The SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference offers United States manufacturers the opportunity to meet with pre-vetted buyers from six Middle Eastern countries.

The early-bird registration discount ends January 31, 2015, for SEMA's Middle East Business Development Conference, to be held March 24–28, 2015, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The program offers United States manufacturers the opportunity to meet with prevetted buyers from six Middle Eastern countries, including Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. In 2014, buyers also came from Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan and India.

Limited slots are available for the fourth-annual conference. Participant fees include an exhibition booth at a local show where you will meet with prevetted buyers, customizing shop tours, hotels, meals, networking events and the chance to measure vehicles not sold in the United States. Qualified participants are eligible for a U.S. Department of Commerce grant to defray the cost of participating.

Wondering what to expect? Check out the 2014 trip report and see who exhibited. View a list of confirmed exhibitors for 2015.

Find program details at sema.org/MiddleEast, or contact Linda Spencer to arrange a one-on-one briefing about the trip's features.

The SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference offers United States manufacturers the opportunity to meet with pre-vetted buyers from six Middle Eastern countries.

The early-bird registration discount ends January 31, 2015, for SEMA's Middle East Business Development Conference, to be held March 24–28, 2015, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The program offers United States manufacturers the opportunity to meet with prevetted buyers from six Middle Eastern countries, including Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. In 2014, buyers also came from Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan and India.

Limited slots are available for the fourth-annual conference. Participant fees include an exhibition booth at a local show where you will meet with prevetted buyers, customizing shop tours, hotels, meals, networking events and the chance to measure vehicles not sold in the United States. Qualified participants are eligible for a U.S. Department of Commerce grant to defray the cost of participating.

Wondering what to expect? Check out the 2014 trip report and see who exhibited. View a list of confirmed exhibitors for 2015.

Find program details at sema.org/MiddleEast, or contact Linda Spencer to arrange a one-on-one briefing about the trip's features.

The SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference offers United States manufacturers the opportunity to meet with pre-vetted buyers from six Middle Eastern countries.

The early-bird registration discount ends January 31, 2015, for SEMA's Middle East Business Development Conference, to be held March 24–28, 2015, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The program offers United States manufacturers the opportunity to meet with prevetted buyers from six Middle Eastern countries, including Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. In 2014, buyers also came from Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan and India.

Limited slots are available for the fourth-annual conference. Participant fees include an exhibition booth at a local show where you will meet with prevetted buyers, customizing shop tours, hotels, meals, networking events and the chance to measure vehicles not sold in the United States. Qualified participants are eligible for a U.S. Department of Commerce grant to defray the cost of participating.

Wondering what to expect? Check out the 2014 trip report and see who exhibited. View a list of confirmed exhibitors for 2015.

Find program details at sema.org/MiddleEast, or contact Linda Spencer to arrange a one-on-one briefing about the trip's features.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is proposing to impose new requirements on product manufacturers and various other business entities under Proposition 65—the California law requiring warnings in the presence of certain chemicals. Under Prop 65, a manufacturer, producer, packager, importer or distributor of a product that causes consumers to be exposed to a listed chemical is required to provide a warning to consumers. Currently, a Prop 65 warning must be given prior to the time of anticipated exposure, but under the new rule, the warning must be given prior to sale, imposing new burdens on website and catalog retailers. 

The new rule also lists 12 chemicals that a manufacturer would have to identify by name in their Prop 65 warning: acrylamide, arsenic, benzene, cadmium, carbon monoxide, chlorinated tris, formaldehyde, hexavalent chromium, lead, mercury, methylene chloride and phthalates. The OEHHA will hold a public hearing on the proposal March 25, 2015, in Sacramento and is accepting public comment until April 8, 2015. 

For more information, visit the OEHHA website. For details, contact Ashley Ailsworth at ashleya@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is proposing to impose new requirements on product manufacturers and various other business entities under Proposition 65—the California law requiring warnings in the presence of certain chemicals. Under Prop 65, a manufacturer, producer, packager, importer or distributor of a product that causes consumers to be exposed to a listed chemical is required to provide a warning to consumers. Currently, a Prop 65 warning must be given prior to the time of anticipated exposure, but under the new rule, the warning must be given prior to sale, imposing new burdens on website and catalog retailers. 

The new rule also lists 12 chemicals that a manufacturer would have to identify by name in their Prop 65 warning: acrylamide, arsenic, benzene, cadmium, carbon monoxide, chlorinated tris, formaldehyde, hexavalent chromium, lead, mercury, methylene chloride and phthalates. The OEHHA will hold a public hearing on the proposal March 25, 2015, in Sacramento and is accepting public comment until April 8, 2015. 

For more information, visit the OEHHA website. For details, contact Ashley Ailsworth at ashleya@sema.org.

By David A. Hakim

	’15 Dodge Hellcat Charger SRT

Wrapping up this week, the 2015 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) provided a look at the latest vehicle creations auto manufacturers are developing or introducing during the year. The event serves as a showcase to attract a global audience of media and car buyers. For the specialty-equipment industry’s manufacturers, industry influencers and opinion leaders, seeing the car and truck introductions provides an idea of what will attract consumers in dealer's showrooms.

Here is a snapshot of the cars and trucks on display at this year’s NAIAS that members will want to keep an eye on for potential upgrade opportunities. As they say, consumers want to “make it their own”, and here’s an example of what’s coming to cruise nights, track days, road courses, drag strips and off-road desert trails in the near future.

’15 Dodge Hellcat Charger SRT
The Dodge 707hp 6.2L HEMI Hellcat Challenger got out of the cage last year and has been considered a powerful success. The award-winning engine has also found a new home in the ’15 Charger SRT, and now that nameplate has earned the honor of being the fastest production sedan in the world at 204 mph.

The Hellcat-powered Charger SRT gives the performance edge over its Challenger cousin. Even with a little more heft and four doors, this Charger is a very capable track car, albeit more for a dragstrip than a road course.

’15 RAM 1500 Rebel

’15 RAM 1500 Rebel
The new ’15 Ram 1500 Rebel is Chrysler’s (FCA) latest entry into the off-road market. The unique blacked out, non “cross-hair” grille with massive “RAM” badging demands attention. The standard 33-inch tires, increased ride height, skid plate and tow hooks gives the Rebel trail cred.

Standard power comes from the 3.6L, 305hp Pentastar V6, but buyers can opt for the optional 5.7L Hemi V8 with 395 hp and 410 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines feed power through the new eight-speed automatic transmission (TorqueFlite 8).

Even though it’s not a BAJA 1000 contender and isn’t as over-the-top as the Ford Raptor, there’s still plenty of aftermarket parts ready to bolt on to give the Rebel even more of a bad attitude.

	’16 Cadillac CTS-V

’16 Cadillac CTS-V
The ’16 Cadillac CTS-V will now have the honor of being the most powerful product in the iconic brand's 100-plus year history. Its power comes from the supercharged 640hp LT-4 from the ’15 Z06 Corvette Stingray.

The 630 lb.-ft. of torque going through the paddle-shift eight-speed automatic transmission featuring launch control will also help propel the CTS-V to a top speed of more than 200 mph. The CTS-V will launch in late summer, and with its small-block Chevy residing under the hood.

’16 Nissan Titan XD

’16 Nissan Titan XD
Nissan rolled out their new ’16 Titan XD pickup, marking the first time the all-new Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel engine has been seen installed in a vehicle. This new engine is rated at 310 hp and an earthmoving 555 lb.-ft. of torque. The mission of Nissan’s new partnership with Cummins was to compete directly with the new Ram 1500 EcoDiesel V6 and Ford 150 2.7L EcoBoost V6.

Even with lower fuel prices, truck buyers still want good mileage with high payload capabilities. The 2016 TITAN XD was designed in California, engineered in Detroit and will be built in Mississippi.

	’16 Shelby GT350R

’16 Shelby GT350R
With a new flat-plane crankshaft 5.2L V8 pushing more than 500 hp and more than 400 lb.-ft. of torque, the ’16 Shelby GT350R emits intoxicating sounds from its quad-tip exhaust pipes. Ford Racing and the aftermarket are already gearing up to provide parts that will extract even more power.

Ford is also setting new trends, as the GT350R will come standard with lightweight carbon-fiber wheels.

’17 Ford GT

’17 Ford GT
Ford announced its reentry into the supercar arena with the new GT, which features lightweight carbon-fiber body components wrapped around a mid-mounted twin-turbocharged 3.5L EcoBoost V6 producing more than 600 hp. The heart of this new supercar is bolted to a seven-speed all-clutch transaxle.

Ford's designers and engineers have developed every slope and shape to minimize drag and optimize downforce. There’s also an active rear spoiler in which the height and/or pitch angle can reactively be deployed and adjusted depending on conditions.

The suspension uses an adjustable torsion-bar style setup and an active spring-rate change that can lower the car. Ford's mission for the GT is to harken back to the days of the mid '60s when Ford was a dominate force at Le Mans.

	’17 Ford Raptor

’17 Ford Raptor
When Ford brought the Raptor out in 2010, off-road enthusiasts finally had a fast, capable and cool truck to hit the desert trails or cruise nights. The next-generation ’17 model promises to stay the course and keep the Raptor a truck to be reckoned with. Just like its bestselling brother, the Ford F-150, the Raptor utilizes high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy in its body and bed, knocking off more than 500 lbs. of weight compared to outgoing Raptor.

However, the big news is what’s under its lightweight louvered hood, as the 6.2L V8 has been replaced an all-new high-output 3.5L EcoBoost engine. Ford claims the V6 will make more horsepower and torque than the previous Raptor.

The ’17 Raptor comes equipped with many familiar aftermarket parts, such as FOX Racing Shox and standard 17-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires. All of these have been tuned and designed specifically for the new Raptor.

Acura NSX

Acura NSX
Ford wasn’t the only automaker to unveil a supercar, as Acura revealed its production version of the next-generation Acura NSX. Like the Ford GT, the new NSX is powered by a twin turbocharged V6 engine, but that’s where the similarities in the power plant department the end.

The Acura engineers have also added a three-electric-motor Sport Hybrid system that allows the front wheels to be driven by twin independent high-output electric motors delivering instantaneous torque response with left-to-right torque distribution. There’s also a rear direct-drive electric motor, housed between the engine and transmission. The transmission used in the hybrid exotic sports car is an all-new nine-speed DCT that provides quick gear changes and rev-matching downshifts.

By David A. Hakim

	’15 Dodge Hellcat Charger SRT

Wrapping up this week, the 2015 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) provided a look at the latest vehicle creations auto manufacturers are developing or introducing during the year. The event serves as a showcase to attract a global audience of media and car buyers. For the specialty-equipment industry’s manufacturers, industry influencers and opinion leaders, seeing the car and truck introductions provides an idea of what will attract consumers in dealer's showrooms.

Here is a snapshot of the cars and trucks on display at this year’s NAIAS that members will want to keep an eye on for potential upgrade opportunities. As they say, consumers want to “make it their own”, and here’s an example of what’s coming to cruise nights, track days, road courses, drag strips and off-road desert trails in the near future.

’15 Dodge Hellcat Charger SRT
The Dodge 707hp 6.2L HEMI Hellcat Challenger got out of the cage last year and has been considered a powerful success. The award-winning engine has also found a new home in the ’15 Charger SRT, and now that nameplate has earned the honor of being the fastest production sedan in the world at 204 mph.

The Hellcat-powered Charger SRT gives the performance edge over its Challenger cousin. Even with a little more heft and four doors, this Charger is a very capable track car, albeit more for a dragstrip than a road course.

’15 RAM 1500 Rebel

’15 RAM 1500 Rebel
The new ’15 Ram 1500 Rebel is Chrysler’s (FCA) latest entry into the off-road market. The unique blacked out, non “cross-hair” grille with massive “RAM” badging demands attention. The standard 33-inch tires, increased ride height, skid plate and tow hooks gives the Rebel trail cred.

Standard power comes from the 3.6L, 305hp Pentastar V6, but buyers can opt for the optional 5.7L Hemi V8 with 395 hp and 410 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines feed power through the new eight-speed automatic transmission (TorqueFlite 8).

Even though it’s not a BAJA 1000 contender and isn’t as over-the-top as the Ford Raptor, there’s still plenty of aftermarket parts ready to bolt on to give the Rebel even more of a bad attitude.

	’16 Cadillac CTS-V

’16 Cadillac CTS-V
The ’16 Cadillac CTS-V will now have the honor of being the most powerful product in the iconic brand's 100-plus year history. Its power comes from the supercharged 640hp LT-4 from the ’15 Z06 Corvette Stingray.

The 630 lb.-ft. of torque going through the paddle-shift eight-speed automatic transmission featuring launch control will also help propel the CTS-V to a top speed of more than 200 mph. The CTS-V will launch in late summer, and with its small-block Chevy residing under the hood.

’16 Nissan Titan XD

’16 Nissan Titan XD
Nissan rolled out their new ’16 Titan XD pickup, marking the first time the all-new Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel engine has been seen installed in a vehicle. This new engine is rated at 310 hp and an earthmoving 555 lb.-ft. of torque. The mission of Nissan’s new partnership with Cummins was to compete directly with the new Ram 1500 EcoDiesel V6 and Ford 150 2.7L EcoBoost V6.

Even with lower fuel prices, truck buyers still want good mileage with high payload capabilities. The 2016 TITAN XD was designed in California, engineered in Detroit and will be built in Mississippi.

	’16 Shelby GT350R

’16 Shelby GT350R
With a new flat-plane crankshaft 5.2L V8 pushing more than 500 hp and more than 400 lb.-ft. of torque, the ’16 Shelby GT350R emits intoxicating sounds from its quad-tip exhaust pipes. Ford Racing and the aftermarket are already gearing up to provide parts that will extract even more power.

Ford is also setting new trends, as the GT350R will come standard with lightweight carbon-fiber wheels.

’17 Ford GT

’17 Ford GT
Ford announced its reentry into the supercar arena with the new GT, which features lightweight carbon-fiber body components wrapped around a mid-mounted twin-turbocharged 3.5L EcoBoost V6 producing more than 600 hp. The heart of this new supercar is bolted to a seven-speed all-clutch transaxle.

Ford's designers and engineers have developed every slope and shape to minimize drag and optimize downforce. There’s also an active rear spoiler in which the height and/or pitch angle can reactively be deployed and adjusted depending on conditions.

The suspension uses an adjustable torsion-bar style setup and an active spring-rate change that can lower the car. Ford's mission for the GT is to harken back to the days of the mid '60s when Ford was a dominate force at Le Mans.

	’17 Ford Raptor

’17 Ford Raptor
When Ford brought the Raptor out in 2010, off-road enthusiasts finally had a fast, capable and cool truck to hit the desert trails or cruise nights. The next-generation ’17 model promises to stay the course and keep the Raptor a truck to be reckoned with. Just like its bestselling brother, the Ford F-150, the Raptor utilizes high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy in its body and bed, knocking off more than 500 lbs. of weight compared to outgoing Raptor.

However, the big news is what’s under its lightweight louvered hood, as the 6.2L V8 has been replaced an all-new high-output 3.5L EcoBoost engine. Ford claims the V6 will make more horsepower and torque than the previous Raptor.

The ’17 Raptor comes equipped with many familiar aftermarket parts, such as FOX Racing Shox and standard 17-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires. All of these have been tuned and designed specifically for the new Raptor.

Acura NSX

Acura NSX
Ford wasn’t the only automaker to unveil a supercar, as Acura revealed its production version of the next-generation Acura NSX. Like the Ford GT, the new NSX is powered by a twin turbocharged V6 engine, but that’s where the similarities in the power plant department the end.

The Acura engineers have also added a three-electric-motor Sport Hybrid system that allows the front wheels to be driven by twin independent high-output electric motors delivering instantaneous torque response with left-to-right torque distribution. There’s also a rear direct-drive electric motor, housed between the engine and transmission. The transmission used in the hybrid exotic sports car is an all-new nine-speed DCT that provides quick gear changes and rev-matching downshifts.

By David A. Hakim

	’15 Dodge Hellcat Charger SRT

Wrapping up this week, the 2015 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) provided a look at the latest vehicle creations auto manufacturers are developing or introducing during the year. The event serves as a showcase to attract a global audience of media and car buyers. For the specialty-equipment industry’s manufacturers, industry influencers and opinion leaders, seeing the car and truck introductions provides an idea of what will attract consumers in dealer's showrooms.

Here is a snapshot of the cars and trucks on display at this year’s NAIAS that members will want to keep an eye on for potential upgrade opportunities. As they say, consumers want to “make it their own”, and here’s an example of what’s coming to cruise nights, track days, road courses, drag strips and off-road desert trails in the near future.

’15 Dodge Hellcat Charger SRT
The Dodge 707hp 6.2L HEMI Hellcat Challenger got out of the cage last year and has been considered a powerful success. The award-winning engine has also found a new home in the ’15 Charger SRT, and now that nameplate has earned the honor of being the fastest production sedan in the world at 204 mph.

The Hellcat-powered Charger SRT gives the performance edge over its Challenger cousin. Even with a little more heft and four doors, this Charger is a very capable track car, albeit more for a dragstrip than a road course.

’15 RAM 1500 Rebel

’15 RAM 1500 Rebel
The new ’15 Ram 1500 Rebel is Chrysler’s (FCA) latest entry into the off-road market. The unique blacked out, non “cross-hair” grille with massive “RAM” badging demands attention. The standard 33-inch tires, increased ride height, skid plate and tow hooks gives the Rebel trail cred.

Standard power comes from the 3.6L, 305hp Pentastar V6, but buyers can opt for the optional 5.7L Hemi V8 with 395 hp and 410 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines feed power through the new eight-speed automatic transmission (TorqueFlite 8).

Even though it’s not a BAJA 1000 contender and isn’t as over-the-top as the Ford Raptor, there’s still plenty of aftermarket parts ready to bolt on to give the Rebel even more of a bad attitude.

	’16 Cadillac CTS-V

’16 Cadillac CTS-V
The ’16 Cadillac CTS-V will now have the honor of being the most powerful product in the iconic brand's 100-plus year history. Its power comes from the supercharged 640hp LT-4 from the ’15 Z06 Corvette Stingray.

The 630 lb.-ft. of torque going through the paddle-shift eight-speed automatic transmission featuring launch control will also help propel the CTS-V to a top speed of more than 200 mph. The CTS-V will launch in late summer, and with its small-block Chevy residing under the hood.

’16 Nissan Titan XD

’16 Nissan Titan XD
Nissan rolled out their new ’16 Titan XD pickup, marking the first time the all-new Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel engine has been seen installed in a vehicle. This new engine is rated at 310 hp and an earthmoving 555 lb.-ft. of torque. The mission of Nissan’s new partnership with Cummins was to compete directly with the new Ram 1500 EcoDiesel V6 and Ford 150 2.7L EcoBoost V6.

Even with lower fuel prices, truck buyers still want good mileage with high payload capabilities. The 2016 TITAN XD was designed in California, engineered in Detroit and will be built in Mississippi.

	’16 Shelby GT350R

’16 Shelby GT350R
With a new flat-plane crankshaft 5.2L V8 pushing more than 500 hp and more than 400 lb.-ft. of torque, the ’16 Shelby GT350R emits intoxicating sounds from its quad-tip exhaust pipes. Ford Racing and the aftermarket are already gearing up to provide parts that will extract even more power.

Ford is also setting new trends, as the GT350R will come standard with lightweight carbon-fiber wheels.

’17 Ford GT

’17 Ford GT
Ford announced its reentry into the supercar arena with the new GT, which features lightweight carbon-fiber body components wrapped around a mid-mounted twin-turbocharged 3.5L EcoBoost V6 producing more than 600 hp. The heart of this new supercar is bolted to a seven-speed all-clutch transaxle.

Ford's designers and engineers have developed every slope and shape to minimize drag and optimize downforce. There’s also an active rear spoiler in which the height and/or pitch angle can reactively be deployed and adjusted depending on conditions.

The suspension uses an adjustable torsion-bar style setup and an active spring-rate change that can lower the car. Ford's mission for the GT is to harken back to the days of the mid '60s when Ford was a dominate force at Le Mans.

	’17 Ford Raptor

’17 Ford Raptor
When Ford brought the Raptor out in 2010, off-road enthusiasts finally had a fast, capable and cool truck to hit the desert trails or cruise nights. The next-generation ’17 model promises to stay the course and keep the Raptor a truck to be reckoned with. Just like its bestselling brother, the Ford F-150, the Raptor utilizes high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy in its body and bed, knocking off more than 500 lbs. of weight compared to outgoing Raptor.

However, the big news is what’s under its lightweight louvered hood, as the 6.2L V8 has been replaced an all-new high-output 3.5L EcoBoost engine. Ford claims the V6 will make more horsepower and torque than the previous Raptor.

The ’17 Raptor comes equipped with many familiar aftermarket parts, such as FOX Racing Shox and standard 17-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires. All of these have been tuned and designed specifically for the new Raptor.

Acura NSX

Acura NSX
Ford wasn’t the only automaker to unveil a supercar, as Acura revealed its production version of the next-generation Acura NSX. Like the Ford GT, the new NSX is powered by a twin turbocharged V6 engine, but that’s where the similarities in the power plant department the end.

The Acura engineers have also added a three-electric-motor Sport Hybrid system that allows the front wheels to be driven by twin independent high-output electric motors delivering instantaneous torque response with left-to-right torque distribution. There’s also a rear direct-drive electric motor, housed between the engine and transmission. The transmission used in the hybrid exotic sports car is an all-new nine-speed DCT that provides quick gear changes and rev-matching downshifts.

By Becca Butler

Bubba Rope's Gator-Jaw soft shackle was one of the top-10 products from the 2014 SEMA Show New Products Showcase Off-Road/4-Wheel-Drive product category.

For all the dirt lovers out there, nearly 270 new and featured Off-Road/4-Wheel-Drive products were on display in the New Products Showcase at the 2014 SEMA Show. Light bars, lift kits and fender flares were among these featured products, giving Showgoers a glimpse at the latest trends in 4x4 accessories. Buyers come to the New Products Showcase to see the hottest and most innovative products that are driving the industry today.

With 16 different Showcase categories, below are the top-10 products from the Off-Road/4-Wheel-Drive product category:

Product: Gator-Jaw soft shackle
Company: Bubba Rope

Product: 7 Round LED High & Low Beam Headlight
Company: Hamsar Diversco Inc.

Product: NotcHead Line Clamps
Company: NotcHead

Product: Digital power Manager-500 Amp with Jump Start – ’76–’86 CJ Custom Battery Solution
Company: Painless Performance Products

Product: 7 Round Vortex LED Headlight with Low-High-Halo
Company: Vision X Lighting

Product: ’15 F-150 Pocket Style Fender Flares
Company: Bushwacker Inc.

Product: High Hyper-Spot OSRAM LED Light Bar 288w
Company: Shenzen Nova Technology Co. Ltd.

Product: ’13–’14 Dodge RAM 2500 RDS LED Grille
Company: Rigid Industries LED Lighting

Product: Smittybilt GEAR Custom Fit Seat Covers
Company: Pro Comp/Smittybilt/G2 Axle 7 Gear/Rubicon Express

Product: Tough Country Torch Bar – 30-in.
Company: Tough Country Products

To view all of the products from the News Products Showcase visit www.semaphotos.com.