SEMA News—August 2014

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS
By Steve McDonald

West Virginia Legislators Turn Out to Greet Hot Rod Power Tour

Many lawmakers are big fans of collector cars, vehicle exhibitions and auto racing.

One of the biggest is West Virginia Delegate Gary Howell. As a SEMA member and owner of Howell Automotive in Keyser, West Virginia, Howell has consistently demonstrated his desire to keep the laws in his state hobby-friendly while representing his constituents in the state legislature. He has worked extensively in the motorsports industry, raced both stock cars and drag cars, built winning race cars and award-winning show cars and designed racing parts. He has also hosted a syndicated radio show, written automotive magazine articles and served as a technical expert on automotive TV shows.

In recognition of his dedication, Howell was named national chairman of the SEMA-supported State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus last year.

This legislative caucus has a bipartisan membership that recognizes that the American automotive specialty and performance industry is an important economic engine, providing jobs for more than a million Americans and quality products for a global marketplace. The group, now comprised of approximately 650 legislators from all 50 states, is a critical component in raising the industry’s profile in state capitols and in the public’s eyes. Many of these lawmakers have sought to preserve and expand the hobby by improving existing motor-vehicle statutes and regulations.

“I have worked to remove the tax burden on low-income car collectors, sponsored a bill to implement an objective exhaust noise testing program and crusaded against increased ethanol blends in gasoline.”

In fact, Howell and fellow West Virginia Delegate Eric Householder travelled along with other “long haulers” on most of the 1,500-mile trip through seven states.

His Jeep joined all makes and models of hot rods, street rods, custom trucks and street machines, kicking off at Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina and traveling to Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Howell’s ’99 Jeep Cherokee is outfitted with a 4.5-in. Skyjacker suspension lift, Ares Fabrication evolution bumpers and a safari rack. The engine is a 4.6L stroker built by Howell Automotive with JE Pistons and a Jet Performance tuning module.

For more information about the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus, visit www.semasan.com.

Photos Courtesy WV Legislative Photography Photos by Perry Bennett

By SEMA Editors

Dodge's project vehicle program for 2014 offers companies the opportunity to get a jump start on the competition by securing one of the new ’15-MY Challengers in advance of market availability.

Dodge has announced its project vehicle program for 2014. This program offers companies the opportunity to get a jump start on the competition by securing one of the new ’15-MY Challengers in advance of market availability. The upcoming launch of Scat Pack and Shaker heritage models provides an opportunity to stand out in a competitive market. The automaker requests that project-vehicle proposals be submitted per the criteria outlined below.

Proposal Submission Deadline: August 1, 2014
Award Recipient Notification Date: by August 22, 2014

All project vehicle requests must be submitted and meet the following Dodge Project Vehicle Program criteria:

• E-mail a one-page project summary—must be received by August 1, 2014. Include bullet points for:
• Vehicle Theme: Describe very clearly your overall build theme, target audience, etc.
• Proposed vehicle modifications
• New products potentially being developed for the Challenger through the project
• Promotional, media and social media outreach plan prior to and beyond the SEMA Show, such as:
  • Tour of events (location and dates)
  • Specific magazine feature articles
  • Online promotion
  • Company advertising featuring the vehicle
  • Additional exposure
• Examples of previous project vehicles and promotional activities by the applicant
• Detailed renderings of the proposed vehicle in .jpg format
• Vehicle display location at the 2014 SEMA Show

Requirements:

• Preservation of vehicle badging, not to be painted
• High level of paint and build quality; no wraps
• Commit to periodic design and build check-ins
• Retain vehicle insurance totaling at least $3 million until the completion of the two-year contract.
• 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.
• Be financially and technically capable of building a one-off show car without financial or parts support from Dodge.
• Be willing to partner with other non-competing aftermarket companies or enthusiast publications to enhance the vehicle project.
• A history of active promotion of vehicle projects with an established marketing plan.
• Commit to creating bi-weekly progress reports during the vehicle build process and product development, including photos, video and commentary.
• Grant Dodge the right to use content from the bi-weekly progress reports and assist Dodge in acquiring usage rights from any sponsors or individuals whose logos or images might appear in that content.
• Commit to make the vehicle available to Dodge or its dealers, if requested, for additional shows and exhibits for a minimum of two years from the initial delivery date.
• Commit to provide quarterly reports to Dodge regarding media coverage and event activity for the project vehicle for a minimum of two years from the initial delivery date.
• Commit to have the completed vehicle available for photography in California by Monday, October 27, 2014.

Please submit formal proposals to Chad Seymour.

By SEMA Editors

Dodge's project vehicle program for 2014 offers companies the opportunity to get a jump start on the competition by securing one of the new ’15-MY Challengers in advance of market availability.

Dodge has announced its project vehicle program for 2014. This program offers companies the opportunity to get a jump start on the competition by securing one of the new ’15-MY Challengers in advance of market availability. The upcoming launch of Scat Pack and Shaker heritage models provides an opportunity to stand out in a competitive market. The automaker requests that project-vehicle proposals be submitted per the criteria outlined below.

Proposal Submission Deadline: August 1, 2014
Award Recipient Notification Date: by August 22, 2014

All project vehicle requests must be submitted and meet the following Dodge Project Vehicle Program criteria:

• E-mail a one-page project summary—must be received by August 1, 2014. Include bullet points for:
• Vehicle Theme: Describe very clearly your overall build theme, target audience, etc.
• Proposed vehicle modifications
• New products potentially being developed for the Challenger through the project
• Promotional, media and social media outreach plan prior to and beyond the SEMA Show, such as:
  • Tour of events (location and dates)
  • Specific magazine feature articles
  • Online promotion
  • Company advertising featuring the vehicle
  • Additional exposure
• Examples of previous project vehicles and promotional activities by the applicant
• Detailed renderings of the proposed vehicle in .jpg format
• Vehicle display location at the 2014 SEMA Show

Requirements:

• Preservation of vehicle badging, not to be painted
• High level of paint and build quality; no wraps
• Commit to periodic design and build check-ins
• Retain vehicle insurance totaling at least $3 million until the completion of the two-year contract.
• 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.
• Be financially and technically capable of building a one-off show car without financial or parts support from Dodge.
• Be willing to partner with other non-competing aftermarket companies or enthusiast publications to enhance the vehicle project.
• A history of active promotion of vehicle projects with an established marketing plan.
• Commit to creating bi-weekly progress reports during the vehicle build process and product development, including photos, video and commentary.
• Grant Dodge the right to use content from the bi-weekly progress reports and assist Dodge in acquiring usage rights from any sponsors or individuals whose logos or images might appear in that content.
• Commit to make the vehicle available to Dodge or its dealers, if requested, for additional shows and exhibits for a minimum of two years from the initial delivery date.
• Commit to provide quarterly reports to Dodge regarding media coverage and event activity for the project vehicle for a minimum of two years from the initial delivery date.
• Commit to have the completed vehicle available for photography in California by Monday, October 27, 2014.

Please submit formal proposals to Chad Seymour.

Strengthen Your Company Through Community

No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, reps, trucks or wheels and tires—there's a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of niche-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular market segment.

Visit YEN's website

	Jonathan Mill, 2013 SEMA Launch Pad winner, pitches his business, E-Stopp, to the judging panel.

SEMA Launch Pad Competitors Announced

By Bryan Harrison

From a large pool of competitors, the top 10 young automotive entrepreneurs have been named in the second annual SEMA Launch Pad Presented by YEN competition.

Representing new innovative products and services in the specialty automotive aftermarket, these next-gen automotive leaders are looking for a big break to launch their business to the next level.

In this next step of the competition, you can decide the fate of the top five competitors who will advance to a live competition at the SEMA Show. Watch their short business pitches on YouTube and vote today.

Your vote will decide the five competitors who will pitch their business to a celebrity judging panel at the SEMA Show, including automotive industry juggernauts Doug Evans, Ron Coleman, Jessi Combs, Mark Arcenal and Glenn Rogers. The winner will receive a grand prize to launch their business to the next level.

Voting ends September 5, with the live on-stage competition occurring November 5, from 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. in the SEMA Show Super Session Room N258 (second floor, North Hall). Lunch will be provided to the first 125 attendees.

Top 10 SEMA Launch Pad Competitors – Vote now!

By Rebecca Butler

	The deadline for 2014 SEMA Show exhibitors to submit applications to conduct a press conference during the Show is August 1.

Tomorrow is the deadline for exhibitors to submit an application to host a press conference at the SEMA Show. Applications received after the deadline will be considered as space allows.

Submit a press conference application.

Upon submitting an application, an automatic message will be e-mailed to confirm the application was received. Exhibitors who do not receive a confirmation email are advised to contact Monika Earle at monikae@sema.org, as there may have been technical problems.

For general information or questions about SEMA Show press conferences, please contact monikae@sema.org. 

By Rebecca Butler

	The deadline for 2014 SEMA Show exhibitors to submit applications to conduct a press conference during the Show is August 1.

Tomorrow is the deadline for exhibitors to submit an application to host a press conference at the SEMA Show. Applications received after the deadline will be considered as space allows.

Submit a press conference application.

Upon submitting an application, an automatic message will be e-mailed to confirm the application was received. Exhibitors who do not receive a confirmation email are advised to contact Monika Earle at monikae@sema.org, as there may have been technical problems.

For general information or questions about SEMA Show press conferences, please contact monikae@sema.org. 

By SEMA Editors

Exhibiting companies with special pricing, promotions, two-for-one offers, Show demonstrations and other incentives or specials are encouraged to let SEMA know.

SEMA Show exhibitors are invited to generate more opportunities and awareness for their company and products by announcing SEMA Show incentives in SEMA eNews.

Exhibiting companies with special pricing, promotions, two-for-one offers, Show demonstrations and other incentives or specials are encouraged to let SEMA know. The information will be included each week in SEMA eNews from now until the opening of the 2014 SEMA Show.

To be included, send information to editors@sema.org.

Even though the majority of buyer orders take place in the weeks following the Show, a growing trend is for more business deals to be conducted on site. SEMA research reveals that 45% of buyers in 2013 placed an order at the show, up from 40% in 2012.

SEMA research also indicates that buyers are increasingly eager to take advantage of deals at the Show. Even though only 38% of exhibitors offered a Show discount, 76% of buyers report taking advantage of SEMA Show specials or discounts during the Show.

For more information on the 2014 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibiting companies with special pricing, promotions, two-for-one offers, Show demonstrations and other incentives or specials are encouraged to let SEMA know.

SEMA Show exhibitors are invited to generate more opportunities and awareness for their company and products by announcing SEMA Show incentives in SEMA eNews.

Exhibiting companies with special pricing, promotions, two-for-one offers, Show demonstrations and other incentives or specials are encouraged to let SEMA know. The information will be included each week in SEMA eNews from now until the opening of the 2014 SEMA Show.

To be included, send information to editors@sema.org.

Even though the majority of buyer orders take place in the weeks following the Show, a growing trend is for more business deals to be conducted on site. SEMA research reveals that 45% of buyers in 2013 placed an order at the show, up from 40% in 2012.

SEMA research also indicates that buyers are increasingly eager to take advantage of deals at the Show. Even though only 38% of exhibitors offered a Show discount, 76% of buyers report taking advantage of SEMA Show specials or discounts during the Show.

For more information on the 2014 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibiting companies with special pricing, promotions, two-for-one offers, Show demonstrations and other incentives or specials are encouraged to let SEMA know.

SEMA Show exhibitors are invited to generate more opportunities and awareness for their company and products by announcing SEMA Show incentives in SEMA eNews.

Exhibiting companies with special pricing, promotions, two-for-one offers, Show demonstrations and other incentives or specials are encouraged to let SEMA know. The information will be included each week in SEMA eNews from now until the opening of the 2014 SEMA Show.

To be included, send information to editors@sema.org.

Even though the majority of buyer orders take place in the weeks following the Show, a growing trend is for more business deals to be conducted on site. SEMA research reveals that 45% of buyers in 2013 placed an order at the show, up from 40% in 2012.

SEMA research also indicates that buyers are increasingly eager to take advantage of deals at the Show. Even though only 38% of exhibitors offered a Show discount, 76% of buyers report taking advantage of SEMA Show specials or discounts during the Show.

For more information on the 2014 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

	SEMA Show exhibitors can expand their Show floor presence by offering products to builders through SEMA eNews. The information in the list is supplied by this year’s exhibitors. Builders interested in obtaining a product can contact the exhibitor directly.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibitors of the 2014 SEMA Show are expanding their Show floor presence by offering products to builders through the list below. The information is provided by this year’s exhibitors. Builders interested in obtaining a product can contact the exhibitor directly.

All product-placement decisions and negotiations are the responsibility of the manufacturers and the builders. Participation in the list does not guarantee product placement at the 2014 SEMA Show.

Exhibitors: To participate in the list, access the Products for Project-Vehicle Builders form located in the SEMA Show Exhibitor Manual. Once submitted, the listing will appear in the next available issue of eNews and then be added to the complete list on www.SEMAShow.com.

The list is open to exhibitors of the 2014 SEMA Show only. For questions or additional information, contact Jason Catullo at jasonc@sema.org.

All previous submissions are listed on www.SEMAShow.com. 

Latest Submissions

Engine/Underhood Components

AIRAID Filter Co.: Premium cold air intakes, PowerAid throttle body spacers and universal U-Built-It intake components for cars, trucks and SUVs. Contact: Trent McGee, trent@airaid.com; 602-652-9732. Website: www.airaid.com.

Classic Design Concepts: Shaker cold air systems for Ford F-150 5.4 engines; ’11–’14 Coyote 5.0 engine; ’99–’04 V6 engine; ’99–’04 GT & Bullitt 4.3 V8 engine; ’05–’09 4.3 V8 engine; ’05–’09 4.0 V6 engine. Contact: Craig Edwards, ce@cdcdetroit.com; 866 624-7997. Website: www.classicdesignconcepts.com. 

Exterior Components/Accessories

3dCarbon: Exterior automotive and truck accessories, including body kits, fender Flares, fender vents, spoilers and hood scoops. Contact: info@3dcarbon.com; 949-650-1999. Website: www.3dcarbon.com. 

Classic Design Concepts: Exterior styling components for Fox Body, SN95, and S197 Mustangs; ’04–’08 F150s, ’10–’14 Camaros, C6 Corvettes and ’10–’14 Challengers. Contact: Craig Edwards, ce@cdcdetroit.com; 866 624-7997. Website: www.classicdesignconcets.com.

Fusion Bumpers: Premium, heavy-duty front and rear steel bumpers. Contact: Johnny Ramirez, johnny.fusionbumpers@gmail.com; 888-779-3377. 

Iron Cross Automotive: Heavy-duty bumpers, RS bumpers, HD steps, running boards and tube steps. Contact: Stan Neal, sneal@ironcrossautomotive.com; 866-476-6276. Website: www.ironcrossautomotive.com.

Interior Components/Accessories

Classic Design Concepts: Dome and map light upgrades and illuminated sill plates. Contact: Craig Edwards, ce@cdcdetroit.com; 866 624-7997. Website: www.classicdesignconcets.com.

Other Products/Services

Classic Design Concepts: Sequential taillight kits for ’99–’09 Mustangs. Contact: Craig Edwards, ce@cdcdetroit.com; 866 624-7997. Website: www.classicdesignconcets.com.