Required Reading
Sat, 02/01/2020 - 09:48

SEMA News—February 2020

REQUIRED READING

By Juan Torres

A New Experience

The all-new SEMA Overland Experience at the 2019 SEMA Show enabled buyers to see products and vehicles developed specifically for overlanding, a growing adventure travel lifestyle that has taken off in the United States during the past decade. The new exhibition was housed in the Performance Pavilion at the Las Vegas Convention Center and featured dozens of customized vehicles with fully popped-out tents, sunshades outfitted for survival and portable kitchen systems—all displayed alongside exhibitors supporting the overlanding market. As evidenced by the coverage below, the new feature was a big hit.

Expedition PortalExpedition

Scott Brady related his positive experience in the new overlanding feature to the adventure travelers who frequent his articles. His detailed report included extensive photography highlighting the various exhibitors, products, vehicles and panel discussions in the dedicated section.

 
 

Four Wheeler

Four Wheeler

Editor Ken Brubaker compiled 32 photos in a gallery to show readers the popularity of overlanding. He labeled the new exhibition as a great place to get overlanding ideas, calling it “more than just eye candy…it was a complete meal.”

 

TreadTread

The SEMA Overland Experience was among the highlights Kelly Nomura covered in her 2019 SEMA Show recap article. She related how the panel discussions were constantly populated and featured top-notch overlanding experts and key players.

 

 

Heard on Social Media

“Products and vehicles specifically for overlanding will be featured in a new Overland Experience section at this year’s SEMA Show. The dedicated area will be in the Performance Pavilion.”—Auto Care Week/The Greensheet, via Twitter

“Trending: Overlanding takes you off-road and off-ground. SEMA sets up a base camp in Las Vegas to pave the way to unpaved adventure travel.”—ClassicCars.com Journal, via Facebook

“SEMA Overland Experience—You Have To See This Variety.”—Overlander Freaks, via Twitter

“A little Overland @canam Defender PRO action from #sema2019. We are feeling an adventure coming on.”—ATV Escape, via Twitter

Jeff Huneycutt Wins MPMC Robert E. Petersen Award
Thu, 01/30/2020 - 15:42

By SEMA Editors

Jeff HuneycuttJeff Huneycutt

Jeff Huneycutt, owner of Horsepower Monster.com was named the 2020 MPMC Robert E. Petersen Award winner, an honor presented by the council to an influential and supportive journalist.

Horsepower Monster.com is a web-based video magazine devoted to vehicles and performance. The site provides solid tech information, such as complete engine builds and how-to videos, in an easy-to-understand video format.

The award presentation was held during the 2020 MPMC Media Trade Conference. The annual conference connects 100 manufacturers with hundreds of journalists in private, one-on-one interviews.

Other finalists for this year's award included:

  • Karl Fredrickson - Traction Media
  • Joe St. Lawrence - RTM
  • Doug Glad - MotorTrend Group
  • Bobby Bennett - Competition Plus

Learn more about the Media Trade Conference at www.sema.org/mtc. More information about the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council, visit www.sema.org/mpmc.

Jeff Huneycutt Wins MPMC Robert E. Petersen Award
Thu, 01/30/2020 - 15:42

By SEMA Editors

Jeff HuneycuttJeff Huneycutt

Jeff Huneycutt, owner of Horsepower Monster.com was named the 2020 MPMC Robert E. Petersen Award winner, an honor presented by the council to an influential and supportive journalist.

Horsepower Monster.com is a web-based video magazine devoted to vehicles and performance. The site provides solid tech information, such as complete engine builds and how-to videos, in an easy-to-understand video format.

The award presentation was held during the 2020 MPMC Media Trade Conference. The annual conference connects 100 manufacturers with hundreds of journalists in private, one-on-one interviews.

Other finalists for this year's award included:

  • Karl Fredrickson - Traction Media
  • Joe St. Lawrence - RTM
  • Doug Glad - MotorTrend Group
  • Bobby Bennett - Competition Plus

Learn more about the Media Trade Conference at www.sema.org/mtc. More information about the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council, visit www.sema.org/mpmc.

Truck and Off-Road Alliance to Host Happy Hour During King of the Hammers
Thu, 01/30/2020 - 14:20

By Kristopher Porter

TORA
The TORA happy hour is an opportunity for council members to let their peers know what challenges and opportunities they see in the truck and off-road industry.

Meet up with members of the truck and off-road industry for a happy hour at King of the Hammers, Thursday, February 6, from 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m., with free beverages, catered food and engaging conversation on the latest industry trends.

This is an opportunity for members of SEMA’s Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) to let their peers know what challenges and opportunities they see in the truck and off-road industry. By participating, individuals can help determine the focus and direction of the council for the next year and beyond. All employees of TORA-member companies and any truck and off-road industry professionals interested in learning more about SEMA and TORA are invited to attend the event.

Register today for your free ticket.

For more information about TORA or this event, contact Nathan Ridnouer.

Truck and Off-Road Alliance to Host Happy Hour During King of the Hammers
Thu, 01/30/2020 - 14:20

By Kristopher Porter

TORA
The TORA happy hour is an opportunity for council members to let their peers know what challenges and opportunities they see in the truck and off-road industry.

Meet up with members of the truck and off-road industry for a happy hour at King of the Hammers, Thursday, February 6, from 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m., with free beverages, catered food and engaging conversation on the latest industry trends.

This is an opportunity for members of SEMA’s Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) to let their peers know what challenges and opportunities they see in the truck and off-road industry. By participating, individuals can help determine the focus and direction of the council for the next year and beyond. All employees of TORA-member companies and any truck and off-road industry professionals interested in learning more about SEMA and TORA are invited to attend the event.

Register today for your free ticket.

For more information about TORA or this event, contact Nathan Ridnouer.

Truck and Off-Road Alliance to Host Happy Hour During King of the Hammers
Thu, 01/30/2020 - 14:20

By Kristopher Porter

TORA
The TORA happy hour is an opportunity for council members to let their peers know what challenges and opportunities they see in the truck and off-road industry.

Meet up with members of the truck and off-road industry for a happy hour at King of the Hammers, Thursday, February 6, from 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m., with free beverages, catered food and engaging conversation on the latest industry trends.

This is an opportunity for members of SEMA’s Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) to let their peers know what challenges and opportunities they see in the truck and off-road industry. By participating, individuals can help determine the focus and direction of the council for the next year and beyond. All employees of TORA-member companies and any truck and off-road industry professionals interested in learning more about SEMA and TORA are invited to attend the event.

Register today for your free ticket.

For more information about TORA or this event, contact Nathan Ridnouer.

Wheel and Tire Council to Host Open Meeting and Industry Discussion in Southern California
Thu, 01/30/2020 - 14:15

By Kristopher Porter

WTC
The WTC open meeting will feature a live stream with SEMA Washington, D.C., staff to discuss the current state of tariffs, a live demo on the impact of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and planning for the year ahead.

Members of the wheel and tire industry will gather at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, for an industry discussion, Wednesday, February 19, from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

On the agenda is a live stream with SEMA Washington, D.C., staff to discuss the current state of tariffs, a live demo on the impact of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and planning for the year ahead.

This is membership’s opportunity to let SEMA’s Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) know what other challenges and opportunities they see in the wheel and tire industry. By participating in this open meeting, individuals can help determine the focus and direction of the council for the next year and beyond.  

The meeting will include a networking lunch for attendees. All employees of WTC-member companies and any wheel and tire professionals interested in learning more about SEMA and WTC are invited to attend the event.

Register today to save your seat and submit discussion topics.

For more information about WTC or this event, contact SEMA Director of Councils and Networks Bryan Harrison.

Wheel and Tire Council to Host Open Meeting and Industry Discussion in Southern California
Thu, 01/30/2020 - 14:15

By Kristopher Porter

WTC
The WTC open meeting will feature a live stream with SEMA Washington, D.C., staff to discuss the current state of tariffs, a live demo on the impact of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and planning for the year ahead.

Members of the wheel and tire industry will gather at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, for an industry discussion, Wednesday, February 19, from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

On the agenda is a live stream with SEMA Washington, D.C., staff to discuss the current state of tariffs, a live demo on the impact of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and planning for the year ahead.

This is membership’s opportunity to let SEMA’s Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) know what other challenges and opportunities they see in the wheel and tire industry. By participating in this open meeting, individuals can help determine the focus and direction of the council for the next year and beyond.  

The meeting will include a networking lunch for attendees. All employees of WTC-member companies and any wheel and tire professionals interested in learning more about SEMA and WTC are invited to attend the event.

Register today to save your seat and submit discussion topics.

For more information about WTC or this event, contact SEMA Director of Councils and Networks Bryan Harrison.

Wheel and Tire Council to Host Open Meeting and Industry Discussion in Southern California
Thu, 01/30/2020 - 14:15

By Kristopher Porter

WTC
The WTC open meeting will feature a live stream with SEMA Washington, D.C., staff to discuss the current state of tariffs, a live demo on the impact of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and planning for the year ahead.

Members of the wheel and tire industry will gather at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, for an industry discussion, Wednesday, February 19, from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

On the agenda is a live stream with SEMA Washington, D.C., staff to discuss the current state of tariffs, a live demo on the impact of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and planning for the year ahead.

This is membership’s opportunity to let SEMA’s Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) know what other challenges and opportunities they see in the wheel and tire industry. By participating in this open meeting, individuals can help determine the focus and direction of the council for the next year and beyond.  

The meeting will include a networking lunch for attendees. All employees of WTC-member companies and any wheel and tire professionals interested in learning more about SEMA and WTC are invited to attend the event.

Register today to save your seat and submit discussion topics.

For more information about WTC or this event, contact SEMA Director of Councils and Networks Bryan Harrison.

Spy Shots—’21 Bronco Does Its Best Raptor Impersonation
Thu, 01/30/2020 - 13:35

Bronco

While previous sightings of the Ford Bronco made the future off-roader look somewhat tame, this is a beefed-up version of the upcoming ’21 Ford Bronco. This prototype sits higher, features wider front and rear fender flares, and rides on beefier rubber borrowed from the F-150 Raptor (Goodyear Wrangler 315/70R17), and beadlock rims.

These visible features are likely complemented by various other items under the skin that make this a more capable variant of the upcoming Bronco (probably front and rear lockers).

The vehicle looks completely ready to take on the likes of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, meaning it’s the Bronco everyone’s been waiting for.

Bronco

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde