By Kyle Cheng

Download the February “Industry Indicators Report” available for free at www.sema.org/research.

Where is the U.S. economy heading? The answer to that question isn’t easy or clear.

On some fronts, there’s tremendous strength. The economy added more than 300,000 new jobs in January, despite the government shutdown. This marks the 100th consecutive month of job gains—the longest streak on record. Additionally, there was more industrial production in December than any other month in history.

In other areas, however, there is continued growth but at a slower pace. Vehicle sales were down 5.1% in January from the previous month, and 3% from a year ago. Additionally, consumer sentiment also dropped last month.

The outlook for the next few months remains solid, but uncertainties intensify after that. The potential of a government shutdown intensifies the uncertainty.

To learn more, download the February “Industry Indicators Report”—now available for free at www.sema.org/research.

By Kyle Cheng

Download the February “Industry Indicators Report” available for free at www.sema.org/research.

Where is the U.S. economy heading? The answer to that question isn’t easy or clear.

On some fronts, there’s tremendous strength. The economy added more than 300,000 new jobs in January, despite the government shutdown. This marks the 100th consecutive month of job gains—the longest streak on record. Additionally, there was more industrial production in December than any other month in history.

In other areas, however, there is continued growth but at a slower pace. Vehicle sales were down 5.1% in January from the previous month, and 3% from a year ago. Additionally, consumer sentiment also dropped last month.

The outlook for the next few months remains solid, but uncertainties intensify after that. The potential of a government shutdown intensifies the uncertainty.

To learn more, download the February “Industry Indicators Report”—now available for free at www.sema.org/research.

Just a few weeks ago (January 16), Ford President of Global Markets Jim Farley informed investors that a battery-electric F-150 was in the works. Here are its first exclusive shots.

Although there’s only a single angle (due to where the vehicle was parked), it can be confirmed that this is an F-150 EV (note that this is likely an early test bed for the electric powertrain, and the F-150 EV that comes to market will be significantly different). First, the vehicle is plugged into a charger via a charging port located on the lower front portion of front bumper (this location likely won’t make it to production though). And second, the body of the F-150 clearly sits slightly higher due to the batteries being located underneath the cab. There is an exhaust tip on the back of the truck, but it’s probably just a clever disguise to throw off the untrained eye.

At this point there are no details pertaining to battery power or the size of the battery pack, but Ford is paying close attention to the R1T concept recently released by Rivian, and Tesla’s endless promises of an EV truck.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Just a few weeks ago (January 16), Ford President of Global Markets Jim Farley informed investors that a battery-electric F-150 was in the works. Here are its first exclusive shots.

Although there’s only a single angle (due to where the vehicle was parked), it can be confirmed that this is an F-150 EV (note that this is likely an early test bed for the electric powertrain, and the F-150 EV that comes to market will be significantly different). First, the vehicle is plugged into a charger via a charging port located on the lower front portion of front bumper (this location likely won’t make it to production though). And second, the body of the F-150 clearly sits slightly higher due to the batteries being located underneath the cab. There is an exhaust tip on the back of the truck, but it’s probably just a clever disguise to throw off the untrained eye.

At this point there are no details pertaining to battery power or the size of the battery pack, but Ford is paying close attention to the R1T concept recently released by Rivian, and Tesla’s endless promises of an EV truck.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Just a few weeks ago (January 16), Ford President of Global Markets Jim Farley informed investors that a battery-electric F-150 was in the works. Here are its first exclusive shots.

Although there’s only a single angle (due to where the vehicle was parked), it can be confirmed that this is an F-150 EV (note that this is likely an early test bed for the electric powertrain, and the F-150 EV that comes to market will be significantly different). First, the vehicle is plugged into a charger via a charging port located on the lower front portion of front bumper (this location likely won’t make it to production though). And second, the body of the F-150 clearly sits slightly higher due to the batteries being located underneath the cab. There is an exhaust tip on the back of the truck, but it’s probably just a clever disguise to throw off the untrained eye.

At this point there are no details pertaining to battery power or the size of the battery pack, but Ford is paying close attention to the R1T concept recently released by Rivian, and Tesla’s endless promises of an EV truck.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Just a few weeks ago (January 16), Ford President of Global Markets Jim Farley informed investors that a battery-electric F-150 was in the works. Here are its first exclusive shots.

Although there’s only a single angle (due to where the vehicle was parked), it can be confirmed that this is an F-150 EV (note that this is likely an early test bed for the electric powertrain, and the F-150 EV that comes to market will be significantly different). First, the vehicle is plugged into a charger via a charging port located on the lower front portion of front bumper (this location likely won’t make it to production though). And second, the body of the F-150 clearly sits slightly higher due to the batteries being located underneath the cab. There is an exhaust tip on the back of the truck, but it’s probably just a clever disguise to throw off the untrained eye.

At this point there are no details pertaining to battery power or the size of the battery pack, but Ford is paying close attention to the R1T concept recently released by Rivian, and Tesla’s endless promises of an EV truck.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Just a few weeks ago (January 16), Ford President of Global Markets Jim Farley informed investors that a battery-electric F-150 was in the works. Here are its first exclusive shots.

Although there’s only a single angle (due to where the vehicle was parked), it can be confirmed that this is an F-150 EV (note that this is likely an early test bed for the electric powertrain, and the F-150 EV that comes to market will be significantly different). First, the vehicle is plugged into a charger via a charging port located on the lower front portion of front bumper (this location likely won’t make it to production though). And second, the body of the F-150 clearly sits slightly higher due to the batteries being located underneath the cab. There is an exhaust tip on the back of the truck, but it’s probably just a clever disguise to throw off the untrained eye.

At this point there are no details pertaining to battery power or the size of the battery pack, but Ford is paying close attention to the R1T concept recently released by Rivian, and Tesla’s endless promises of an EV truck.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Just a few weeks ago (January 16), Ford President of Global Markets Jim Farley informed investors that a battery-electric F-150 was in the works. Here are its first exclusive shots.

Although there’s only a single angle (due to where the vehicle was parked), it can be confirmed that this is an F-150 EV (note that this is likely an early test bed for the electric powertrain, and the F-150 EV that comes to market will be significantly different). First, the vehicle is plugged into a charger via a charging port located on the lower front portion of front bumper (this location likely won’t make it to production though). And second, the body of the F-150 clearly sits slightly higher due to the batteries being located underneath the cab. There is an exhaust tip on the back of the truck, but it’s probably just a clever disguise to throw off the untrained eye.

At this point there are no details pertaining to battery power or the size of the battery pack, but Ford is paying close attention to the R1T concept recently released by Rivian, and Tesla’s endless promises of an EV truck.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

During the 2018 SEMA Show, Gene Winfield shares his life stories about his involvement with the automotive industry.

During the 2018 SEMA Show, Gene Winfield shares his life stories about his involvement with the automotive industry.