By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Auto manufacturers and suppliers are devising plans that would allow factories and assembly lines to reopen and operate safely as it relates to COVID-19. Although decisions will be made on a company-by-company basis, there appears to be some consensus on what elements of a reopened workplace may include. For example, workers’ temperatures may be taken, workspaces may be expanded to accommodate social distancing and employees may wear masks and gloves.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation and Original Equipment Suppliers Association has published guidelines and best practices for creating a safe working environment:

Lear Corp. has published a 51-page “Safe Work Playbook,” which it is sharing with the public. The detailed document addresses everything from advanced social-distancing practices to on-site health screening, employee training, sanitizing the workplace and providing personal protective gear like masks, face shields and gloves.

SEMA has compiled additional information about COVID-19 on its website. 

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

Here’s the upcoming ’21 Chevy Suburban RST (GM only showed the Tahoe RST) completely undisguised on the street, providing a first look at the vehicle.

The Suburban RST adds a “street-inspired” exterior design to the fullsize SUV, featuring a unique front and rear treatment. Meanwhile, other body features that are finished chrome on other ’21 Suburban models are blacked-out on this model. Inside, the Suburban RST is finished off with RST-specific seats, which feature contrast-color stitching.

Standard power comes from the 5.3L V8 engine, which packs 355 hp and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. The RST can also be equipped with the 3.0L I6 turbo-diesel Duramax engine, which has 277 hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines will be mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

GM originally planned to launch the ’21 Suburban in mid-2020, though it’s possible that the coronavirus pandemic could end up delaying that timeline.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here’s the upcoming ’21 Chevy Suburban RST (GM only showed the Tahoe RST) completely undisguised on the street, providing a first look at the vehicle.

The Suburban RST adds a “street-inspired” exterior design to the fullsize SUV, featuring a unique front and rear treatment. Meanwhile, other body features that are finished chrome on other ’21 Suburban models are blacked-out on this model. Inside, the Suburban RST is finished off with RST-specific seats, which feature contrast-color stitching.

Standard power comes from the 5.3L V8 engine, which packs 355 hp and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. The RST can also be equipped with the 3.0L I6 turbo-diesel Duramax engine, which has 277 hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines will be mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

GM originally planned to launch the ’21 Suburban in mid-2020, though it’s possible that the coronavirus pandemic could end up delaying that timeline.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here’s the upcoming ’21 Chevy Suburban RST (GM only showed the Tahoe RST) completely undisguised on the street, providing a first look at the vehicle.

The Suburban RST adds a “street-inspired” exterior design to the fullsize SUV, featuring a unique front and rear treatment. Meanwhile, other body features that are finished chrome on other ’21 Suburban models are blacked-out on this model. Inside, the Suburban RST is finished off with RST-specific seats, which feature contrast-color stitching.

Standard power comes from the 5.3L V8 engine, which packs 355 hp and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. The RST can also be equipped with the 3.0L I6 turbo-diesel Duramax engine, which has 277 hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines will be mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

GM originally planned to launch the ’21 Suburban in mid-2020, though it’s possible that the coronavirus pandemic could end up delaying that timeline.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here’s the upcoming ’21 Chevy Suburban RST (GM only showed the Tahoe RST) completely undisguised on the street, providing a first look at the vehicle.

The Suburban RST adds a “street-inspired” exterior design to the fullsize SUV, featuring a unique front and rear treatment. Meanwhile, other body features that are finished chrome on other ’21 Suburban models are blacked-out on this model. Inside, the Suburban RST is finished off with RST-specific seats, which feature contrast-color stitching.

Standard power comes from the 5.3L V8 engine, which packs 355 hp and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. The RST can also be equipped with the 3.0L I6 turbo-diesel Duramax engine, which has 277 hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines will be mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

GM originally planned to launch the ’21 Suburban in mid-2020, though it’s possible that the coronavirus pandemic could end up delaying that timeline.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here’s the upcoming ’21 Chevy Suburban RST (GM only showed the Tahoe RST) completely undisguised on the street, providing a first look at the vehicle.

The Suburban RST adds a “street-inspired” exterior design to the fullsize SUV, featuring a unique front and rear treatment. Meanwhile, other body features that are finished chrome on other ’21 Suburban models are blacked-out on this model. Inside, the Suburban RST is finished off with RST-specific seats, which feature contrast-color stitching.

Standard power comes from the 5.3L V8 engine, which packs 355 hp and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. The RST can also be equipped with the 3.0L I6 turbo-diesel Duramax engine, which has 277 hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines will be mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

GM originally planned to launch the ’21 Suburban in mid-2020, though it’s possible that the coronavirus pandemic could end up delaying that timeline.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By SEMA Editors

The Priority Space Allocation for the November SEMA Show will take place May 4–20. During this allocation process, the 2,000-plus companies that have already registered for this year’s event will use their SEMA Show seniority to systematically choose their display location, which will be the center of their planning process for the November event.

While all current exhibitor milestone dates for applications and deposits remain intact, SEMA Show Management announced last month that they have implemented new policy changes to lower the level of uncertainty, ease concerns and allow exhibitors to invest in the Show with confidence. The changes specify that qualified companies are now able to pick their space in May, but have the option to cancel their space at any time prior to September 1, 2020, for a full refund of exhibit-space payments. Should you have any concerns regarding participating in the 2020 SEMA Show, we encourage you to contact your Industry Account Director or the SEMA Show team at 909-396-0289, or email semashow@sema.org.

Companies that are unable to participate in the May space allocation are welcome to join the Show at a future date. The same refund policy of September 1 will also apply.

The Priority Space Allocation has always been a virtual and transparent process, and this year is no different. Starting with the highest levels of seniority and moving year by year through every application, each section of the Show gets systematically filled. A team of industry account directors is tasked to personally contact each exhibiting company and review their best exhibit location options based on their needs and display goals. You can follow the process live as it unfolds and see exactly how the SEMA Show is formed from the ground up.

The 2020 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, November 3–6, in Las Vegas. To participate in the Priority Space Selection Process, reserve a booth space by visiting www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

By SEMA Editors

The Priority Space Allocation for the November SEMA Show will take place May 4–20. During this allocation process, the 2,000-plus companies that have already registered for this year’s event will use their SEMA Show seniority to systematically choose their display location, which will be the center of their planning process for the November event.

While all current exhibitor milestone dates for applications and deposits remain intact, SEMA Show Management announced last month that they have implemented new policy changes to lower the level of uncertainty, ease concerns and allow exhibitors to invest in the Show with confidence. The changes specify that qualified companies are now able to pick their space in May, but have the option to cancel their space at any time prior to September 1, 2020, for a full refund of exhibit-space payments. Should you have any concerns regarding participating in the 2020 SEMA Show, we encourage you to contact your Industry Account Director or the SEMA Show team at 909-396-0289, or email semashow@sema.org.

Companies that are unable to participate in the May space allocation are welcome to join the Show at a future date. The same refund policy of September 1 will also apply.

The Priority Space Allocation has always been a virtual and transparent process, and this year is no different. Starting with the highest levels of seniority and moving year by year through every application, each section of the Show gets systematically filled. A team of industry account directors is tasked to personally contact each exhibiting company and review their best exhibit location options based on their needs and display goals. You can follow the process live as it unfolds and see exactly how the SEMA Show is formed from the ground up.

The 2020 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, November 3–6, in Las Vegas. To participate in the Priority Space Selection Process, reserve a booth space by visiting www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

By Fredy Ramirez

Joel Ayres has a reputation. A shrewd businessman and salesman, he has had a successful aftermarket career for more than 40 years. But his reputation is not hard-as-nails or barbarous. Ayres is known for being one of the nicest guys in the industry.

Those who know Ayres understand why he was perfect for a job offered in 2015: executive director of the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation. The organization provides financial assistance to those in need within the aftermarket industry from problems such as sickness, catastrophe or accident. The foundation is more than 50 years old, yet Ayres became the first to hold that position. And it speaks to the core of who Ayres is: that nice guy.

“My volunteer work started when I was very young,” he explained. “My whole life has been about volunteerism and charity work. It’s been my passion.” He’ll tell you that his father “gave me my business and selling side, and my mother and stepmom gave me my loving, caring and charitable side.” As such, he cofounded the first Big Brothers of Northeastern Indiana and has been a volunteer teacher and had a nearly lifelong involvement with various children’s charities.

His devotion to the industry and community has resulted in many accolades, including the LTAA Hall of Fame, the SBN Athena Award, the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) Jim Borré Lifetime Achievement Award and the SEMA Person of the Year. Still, Ayres feels unworthy of his SEMA Hall of Fame induction.

“I’m still in a cloud,” he confessed. “To think about the legends who are in this—the people I grew up hearing about or people I’ve known—it’s just…wow. I shouldn’t even be here. I’m very honored and very proud. The biggest achievements in my life are my children and grandchildren, but as far as the industry and this association, this is huge!”

To learn more about the SEMA Hall of Fame, visit www.semahof.com.

By Fredy Ramirez

Joel Ayres has a reputation. A shrewd businessman and salesman, he has had a successful aftermarket career for more than 40 years. But his reputation is not hard-as-nails or barbarous. Ayres is known for being one of the nicest guys in the industry.

Those who know Ayres understand why he was perfect for a job offered in 2015: executive director of the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation. The organization provides financial assistance to those in need within the aftermarket industry from problems such as sickness, catastrophe or accident. The foundation is more than 50 years old, yet Ayres became the first to hold that position. And it speaks to the core of who Ayres is: that nice guy.

“My volunteer work started when I was very young,” he explained. “My whole life has been about volunteerism and charity work. It’s been my passion.” He’ll tell you that his father “gave me my business and selling side, and my mother and stepmom gave me my loving, caring and charitable side.” As such, he cofounded the first Big Brothers of Northeastern Indiana and has been a volunteer teacher and had a nearly lifelong involvement with various children’s charities.

His devotion to the industry and community has resulted in many accolades, including the LTAA Hall of Fame, the SBN Athena Award, the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) Jim Borré Lifetime Achievement Award and the SEMA Person of the Year. Still, Ayres feels unworthy of his SEMA Hall of Fame induction.

“I’m still in a cloud,” he confessed. “To think about the legends who are in this—the people I grew up hearing about or people I’ve known—it’s just…wow. I shouldn’t even be here. I’m very honored and very proud. The biggest achievements in my life are my children and grandchildren, but as far as the industry and this association, this is huge!”

To learn more about the SEMA Hall of Fame, visit www.semahof.com.