By SEMA Editors

Photographers captured images of the ’24 Ford Explorer Timberline testing alongside the Ford Bronco. Although the Explorer Timberline launched in 2021, Ford is bumping up the refresh to bring it onto the same cycle as the rest of the lineup.

Ford will launch an Electric Explorer in 2024, but in the meanwhile, ICE Explorers will get a nip/tuck. The front of Explorer Timberline will gain a larger grille and all-new headlights. In the back, revised taillights are expected carrying a similar appearance to the recently shown Chinese Explorer. Powertrain changes aren’t expected, but the 2.3L EcoBoost may get a slight bump in power while continuing to be paired to a 10-speed automatic.

Expect to see the refreshed Explorer Timberline in 2023.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

 

By Ashley Reyes

The record-high sales growth over the past two years for the automotive specialty-equipment industry is beginning to level off or subside, according to the newest SEMA market research report. Despite ongoing economic uncertainty, supply-chain issues and rising costs, companies remain optimistic as sales remain solid and above pre-pandemic levels.

The newest Fall 2022 report finds that 47% of manufacturers, 48% of distributors and 44% of retailers expect sales to increase in the coming year.

“Businesses experienced record high growth the past two years,” said Gavin Knapp, SEMA director of market research. “We saw growth that was above the industry’s norm, so it makes sense that we’re returning to more normal levels. It’s great to see that most companies are up from 2019 levels."

Conducted every six months since 2021, the “SEMA State of the Industry” studies are designed to give companies clarity about the overall market during an uncertain time. The disruption from the pandemic made it difficult of members to understand what the market was going through and nearly impossible to forecast. Based on data from the automotive specialty-equipment industry, the reports give readers a barometer to gauge how they are currently doing and make predictions about what’s to come.  

The newest Fall 2022 version finds that 47% of manufacturers, 48% of distributors and 44% of retailers expect sales to increase in the coming year. Additional findings include:

• Supply-chain issues continue to be disruptive for the industry. More than 90% of companies say that they are having a moderate or significant impact on operations.
• Inflation and the supply-chain issues are resulting in higher costs for businesses. More than 90% of companies reported an increase in supplier or production costs; most (around 80%) are compensating for the high costs by increasing their prices. Despite this, consumer demand and revenue remain strong.
• Ongoing supply-chain issues and high prices are slowing new-vehicle sales. Sales are not expected to return to pre-pandemic levels until 2024 or 2025. Sales for 2022 are expected to fall about a million vehicles short of 2021, at 13.9 million total units. The average price of a new vehicle reached $48,301 in August 2022, a record high. The average price of an electric is even higher, at more than $66,000.

The complete "State of the Industry—Fall 2022" report is available to download for free at www.sema.org/research, and will be discussed in depth during the SEMA Show seminar, “State of the Specialty-Equipment Industry: Trends and Directions,” Tuesday, November 1, at 11:00 a.m. in N254.

By Ashley Reyes

Onboarding new hires is important to help them thrive in their new role. It also welcomes them as part of the team and inspires them to be more knowledgeable and excited about the company.

During the webinar, “Talent Management for Managers, Powered by SBN,” October 20, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT), SEMA-member company managers will learn how to successfully navigate the employee onboarding process. Participants will hear from career coach veteran and owner of HR Culture Geek Elizabeth Jacobs and walk away with strategies on how recruit and onboard, check in on performance and ways to set goals so that expectations are better met.

Participants will engage with other automotive aftermarket professionals through a virtual breakout and have the chance to share and acquire ideas.

Register here.

By Ashley Reyes

As part of the third annual SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) Cup Challenge, the PRO Booth #50185 at the 2022 SEMA Show will include seven new-model cars and trucks featuring restyling packages that are marketable, easy-to-replicate and profitable. The seven vehicles are competing to showcase and encourage new-vehicle buyers and dealers to incorporate simple, everyday accessories into their sales.

Through the SEMA PRO Cup Challenge, accessory manufacturers see how their products can be packaged with other products, restylers get ideas to take back to their local markets and SEMA Showgoers witness how new vehicles can be transformed and can even vote for a build to win a “Fan Favorite Award.” 

The SEMA PRO Cup Challenge is the only competition of its kind at the SEMA Show that pits restyler against restyler to create a package for a new-model car or truck. Through the competition, accessory manufacturers see how their products can be packaged with other products, restylers get ideas to take back to their local markets and SEMA Showgoers witness how new vehicles can be transformed and can even vote for a build to win a “Fan Favorite Award.” 

This year’s vehicles will include mixture of internal-combustion engines and electric. In addition to the Fan Favorite Award, a panel of judges will select an overall winner to be named SEMA PRO Cup Challenge champion.

“The variety of vehicles in this year’s PRO Cup Challenge will surely show restyling shops how they can use traditional restyling products as well as some new products and services to build packages,” said PRO Chair Josh Poulson. “There will be a good mixture of truck accessories, film products, interior products, 12-volt products and no doubt some show-stopping new products to create these exciting builds.”

SEMA Showgoers can witness the competition in action and see the vehicle builds up close by visiting PRO Booth #50185 during SEMA Show week. The SEMA PRO Cup Challenge Winner and Fan Favorite Award Winner will be announced during the SEMA Show PRO Booth Happy Hour, November 2, at 4:00 p.m.  

Learn more at www.sema.org/pro-cup-challenge.

By Ashley Reyes

Finalists for SEMA Awards recognizing individuals for their contributions and accomplishments in the industry have been announced:

GEN-III Innovator of the Year – recognizing a young, entrepreneurial individual, 40 years old or younger who is creating new innovative breakthroughs within the area(s) of industry opportunities, advancement, best business practices, technology and/or trends.

• Mike Burns, CEO, ValvoMax
• Alex Kay, founder, RestroFX International   
• Dustin Woolf, owner, Woolfpack Racing

The Gen-III Innovator of the Year award recognizing a young, entrepreneurial individual, 40 years old or younger who is creating new innovative breakthroughs within the area(s) of industry opportunities, advancement, best business practices, technology and/or trends.

Influencer of the Year – recognizing a content creator for their outstanding contributions to automotive culture and for creating a positive impact with automotive enthusiasts.

• Larry Chen
• ChrisFix
• TJ Hunt
• Adam LZ
• Alex Taylor

Award winners will be announced as part of the 2022 SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday, November 3. The celebration will include cocktails, dinner, awards and entertainment. Exhibitors can secure complimentary tickets and purchase additional tickets through their registration dashboard, while attendees can purchase tickets here.  

By Ashley Reyes

Finalists for SEMA Awards recognizing individuals for their contributions and accomplishments in the industry have been announced:

GEN-III Innovator of the Year – recognizing a young, entrepreneurial individual, 40 years old or younger who is creating new innovative breakthroughs within the area(s) of industry opportunities, advancement, best business practices, technology and/or trends.

• Mike Burns, CEO, ValvoMax
• Alex Kay, founder, RestroFX International   
• Dustin Woolf, owner, Woolfpack Racing

The Gen-III Innovator of the Year award recognizing a young, entrepreneurial individual, 40 years old or younger who is creating new innovative breakthroughs within the area(s) of industry opportunities, advancement, best business practices, technology and/or trends.

Influencer of the Year – recognizing a content creator for their outstanding contributions to automotive culture and for creating a positive impact with automotive enthusiasts.

• Larry Chen
• ChrisFix
• TJ Hunt
• Adam LZ
• Alex Taylor

Award winners will be announced as part of the 2022 SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday, November 3. The celebration will include cocktails, dinner, awards and entertainment. Exhibitors can secure complimentary tickets and purchase additional tickets through their registration dashboard, while attendees can purchase tickets here.  

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) named Cargo Design Group as this week’s member spotlight company. Get to know their story in SEMA’s interview with company owner Terry Baillie below.

SEMA: Tell us the story of your company. How did it start?

Terry Baillie: To support my Jeep lifestyle, I needed the main area of the rear storage area of my ’10 Jeep Wrangler 4-Door to be readily free and unencumbered by any small clutter or free-standing storage devices (i.e., milk crates or similar), so the only logical area to have a storage device installed was over the wheels. In what seemed like a never-ending search, and many purchases for the right storage solution, I ultimately tried almost everyone on the market, but they all fell short in one way or another. I decided to create my own and is why I started Cargo Design Group and created Baillie Box.

SEMA: What was your company’s breakthrough moment?

TB: While in the development stages of creating what ultimately became Baillie Box, I was experimenting with many materials (fiberglass, various metals, etc.) and discovered corrugated polypropylene plastic sheeting and this was the game changer. It was lightweight, pliable, durable, waterproof and reasonably priced with many suppliers and manufacturers working with the material.

SEMA: Tell us about your business now in 2022 and projects that you are working on.

TB: This year is the official launch of Baillie Box, and while most of our energy will be put into promoting all the features and benefits of this item, we are also in the final stages of engineering and prototyping a few other complementary storage devices for the Jeep Wrangler with the Baillie Box Max. Baillie Box has 1 cu. ft. of storage space, and Baillie Box Max has 1.75 cu. ft. of storage moments away from production.

SEMA: Tell us about a product that you are proud of.

TB: I am incredibly proud of everything that went into the creation of Baillie Box, from concept to design to a final marketable product.

SEMA: What advice do you have for young professionals contemplating a career in the automotive aftermarket?

TB: The automotive aftermarket is an enormous space with an incredible number of opportunities and is ever evolving. You should be able to find an area that will excite you and meet your interest and future growth. However, as with any career, commit 100% to doing your best at whatever you are doing and you will be rewarded. Don’t half-ass it!

Fill out a TORA-member spotlight form to highlight how you or your company are contributing to the truck and off-road specialty-equipment industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on TORA’s social media, SEMA News and future TORA member updates.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Biden administration is proposing a more stringent test for determining when companies must count independent contractors as employees. The Department of Labor (DOL) previously withdrew a 2021 Trump administration rule that made it easier for companies to classify more workers as independent contractors. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employees are eligible for certain protections, such as minimum wage, medical leave and overtime pay that are not required for contractors.

The proposed rule would apply the test that was used before the 2021 rule to determine how a worker should be classified. The proposed test will consider six factors: the nature and degree of the worker’s control over the work, the worker’s opportunity for profit or loss based on personal initiative or investment, investments by the worker and the employer, the degree of permanence of the working relationship, the extent to which the work performed is an integral part of the employer’s business and the degree of skill and initiative exhibited by the worker. The rule would also apply a totality-of-the-circumstances analysis of the economic reality test when considering the whole activity—an approach that could make it easier to define a gig worker as an employee.

Public comments on the DOL’s proposed rule are due by November 28, 2022.

For more information, contact Caroline Fletcher at carolinef@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA submitted comments to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on its draft update to the travel-management plan for the Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges Special Recreation Management Area near Moab, Utah. SEMA and the off-road community support Alternative A, which is the status quo. SEMA and other off-road groups oppose the other three alternatives (B, C, D) since they would close up to 40% of current off-road trails.

The SEMA Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) hosted a trail run and off-roading event for SEMA members earlier this year in Moab. SEMA and the off-road community oppose the BLM’s Alternatives B, C and D, which would close up to 40% of the existing trails near Moab.

The travel management area covers more than 300,000 acres of BLM managed land in portions of Grand County, Utah, and includes highly valued OHV trails that draw outdoor enthusiasts from around the world. SEMA criticized the BLM’s plan for failing to consider opening more OHV routes since motorized recreation in the area has almost doubled since the last travel-management plan was adopted in 2008. SEMA underscored the value of motorized recreation both in terms of its economic impact to the region and importance in providing OHV access to individuals and families. SEMA also noted that camping is a critical component of the area’s recreational experience, and camping issues were not adequately addressed in the BLM’s plans.

For more information, contact Caroline Fletcher at carolinef@sema.org.

 By Eric Colby

New for the 2022 SEMA Show, exhibitors can scan a QR code on a smartphone and order food to be delivered to their booth. It’s called OnDemand and was created in response to the Las Vegas Convention Center’s (LVCC) mission to better engage exhibitors with orders using their own devices. It was not available for last year’s event, so now 2022 SEMA Show exhibitors will no longer need to worry about squeezing in a meal while leaving their booths understaffed. It’s just one of the many food options that will be available from November 1–4 this year at the LVCC.

The Las Vegas Convention Center has made a major push to modernize food operations in recent years, including the addition of a West Hall food court (featuring favorite local Las Vegas eateries) and a new OnDemand food delivery service to all LVCC exhibitor booths.

“It’s primarily driven to the small mom-and-pop booths,” said Tyler Dowdle, director of sales for LVCC. “It lets them stay in their booth and have the same options available in the food hall delivered to them.”

To use OnDemand, a customer scans a QR code that brings up a menu on their device and lets them place an order by completing a minimum number of clicks. Credit-card information is entered by scanning and it is then encrypted and tokenized for one-time use. The customer receives an immediate SMS message indicating that the order has been received and is being prepared. Once the order is delivered, the customer gets a second SMS message with a link to the receipt so he or she will have it available when the time comes to submit Show expenses. The OnDemand Delivery app can be adapted for “no-payment” collection when an inclusive ticket with food and beverage is offered to exhibitors.

Also planned for the 2022 SEMA Show is a Dunkin’ Donuts mobile cart in the West Hall. In fact, nearly all the convention center halls will see updated food options in one form or another.

From the Monday Night Reveal to Friday’s SEMA Ignited (pictured), you’ll find many major Show events and gatherings well catered.

It’s part the the LVCC’s efforts to bring new concepts to older halls, said Ernest Kam, district manager for Centerplate, which manages concessions for the convention center.

With the opening of the newest venue, the West Hall in 2021, exhibitors and attendees have been able to try food from local Las Vegas favorites including Metro Pizza, which has a location in the facility. Additionally, Brand Burger and Fries, from Snake River Farms in Boise, Idaho, has a spot as well.

Kristine Raymer, executive chef for Centerplate, said the group will customize the menu for the crowd at a given event. Research from past events has shown that the SEMA crowd likes burgers, pizza, chicken tenders and similar items, so that will be the focus for 2022. For example, at the 2021 Show, they offered a “Beast Burger” that was quite popular.

“Those are the big movers; burgers, pizza compared to the other menu items,” said Raymer. “We like to highlight those and we’ll create some different menu options compared to what they were used to from last year.”

The convention center’s Main Concourse, Lucky’s and Ace’s, has food-court-style restaurants with Atomic Pizza, Bachi Burger, and assorted Chinese, Tex-Mex, burgers, hot dogs and a pay-by-the-bowl salad bar as part of nearly two dozen different concessions from which to choose. There’s also a Sbarro and a Starbucks. The Centerplate team will also offer healthier options for people who want them.

Raymer called the SEMA Show a mega event for Centerplate, and she has planned ahead to make sure there are none of the supply-chain issues that other industries have experienced. “Fortunately, for many of the core items we have in our restaurants, we have longstanding contracts with our vendors, so those aren’t going to be a concern,” she said.

Returning for 2022 are SEMA Members Lounges, and Dowdle said SEMA is taking a new approach this year to reduce the time spent grabbing lunch. “SEMA is working to create a different environment this year, adding grab-and-go options based on some of the most popular items at the Show in different locations.”

He compared the grab-and-go options to a Fast Pass at a Disney park. “They can grab something fresh without having to wait,” said Dowdle. “It’s going to be more specified for them to get the highlights of the campus.”

In addition, two extremely popular banquet-service events are the SEMA Show Kickoff Breakfast, Tuesday at 7:30 a.m., at the Westgate Paradise Event Center, and the Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday at 7:00 p.m., at the Westgate Palm Court. Both sitdown events feature awards and entertainment, and draw large crowds.

To help keep prices throughout the LVCC reasonable, the Las Vegas Visitor’s Authority is working with Centerplate to maintain roughly last year’s levels. Dowdle also encouraged Showgoers to consider eating earlier or later than the prime hours from 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m., especially in the 640-seat West Hall food area that is always full during those hours.

You definitely won’t go hungry at the SEMA Show. Each part of the LVCC has its own concessions, and with the food court in the West Hall, Showgoers have even more options.

Centerplate’s parent company, Sodexo Live!, said it is advancing its sustainability programs for 2022. Its plant-based menu items include an Impossible Burger made from protein from soy and potatoes, “Beyond Meat” made from pea and rice proteins, and a Walla Pao Curry vegetable bowl made with soy protein.

The LVCC is sourcing local and seasonal ingredients, ensuring that all fish and seafood are sustainable, serving only cage-free eggs and improving animal welfare through its suppliers. The company is also proactively repurposing food by pickling root vegetables for garnish on salads and using cooked and frozen vegetables in soups, sauces and stocks.

2022 SEMA Show Food Options

Main Lobby

• Lucky’s Restaurant (Breakfast and Lunch)
• Honey Salt
• Prima Stampa Grab & Go (Concourse)
• Prima. Stampa (Concourse)
• Pao Express (Concourse)
• Starbucks North
• 3150 Snacks To Go

North Hall N2 to N4

• All Wrap Up Cart (N1)
• Vegas Street Eats (N1)
• East Ocean Stand (N2)
• Papa John’s (N3)
• Fremont Grill Stand (N4)
• Five Spot Coffee Cart (N4 Lobby)

SEMA Members’ Lounge

• Members’ Lounge G&G with Hot Food (N251)

Central Hall

• Capriotti’s Cart (N109 in Hallway by Escalator)
• Pao Asian Chicken (East Concourse)
• Market Fresh Express (Tunnel)
• Wetzel’s Pretzels (Tunnel)
• Buy the Slice Pizza & Sandwiches (Tunnel)
• Quizno’s (Blockhouse to have coffee at 8:30 a.m.)
• Brookwood Farms BBQ (Blockhouse to have coffee at 8:30 a.m.)
• Sabrett’s Hot Dogs (Blockhouse)
• Dip N Dots (Blockhouse)
• Mobile Vendor (C1)
• Mobile Vendor (C4)
• Papa Johns (C2)
• Healthy Grill Kosher Cart (C5.1 Alcove)

Grand Plaza and Central Plaza

• Big Daddy’s BBQ 1 Stand
• (By Freight Door #1 Biggest Setup)
• Sabrett’s Hot Dog Cart (Freight Door #1 Area)
• Five Spot Coffee Cart (Freight Door #1 to the right Bigger Setup)

South Hall

• Ace’s Restaurant (Breakfast and Lunch)
• Vegas Street Eats South Stand
• Gourmet Grill Stand
• Papa John’s Stand
• Five Spot Coffee Cart (across from escalators)
• All Wrapped Up (S2)

Members Lounge South, Driven by WTC (Grab & Go Bottom of S2 escalator)

• Sabrett’s Cart (Outside, Front)
• Capriotti’s (S2)
• Namaste (S2)

South Hall SKYBridge

• Five Spot Coffee Cart (Opposite S233)
• Dunkin’ Donuts (Opposite S225)
• Dip N Dots (In front of Global Conference Room)

South Plaza Between Aces and Bronze Lot

• Sun City Pizza Food Truck (Between Aces and Bronze Lot)
• 50 Shades of Green Food Truck (Between Aces and Bronze Lot)
• Truck N Yaki Food Truck (Between Aces and Bronze Lot)
• Big Daddy BBQ Stand (Between Aces and Bronze Lot)

Silver Lots 1–3

• Quizno’s Cart, Silver Lot 3
• Healthy Grill Cart, Silver Lot 3
• Big Daddy’s BBQ Small Setup (Silver Lot 2)

Blue Lot

• Healthy Grill (Blue Lot 1)
• Wetzel’s Pretzels (Blue Lot 1)

Orange Lot

• Big Daddy’s BBQ Stand (Orange Lot 1)

Platinum/Green Lots

• Lit Wings

West Hall Grand Lobby

• Dunkin’ Donuts Express
• Grab & Go Natural (West Food Court)
• The Roost (West Food Court Hot Breakfast Options)
• The Roost Lunch (West Food Court)
• Fancy Wok (West Food Court)
• Metro Pizza (West Food Court)

Members Lounge West, Fueled by TORA

• Members’ Lounge G&G With Coffee

SEMA Ignited West Hall Parking Lot

• Big Daddy’s BBQ Stand With Churros (Location #1)
• Sabrett’s Hot Dog Cart (Location #2)
• Southern Comfort Food Truck (Location #3)
• Lit Wings (Location #3)
• Big Daddy’s Taco
• Tijuana Truck
• Truk N Yaki Food Truck (Location #3)
• Mobile Vendor (Location #2)
• Dip N Dots Ice Cream Cart (Location #2)

Pre-Show Food Trucks

• Big Daddy’s BBQ Food Truck (Front Drive by Flagpole/Luckys)
• Food Truck (Door 9)
• Big Daddy’s Taco Food Truck (South Hall Front of Aces)

Banquets and Receptions

Special events are a great way to combine a meal or a cocktail with productive networking and learning. All of the events below will have something edible available and offer a host of different learning and networking opportunities.

• Exhibitor Appreciation Party, Featuring SEMA Vehicle Reveal and SEMA Award Presentation

Monday, October 31
5:00 p.m.
LVCC Silver Drive

• SEMA Show Kickoff Breakfast (previously the New Products Breakfast)

Tuesday, November 1
7:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
Westgate Paradise Event Center

• TORA Happy Hour

Tuesday, November 1
4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
West Hall Members Lounge, Fueled by TORA

• WTC Reception

Tuesday, November 1
5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Members Lounge South, Driven by WTC, Booth #48179

• PRO Reception

Tuesday, November 1
5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
LVCC West Hall Third Floor Terrace

• FLN Reception

Tuesday, November 1
5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Renaissance Hotel Garage Rooftop

• ARMO Reception

Tuesday, November 2
5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Westgate Pavilions 9–11

• NHRA Breakfast

Wednesday, November 2
7:30 a.m.–9:00
Westgate Paradise Event Center

• FLN GMM Breakfast

Wednesday, November 2
8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
West Hall, W238

• WTC Coffee and Conversation

Wednesday–Thursday, November 2–3
8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
Entrance to Global Tire Expo, Lower South Hall

• PRO Happy Hour

Wednesday, November 2
4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
PRO Booth #50185

• International Happy Hour

Wednesday, November 2
5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
LVCC West Hall, W228

• TORA Reception

Wednesday, November 2
5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
West Hall Third Floor Terrace

• WTC Happy Hour

Wednesday, November 2
5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Members Lounge South,
Driven by WTC, Booth #48179

• HRIA Reception

Wednesday, November 2
5:15 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Westgate, Pavilions 9–11

• SBN Reception

Wednesday, November 2
5:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
West Hall W210 Entryway

• WTC Coffee and Conversation

Wednesday–Thursday, November 2–3
8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
Entrance to Global Tire Expo,
Lower South Hall

• ETTN Tech ’N’ Toast

Thursday, November 3
8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
LVCC Upper North Hall N235

• Lunch With the PROs

Thursday, November 3
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
LVCC West Hall W219

• ETTN Lunch ’N’ Learn

Thursday, November 3
12:30 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
LVCC Upper North Hall N235

• SEMA Industry Banquet

Thursday, November 3
6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Westgate Paradise Event Center