By Ashley Reyes

Thomas Vickery is the latest SEMA Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) member to share his insight on how his company pivoted during the pandemic to keep business moving forward. Vickery is a mechanical engineer at C&R Racing—an aftermarket company that provides design and engineering services with on-site manufacturing of high-performance aluminum radiators, intercoolers and oil coolers. Read Vickery’s Q&A with SEMA below.

SEMA: How has your company pivoted during the pandemic?  

Thomas Vickery: Demand never fell but we did split shifts.

SEMA: What new trends have you noticed with sales and marketing?

TV: I’ve noticed an increase in aftermarket and racing sales.

SEMA: What technology tools, new or old, have you leaned on recently?

TV: We haven’t changed any technology that we use. Only a few people work outside the office; however, we’ve been using Microsoft Teams since before the pandemic to communicate.

SEMA: What, if any, changes in business do you feel will outlive the pandemic?

TV: Changes I think will outlive the pandemic may include the use of video calling more often than phone calls. I feel that video calling makes conversation better instead of phone calling.

Fill out this form for a chance to be featured in the next ETTN member insight. By sharing your experiences, you can inspire and motivate other members to learn new tips and ideas. You may also be featured in SEMA eNews, ETTN social media, and ETTN member updates.

The next-generation Range Rover has been spied multiple times, and Land Rover is also working on the replacement of the Range Rover Sport. And it is the latter that spies have now caught in the hot SVR guise.

At a first glance, you may not be able to tell the differences between the ’23 Range Rover Sport SVR and regular variants of the SUV, due to the thick camo. However, there are no vinyl stickers that can hide the beefier brakes and quad exhaust pipes, and it’s these that gave it away.

Once the artificial skin comes off, probably in early 2023, considering that the regular Range Rover Sport is believed to debut late next year, it will reveal a more aggressive overall design. The bumpers should look sportier, with larger air intakes at the front and a mean styled diffuser at the rear. The roof-mounted spoiler should be beefier too.

Inside, too, will be modifications over the normal Sport variants: front seats with extra side bolstering, more exclusive upholstery options, perhaps contrasted by stitching and piping in lively colors, and enhanced infotainment system and digital gauges. The driving modes will also be refined, and in the sportiest setting, it will be very fast.

Around 600 hp is expected from the alleged twin-turbocharged V8 engine sourced from BMW, which would give it a 25 hp advantage over the current generation. All-wheel drive and a fast-shifting automatic transmission will be on deck. The 0 to 60 will take less than 4.3 seconds, which is the official time of its predecessor, whereas top speed could still be capped at 176 mph.

Like the normal ’23 Range Rover Sport, the SVR is understood to be built on the Modular Longitudinal Architecture. The platform, shared with the bigger and more luxurious next-gen Range Rover, can accommodate internal combustion engines, mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and even electric powertrains.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

The next-generation Range Rover has been spied multiple times, and Land Rover is also working on the replacement of the Range Rover Sport. And it is the latter that spies have now caught in the hot SVR guise.

At a first glance, you may not be able to tell the differences between the ’23 Range Rover Sport SVR and regular variants of the SUV, due to the thick camo. However, there are no vinyl stickers that can hide the beefier brakes and quad exhaust pipes, and it’s these that gave it away.

Once the artificial skin comes off, probably in early 2023, considering that the regular Range Rover Sport is believed to debut late next year, it will reveal a more aggressive overall design. The bumpers should look sportier, with larger air intakes at the front and a mean styled diffuser at the rear. The roof-mounted spoiler should be beefier too.

Inside, too, will be modifications over the normal Sport variants: front seats with extra side bolstering, more exclusive upholstery options, perhaps contrasted by stitching and piping in lively colors, and enhanced infotainment system and digital gauges. The driving modes will also be refined, and in the sportiest setting, it will be very fast.

Around 600 hp is expected from the alleged twin-turbocharged V8 engine sourced from BMW, which would give it a 25 hp advantage over the current generation. All-wheel drive and a fast-shifting automatic transmission will be on deck. The 0 to 60 will take less than 4.3 seconds, which is the official time of its predecessor, whereas top speed could still be capped at 176 mph.

Like the normal ’23 Range Rover Sport, the SVR is understood to be built on the Modular Longitudinal Architecture. The platform, shared with the bigger and more luxurious next-gen Range Rover, can accommodate internal combustion engines, mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and even electric powertrains.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By Ashley Reyes

SEMA members are invited to join Kim Pendergast, CEO of Magnuson Superchargers, for a candid conversation and live Q&A on female leadership during a Facebook live chat on Wednesday, September 1, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).

Pendergast will discuss “What Tools Belong in a Woman’s Toolbox,” which will help members identify what the top qualities of a leader are and what tools women need to enhance their own leadership—whether it is becoming the organization’s expert, fixer or conciliator. Discussion topics include:

• What tools are in your toolbox now?
• What do your colleagues value in their senior leadership?
• How “what got you here won’t get you there” (Marshall Goldsmith)
• What’s holding you back from joining the leadership team?

This is a great opportunity to chat live with an SBN Athena Woman of the Year and SEMA Board Member whose entrepreneurial spirit has led her to having founded, funded and built five companies—one reaching $70 million and the other $100 million within the first year. Pendergast is also a Henry Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute and has served on numerous private and not for profit boards.

Location: SBN Facebook page

By Ashley Reyes

Dan LaRou is the SEMA Young Executives Network’s (YEN) newest spotlight member. LaRou is a YEN select committee member and an account manager at Chrome Enhancements—a national sales and distribution company for chrome automotive accessories.

Find out what keeps LaRou in the industry and how he prepares for important meetings in his interview with SEMA below.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Dan LaRou: The best advice I have ever been given would be to be proactive instead of reactive—whether it’s professionally or personally. Being proactive can help mitigate serious problems in the future and cause less stress if something does not go according to plan. Being proactive can also help generate better ideas that can lead to bigger success.

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

DL: My love for cars and racing keeps me in the industry. I have personally seen how cars can change people’s lives. I get to mix my passion and work together.

SEMA: Where can you be found on a Saturday?

DL: You can find me at the local dragstrip or out at the lake beach side.

SEMA: How do you prepare for an important meeting?

DL: I prepare for meetings by going over the agenda several times to make sure I am well versed on what the talking points are. I also write some notes for myself beforehand on things I want to talk about. Of course, I always make sure I have my notepad and my favorite pen nearby.

SEMA: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who it would be?

DL: Lee Iacocca would be one of the people I would love to have lunch with. He may not have been directly a part of the aftermarket industry, but he helped spawn some of the amazing cars we have today. He helped develop my favorite car, the Mustang, and managed to convince Ford to get back into racing.

If you are a current YEN member, fill out a YEN member spotlight form. Selected candidates may be featured on YEN’s social media, SEMA eNews and YEN-member updates.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA Showgoers who want to stay close to monorail stations are encouraged to make their hotel reservations while rooms are still available.

With a quick look on the www.SEMAShow.com/travel homepage, Showgoers can see a list of hotels available along with the star rating, rate per night and distance from the Las Vegas Convention Center. Here are six hotels in the SEMA Show block with easy monorail access:

• SAHARA
• Westgate
• Harrah’s/LINQ
• Flamingo
• Bally’s/Paris
• MGM Grand

Showgoers booking through the SEMA Show housing partner receive guaranteed low rates on a wide range of hotel properties at locations on and off the Las Vegas Strip.

Las Vegas Monorail Tickets—Ticket Selection. Discounted rates are available for SEMA Showgoers.

When making your hotel reservations through the SEMA Show Travel & Lodging page, you are receiving the most affordable and convenient hotel options through our partnership with onPeak, the only official hotel provider for the 2021 SEMA Show. All negotiated rates provided by onPeak include resort fees and will allow you to change or cancel your reservation without any financial penalties.

More information about the SEMA Show, Tuesday–Friday, November 2–5, is available on www.SEMAShow.com.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibitors of the 2021 SEMA Show are invited to expand their reach, product exposure and Show-floor presence by offering products to builders through the Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list. The list connects manufacturers with builders looking to create or complete a vehicle project.

The list, which will be updated in SEMA eNews, features product offers and contact information provided by confirmed SEMA Show exhibitors. Builders interested in obtaining a product use the information to contact exhibitors directly. With each project vehicle required to be supported by a current 2021 SEMA Show exhibitor, all product-placement decisions, negotiations and agreements are the responsibility of the exhibiting manufacturer and the builder.

The list is open to exhibitors of the 2021 SEMA Show only. To be included in the list, complete the form.

Exhibitors: Each submission will appear on a first-come, first-served basis. As participation increases, all submissions will also be archived on www.SEMAShow.com.

Note: For verification purposes, the Project-Vehicle Builders form must be used to participate in the program; email submissions will not be included in the list. Participation in the list does not guarantee product or vehicle placement at the 2021 SEMA Show.

View the Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA Show exhibitors planning to host a special appearance in their booth must submit the Celebrity Appearance Notification form by September 1 to be featured in the SEMA Show’s printed material. Whether it’s a driver, industry icon, TV personality or famous vehicle, featuring a familiar face or iconic vehicle in your booth provides buyers with an identifiable, visual connection of the company’s target market.

Complete the Celebrity Appearance Notification form to have your special attraction publicized with your company name and Show booth number. The information will be included in the Official 2021 SEMA Show Directory.

Exhibitors can learn how to get the most out of their 2021 SEMA Show, as well as additional options to reach buyers, by contacting an account rep at sales@sema.org or 909-396-0289.

Information about the 2021 SEMA Show is available on www.SEMAShow.com.

Click here for a complete listing of 2021 SEMA Show deadlines.

 By SEMA Editors

New for this year, the New Products Showcase will be located in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s Upper South Hall in booth #31255. In addition, buyers and media can now use the Show app on their mobile device to scan and save products and provide step-by-step directions to the exhibitors that submitted each product.

Exhibiting at the SEMA Show and entering at least one product in the New Products Showcase puts your latest products in front of thousands of qualified buyers from every segment of the specialty-equipment industry. The best part: the first product you enter is free!

Entry Fees:

• The first product entered in one category in the New Products Showcase is FREE!
• Additional $75 per product category before October 8.
• After October 8, the cost is $150 per entry.
• No refunds provided after October 8.
• Entries submitted on-site will be accepted on a space availability basis.

Enter your new products now!

For more information on New Products Showcase display guidelines, visit www.semashow.com/esm.

By Richard Hail

After debuting 12 months ago at SEMA360, the SEMA Social Media Correspondent Program has been expanded and is accepting applications from industry influencers.

After working informally with influencers for several years, the SEMA Social Media Correspondent Program debuted in 2020 and has given influencers exclusive access to information, events and programs that resulted in expanded coverage of top SEMA initiatives and member programs and services. As content creators developed authentic, social-media-friendly messages that resonated with audiences on their respective platforms, the industry was able to learn about the products used on their builds and the younger generation was encouraged to get involved in the fun and exciting automotive industry.

Through a rigorous registration and onboarding process, SEMA sources and approves content for the SMC program, which then gives influencers access to valuable resources that they can use to develop exciting content for their audiences. The program now includes more than 100 participants on a variety of platforms, throughout the United States and Canada, representing multiple segments of the industry including truck, off-road, sport compact, hot rods, racing and more.

SEMA continues to actively recruit automotive influencers for the SEMA Social Media Correspondent program. Apply now to be considered.