By Della Domingo

The 2021 SEMA Show opens next week, and exhibitors are making headlines with the product and vehicle debuts they are planning for the event taking place November 2–5, in Las Vegas. Some of the recent stories making headlines include:

Yahoo! Finance: ElectraMeccanica to Attend SEMA Show in Las Vegas

• “We intend to showcase our flagship EVs to SEMA attendees, illustrating where electrification is steering the future of their industry.”

Body Shop Business: Car Bench to Unveil New Equipment at SEMA

• Car Bench announced it is ready to start a new revolution in the collision-repair industry with the launch of new equipment at the SEMA Show.

Fox News: Chevrolet Unveils Its Biggest, Most Powerful V8 Engine Ever Ahead of Electric Push

• Pricing for the ZZ632/1000 has not yet been announced, but it will make its public debut at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas this November ahead of the start of deliveries in early 2022.

PPFMAG: SEMA SCORE BAJA 1000 Experience Set for Las Vegas

• “There is no better place than Las Vegas and there is no better place then SEMA to showcase the Granddaddy of all desert races—the iconic SCORE Baja 1000. The new format this year for the SCORE Baja 1000 Experience gives us the opportunity to spotlight all the various types of vehicles that have made SCORE the world’s foremost desert racing organization.”

Don’t miss the announcements that exhibitors are sharing by regularly checking the Online Media Center. Below are some of the latest announcements you will find in the Online Media Center:

• Chip Foose SEMA Photo Opportunity With Morimoto Lighting at WP Dynamics Booth
• New LITESTIX By BENDPAK Is a Tough, Portable LED Work Light Providing Hands-Free Illumination
• Reducing ICE Emissions by 80 to 90%
• Store, Elevate and Conceal Every Jeep & Truck Needs These Accessories
• HOBBS New Overland Roof Rack for SUVS
• Frantz Filters Expands Product Line
• Wrap'R-Grab'R Mini Waste Bins for Vehicle Cup Holders
• Pareto Point Industries (PPI) Presents Our Newest Advanced Bypass Oil Filtration Products
• IAA and Rich Rebuilds to Attend the 2021 SEMA Show

Exhibitor Press releases can be found at www.semashow.com/press. Find all SEMA Show news at www.semashow.com/news.

All SEMA Show exhibitors are welcome to upload releases free of charge.  Upload releases using this link.

The 2021 SEMA Show will take place November 2–5 in Las Vegas.

By Matt Kennedy

It’s no secret that supply-chain disruptions are affecting the automotive sector; new-vehicle production is expected to be 7.7 million units lower in 2021 than 2020, which it tempering the specialty-equipment industry’s optimism regarding its short-term prospects. But on the whole, businesses are maintaining a positive outlook, with more than 80% expecting their sales to be stable or growing over the coming year.

The latest edition of SEMA’s ongoing “State of the Industry” report series offers 70 pages of data on the specialty-equipment industry to help companies understand how the market is performing and evolving. Key findings from the report include:

• Delays in shipping and the ongoing microchip shortage have left automakers unable to keep up with consumer demand for new vehicles, pushing dealer inventories to all-time lows and the average price of a new vehicle to an unprecedented $45,000 in September 2021.
• While some businesses struggled during the beginning of the pandemic last year, especially retailers, most were able to adjust. Manufacturers in particular have done well, reporting an average of 19% sales growth over the past 12 months.
• Sales into the pickup, sports car, SUV and classic vehicle segments continue to be strong, with many businesses once again seeing double-digit sales growth this year.
• Supply-chain disruptions are starting to create some uncertainty. In the spring of 2021, 70% of specialty-equipment manufacturers and 75% of distributors expected their sales to grow over the coming year. However, those percentages have fallen to 58% and 52% respectively.
• The temporary shifts toward online sales that were made necessary by the pandemic are continuing to reverse, with the majority of specialty-equipment parts sales once again flowing through in-person retail channels.
• In the longer term, changes in the new vehicle mix—more CUVs, more electrics, etc.—will require the specialty-equipment industry to plan for and adapt to the evolving vehicle population.

For more info on the state of the U.S. specialty-equipment market, download the SEMA State of the Industry Report—Fall 2021 for free today at www.sema.org/research.

By SEMA Editors

When NHRA partnered with Fox Broadcasting, NHRA on FOX reporters came to the 2016 SEMA Show to conduct live interviews from an all-new NHRA SEMA Show stage to grow that connection. In 2021, the NHRA on FOX stage returns to the SEMA Show with live interviews, autograph sessions and NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycles on display.
 

The NHRA will host its Wednesday morning breakfast, open to all SEMA Show attendees, Wednesday, November 3, from 7:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m., at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino Paradise Events Center.

Here is an early look at the guests expected on this year’s NHRA on FOX stage at booth #10000: Antron Brown, Justin Ashley, Matt Hagan, Robert Hight, John and Brittany Force, Leah Pruett, Bo Butner, David H. Davies, Linda Vaughn, Don Prudhomme, Ron Capps, Travis Shumake, Matt Hartford, Erica Enders, Camrie Caruso, Clay Millican, Steve Torrence, Paul Lee, Krista Baldwin, Angie Smith, Matt Smith, Alex Laughlin, Sean Bellemeur, Dr. Jamie Meyer and Jim Liaw.

The NHRA will also host its Wednesday morning breakfast, open to all SEMA Show attendees. The NHRA Breakfast at the SEMA Show will be held Wednesday, November 3, from 7:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m., at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino Paradise Events Center.

This year’s breakfast, hosted by NHRA on FOX’s Brian Lohnes, will highlight NHRA’s Next Generation of Team Owners and feature Antron Brown, Josh Hart and Krista Baldwin.

By Juan Torres

SEMA Ignited, the official after-party of the SEMA Show, returns to Las Vegas, on Friday, November 5. Since 2014, SEMA Ignited has taken place at the conclusion of the four-day trade-only SEMA Show, providing consumers and the general public an opportunity to see and experience the mystique from the exclusive automotive aftermarket trade event. This year’s SEMA Ignited takes place Friday, November 5, from 3:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. (PDT), at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) West Hall parking lot.

At the conclusion of the SEMA Show, hundreds of custom-built vehicles roll out of the Convention Center and cruise to assemble at SEMA Ignited.

The family-friendly SEMA Ignited consists of an outdoor extravaganza that includes iconic builders, celebrities, customized SEMA Show vehicles, drift demonstrations, food, entertainment and much more.

“Our official after-party, SEMA Ignited, is the best opportunity enthusiasts have to connect with the automotive community, see the custom builds and meet automotive celebrities, all while enjoying food and entertainment,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “There is something for everyone at the event, and we invite everyone, whether you are an automotive enthusiast or a family looking for quality entertainment, to attend SEMA Ignited.”

At the conclusion of the SEMA Show, hundreds of custom-built vehicles roll out of the Convention Center and cruise to assemble at SEMA Ignited, where the public can see the elaborate work performed by the builders, along with some of the newest and most innovative products used on the builds.

SEMA Show attendees receive complimentary admission with their Show badge, while general admission to SEMA Ignited is $20. Children ages 12 and under are admitted free with a paid general admission ticket.   

For more information about SEMA Ignited, visit www.semaignited.com. To learn more about the SEMA Show and apply for credentials, visit www.semashow.com.   

By Ashley Reyes

In episode five of the SEMA Launch Pad series, viewers get to know the five finalists who will pitch their products and vie for a grand-prize package valued at $100,000 during the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

The SEMA Launch Pad is the automotive aftermarket’s premier product-pitching competition designed to encourage automotive entrepreneurship and help inventors launch new products into the marketplace. The final five competitors, who will pitch their products at the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, are:

• Jonathan Hurley, ToolBox Widget
• Brendan McGrath, Dyme Performance Systems Inc.
• Kevin Robinson, TRAC LLC
• Tom Sawarynski, Off-Road Research
• Dustin Woolf, Woolfpack Racing 

Newly released video hones in on the finalists as they share their reactions and details on their journey so far, what they would do differently and how they plan to prepare for the final round of pitching taking place at the SEMA Show. Viewers will also get to watch behind-the-scenes interviews with industry judges Chip Foose of Foose Design, Jared Hare of Addictive Desert Designs, Myles Kovaks of DUB magazine and TIS Wheels, and Alex Parker of Redline Detection as they share their expectations from the competitors in the final round of pitching.  

The third-place winner and top two finalists will be announced at the SEMA Show on November 3 in SEMA Central, before the top two advance to compete in a final round on November 4 at the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, where the winner will be announced.   

To learn more about SEMA Launch Pad , visit www.sema.org/launchpad. 

With a full reveal expected to be just months away, Land Rover engineers are entering an advanced stage of development for the fifth-generation Range Rover, and our photographers have captured a prototype of the plug-in hybrid variant on public roads.

It’s the latest in a series of sightings of Britain’s reinvented flagship, following recent glimpses of the standard SUV, the lower-slung Range Rover Sport and the top-rung long-wheelbase model. Here, mandatory stickers and a just-visible charging port give the test mule’s electrified powertrain away. Otherwise, like the current Range Rover P400e, it looks like the PHEV will be completely identical to its ICE sibling.

The new Range Rover will play a vital role in facilitating Jaguar Land Rover's recovery from the pandemic and chip shortage, and its new MLA platform, which will go on to underpin a number of other models in Land Rover's lineup, will be a cornerstone of the marque’s push towards full electrification.

The plug-in hybrid spotted here is likely to use an evolved version of the current P400e model’s gas-electric setup, which mates an Ingenium 2.0L turbo four with a 143hp electric motor and a 17.1-kWh battery for around 30 miles of range. However, a more-potent PHEV option with two electric motors is in the cards, no doubt with superior off-road ability courtesy of a boost in low-end torque.

Elsewhere in the lineup, we are expecting to see the Range Rover retain its 48-V mild-hybridized Ingenium 3.0L straight six, while the range-topping model will use technical partner BMW’s 4.4L twin-turbocharged V8 with upwards of 500 hp.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

With a full reveal expected to be just months away, Land Rover engineers are entering an advanced stage of development for the fifth-generation Range Rover, and our photographers have captured a prototype of the plug-in hybrid variant on public roads.

It’s the latest in a series of sightings of Britain’s reinvented flagship, following recent glimpses of the standard SUV, the lower-slung Range Rover Sport and the top-rung long-wheelbase model. Here, mandatory stickers and a just-visible charging port give the test mule’s electrified powertrain away. Otherwise, like the current Range Rover P400e, it looks like the PHEV will be completely identical to its ICE sibling.

The new Range Rover will play a vital role in facilitating Jaguar Land Rover's recovery from the pandemic and chip shortage, and its new MLA platform, which will go on to underpin a number of other models in Land Rover's lineup, will be a cornerstone of the marque’s push towards full electrification.

The plug-in hybrid spotted here is likely to use an evolved version of the current P400e model’s gas-electric setup, which mates an Ingenium 2.0L turbo four with a 143hp electric motor and a 17.1-kWh battery for around 30 miles of range. However, a more-potent PHEV option with two electric motors is in the cards, no doubt with superior off-road ability courtesy of a boost in low-end torque.

Elsewhere in the lineup, we are expecting to see the Range Rover retain its 48-V mild-hybridized Ingenium 3.0L straight six, while the range-topping model will use technical partner BMW’s 4.4L twin-turbocharged V8 with upwards of 500 hp.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Ford Motor Co. will recognize the customization and vehicle crafting ability of several builders through the automaker’s design awards at the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Ford presents the awards annually to the SEMA Show Ford vehicles that make a significant contribution to vehicle design and stand apart from all others at the Show.

A ’20 F-450 by Deberti Design won the Oustanding Achievement Award at the 2019 SEMA Show.

If you would like to have your vehicle considered for the Ford Design awards, please send the following to semainfo@ford.com no later than Sunday, October 31, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT):

• Year and model of vehicle
• Booth name and number
• On-site contact (email and cell #)

Note: In order for the vehicle to be considered, it must have a Ford powertrain.

Ford Design awards will be presented on Tuesday, November 2, at 9:30 a.m. (PDT) in the Ford booth #22200.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Chevrolet Unveils ’23 Corvette Z06

Chevrolet has revealed the all-new ’23 Corvette Z06, a 670hp supercar. The Z06 features an all-new 5.5L LT6, the highest horsepower, naturally-aspirated V8 to hit the market in any production car. An all-new flat-plane crankshaft design entices offers 8,600 rpm. Additional highlights of the ’23 Corvette Z06 include:

• Unique front and rear fascias, a first for Z06. The front fascia is designed to optimize the Z06’s cooling needs, including channeling air to a center heat exchanger, which is one of five for maximum cooling performance.
• A standard reconfigurable rear spoiler with adjustable wickerbill elements designed to improve high-speed stability and cornering capability on a race track.
• Standard 20-in. front and 21-in. rear forged aluminum “spider” wheels (with five available finishes)—the largest wheels ever available on a production Corvette.
• Available lightweight and rigid carbon-fiber wheels that deliver a 41-lb. reduction in unsprung mass, which is designed to contribute to more agile and responsive handling.
• Specific suspension tuning, including Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, and six-piston front brakes.
• Eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with a specific, 5.56 final drive ratio.
• Elevated cockpit surrounding the driver, including more carbon-fiber trim and new options.
• Available Z07 performance package provides 734 lbs. of downforce at 186 mph, more than any Corvette ever. It includes a carbon-fiber high rear wing and ground effects, specific chassis tuning, specific Magnetic Ride Control calibration, and Michelin Cup 2 R ZP tires, along with Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes and optional carbon-fiber wheels

For more information on the car, visit the Chevrolet website here.

YANG Top Golf Event a Success for AACF

The Young AutoCare Network Group (YANG) and its leadership were looking for an event to kick-off the renewal of its series of “Meet-Up” networking events after a lengthy delay due to the pandemic. The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) had an established relationship with Top Golf after having utilized their format to conduct a annual golf outing in 2020 to replace the traditional golf event that was canceled as part of Industry Week events aligned with AAPEX and SEMA.

“In speaking with some of YANG’s leadership and various members, it was clear they were seeking a high-profile event to re-ignite their “Meet-Up” series and get people back together again, safely” explained AACF Executive Committee and Board member Jon Owens of Epicor Software. “We had huge success last year with the folks from Top Golf and knew they could host an awesome event while accommodating the logistical aspects of nationwide availability and all safety precautions.”

Through participation and sponsorships, the event raised more than $15,000 for AACF.

Holley Launches Event for Electric Vehicle Enthusiasts

Holley has announced it will host an event for all-electric vehicles to take place November 13–14, 2021, at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California. Holley’s “High Voltage Experience” will be a playground for EV owners, drivers and enthusiasts alike, offering multiple high-performance driving events and an opportunity for the emerging EV culture to come together. Motorsports events will include autocross, road course, drag racing and a 3S Challenge, which combines performance aspects of all of the above. Driving instruction will be available by well-known professional driver and EV lap record holder Randy Pobst on the full Sonoma Raceway road course. The event will also feature a dedicated car show to provide enthusiasts a look at a wide variety of personalized vehicles and impressive EV conversions. THolley High Voltage will also include daily drifting exhibitions and drag racing passes by the world’s first 200-mph EV dragster. Holley High Voltage will bring together all walks of the EV community and will include attendance by premier influencers, builders, cars and drivers, such as Rich Rebuilds, Bisimoto Engineering, Jehu Garcia and more. For more information visit www.Holleyhighvoltage.com.

Motorsport Park Hastings Hires Jeff Lacina as General Manager

The ownership group of Motorsports Park Hastings has announced Jeff Lacina as general manager of the multi-use facility in Hastings, Nebraska. Lacina will oversee all daily track operations as well as all promotions, marketing, and event management functions, including group, corporate, and private event rentals. Prior to joining Motorsport Park Hastings, Lacina served as an international sales representative for Sydney, Australia-based Speedmaster. He also worked with LTA Manufacturing and Castle Creations in the Olathe, Kansas area; John Deere Financial in Johnston, Iowa; and Accessible Technologies/ProCharger Superchargers/Inovair in Lenexa, Kansas. Lacina has also contributed as a freelance writer for several automotive and motorsports publications and is an avid road course racer. He launched the Track Guys Performance Driving Events in 2002.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

The monorail is a great option for getting to the SEMA Show each day. Trains arrive every 4–8 minutes and will begin operation at 6:00 a.m. on SEMA Show days (Tuesday–Friday, November 2–5).

There  are  seven  stations  along the Las Vegas Monorail route. With a  total  of  nine  running  trains,  one  train  arrives at each station every few minutes.

The extended Show hours are:

• Monday, November 1: 6:00 a.m.–12:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, November  2–Thursday, November 4: 6:00 a.m.–2:00 a.m.
• Friday, November 5: 6:00 a.m.–3:00 a.m.

Stations:

• MGM Grand Station
• Bally’s/Paris Station
• Flamingo/Caesars Palace Station
• Harrah’s/The LINQ Station
• Las Vegas Convention Center Station
• Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino Monorail Station
• SAHARA Las Vegas Station

Look for Monorail kiosks throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center and at participating hotels to purchase discounted tickets. Showgoers can save money and purchase discounted multi-day Monorail passes. For more information, call 702-699-8200.

Discounted Ride Passes:

• Single Ride: $5
• 24-Hour Pass: $13
• Two-Day Pass: $23
• Three-Day Pass: $25
• Four-Day Pass: $32
• Five-Day Pass: $38
• Seven-Day Pass: $49