels, perforated leather-trimmed seats with red accent stitching, multi-piece satin chrome with carbon-fiber interior appearance inserts and a 12-speaker Sony Audio System.
• ’16 F-150 – The 2016 F-150 delivers an impressive combination of power, capability and efficiency—from advanced materials that improve durability and inhibit corrosion, to faster processors that enhance driving performance, to breakthrough cargo management and towing solutions.

Information for the above models can be found at Ford’s media site.

While the above vehicles have the greatest probability of being awarded, the entire retail Ford Product lineup—with the exception of Ford GT, Raptor, GT350/R, Lincoln and Hybrid products—is eligible for the Project Vehicle Program.

2016 Ford Project Vehicle Program

Proposal Submission Deadline: March 1, 2016
Award Recipient Notification Date: by May 2, 2016

All project vehicle requests must be submitted in two parts and meet the following Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program criteria:

Part 1

E-mail a one-page project summary—must be received by February 19, 2016. Include bullet points for:

• Vehicle/theme
• Vehicle modifications
• New-product development
• Promotional plan
• Vehicle display location at the 2016 SEMA Show

Part 2

Mail a detailed project proposal—must be received by March 1, 2016. Include details supporting the one-page project summary on company letterhead, a color rendering and past project vehicle examples.

All project vehicle requests must meet the Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program Criteria shown below. Information on Ford vehicles is available at: www.ford.com.

Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program Criteria

Aftermarket companies requesting project vehicles should be:

• A manufacturer or designer/restyler dedicated to supporting new-product development.
• Financially capable and willing to spend promotional dollars.
• Actively promoting the vehicle with their product(s) through an established marketing plan.
• A current SEMA member.

Aftermarket companies receiving project vehicles must:

• Feature the vehicle in a booth at the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
• Register and keep the vehicle in your company name during the entire contract period.
• Purchase and maintain $3 million in general liability, $3 million in automotive liability, $1 million in employer liability and demonstrate worker's compensation coverage. An umbrella policy may be used to achieve coverage limits.
• Commit to feature the vehicle with the Ford logo intact and visible.
• Order a California-certified vehicle if you intend to register or use the vehicle primarily in California or any other state that has adopted California emissions standards. Failure to do so may subject you to a state fine.
• Make vehicles available to Ford or its dealers for display, at the owner's discretion.
• Submit written quarterly status reports for a period of 18 months, as specified in the contract, stating:

1. Product development
2. Modifications to the vehicle
3. Events (including dates, location and type of event)
4. Media exposure (originals or color copies)
5. Company advertising featuring the vehicle
6. Additional exposure
7. A copy of your current vehicle registration
8. E-mail, disc or fax reports will not be accepted

Submit Ford Project Vehicle proposals to:

Ford Motor Co.
21175 Oakwood Blvd., PDCDC MD579
Dearborn, MI 48124
Attn: Mike Nicopolis & Bob Galan
semainfo@ford.com

By SEMA Editors

’16 All-New Ford Focus RS

The Ford booth at the 2016 SEMA Show will highlight the following vehicles in addition to its existing lineup. The provided links will allow you to research these products and find high-resolution images that may be used for your proposal rendering.

• ’16 All-New Ford Focus RS – All-new Ford Focus RS introduces advanced performance technologies for an ultimate driving experience; pioneers innovative, race-inspired Ford Performance All-Wheel Drive, and industry-first drift mode. Aggressive, functional design inside and out makes Focus RS the most powerful production Focus ever, with highly capable performance on both road and track, and powered by Ford’s 2.3L EcoBoost engine.
• ’17 All-New Ford Super Duty – America’s work truck reinvented—the all-new Ford Super Duty is the toughest, smartest, most-capable Super Duty ever. Toughest: All-new, high-strength steel frame; segment-first, high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body; and stronger axles, springs and suspension create the only Built Ford Tough heavy-duty truck lineup that works as hard as Super Duty customers. Smartest: 16 class-exclusive new features and up to seven cameras make Super Duty the ultimate tow vehicle; and adaptive steering technology makes maneuvering easier. Most capable: Ford-engineered, Ford-built gasoline and diesel engines and transmissions power the all-new Super Duty lineup that tows and hauls more than ever.
• ’16 Freshened Ford Fusion Sport – Fusion V6 Sport is a performance sedan unlike anything in the segment with a twin-turbocharged 2.7L EcoBoost V6 delivering a projected 325 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque. All-wheel-drive Fusion V6 Sport is projected to make approximately 100 lb.-ft. of additional torque and nearly 50 more horsepower than the 3.5L V6 engines in Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.
• ’16 Ford Fiesta ST – Fiesta ST is still more proof that small cars from Ford Motor Company are anything but boring. In addition to a precision sport-tuned suspension and an improved braking system, Fiesta ST packs more punch under its hood than any other car in the segment.
• ’16 Ford Focus ST – Since its debut, Focus ST has been bringing fun-to-drive DNA to the hatch segment with a unique Ford blend of driving dynamics, performance and style. The ’16 Focus ST now features improved dynamics, an updated suspension, new styling and a more sophisticated cabin.
• ’16 Ford Mustang (2.3L EcoBoost/5.0L GT) – Mustang’s impact goes well beyond the 9 million-plus cars sold in its 50 years of continuous production. It has made thousands of appearances in film, television, music and video games, and is the world’s most-liked vehicle on Facebook. For the first time, Ford will bring Mustang to customers in key parts of Europe and Asia.
• ’16 Ford Explorer Sport – Explorer Sport: 3.5L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6, intelligent four-wheel drive with Terrain Management System, sport-tuned suspension, trailer tow package, Explorer badge on hood, fascia-integrated dual exhaust tips, 20-in. wheels, perforated leather-trimmed seats with red accent stitching, multi-piece satin chrome with carbon-fiber interior appearance inserts and a 12-speaker Sony Audio System.
• ’16 F-150 – The 2016 F-150 delivers an impressive combination of power, capability and efficiency—from advanced materials that improve durability and inhibit corrosion, to faster processors that enhance driving performance, to breakthrough cargo management and towing solutions.

Information for the above models can be found at Ford’s media site.

While the above vehicles have the greatest probability of being awarded, the entire retail Ford Product lineup—with the exception of Ford GT, Raptor, GT350/R, Lincoln and Hybrid products—is eligible for the Project Vehicle Program.

2016 Ford Project Vehicle Program

Proposal Submission Deadline: March 1, 2016
Award Recipient Notification Date: by May 2, 2016

All project vehicle requests must be submitted in two parts and meet the following Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program criteria:

Part 1

E-mail a one-page project summary—must be received by February 19, 2016. Include bullet points for:

• Vehicle/theme
• Vehicle modifications
• New-product development
• Promotional plan
• Vehicle display location at the 2016 SEMA Show

Part 2

Mail a detailed project proposal—must be received by March 1, 2016. Include details supporting the one-page project summary on company letterhead, a color rendering and past project vehicle examples.

All project vehicle requests must meet the Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program Criteria shown below. Information on Ford vehicles is available at: www.ford.com.

Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program Criteria

Aftermarket companies requesting project vehicles should be:

• A manufacturer or designer/restyler dedicated to supporting new-product development.
• Financially capable and willing to spend promotional dollars.
• Actively promoting the vehicle with their product(s) through an established marketing plan.
• A current SEMA member.

Aftermarket companies receiving project vehicles must:

• Feature the vehicle in a booth at the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
• Register and keep the vehicle in your company name during the entire contract period.
• Purchase and maintain $3 million in general liability, $3 million in automotive liability, $1 million in employer liability and demonstrate worker's compensation coverage. An umbrella policy may be used to achieve coverage limits.
• Commit to feature the vehicle with the Ford logo intact and visible.
• Order a California-certified vehicle if you intend to register or use the vehicle primarily in California or any other state that has adopted California emissions standards. Failure to do so may subject you to a state fine.
• Make vehicles available to Ford or its dealers for display, at the owner's discretion.
• Submit written quarterly status reports for a period of 18 months, as specified in the contract, stating:

1. Product development
2. Modifications to the vehicle
3. Events (including dates, location and type of event)
4. Media exposure (originals or color copies)
5. Company advertising featuring the vehicle
6. Additional exposure
7. A copy of your current vehicle registration
8. E-mail, disc or fax reports will not be accepted

Submit Ford Project Vehicle proposals to:

Ford Motor Co.
21175 Oakwood Blvd., PDCDC MD579
Dearborn, MI 48124
Attn: Mike Nicopolis & Bob Galan
semainfo@ford.com

By SEMA Editors

’16 All-New Ford Focus RS

The Ford booth at the 2016 SEMA Show will highlight the following vehicles in addition to its existing lineup. The provided links will allow you to research these products and find high-resolution images that may be used for your proposal rendering.

• ’16 All-New Ford Focus RS – All-new Ford Focus RS introduces advanced performance technologies for an ultimate driving experience; pioneers innovative, race-inspired Ford Performance All-Wheel Drive, and industry-first drift mode. Aggressive, functional design inside and out makes Focus RS the most powerful production Focus ever, with highly capable performance on both road and track, and powered by Ford’s 2.3L EcoBoost engine.
• ’17 All-New Ford Super Duty – America’s work truck reinvented—the all-new Ford Super Duty is the toughest, smartest, most-capable Super Duty ever. Toughest: All-new, high-strength steel frame; segment-first, high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body; and stronger axles, springs and suspension create the only Built Ford Tough heavy-duty truck lineup that works as hard as Super Duty customers. Smartest: 16 class-exclusive new features and up to seven cameras make Super Duty the ultimate tow vehicle; and adaptive steering technology makes maneuvering easier. Most capable: Ford-engineered, Ford-built gasoline and diesel engines and transmissions power the all-new Super Duty lineup that tows and hauls more than ever.
• ’16 Freshened Ford Fusion Sport – Fusion V6 Sport is a performance sedan unlike anything in the segment with a twin-turbocharged 2.7L EcoBoost V6 delivering a projected 325 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque. All-wheel-drive Fusion V6 Sport is projected to make approximately 100 lb.-ft. of additional torque and nearly 50 more horsepower than the 3.5L V6 engines in Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.
• ’16 Ford Fiesta ST – Fiesta ST is still more proof that small cars from Ford Motor Company are anything but boring. In addition to a precision sport-tuned suspension and an improved braking system, Fiesta ST packs more punch under its hood than any other car in the segment.
• ’16 Ford Focus ST – Since its debut, Focus ST has been bringing fun-to-drive DNA to the hatch segment with a unique Ford blend of driving dynamics, performance and style. The ’16 Focus ST now features improved dynamics, an updated suspension, new styling and a more sophisticated cabin.
• ’16 Ford Mustang (2.3L EcoBoost/5.0L GT) – Mustang’s impact goes well beyond the 9 million-plus cars sold in its 50 years of continuous production. It has made thousands of appearances in film, television, music and video games, and is the world’s most-liked vehicle on Facebook. For the first time, Ford will bring Mustang to customers in key parts of Europe and Asia.
• ’16 Ford Explorer Sport – Explorer Sport: 3.5L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6, intelligent four-wheel drive with Terrain Management System, sport-tuned suspension, trailer tow package, Explorer badge on hood, fascia-integrated dual exhaust tips, 20-in. wheels, perforated leather-trimmed seats with red accent stitching, multi-piece satin chrome with carbon-fiber interior appearance inserts and a 12-speaker Sony Audio System.
• ’16 F-150 – The 2016 F-150 delivers an impressive combination of power, capability and efficiency—from advanced materials that improve durability and inhibit corrosion, to faster processors that enhance driving performance, to breakthrough cargo management and towing solutions.

Information for the above models can be found at Ford’s media site.

While the above vehicles have the greatest probability of being awarded, the entire retail Ford Product lineup—with the exception of Ford GT, Raptor, GT350/R, Lincoln and Hybrid products—is eligible for the Project Vehicle Program.

2016 Ford Project Vehicle Program

Proposal Submission Deadline: March 1, 2016
Award Recipient Notification Date: by May 2, 2016

All project vehicle requests must be submitted in two parts and meet the following Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program criteria:

Part 1

E-mail a one-page project summary—must be received by February 19, 2016. Include bullet points for:

• Vehicle/theme
• Vehicle modifications
• New-product development
• Promotional plan
• Vehicle display location at the 2016 SEMA Show

Part 2

Mail a detailed project proposal—must be received by March 1, 2016. Include details supporting the one-page project summary on company letterhead, a color rendering and past project vehicle examples.

All project vehicle requests must meet the Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program Criteria shown below. Information on Ford vehicles is available at: www.ford.com.

Ford Aftermarket Project Vehicle Program Criteria

Aftermarket companies requesting project vehicles should be:

• A manufacturer or designer/restyler dedicated to supporting new-product development.
• Financially capable and willing to spend promotional dollars.
• Actively promoting the vehicle with their product(s) through an established marketing plan.
• A current SEMA member.

Aftermarket companies receiving project vehicles must:

• Feature the vehicle in a booth at the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
• Register and keep the vehicle in your company name during the entire contract period.
• Purchase and maintain $3 million in general liability, $3 million in automotive liability, $1 million in employer liability and demonstrate worker's compensation coverage. An umbrella policy may be used to achieve coverage limits.
• Commit to feature the vehicle with the Ford logo intact and visible.
• Order a California-certified vehicle if you intend to register or use the vehicle primarily in California or any other state that has adopted California emissions standards. Failure to do so may subject you to a state fine.
• Make vehicles available to Ford or its dealers for display, at the owner's discretion.
• Submit written quarterly status reports for a period of 18 months, as specified in the contract, stating:

1. Product development
2. Modifications to the vehicle
3. Events (including dates, location and type of event)
4. Media exposure (originals or color copies)
5. Company advertising featuring the vehicle
6. Additional exposure
7. A copy of your current vehicle registration
8. E-mail, disc or fax reports will not be accepted

Submit Ford Project Vehicle proposals to:

Ford Motor Co.
21175 Oakwood Blvd., PDCDC MD579
Dearborn, MI 48124
Attn: Mike Nicopolis & Bob Galan
semainfo@ford.com

By Becca Butler

Reminder: The new SEMA Battle of the Builders TV special premieres nationwide Monday, February 1, 2016, at 10:00 p.m. (EST) on Velocity. Watch as hosts Chris Jacobs and Adrienne Janic take fans behind the scenes of the exclusive trade-only SEMA Show and the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition.

Viewers will meet top builders and hear personal stories about how they started in the industry, details about their 2015 SEMA Show project vehicles and watch as the ultimate winner is announced in front of thousands at SEMA Ignited. It’s the ultimate SEMA Show builders competition!

Visit www.semaignited.com for more information and join the conversation using #SEMABOTB.

By Becca Butler

Reminder: The new SEMA Battle of the Builders TV special premieres nationwide Monday, February 1, 2016, at 10:00 p.m. (EST) on Velocity. Watch as hosts Chris Jacobs and Adrienne Janic take fans behind the scenes of the exclusive trade-only SEMA Show and the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition.

Viewers will meet top builders and hear personal stories about how they started in the industry, details about their 2015 SEMA Show project vehicles and watch as the ultimate winner is announced in front of thousands at SEMA Ignited. It’s the ultimate SEMA Show builders competition!

Visit www.semaignited.com for more information and join the conversation using #SEMABOTB.