With the production of the all-new three-row ’21 Jeep Grand Cherokee L (WL75) getting ready to start at the new Detroit Assembly Complex – Mack plant in Detroit, we now have our first look at the two-row ’22 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe (WL74) testing on public roads. This all-new ’22 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe is the second part of a wave of new Grand Cherokee models that will be introduced this year.
The ’22 Jeep Grand Cherokee not only is shorter than the three-row model, but it also has several different design features. The most obvious is the front fascia styling shown on this 4xe trim-level prototype. The Grand Cherokee dumps the more squared-off look of the L model for a sportier and more angular look.
The second is the rear-window styling, while the Grand Cherokee L features a boxier look due to the application of the third row. This means the rear window glass is larger and more of a squared-shape than what these newest photos show for the two-row model. The two-row Grand Cherokee features a sharp-angled rear window with a rear-pillar that looks as if it’s a design throwback to the Grand Cherokee (WK) models that ran from 2005 to 2010.
Powertrain for the 4xe is expected to be borrowed from the Wrangler 4xe, which has a turbocharged 2.0L I4 engine paired with two electric motors and is good for 375 hp and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. There are rumors that an all-new turbocharged “Tornado” inline-six with standard 48v mild-hybrid electrification will eventually find its way under the hood of the Grand Cherokee. We are also told that it’ll be paired to an all new ZF eight-speed that will feature an elective drive.
The two-row ’22 Jeep Grand Cherokee is expected to start production at the company’s Jefferson North Assembly Plant this fall.
With the production of the all-new three-row ’21 Jeep Grand Cherokee L (WL75) getting ready to start at the new Detroit Assembly Complex – Mack plant in Detroit, we now have our first look at the two-row ’22 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe (WL74) testing on public roads. This all-new ’22 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe is the second part of a wave of new Grand Cherokee models that will be introduced this year.
The ’22 Jeep Grand Cherokee not only is shorter than the three-row model, but it also has several different design features. The most obvious is the front fascia styling shown on this 4xe trim-level prototype. The Grand Cherokee dumps the more squared-off look of the L model for a sportier and more angular look.
The second is the rear-window styling, while the Grand Cherokee L features a boxier look due to the application of the third row. This means the rear window glass is larger and more of a squared-shape than what these newest photos show for the two-row model. The two-row Grand Cherokee features a sharp-angled rear window with a rear-pillar that looks as if it’s a design throwback to the Grand Cherokee (WK) models that ran from 2005 to 2010.
Powertrain for the 4xe is expected to be borrowed from the Wrangler 4xe, which has a turbocharged 2.0L I4 engine paired with two electric motors and is good for 375 hp and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. There are rumors that an all-new turbocharged “Tornado” inline-six with standard 48v mild-hybrid electrification will eventually find its way under the hood of the Grand Cherokee. We are also told that it’ll be paired to an all new ZF eight-speed that will feature an elective drive.
The two-row ’22 Jeep Grand Cherokee is expected to start production at the company’s Jefferson North Assembly Plant this fall.
The SEMA Data Excellence designation recognizes the companies that have worked with SEMA Data to recreate and relaunch industry-leading product data sets. Here are products from current SEMA Data members that have achieved data excellence.
Borgeson Universal
Street & Performance Quick Ratio GM Power Steering Box
Borgeson Universal now offers an all new modern quick ratio power steering box to replace the Saginaw/Delphi 800 series in most ’65 and up GM musclecars.
This all-new power steering box has a quick 12.7:1 ratio with firm modern steering feel. Steering box includes adapters to be able to use either O-ring or flare-style hose connections. This new Borgeson steering box uses a ¾-in.-30 spline input shaft and all pre-’77 cars will require a new rag joint connector PN: 990012.
The CamLocker Low Profile Tool Box is the perfect size to fit most pickups. The low-profile lid is 3 in. shorter than standards lids, allowing for better rear visibility for the driver. CamLocker tool boxes are hand-welded and are constructed from thick .063-gauge aluminum. The key to security is the cam-style locking mechanisms, which connect both carbon steel T-handles, making the box easy to open from either side, but extremely difficult to break into.
A full-length stainless-steel hinge connects the weather-sealed lid, keeping the inside of the box clean and dry. The interior walls are carpeted, and a removable carpet section covers the bottom. CamLockers are made in U.S.A. and are available unpainted or in matte or gloss black powdercoat finishes.
With more than 100 years of quality, the Hi-Lift Jack is a rugged, highly versatile jack that puts you in command of situations requiring lifting, pushing, pulling, winching and clamping. Although light in weight and easy to maneuver, the Hi-Lift Jack offers a rated capacity of 4,660 lbs. and a tested capacity of 7,000 lbs. Our jacks are designed to help you survive in the most demanding situations whether you are in the Moab desert canyons, the Welsh Mountains, the Amazon jungle or the farmlands of Indiana.
With a full-range of specially designed accessories, the Hi-Lift jack is just about the most versatile piece of off-roading/farm/auto recovery equipment you can buy.
Oracle Lighting
’21 Ford Bronco Sport ColorSHIFT Headlight Upgrade
Oracle Lighting is proud to announce the launch of the new ColorSHIFT RGB+W Headlight DRL Upgrade for the ’21 Ford Bronco Sport. The new kit is now available and fits Ford Bronco Sport First Edition, Base, Outer Banks, Big Bend and Badlands.
“Featuring our high-performance RGB+W chips, this kit allows you to use the existing DRL feature on your Ford Bronco LED Headlights and easily convert it to color-changing DRLs while maintaining a true white DRL function,” explained Justin Hartenstein, Oracle Lighting director of product development. “Upgrade your lights to any color imaginable and instantly switch over to a crisp white OEM DRL color. These ’21 Ford Bronco Sport ColorSHIFT RGB+W DRL boards can make hundreds of different colors, dozens of patterns, control the brightness, and even the speed of the functions using one of our ColorSHIFT controllers.”
Warn Industries has announced the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Fabtech Motorsports, the manufacturer of suspension systems and lift kits for Chevy, Ford, Ram, Jeep, Hummer, Nissan, and Toyota, based in Chino, California. Fabtech’s product offerings include suspension systems, shocks, and leveling kits. The company was founded in 1989 as a custom fabrication firm specializing in racing suspension systems and Prerunner builds, cages, bumpers, and other products. Today, the company has more than 2,000 SKUs in its portfolio and includes off-road and performance brands Dirt Logic and Stealth Shocks.
Alloy Studios’ third season of $10K Drag Shootout:
No Prep Edition has been awarded a Silver Telly
Award in the General Television – Automotive
category for the 42nd Annual Telly Awards.
Alloy Studios Wins Telly Award for $10K Drag Shootout: No Prep Edition
Alloy Studios, a division of Power Automedia, has announced its third season of $10K Drag Shootout: No Prep Edition has been awarded a Silver Telly Award in the General Television – Automotive category for the 42nd Annual Telly Awards. The Telly Awards honor excellence in video and television across all screens and is judged by leaders from video platforms, television, streaming networks and production companies. Power Automedia and Alloy Studios have partnered to create content for “Horsepower Wars” since 2018, creating several successful web shows such as “Pony Wars” and “Junkyard Challenge.” The full list of the 42nd Annual Telly Awards winners can be found here.
Americana Tire and Wheel Announces Major Rebranding Effort
Americana Tire and Wheel (ATW)—Kenda’s distribution arm serving the North American towable trailer, utility, RV, marine and agricultural industries—has relaunched as Kenda Americana Tire and Wheel. Changes to the brand include a fresh logo, new website, revised catalog and updated email addresses. The new website for Kenda Americana Tire and Wheel will be updated on a regular basis with company news, new product offerings and the most recent company catalog. Visitors are encouraged to explore the new site and learn more at www.americanatire.com.
Jerry Pitt
Jerry Pitt Joins Power Automedia Team as Business Development Manager
Power Automedia has announced the recent hiring of Jerry Pitt as business development manager. He has more than 30 years of experience in automotive aftermarket journalism and publishing. Prior to joining Power Automedia, Pitt was an editor with Petersen Publishing and migrated to the publisher role, eventually taking the helm of Hot Rod magazine. After seven years with Hot Rod, Pitt transitioned to senior director of sales and original programming at Studio Ten, where he was instrumental in integrating non-endemic and aftermarket partnerships in programming for shows including “Roadkill” and “Dirt Every Day.” At Power Automedia, Pitt will rejoin former colleagues Jonathan Mill, executive producer and general manager of Alloy Studios (Power Automedia’s video production division) and fellow Business Development Director Ed Zinke.
Hot Shot’s Secret has donated $6,000 to Battle Scarred Motorsports.
Hot Shot’s Secret Donates Funds to Battle Scarred Motorsports to Help Wounded Veterans Race
Hot Shot’s Secret has announced a donation of $6,000 to Battle Scarred Motorsports. The funds will be used to convert donated police cars into hand-controlled race cars that can be used by veterans and first responders that no longer have full use of their legs. Battle Scarred Motorsports, formerly USMC Racing, is an organization whose mission is to make an impact in the lives of service members and first responders both past and present, on the track turning laps or on the crew helping in the pits. In addition to this donation, Hot Shot’s Secret also provides all of the oils, fuel and oil additives for the entire Battle Scarred Motorsports race team and for their diesels that tow the race cars.
Cathy Clark
Bob Cook Sales’ Cathy Clark Earns CPMR Designation
Cathy Clark of Bob Cook Sales has earned her Certified Professional Manufacturers Representative (CPMR) designation. CPMR candidates invest one week annually for three years to gain knowledge and insight into operating a more progressive and efficient rep firm. In addition, they acquire an international network of colleagues from many industries.
Graduates earn the right to use the distinctive designation and gain membership to MRERF’s Institute for Professional Advancement (IPA). Bob Cook Sales is in a very select group of aftermarket automotive rep firms that have five agents with their CPMR certification: Cathy Clark, Ryan Davenport, Mike Katz, Eddie Hamilton, and Les Rudd.
ATC Drivetrain Launches Remanufacturing Solutions for Electric Vehicles in North America and Asia
ATC Drivetrain (ATC) will launch remanufacturing
capabilities for electric vehicle systems at its
Oklahoma City facility to serve the North
American automotive market, and at its Zhangjiang,
China, facility to serve the Asian automotive market.
ATC Drivetrain (ATC) announced that it is launching remanufacturing capabilities for electric vehicle systems at its Oklahoma City facility to serve the North American automotive market, and at its Zhangjiang, China, facility to serve the Asian automotive market.
The company reports that the investments will allow ATC to remanufacture batteries and electric drive units for both plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles. The move represents the next step in the company’s electrification strategy and builds on the processes initially developed in ATC’s UK facility.
ATC will launch remanufacture of both NiMH and LiON batteries and electric drive units in the third quarter of 2021 in Oklahoma City, and fourth quarter of 2021 in Zhangjiang, China.
General Motors has broken ground on the new Charlotte Technical
Center, a 130,000-sq.-ft. facility that will expand GM’s performance
and racing capabilities.
General Motors Breaks Ground on Charlotte Technical Center
General Motors has broken ground on the new Charlotte Technical Center, a 130,000-sq.-ft. facility that will expand GM’s performance and racing capabilities. Additionally, the center will accelerate strategic knowledge transfer between motorsports and production vehicle development. Representatives of Chip Ganassi Racing, Richard Childress Racing, and Hendrick Motorsports joined GM for the groundbreaking at the complex in Concord. The site was selected for its proximity to partner racing teams and major technical suppliers. The new technical center will support racing efforts across all series in which GM competes. The facility is a $45 million investment for GM and is scheduled to open in early 2022.
The center will also provide more opportunities for GM to recruit top talent in the fields of software engineering, computational science, electrical engineering, and other technical skill sets. The new technical center will feature advanced virtual tools, including three state-of-the-art Driver-in-the-Loop simulators, aero development and other software-enabled vehicle modeling technology designed to enable faster analysis and iteration.
Photo of EMU President Dr. James Smith, Jack E. Roush, and EMU
Dean Mohamad Qatu courtesy of EMU.
Roush Donates $1 Million to Support Automotive, Math Programs
Jack Roush, the founder, CEO, and co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing, has donated $1 million to Eastern Michigan University—his alma mater. The gift will help support mathematics and automotive programs in the University’s GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology. It includes a $200,000 fund for the purchase of industry-standard automotive lab equipment, along with $400,000 to each of the mathematics and automotive programs at the school.
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.
As exhibitors prepare to choose their exhibit locations for the 2021 SEMA Show, excitement continues to grow for the annual trade event taking place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, November 2–5, in Las Vegas.
“SEMA is the place to showcase what is new within the industry, which creates excitement and enthusiasm,” said Kristen Damberger, Cometic Gasket director of promotions, advanced. “As an exhibitor, we want to fuel that fire. We want to be a part of that energy.”
Cometic Gasket is one of more than 1,700 companies that will take part in the annual SEMA Show Priority Space Selection process, held June 7–23. Like Cometic, these companies all committed to exhibiting at the 2021 SEMA Show before the May 7 priority deadline, and they are now preparing to showcase their new products and reconnect with buyers in person for the first time in nearly two years.
“Anticipation for this year’s SEMA Show has increased as exhibitors begin making plans,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “Exhibitors are excited to know where their booth is going to be so they can start to plan what their exhibit is going to look like and how to effectively connect and conduct business with attendees.”
Many exhibitors experienced growth during the nationwide stay-at-home orders and maintained production with new products. Others have hot products from early 2020 that they have not had a chance to debut industry-wide.
“The SEMA Show is a great place to do business, and not being able to connect last year only amplified our enthusiasm to get back to Vegas and get back to business in person,” said Rob Fisher, E3 Spark Plugs vice president of motorsports, marketing and business development. “We recently launched a new line of ultra-lightweight lithium batteries, and these were originally going to be showcased last year, but we will naturally showcase them at the 2021 SEMA Show so that our customers and the industry can see them first-hand.”
This year’s Show will include exhibit space in all four Las Vegas Convention Center halls, including the newly constructed West Hall—a 1.4-million sq.-ft. facility that will be used to enhance the attendee experience. As exhibitors select their space, the floorplan will be updated several times throughout the day at www.semashow.com.
Once the Priority Space Selection process is completed, Show organizers will begin adding meeting rooms for seminars and areas for special displays and interactive attractions throughout the 3.2-million-sq.-ft. Las Vegas Convention Center.
“Our work creating this year's floorplan to meet the demands of the aftermarket industry has only just begun,” said Gattuso. “The enthusiasm to reconnect in person can be felt throughout the industry, so this year’s SEMA Show will be essential in helping businesses move forward.”
For more information or to register to attend the 2021 SEMA Show, visit www.semashow.com.
The gala will take place in the new West Hall of the Las
Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), the same venue
where thousands of industry professionals will
congregate for the 2021 SEMA Show in November.
The SEMA Installation Gala is a long-established tradition where individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the industry are honored and celebrated.
Join SEMA leadership, volunteers and industry icons at the SEMA Installation Gala, Friday, July 30, in Las Vegas, to honor 2021's SEMA Hall of fame Inductees—Jessi Combs, Rick Love, Bob Moore and Carl Schiefer. The gala will take place in the new West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), the same venue where thousands of industry professionals will congregate for the 2021 SEMA Show in November.
Since its inception in 1976, the SEMA Installation Gala has served as the formal gathering where new SEMA Hall of Fame inductees are introduced, the incoming Board of Directors is sworn in, and outgoing Directors are thanked. SEMA council, network and industry leaders are also recognized during the event.
The evening will feature cocktails, networking and dinner. Seating is limited. For more information and to register, visit www.sema.org/gala.
Even though the deadline to participate in the 2021 SEMA Show Space Selection process has passed, it’s never too late to register to exhibit.
Exhibiting at the 2021 SEMA Show puts your latest products in front of thousands of qualified buyers from every segment of the specialty-equipment industry, including buyers looking for your products. The 2021 SEMA Show already has more than 1,500 companies confirmed to exhibit and many more expected before the event takes place in November.
Registration for the 2021 SEMA Show is offered in three categories—attendee, exhibitor, and media—and everyone must qualify to receive a badge and attend.
Registration for the 2021 SEMA Show, scheduled for November 2-5, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, is available here.
The premier gathering for the automotive specialty-equipment industry, the 2021 SEMA Show already has more than 1,500 companies confirmed to exhibit and many more expected before the event takes place in November. Exhibitors include major automakers and small businesses, as well as iconic aftermarket manufacturers who are enhancing their booths to heighten their presence at what will be the first industry-wide in-person gathering for the $46.2 billion automotive specialty-equipment industry in nearly two years.
“Given the restrictions our industry has endured the last year, pent-up demand for the SEMA Show is at an all-time high,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “More so than other years, the 2021 SEMA Show will be fundamental in helping industry professionals grow existing relationships, create new ones, and push their businesses forward.”
Attendees at the 2021 SEMA Show will witness firsthand nearly two year's worth of innovation, technology and new products from manufacturers, as they showcase products, debut vehicles, conduct demonstrations and prepare to do business throughout all four halls of the 3.2-million-sq.-ft. Las Vegas Convention Center.
“We are ready to get back to SEMA and connect with our customers this fall,” said Michael Hamrick, Wilwood Disc Brakes events and promotions manager. “Everyone at Wilwood Disc Brakes is putting their best foot forward to have a great event and catch up with our customers. We have quite a few new products to unveil, and SEMA is the place to do it.”
With the entire Convention Center in use, the SEMA Show floor will be designed to improve traffic flow and make navigating the event simple and easy. The 2021 SEMA Show floorplan will begin to take shape during the annual Priority Space Selection process, June 7–23. Companies that submit booth space applications before May 7 will participate in the weeks-long process to determine their booth location in the Las Vegas Convention Center. Attendees will also be able to sign up for educational seminars featuring industry experts and networking events that bring market niches together.
“We’re excited to already be working with the more than 1,500 companies that have committed to exhibit at this year’s SEMA Show, and we expect hundreds more to reserve booth space before May 7,” said Gattuso. “We encourage attendees to register early so they can secure their credentials and receive updates on breaking news from what will be an amazing event.”
Registration for the 2021 SEMA Show is offered in three categories—attendee, exhibitor and media—and everyone must qualify to receive a badge and attend.
For more information about qualifying documents and the 2021 SEMA Show, log on to www.semashow.com.
SEMA eNews highlights SEMA-member companies’ websites weekly through the Hot Links to Cool Sites section. SEMA members: To be included in Hot Links to Cool Sites, email your company name and website to enews@sema.org. Note: Make sure to include “Hot Links” in the subject line of the email.
As exhibitors prepare to choose their exhibit locations for the 2021 SEMA Show, excitement continues to grow for the annual trade event taking place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, November 2–5, in Las Vegas.
