SEMA News—June 2021

RESEARCH

The 2021 “SEMA Vehicle Landscape Report”

New Research to Help You Stay Ahead of a Fast-Changing Vehicle Market

By Mike Imlay

Just about any vehicle can be outfitted with all sorts of aftermarket products. However, with more than 281 million cars and trucks currently on the road in the United States, knowing where the greatest opportunities lay can be challenging. Specialty-equipment businesses will find help in the latest “SEMA Vehicle Landscape Report,” recently released by the SEMA Market Research team. The report examines what’s changing, what categories and vehicle types currently hold the most potential for the aftermarket, and the trends brewing on the horizon.

“There are hundreds of millions of vehicles on the road in the United States, and those cars and trucks are the canvas for our industry and its creativity,” explained SEMA Market Research Director Gavin Knapp. “The focus of this report is to help SEMA members understand what car, truck and other types of vehicle models are selling well, which ones are found most on the road, and which ones therefore offer the most opportunity for our industry.”

“The purpose of this report is also to give our members and the general industry a sense of what vehicles look like right now,” added SEMA Market Research Manager Kyle Cheng, who compiled the report. “We look at key trends, OEM sales, the current makeup of vehicles on the road and so forth. We also build off of original research that we’ve previously done—for example, our annual market report, vehicles-in-operation (VIO) data and future-trends research—to identify what vehicles are really hot for our industry right now, what’s new, and what’s coming down the line.”

The comprehensive report includes sections devoted to a VIO overview; new light-vehicle sales and powertrain projections; the hottest models for specialty-equipment upgrades, modifications and accessories; and the latest vehicle trends and emerging technologies. The report also breaks down trend information by vehicle category, from traditional and sports cars to trucks, SUVs, crossovers and vans. There’s even a section focusing on classics. So what are some key takeaways?

OEM Sales are Recovering

“I’d say one of the one of the takeaways, now that we’re in 2021, is that 2020 was a rough year for a lot of sectors in our economy, and COVID-19 definitely affected new-car sales,” Knapp said. “But, luckily, the impact was not as bad as we would have thought in April 2020, when new-car sales virtually shut down to nothing.

“The year did end in lower sales—down from about 17 million to just above 14 million—but we now see the trend of sales quickly moving back over the next few years toward that 17-million mark that we’ve been running at for the last half decade. In those terms, while there definitely was disruption, it’s pretty short term.”

According to Cheng, the effects of COVID-19 also differed from past recessions in another interesting aspect. In a typical recession, larger vehicles usually take the biggest sales hit as consumers curtail spending and look for less-expensive options. However, the opposite was true during the 2020 downturn: CUVs and pickups kept light-vehicle sales on track.

Trucks Still Dominate the Marketplace

The report notes that pickups did more than buoy OEM sales during the bleak months of 2020. They also continued to command the lion’s share of specialty-equipment sales, accounting for nearly a third of all retail dollars spent in the industry. With overall market sizing estimated at $14.28 billion, they represent the aftermarket’s number-one niche.

“Looking over the last few years, pickup trucks have been a hotspot for our industry and will continue to be hot sellers going forward,” Knapp observed. “In fact, the top-selling models on U.S. roads are all fullsize pickup trucks.”

Among the bigger pickups, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the Ford F-150 stand out as accessorization favorites among consumers. Also topping the aftermarket opportunity list is the Jeep Wrangler, which enthusiasts continue to make one of the most accessorized vehicles on the road today. Top purchases in the truck category include trailer and towing packages; exterior appearance; fender, hood and body upgrades; suspension products; and truck bed liners, among others.

In addition, the category is growing. Among other popular and emerging pickups, the “SEMA Vehicle Landscape Report” cites the Toyota Tacoma, the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon and the Jeep Gladiator as holding special potential for the aftermarket. The Tacoma, the Colorado and the Canyon are all due for redesigns for 2024, with the Tacoma expected to roll out a hybrid version. The buzz around the Gladiator is a plug-in hybrid version on its way for 2022. In the full-electric realm, the Rivian R1T and the GMC Hummer pickup EV are set to debut this year, with the Tesla Cybertruck expected in 2022.

CUVs Are on the Rise

There are currently 54.6 million registered CUVs in the United States, comprising 19% of the nation’s vehicle fleet. By 2028, CUVs are projected to jump to half of all new-vehicle sales. That makes them America’s fastest-growing vehicle segment—and with good reason. Consumers enjoy the combination of efficiency and function that CUVs embody, even if their styling is at times lackluster.

“When the category first started, it leaned more utilitarian and occupied the lower end of the market,” Knapp said. “But now all of the more high-end, premium brands are moving into the market and creating more upscale models. We’re also seeing a lot of companies positioning their crossovers very much as outdoor lifestyle vehicles, even going off-road.”

Virtually every automaker now offers at least one crossover model, meaning that OEM competition is contentious. It’s therefore difficult to cull even a few hot platforms that the aftermarket can latch onto.

Current top sellers include the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, which have historically done well and are expected to maintain their market positions over the next seven years. However, the Nissan Rogue, Chevrolet Equinox and Traverse, and Toyota Highlander remain strong contenders. Also on the “vehicles to watch” list are the Ford Escape, Subaru Forester and Crosstrek, and Mazda CX-5.

“There are some questions about whether our industry is embracing this crossover market,” Knapp said. “It represents a big opportunity, but there are a lot of models out there, so finding out where the specific opportunities are will be one of the more interesting things to watch in our industry over the next few years.”

Because they’re meant to appeal to a broad audience, CUVs have been less enthusiast-focused than other vehicle types. Up to now, their owners haven’t exactly been clamoring for modifications, either. The overall CUV aftermarket is currently valued at $5.90 billion, a share equaling only 13% of specialty-equipment retail sales. A few of the top aftermarket buys include navigation and driver-assistance systems, floor mats and interior appearance items, racks and carriers, and exterior appearance upgrades.

“Most people wouldn’t consider CUVs to be performance vehicles, but what we’ve noticed in our research and data is that there are more sporty CUVs coming out, such as the BMW X-series,” Cheng explained. “A lot of companies are investing in sleeker, more stylish models. If we’re talking electric, even the Ford Mach-E is technically a CUV with the Mustang badge.

“There are 140 CUV models currently on the road. By the time we get to 2028, there will be more than 175 models being offered. In terms of sheer number of availability, compared to every other segment, crossovers will outpace everything.”

According to Knapp, all those trends create somewhat of a challenge for the aftermarket.

“We know that trucks and SUVs are great platforms for our industry,” he said. “There are a lot of things you can do with them, from off-road to utility-type modifications, racks and towing and so forth. So the question becomes, as these buyers move from traditional sedans into the CUVs, which have the shape and potential to function like SUVs, will they treat them that way? Will they think of them as truck-like and accessorize them that way? Or will they continue to just think of them as a differently shaped car that’s purely functional?”

Sports Cars and Classics Are Popular as Ever

Although not as high-volume as other segments, sports cars also command significant enthusiast audiences, making them industry mainstays. In that niche, it should be little surprise that musclecars rank highly.

“If you look at the traditional cars that are still being made, some of the best-
performing of those really are the sports cars and sporty models,” Knapp said. “While we talk a lot about the shift toward trucks in our report, there’s still a great opportunity in our traditional performance and ‘sporty car’ segments as well—especially with the Mustang, Camaro, Charger and Challenger.”

In fact, as OEMs trim their model lines, SEMA forecasts increased aftermarket opportunities for the remaining performance models with iconic histories. Lesser-volume sporty vehicles—notably the Subaru WRX, Porsche 911 and Mazda MX-5 Miata, to name a few—are also expected to carry on as popular platforms for accessorization.

The icons of yesteryear will also endure, although the definition of a “classic vehicle” is changing. SEMA Market Research applies the term to pre-’74 vehicle models, but by anyone’s definition, the classic-enthusiast base is healthy, growing and filled with loyal aftermarket consumers.

Although classic cars and trucks comprise just a 2% share of aftermarket sales, their owners spend significant time and investment on their vehicles. What’s more, they often prefer enthusiast parts and specialized accessories for their restoration or restomod projects.

Speaking of classics, the report also examines the ratio of older versus newer vehicles found in consumer garages. Most of America’s 280-million-plus cars are less than 20 years old, with about 90% being model-year ’00 or newer and 50% being model-year ’11 or newer. After 10 years or so, the number of vehicles for any given model year begins to drop exponentially as scrappage
rates go up.

Nevertheless, changes in ownership over a vehicle’s lifespan drive consumer engagement with the aftermarket. Whether the models are new or used, most car owners upgrade or modify their vehicles within the first few months after a purchase. The more cars change hands, the better the opportunities for accessorization.

Recessions typically spur consumers to hold onto their vehicles, raising used-car values and putting a strain on supply. Again, however, the COVID-19 downturn was a different story. Although used-car values did hit record highs, sales transactions suffered only a slight dip. That bodes well for the aftermarket as the pandemic subsides.

Electrification Is Coming—Eventually

Vehicle electrification, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and vehicle autonomy have become hot-button issues for the specialty-equipment industry. It’s no exaggeration to say that such emerging technologies promise to reshape the aftermarket in unprecedented ways, but how quickly they will do so is an open question. (See “Artificial Intelligence, Electric Vehicles...and Flying Cars?” on p. 162.)

“There’s a lot discussion of a big shift toward electrics in the media, but it’s going to take a long time for the gasoline-powered cars currently on the road to cycle off,” Cheng explained. “It typically takes a decade before vehicles go out of operation, so there will still be a lot of vehicles for our industry to interact with. The traditional cars that enthusiasts like to modify and work on aren’t going away anytime soon.”

Today there are nearly 4 million registered alternative-power vehicles in the United States, accounting for just 1% of vehicles on the road. States with the highest take-up rate for those platforms include California, Florida, Texas, Washington and New York. Among automakers, Tesla is driving most of the segment’s growth, although other automakers are quickly jumping in. SEMA projects that the top models to watch through ’28 will include the Tesla Model Y, Model 3, Model X and Cybertruck; Toyota Prius; Ford Mustang Mach-E; Chevrolet Bolt EV and E-Van; Honda Insight; and Nissan Ariya.

“There are actually some very interesting electric vehicles coming that should grab our industry’s attention, especially the electric pickups,” Knapp said. “A lot of the electrics are also moving away from the econo-box, early-adopter types of cars and really pushing toward the performance space, but frankly, they’re going to be small in number for awhile, with steady growth over time.”

Cheng added that infrastructure, charging times and costs, along with vehicle range, remain hindrances for consumers.

“Right now, electrics are just more expensive,” he said. “The expectation is that their costs will go down as time goes by, to the point where they’re potentially cheaper than internal-combustion cars. We’re just not there yet.”

Neither are we close to fully autonomous vehicles, which the report also delves into with a look at not only the state of current technologies but also consumer attitudes toward a future of driverless cars. ADAS technologies are here, however, and OEMs are deploying them at a rapid rate. Per NHTSA guidelines, all new vehicles now have rearview cameras. Installation rates for such features as collision warning, advanced cruise control, adaptive pedestrian detection and lane-departure alerts are each close to 70% or more.

“Ultimately, this report will help SEMA members understand what vehicles and technologies are out there now or are coming in the near future so they can better choose what products to make or sell,” Knapp concluded. “We have other resources to help members with their decisions, including our member VIO program, which can provide the number of vehicles on the road by specific models and years. We can also help them with new-vehicle model sales numbers as well as other research, so we encourage members to visit our website.”

For more information on ADAS systems and aftermarket opportunity for them, download the “SEMA Advanced Technology Opportunity Report–2017” at www.sema.org/research.

Get the Full Report

To download your copy of the 2021 “SEMA Vehicle Landscape Report,” along with other free SEMA Market Research studies that can help your business, go to www.sema.org/market-research. While there, SEMA members can also access more comprehensive vehicle sales and vehicles-in-operation (VIO) information through SEMA Market Research partnership programs.

SEMA News—June 2021

BUSINESS

PRI Announces the Return of Its Trade Show—and More

Q&A With PRI President Dr. Jamie Meyer on the Show, an Exciting New Membership Program and Racing Advancement

By Mike Imlay

The recent announcement that the PRI Trade Show is set to return to the Indianapolis Convention Center this December 9–11 marks yet another milestone in a busy year for the company. First, Dr. Jamie Meyer was named PRI president in late spring 2020. Shortly after his arrival, the company launched a series of targeted programs to assist racing businesses and operations suddenly impacted by the pandemic. Among them was the PRI Ambassador Program—an aggressive campaign specially created to help racetrack operators navigate local, state and federal rules required to reopen safely.

Then, in October, PRI announced the launch of its Road Tour, an unprecedented cross-country journey that brought a vanload of content creators to the doorsteps of nearly 100 racing and performance shops, teams, tracks and businesses. The result was a more than two-month media blitz that allowed visited companies large and small to tell their stories, reveal new products, and showcase their operations during trying times. The innovative tour was so successful that a 2.0 version is now in the works for 2021.

Meanwhile, with planning for the Indianapolis show moving forward, PRI also introduced a groundbreaking membership program for motorsports professionals designed to further unite the industry on a number of important fronts, including legislative advocacy, business resources, career development, educational opportunities, and cost-savings initiatives. For example, exhibitors at this year’s PRI Trade Show can take advantage of a comprehensive list of benefits that includes discounted booth space, which in most cases covers the cost of PRI membership.

For a deeper perspective on these many developments, SEMA News sat down for a brief Q&A interview with Meyer. The following is a recap, edited for clarity and conciseness.

SEMA News: PRI recently made the major announcement that its annual PRI Trade Show is returning to Indianapolis this year. Would you like to comment on those plans?

Jamie Meyer: Cancelling the show last year was really tough. It was the right decision, but it impacted a lot of companies that use the PRI Show for their main marketing and sales activation for the year. So this year, we’re excited at where Indianapolis stands as far as safety—being able to open up some while keeping people safe.

Indianapolis landed the entire NCAA Men’s Tournament. Some of us were there for the Final Four championship games just to see their safety protocols, including how many folks can come together and still be safe. Keep in mind that a lot of these event venues are exactly where we hold our Show, so that’s impactful. Also, they’ll have hosted some 15,000- to 25,000-attendee trade shows by midyear, which is very relevant to PRI. Plus, the vaccine is certainly expected to help as more people are protected from COVID-19.

In the meantime, organizers of all the trade shows that take place in Indianapolis are also being brought together in a coalition to exchange ideas for keeping everyone safe, so there’s really good momentum in Indy for folks who work in and visit the city. Indy’s marketing arm is also great. They have the same goal we do, which is to bring folks together as safely as possible.

SN: Judging from people in the industry with whom we’ve spoken, the Show was definitely missed last year.

JM: You don’t really know how much you miss something until it’s gone. I’ve been to the last 25 PRI Shows. They’re some of the most memorable times I’ve had. My best friends are at the PRI Trade Show, and some of the best business deals I’ve ever done were at the show. It’s very personal for me. It’s a community of racers from around the world, so folks will be excited to get back together, spend quality time with one another, see product, do business, get new ideas, see new technology, and open their minds. That’s what the show has meant for 32 years.

SN: Obviously, PRI launched the Road Tour as an alternative in 2020. Will it continue as a component of this year’s show?

JM: The Road Tour was a wild success for us. It was put together in a very short time but was a simple concept. Instead of gathering in Indianapolis, we took the PRI Trade Show to industry manufacturers across the country and got great media content from them. People followed it online because they wanted to know what all the other companies were going through and what they were doing. A lot of companies used it to launch new products, which was exactly the intention.

For 2021, we’ll bring the Road Tour back and start earlier in the summer so we can get to the races and do some great racing coverage. We have the best content creators in the world—DriveLine Studios, with Justin Cesler and his team. There are a lot of smaller communities in racing, but they all like to see what’s happening on national and international levels. We’ll share our race coverage and the many stories found throughout our industry and build a lot of momentum going into the PRI Trade Show.

SN: Another announcement is PRI’s new membership program—a big change. Can you discuss the program’s goals and why you launched it?

JM: The PRI membership proposal came two years ago from the PRI task force put together by [then-SEMA Chairman of the Board] Wade Kawasaki. The task force came up with multiple ways to improve the racing industry, and a membership program to bring the racing community together was among the top priorities. It took a couple of years to execute, but I was thrilled when we broke the news in March. There has been great support from the SEMA Board of Directors under Chairman Tim Martin and the PRI Advisory Committee, whose chairman is Chris Douglas.

The goal is to really bring the community of racers together for the common good of racing. It’s not going to surprise anyone that there are a lot of threats to the racing industry right now. We saw some economic threats during the pandemic, and PRI launched multiple programs to help the tracks and manufacturers, but now we’ve got government regulations coming around again. We have Environmental Protection Agency agents visiting manufacturers of race products, and we have a nervous racing industry. Racers, small local tuners and engine builders are concerned that a knock on their door could shut them down. So advocacy and education are primary membership goals.

SN: We understand that membership will also carry other benefits.

JM: Yes, we’re going to treat it like any other good membership program, with benefits in the form of discounts for the PRI Trade Show and the advertising opportunities we offer. We’ll help with other discounts as well, such as insurance rates for small-business owners or finding discounts on fuel and travel to help these folks get to the races. That said, education, legal support and advocacy to engage elected officials will be the primary benefits right out of the gate.

SN: And you’ll be offering several forms of membership, correct?

JM: Yes, and this is the exciting part. We’ll start with those racing businesses that will be PRI Trade Show exhibitors, because we already have that relationship. We’ll get them signed for the show with membership and a 10% discount on booth space. We have a lot of companies excited to join and do the right thing to support their industry.

Next, we’ll extend membership to any other racing business that isn’t an exhibitor at PRI. We have 65,000 folks who come to the Show. A lot of them are small-business owners who don’t display, but they come to see the manufacturers. For example, there are race teams that are well funded, or engine builders who don’t need to display but who want to see the latest technology.

Around July 2021, we’re also going to offer the first-ever individual membership for the racing industry. That means racers, fans and anyone who wants to enjoy and protect this lifestyle will have an organization to join so that when you want to go racing or build a race car, the opportunity is there to do it.

SN: At this point, SEMA News readers will probably be interested in whether their SEMA membership accesses any PRI programs.

JM: At the suggestion of the PRI advisory committee, we’ll extend a two-year complimentary membership to SEMA members, so they can sign up for free and become a PRI business member. You must be a paying PRI member to get the PRI Show discount, which I hope everyone will understand. We’ve always had some overlap with our exhibitors and SEMA companies at the PRI Show, but now every SEMA member can also be a PRI member.

SN: We also see that PRI is launching a Founding Member option. Can you share a few details about that?

JM: We have different pricing for a Business Membership that ranges from $295 to $995 a year, but we also wanted to offer a higher membership level that recognizes those companies that are dedicated to the racing industry. The Founding Membership is a $25,000 commitment payable over 10 years. You get all the benefits of a Business Membership, but we’re also developing a Founding-Member network to connect these industry leaders so they can get to know each other. Then I’ll be doing special events at PRI just for Founding Members, and there will be several other surprises along the way for those who want to be at the highest level of commitment to the racing industry.

Ultimately, this is about gaining maximum impact for our industry in those certain halls of Washington, D.C.— buildings that make a lot of the decisions affecting us. This is a way for people to raise their hands and say, “I want to do something to help my industry.”

SN: Along with advocacy, you emphasized education. What do you plan to offer members in that area?

JM: We have several levels of education in mind. We’ll continue to leverage the experts who already exist in our industry to share all their knowledge. We do that really well at the PRI Trade Show with a full three days of educational programing. In 2020, we livestreamed our education because it was an unusual year. We’re going to expand that for our members. We’ll offer programs online quarterly.

We’re also reaching out to higher-learning institutions with specific programs for racing-industry people. Imagine a shop owner who is really good at working on cars and has already developed a business but still may want to pick up some mechanical engineering classes nights and weekends. Those are the types of things we’d like to offer. And then there are those business courses for subjects such as accounting and marketing, or possibly higher degrees in engineering or business. We want to find schools that can offer that. As race cars get smarter, so will we.

SN: Earlier, you alluded to the different legal issues that racing businesses may face. How can PRI help with those?

JM: Our members will have access to the free PRI hotline for short, generalized questions regarding legal topics. The hotline is designed for general information and education that could help resolve simple issues or identify the need for legal counsel.

I have to point out that it is advisory only, does not constitute legal advice, and doesn’t convey attorney-client privilege. Still, it’s a benefit that we believe members may find useful, and we hope they will familiarize themselves with all
its details.

SN: We’ve covered a lot of ground here. Would you like to offer any final
comments?

JM: Just to say that our new membership program is the first of it’s kind. There’s never been anything like this for the racing community, ever. This is a chance for circle track, drag racing, drifting, tractor pull—whatever your flavor—to come together and realize that if one member of the racing community faces a problem today, it could be your problem tomorrow. We want to address that through education, advocacy and many other types of initiatives here at PRI.

Connecting With PRI

To learn more about all the latest PRI Trade Show developments, visit
www.performanceracing.com.

You’ll not only find direct links for the PRI Trade Show, the Business Membership program and the PRI Road Tour, but also many other performance-racing resources.

SEMA News—June 2021

International

OEMs Vie for India Market Share

Off-Roading Growth Drives Competition in Pickup and SUV Segments

By Linda Spencer

The Rainforest Challenge (RFC) India will be held again this year in July 2021 following a hiatus last year due to COVID-19. The Indian edition of the series, which began in 2014, is a grueling seven-day off-roading event for professional drivers.

The RFC started in Malaysia and is also held in Italy, Russia, the Balkans, Poland, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand, Tunisia, China and Australia. There are also numerous sportsman-class events throughout India organized by local clubs such as those run by Jeep enthusiasts, including the Western Wanderers, the Bangalore Jeep Club and the Club Himalayan Devils.

Local tire manufacturer Apollo Tyres created Bad Road Buddies to organize off-road events, and Indian car manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra brought together enthusiast clubs in 2019 from around India for the third Thar Fest in Kochi, celebrating the off-roading attributes of the Mahindra Thar.

SEMA News spoke with Ashish Gupta from Cougar Motorsports, the organizer of RFC India based in New Delhi. We talked about the event as well as off-roading more broadly in the country of 1.3 billion. We first discussed the local enthusiasts’ vehicles of choice.

“The Suzuki Gypsy [Samurai in other markets] and the Mahindra Thar are the preferred vehicles to use for extreme off-road customization” Gupta explained.

For more casual off-road excursions, enthusiasts may choose the Mitsubishi Pajero, Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour and Isuzu V-Cross. Gupta noted that there are also some premium SUVs, including models from the Jeep and Land Rover stables as well as a few Polaris ATVs and RZRs, but he noted that the numbers of those vehicles were much smaller.

Sportsman off-roading events, typically sponsored by local clubs, are growing across India.

“The southern state of Kerala has numerous off-roading clubs and enthusiasts with perhaps the highest number of 4x4 vehicles per capita, but off-roading is popular all across the country, with clubs in almost all major states and large cities,” Gupta said. “The national capital region [which includes Delhi and its suburbs] as well as the Union Territory of Chandigarh in the north have a number of active off-roaders as well.”

Pickups have never been big sellers in India as lifestyle vehicles, and the choices to date have been slim. Only the D-Max V-Cross and Tata Xenon have been available in the market, but that may be changing. The Ford Ranger and sportier Ford Ranger Raptor have both been spotted being tested in India recently.

It’s been reported separately that Toyota is considering assembling the HiLux in India, and the Ford Ranger and Ranger Raptor are expected to be imported into India. The D-Max V-Cross is locally manufactured at Isuzu’s newly opened manufacturing plant at Sri City in Andhra Pradesh, India. However, Gupta is skeptical that pickups will become big sellers.

“Isuzu entered this segment aggressively a few years ago with the D-Max V-Cross,” he said. “However, those vehicles have not been as popular as elsewhere in Southeast Asia and America. They are not perceived as lifestyle vehicles [also not as “premium”] as in other markets.”

He also noted that regulations prohibit the use of a privately registered vehicle to be used to carry commercial goods, so they cannot be “dual-use.” They are also almost as expensive as the regular SUVs that provide much more ride comfort for a family as well as secure trunk storage. Driving conditions and parking space in crowded cities is also a deterrent.

Still, a new law in India allows vehicle manufacturers to import up to 2,500 units of a vehicle without the need for homologation. Manufacturers therefore have a low-cost way to try out new brands. That will allow the OEMs to try to win over Indian motorists to their vehicles and undergo the required homologation only if the results (and sales) warrant it.

We asked Gupta about the possibility of the new pickups taking part in the RFC.

“We are open to starting a pickup category in the Rainforest Challenge with separate special stages for the vehicles, subject to getting a sizeable number of entries,” he responded. “They will not be able to compete in the common category with other vehicles.”

Certain products, such as rollcages, are often made in India.

“Product availability has improved significantly in line with the growth of the sport and especially since the Rainforest Challenge was launched in India,”
Gupta said.

Products such as winches and suspension products are typically imported and provide an ongoing opportunity for U.S. suppliers.

“Competition winches, performance axles, suspension parts and tires are imported,” he said, and he noted that Warn has been a past sponsor of the RFC. Distribution in India is typically through small non-stocking shops due to high inventory costs and somewhat limited sales.

The Jeep Wrangler is being built and sold in India but faces stiff competition from the cheaper lookalike Mahindra Thar. Gupta doesn’t believe that the iconic vehicle will be a best seller due to purchase and maintenance costs.

“For example, the Jeep Wrangler and Land Rover Defender are very, very expensive [starting in the range of $100,000 USD],” Gupta explained. “Even those who buy them rarely put them to off-road use because the costs of spares and service are high as well. Jeep has launched the locally assembled Wrangler and cut prices, but by a mere $15,000 USD.”

Car manufacturer Stellantis is more optimistic, despite currently having a market share estimated at less than 1% of the market, which is dominated by local makes. The vehicle manufacturer announced in January of this year that it is investing $250 million in India over the next two years. That is on top of a $450 million investment over the past four years.

Stellantis plans to fulfill the domestic demand for the latest Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Cherokee at its plant in Ranjangaon, Western India (a joint venture with Tata), by the end of 2022.

For more information on SEMA’s international programs and resources, visit www.sema.org/international.

SEMA News—June 2021

BUSINESS

2021 Hot-Rod Market Trends

A Flagship Market Evolves for the Next Generation

By Douglas McColloch

The automotive aftermarket has evolved through the years—sometimes gradually, other times suddenly—in response to changes in consumer preferences and advances in technology. Through all the permutations, Hot Rod Alley at the SEMA Show has remained a steady industry focal point—a showcase for the aftermarket’s legacy innovators and their latest parts and projects. First popularized during the postwar years by a handful of shade-tree fabricators, the hot-rod marketplace has grown in the decades since into a global industry comprising thousands of companies that constitute a $1.26-billion market sector, according to the most recent survey from the Hot Rod Industry Alliance.

The vehicle platforms most sought-after by builders have likewise evolved due to recent events that changed the face of hot rodding. In particular, the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association revised its show eligibility criteria in 2018 to include vehicle makes and models up to the ’87 model year. Nowadays, you’ll find ’60s, ’70s and even ’80s musclecars and light-duty pickups standing side by side with ’30s Fords and Chevy Tri-Fives at rod and custom shows around the United States. That development in turn spurred production of new parts for those platforms, and trucks and musclecars are now generally considered to be the hottest-trending players in the hot-rod marketplace.

Like other enthusiast market segments, hot rodding faces a number of challenges in the coming years while also presenting opportunities for future growth. For this article, we contacted some two dozen industry insiders representing manufacturers, fabricators, racers, retailers and media. What follows is a compilation of their insights.

The State of the Industry: Healthy Despite Headwinds

Overall, our panel of experts felt that the marketplace remained robust, but they also acknowledged the business challenges posed over the past 12 months by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The market in its current state is strong and growing,” said Jeffrey Major, president of BedWood and Parts. “Like most markets, however, it is searching for solutions to the various challenges and opportunities created by COVID-19.”

John McLeod, owner of Classic Instruments, concurred: “I believe we have a strong current state, with some new uncertain situations about the future of events. Many manufacturers and retailers have learned a lot of new ways to conduct business and have found many alternative methods.”

Trevor Hobson, sales manager at CVF Racing, elaborated on that theme.

“Our market is currently very strong,” he said. “While the pandemic we’ve all dealt with over the last 12 months definitely brought about its fair share of challenges, it also brought about some unique opportunities. People working from home suddenly found more time to spend working on their cars rather than commuting in their cars, which in turn brought about orders for new parts.”

David Hays, owner of Hot Rod Innovations, likewise made the connection: “With some of the shows people would normally be attending being cancelled or postponed, people seem more inclined to get out in the garage and work on their rides.”

Andrew Ebel, COO of the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, remarked on the resiliency of an industry faced with daunting logistical challenges and the need to rapidly adapt to them.

“It’s inspiring to see how so many companies have risen to the occasion to meet and overcome the complex demands that have been placed on them over the past year,” he said. “I believe everyone in our industry has learned some valuable lessons over the past 12 months, which will only make us stronger as we continue to evolve as a community.”

What’s Trending: Classic Trucks and New Tech

Among our group of experts, the overwhelming consensus was that the biggest drivers of market-development growth today are pickups and computer-enabled technologies—most notably, e-commerce and social media.

“We have seen a huge uptick in our truck parts sales,” Hays said. “I’m sure it is no secret that the truck market has really surged over the last few years.”

Major concurred: “The current trend we see continues to be a strong demand for products made for classic haulers and late-model pickups alike. It’s all about trucks, trucks and more trucks.”

Jai Baek, marketing and creative director for United Pacific Parts, saw new OE truck developments such as the Ford Bronco driving growth, as well as the relative availability and affordability of trucks compared to other classic makes and models.

“The new Bronco is helping restoration parts make a big comeback,” he said. “The availability of the C10 makes it easy to convert an old truck to brand-new with aftermarket parts, whereas bodies for Mustangs, Camaros and Model Ts are harder to find.”

Among new developments in the market, the industry-wide shift to trucks and SUVs and the adoption of new technology are probably the most significant, said Tom Scarpello, founder and CEO of Revology Cars. He added that “there is a lot of discussion around electric vehicles (EVs) in our segment, but we have not yet seen any indication of significant consumer interest.”

More specifically, Ebel saw “tremendous signs of growth in the GM G-body and OBS truck genres.

“These genres tend to be more widely available and affordable and are typically favored by a slightly younger and more diverse enthusiast group that as a whole are still in the earlier stages of their hobby—which means that they are super excited and ready to cruise but may not be ready to take on a restoration or build,” he said.

New technology for old iron still remains a strong seller as well.

“People want to replace old parts with the newest technology, from LED lights to the newest steel bodies,” Baek said, and Hobson noted the continued popularity of his company’s LS-engine drive systems.

New Media: Essential Lockdown Marketing Tools

While shelter-in-place orders and remote working opportunities gave many enthusiasts additional time to work on their projects, those developments also pointed out the need for aftermarket companies to stay in touch with their most loyal customers via the internet.

“The continued expansion of digital marketing is allowing new companies and brands to gain disproportionate awareness relative to their spending levels, ultimately leading to greater specialization and fragmentation within the industry,” Scarpello said.

Ebel noted that e-commerce and learning how to harness the power of online consumers have been hugely important for years, but it was what set some companies apart from their competitors in 2020 and what will continue to be a cornerstone of growth for the industry moving forward.

“While it can be costly for companies to effectively navigate the world of e-commerce and digital marketing, it’s an absolute must in today’s marketplace,” he said. “The companies that embrace and implement the technology best will be at the head of the pack in the coming years.”

Baek concurred, observing that “the rapid growth of social media and the ability to search products online changed the landscape of business. Prior to COVID-19, we knew that social media could play a larger part in the hot-rod industry, so we were always making marketing content for our parts and e-commerce on a regular basis, but when COVID-19 hit, it was like a tsunami. Everyone was watching video and content on an iPhone. We were racing to create content for social media and writing data for e-commerce at a much faster pace.”

Baek said that anyone with resources and money can manufacture products, but unique content marketing will stand out from the crowd.

“Branding goes beyond just the logo, print or graphic,” he said. “You need to create a story that makes a memorable impression on consumers and, at the same time, allows your customers and clients to know what to expect from your company.”

To succeed in the digital marketplace, Baek advised companies to embrace
technology.

“Hot-rod customers and enthusiasts want your product information available 24/7,” he said. “Technology platforms like social media and Google search give an opportunity to engage with your customers. Having stunning classic content or how-to videos offers an opportunity to grow your brand.”

Challenges and Opportunities

Nearly all of our experts agreed that the biggest challenge facing the industry in the short term has been the convulsive influence of COVID-19 upon the existing business model and the need to adapt to changes in consumer shopping habits and unforeseen market conditions.

“Obviously and overwhelmingly, COVID-19 has been our biggest challenge and hurdle over the past year,” Ebel said. “While it severely impacted our revenues and partnerships, it also forced us to introduce new and innovative revenue platforms and challenged us to implement new technologies that will improve our overall value to our partners.”

“The most promising opportunities for growth are going to be for gaining back efficiencies lost due to the pandemic,” Hobson said, “whether that is figuring out a new way to do things or some adaptation of the way that things used to be done.”

Another issue related to the pandemic that was mentioned by more than one of our sources was the challenge of global supply-chain disruptions.

“The biggest challenges are going to be related to the supply chain and employees,” Hobson said. “Some items are still in short supply, which drives up costs and makes expanding quite difficult. Parcel companies are also feeling the strain, and we’ve all been hit with higher costs and additional lead times, which isn’t conducive to growth.”

McLeod agreed that supply problems and raw goods are the challenge for most all companies.

“Certain areas have been hit harder than others, and if your goods come from those areas, the trickle down starts,” he said. “Again, we are finding new ways to do business, though I personally believe that face-to-face business and shaking a person’s hand is still the best way.”

A more longstanding challenge facing the hot-rod market has been the difficulty in devising an effective outreach strategy to attract a new generation of builders and enthusiasts.

“It’s hard to find a new demographic of hot-rod enthusiasts,” Baek explained. “We know that there are younger generations out there who are showing interest, but they seem to have less interest in the process. That doesn’t mean they don’t have an appreciation for vintage cars. They love attending shows with friends and family, but they don’t want to spend countless hours polishing and building cars.”

Still, as COVID-19 vaccinations continue to roll out during the spring and the economy continues to gain steam, our experts’ outlook on the future was uniformly bright.

“It is all positive,” McLeod said. “We will see shows starting to open, events starting to run again. Our industry will recover and do fine. I truly believe that we will see a bunch of new customers and rekindled passions.”

Hays elaborated: “I look for the sport to have a huge uptick in activity. Sometimes it takes having what feels like something being taken away for us to fully appreciate it.”

“We are bullish on the outlook for FY21, assuming the supply chain is able to fully recover early in the year,” Scarpello said. “If so, it will be another record year for us.”

Ebel summed it up: “If we keep our feet on the gas, there are going to be lots of good times ahead.”

Hot-Rod Industry Resources

Hot Rod Industry Alliance: The SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance works to ensure the future prosperity of the hot-rod industry and to advance and promote awareness of the hobby. To learn more about how your business can become involved and benefit from the community, visit www.sema.org/hria.

SEMA Action Network: The SEMA Action Network (SAN) is a nationwide partnership between vehicle clubs, enthusiasts and members of the specialty auto parts industry who want to protect their hobby. Founded in 1997, the SAN was designed to help stamp out legislative threats to the automotive hobby and pass favorable laws. To learn more and join, visit www.semasan.com.

SEMA News—June 2021

HOT ROD ALLEY NEW PRODUCTS

By Douglas McColloch

2021 Hot-Rod New Products Guide

The Latest Speed and Styling Parts From SEMA360 2020

What builders refer to nowadays as the “hot-rod” marketplace has evolved immensely over the last couple of decades with the inclusion of later-model muscle cars and OBD-II-compatible onboard technologies. Nowadays, a stroll around the floor of just about any custom-car show will reveal build ideas that would have seemed inconceivable a couple of generations ago. Would your grandfather have ever envisioned a pony car that ran on battery power only, or a Bluetooth-enabled square-body truck? Welcome to the 21st century.

One thing that has remained a constant from hot rodding’s inception, however, has been the passion that enthusiasts bring to their hobby. That passion is on full display throughout the year at SEMA-sponsored programs such as Battle of the Builders (BOTB) and Young Guns, and it’s a passion that could not be dimmed in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even with the SEMA Show migrating entirely online, BOTB 2020 still generated hundreds of aspirants looking to claim the title of America’s best builder at SEMA360 last November.

As the automotive aftermarket has gradually gone digital, so too has the hot-rod aftermarket, and whatever technologies builders require to graft onto and into their projects, an evolving hot-rod aftermarket can meet their particular needs. What follows is a survey of related products from the SEMA360 New Products Showcase, along with some insights from a number of industry leaders.

 

Aero Detail Products
Flight Four-in-One Compound With Sio2

 

Aero Shield Flight progressive four-in-one is a three-step compound combined with SiO2. When matched with the right pad, this four-in-one can remove moderate scratches and swirl marks while providing a deep, rich finish. The added SiO2 brings paint a deeper gloss and an advanced level of UV, scratch and fade protection lasting up to six months.

800-337-9274
www.aerodetailproducts.com
PN: 6942

 

Aeromotive Fuel Systems
Phantom Series ’05–’17 GM Truck Direct Drop-In

 

The ’05–’17 models used a larger factory fuel-sending unit than the earlier ’99–’04 models. The larger size allows for more pump configurations than the earlier models. These tanks will accommodate single 340, dual 340, single 450, dual 450 and triple 450 pump configurations. This will support 490–3,900 hp on both gas and E85.

913-647-7300
www.aeromotiveinc.com
PN: 18358

 

Aldan American
’61–’62 Ford T-Bird Front Coil-Over Kit

 

’61–’62 Ford T-Bird Front Coil-Over Kit

310-834-7478
www.aldanamerican.com

 

American Autowire
Highway 15 Plus Universal Wiring System

The Highway 15 Plus is the improved version of American Autowire’s popular Highway 15 wiring system. It is a 15-circuit modular wiring system that can handle any power demands users might throw at it. Headlight/dimmer/ignition switches, full-color instructions, a six-gauge alternator feed and an LED flasher are all included.

822-482-9473
www.americanautowire.com
PN: 510825

 

AutoMeter
Direct-Fit Gauge Kits

Outfit a classic musclecar or truck with AutoMeter direct-fit gauge kits that provide a custom-performance instrument solution without the custom-fab price. These easy-to-install kits include an iconic set of AutoMeter gauges and all the necessary hardware for mounting and installation.

815-895-8141
www.autometer.com
PN: 550 NEW MODELS AVAILABLE

 

BluePrint Engines
Builder-Series GM-Style Big-Block 632 Assembled Engine and Transmission Package With Billet Front Accessory Drive

Offering GM, Ford and Chrysler offerings for hot rods or musclecars, BluePrint Engines offers everything from basic engines up through fully assembled engine and transmission packages. Every engine is dyno tested and includes a 30-month, 50,000-mi. warranty.

800-483-4263
www.blueprintengines.com
PN: B632FKB4L8X

 

Bilstein Shock Absorbers
ASM Series

 

ASM Series Shock Absorbers are designed to provide next-level performance for the restomod and Pro-Touring market. With a variety of damper lengths to fit most popular applications, the shocks combine great street-worthy ride quality with top-level motorsports handling characteristics. Available in non-, single- and double-adjustable configurations.

858-386-5900
www.bilstein.com
PN: 33-315232

“The pandemic we have all dealt with over the last 12 months has definitely brought about its fair share of challenges, but it also brought about some unique opportunities. People working from home suddenly found more time to spend working on their cars rather than commuting in their cars, which in turn brought about orders for new parts. Not being able to attend things like concerts or sporting events or even being able to go out to eat brought about renewed interest in cruising, which in turn spurred customers to spend some money in freshening their old cars.”—Trevor Hobson, Sales Manager, CVF Racing

 

BluePrint Engines
Builder-Series Ford-Style 427 Assembled Engine and Transmission Package With Billet Front Accessory Drive

Offering GM, Ford and Chrysler packages for hot rods or musclecars, BluePrint Engines offers everything from basic engines up through fully assembled engine and transmission packages. Every engine is dyno tested and includes a 30-month, 50,000-mi. warranty.

800-483-4263
www.blueprintengines.com
PN: BF427FKTKOC

 

BluePrint Engines
Builder-Series GM-Style LS 427 Assembled Engine and Transmission Package With Billet Front Accessory Drive

Offering GM, Ford and Chrysler packages for hot rods or musclecars, BluePrint Engines offers everything from basic engines up through fully assembled engine and transmission packages. Every engine is dyno tested and includes a 30-month, 50,000-mi. warranty.

800-483-4263
www.blueprintengines.com
PN: BLS427KBT56

 

 

BluePrint Engines
Builder-Series Chrysler-Style Small-Block 408 Assembled Engine and Transmission Package With Billet Front Accessory Drive

Offering GM, Ford and Chrysler packages for hot rods or musclecars, BluePrint Engines offers everything from basic engines up through fully assembled engine and transmission packages. Every engine is dyno tested and includes a 30-month, 50,000-mi. warranty.

800-483-4263
www.blueprintengines.com
PN: BC408KB727

 

BluePrint Engines
Builder-Series GM-Style Small-Block 427 Assembled Engine and Transmission Package With Billet Front Accessory Drive

Offering GM, Ford and Chrysler packages for hot rods or musclecars, BluePrint Engines offers everything from basic engines up through fully assembled engine and transmission packages. Every engine is dyno tested and includes a 30-month, 50,000-mi. warranty.

800-483-4263
www.blueprintengines.com
PN: B427KTKO

 

BOOSTane, Octane Engineering
BOOSTane Professional

BOOSTane Professional is a world leader in race-fuel alternatives. Said to be the only additive in the industry that has the ability to transform 93-octane pump fuel to as high as a 116-octane race-fuel equivalent. Committed to delivering race-fuel performance without the hassle or cost of buying and transporting race fuel. Unchain from the drum.

855-GETS-110
www.boostane.com
PN: OCT32PRO

 

BOOSTane, Octane Engineering
BOOSTane Premium

BOOSTane Premium is designed to raise regular pump fuel (93 or 91 octane) to as high as an effective 102-octane race-fuel equivalent (or 100 if starting with 91). Perfect for applications that have poor fuel quality, high temperatures and only 91-octane available, and/or performance vehicles with bolt-on components.

855-GETS-110
www.boostane.com
PN: OCT16PRE

 

BOOSTANE, Octane Engineering
BOOSTane Shot

BOOSTane Shot simplifies real octane boosting. The 4-oz. bottled Shot formulation enables a customer to increase octane three full numbers in a 16-gal. tank of gas and two full numbers for 21 gal. Said to be perfect for classic cars or American muscle needing added octane and protection.

855-GETS-110
www.boostane.com
PN: OCT04SHOT10

 

CFR Performance
Black Pearl/Black Chrome Edition Dress-Up Kit

This new steel, black pearl/black chrome edition brings back an old-school favorite, maintaining the richness of chrome and black together.

909-947-7888
www.cfrperformance.com
PN: HZ-4399-BC-KIT

 

CFR Performance
Round-Style Finned Ignition Coil Cover

This round, aluminum, finned-canister ignition coil cover matches the right finned valve covers and air cleaner. This item comes in polished and black, copper and chrome. (Ignition coil not included.)

909-947-7888
www.cfrperformance.com
PN: HZ-2045

 

CFR Performance
Limited-Edition Copper-Series Dress-Up Kit

This new limited-edition aluminum copper series gives a brilliant and unique copper shine with a clearcoat sealant that protects against all elements, maintaining shine for years to come.

909-947-7888
www.cfrperformance.com
PN: HZ-4499-COP-KIT

 

CFR Performance
Square-Style Aluminum Finned Ignition Coil Cover

This aluminum finned ignition coil cover is for the TFI square style. It will give a dressed-up engine compartment the final touch. Comes in polished and black, copper and chrome, and it also includes hardware. (Ignition coil not included.)

909-947-7888
www.cfrperformance.com
PN: HZ-2040

 

CFR Performance
17-in. Finned Coolant Tank

The aluminum universal 17-in. finned radiator overflow tank will fit right in with the rest of a vehicle’s finned dress-up parts. Comes in silver or black; hardware included.

909-947-7888
www.cfrperformance.com
PN: HZ-0517

 

Classic Instruments
’66–’67 Chevy Nova Direct-Fit Gauge Set

Classic Instruments says that its ’66–’67 Nova direct-fit cluster is the perfect upgrade for a Nova. Features six gauges placed cleanly into the confines of the factory bezel without ruining the stock look. The cluster is all electric, so drivetrain swaps are not a problem. Comes completely assembled and includes all the sending units needed for installation.

800-575-0461
www.classicinstruments.com
PN: NO66XX

CFR Performance
LS Steel Fabricated Oil Pan With Oil Filter Adapter

Built with a thicker steel rail and a 6-in.-deep durable fabricated steel sump, it features a billet-aluminum adapter that allows an OEM oil filter to be mounted in the stock location. It also features a 1/4-in. oil port that can be used for turbo applications. Hardware and gasket are included.

909-947-7888
www.cfrperformance.com
PN: HZ-9736-KIT

 

Classic Instruments
’47–’53 Chevy GMC Direct-Fit Gauge Set

Classic Instruments’ new ’47–’53 GM truck gauges bring a retro look back into the trucks while maintaining gauges that function with today’s technology. Each set includes a quad gauge, fuel, oil, temp and volt gauges all in one, and either a standard speedometer or a Speetachular.

800-575-0461
www.classicinstruments.com
PN: CT47XX

 

CFR Performance
Aluminum Sparkplug Wire Boot Heat-Shield Protector

These LS/LT engine sparkplug wire boot protectors will keep sparkplugs from touching the exhaust manifold. They offer maximum protection from conductive and radiant heat and vibration resistance and are compatible with a wide range of makes and models. Available in silver, black, blue and red.

909-947-7888
www.cfrperformance.com
PN: CFR-3700

“One of the benefits we have seen as a parts manufacturer is that people seem more inclined to get out in the garage and work on their rides as some of the shows people would normally be attending were cancelled or postponed. On a more specific note, we’ve seen a huge uptick in our truck parts sales. It’s no secret that the truck market has really surged over the last few years. As time moves on and we put this whole dark period behind us, I look for the sport to have a huge uptick in activity, because I think we all have a newfound appreciation for it. Sometimes it takes having what feels like something being taken away from us for us to fully appreciate it.”
—David Hays, Owner, Hot Rod Innovations

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CVF Racing
SBC Wraptor Serpentine System Roots-Style Supercharger

Designed and engineered around today’s popular roots-style supercharger drives, taking all the guesswork and fabrication away. Configured in alternator only, alternator plus power steering, alternator plus air conditioning, and alternator plus power steering plus air conditioning. Available in polished, C3 ceramic clear, stealth black anodized or black diamond finishes.

651-356-8593
www.cvfracing.com
PN: 350SC-WRAPTOR-AC

52086_1.jpg

CVF Racing
Big-Block Chevy High-Mount Beast Serpentine System

Available in alternator only, alternator plus power steering, and alternator plus power steering plus air conditioning configurations for long water pumps. Unique eight-rib design increases grip, reduces stretch and prevents belt slip when compared to traditional six-rib designs. High-mount alternator bracket for tighter spaces. Available in polished or black.

651-356-8593
www.cvfracing.com
PN: 454-SERPENTINE-AC-L

CVF Racing
LS Driver’s-Side Low-Mount Billet Alternator Bracket

This alternator bracket relocates a factory-style alternator to the lower driver side in the normal power steering location. Great for roadster-type builds that don’t use power steering or in performance applications where power steering is deleted to make room for performance adders such as superchargers or turbos.

651-356-8593
www.cvfracing.com
PN: LSX-ALTBRKT-LD

 

CVF Racing
LS Wraptor Serpentine System Standard (Clockwise) Rotation

Recommended for use with Edelbrock 8895. Configured in alternator only, alternator plus power steering, alternator plus air conditioning, and alternator plus power steering plus air conditioning. Available with polished, C3 ceramic clear, stealth black anodized or black diamond finished pulleys.

651-356-8593
www.cvfracing.com
PN: LSXH-WRAPTOR-AC-SR

 

CVF Racing
’67–’72 Chevy/GMC C10 Six-Axis Billet Hood Hinges

These new billet hood hinges from CVF are packed with features such as a patent-pending six-axis adjustment, which affords the installer the ability to adjust hood gaps without having to remove the hood—a feature found only at CVF. Available in polished, C3 ceramic, black anodized and black diamond finishes.

651-356-8593
www.cvfracing.com
PN: HOOD-HINGE-KIT-72CK-SS

CVF Racing
’73–’79 Chevy C10 Six-Axis Billet Hood Hinges

Designed for ’73–’79 Chevy/GMC C10 pickups. Packed with features such as a patent-pending six-axis adjustment, which affords the installer the ability to adjust hood gaps without having to remove the hood—
a feature found only at CVF. Available in polished, C3 ceramic, black anodized and black diamond finishes.

651-356-8593
www.cvfracing.com
PN: HOOD-HINGE-KIT-80C10-SS

CVF Racing
’70–’81 Camaro/Firebird Six-Axis Billet Hood Hinges

Designed for ’70–’81 Camaro/Firebird, these new billet hood hinges from CVF are packed with features such as a patent-pending six-axis adjustment, which affords the installer the ability to adjust hood gaps without having to remove the hood—a feature found only at CVF. Available in polished, C3 ceramic, black anodized and black diamond finishes.

651-356-8593
www.cvfracing.com
PN: HOOD-HINGE-KIT-81C-SS

CVF Racing
’68–’72 Chevelle/El Caminos Six-Axis Billet Hood Hinges

Designed for ’68–’72 Chevelles/El Caminos. Packed with features such as a patent-pending six-axis adjustment, which affords the installer the ability to adjust hood gaps without having to remove the hood—a feature found only at CVF. Available in polished, C3 ceramic, black anodized and black diamond finishes.

651-356-8593
www.cvfracing.com
PN: HOOD-HINGE-KIT-67CE-SS

“COVID-19 has affected all companies in some ways, but it really depends on where in the country you live and where you do most of your business. We all learned how to operate with employees working from home and how to have meetings online. What is so amazing about our industry is that we all come together and help each other. At the end of the day, we are not making things that people must have—we are in the ‘want’ business, and we all need to remember that. The health of our employees, dealers, customers and their families must come first.”—John McLeod, Owner, Classic Instruments

CVF Racing
Universal Power Steering Line Kits

Available in two different configurations (integrated and remote reservoir) and two different finishes (stainless and black). Kits include trim-to-fit hoses and actual fittings versus drop-in bushings. Works with GM Type II and Saginaw P-series pumps for most popular-model steering gears for classic cars.

651-356-8593
www.cvfracing.com
PN: PS-LINE-KIT

 

CVF Racing
LS Billet Brackets for Factory-Style Accessories

 

Replace worn-out-looking LS accessory brackets with these precision CNC-machined brackets made in the USA. Re-use existing R4 compressor or update to a peanut-style compressor. Use the existing alternator and power steering pump with new billet brackets or delete power steering and put an alternator in its place.

651-356-8593
www.cvfracing.com
PN: LSX-PSBRKT-R4

 

CVF Racing
LS Wraptor Serpentine System Mid-Mount Roots-Style Supercharger

Narrow configuration geared more toward older roadster-style builds. Available in alternator only, alternator plus power steering, alternator plus air conditioning, and alternator plus power steering plus air conditioning. Choose polished, C3 ceramic, black anodized or black diamond finishes.

651-356-8593
www.cvfracing.com
PN: LSXMBS-WRAPTOR-AC

 

CVF Racing
LS Wraptor Serpentine System Wide-Mount Roots-Style Supercharger

Configured in alternator only, alternator plus power steering, alternator plus air conditioning, and alternator plus power steering plus air conditioning. Available in polished, C3 ceramic clear, stealth black anodized or black diamond finishes.

651-356-8593
www.cvfracing.com
PN: LSXWBS-WRAPTOR-AC

“The Specially Produced Motor Vehicle program has the potential to drive growth for new replica automobiles. We feel that the primary challenges are safety and emissions—specifically, how small companies developing niche products for small markets can address the high cost of compliance and remain viable. But we are bullish on the outlook for FY21, assuming the supply chain is able to fully recover early in the year. If so, it will be another record year for us.”—Tom Scarpello, Founder and CEO, Revology Cars

 

CVF Racing
LS Wraptor Serpentine System Standard (Clockwise) Rotation

Recommended for use with Edelbrock 8895. Configured in alternator only, alternator plus power steering, alternator plus air conditioning, and alternator plus power steering plus air conditioning. Available with polished, C3 ceramic clear, stealth black anodized or black diamond finished pulleys.

651-356-8593
www.cvfracing.com
PN: LSXH-WRAPTOR-AC-SR

 

CVF Racing
Gen III Hemi Wraptor Serpentine System

 

Designed for Gen III Hemi 5.7, 6.1 and 6.4 MOPAR Hemis either with or without VVT. Available in alternator only, alternator plus power steering, alternator plus air conditioning, and alternator plus power steering plus air conditioning. Choose from polished, C3 ceramic, black anodized or black diamond finishes.

651-356-8593
www.cvfracing.com
PN: 434-WRAPTOR-AC

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CVF Racing
Carbon Fiber Wraptor Serpentine Systems

Select CVF Wraptor serpentine systems are now available with carbon-fiber inlayed accents. Available in alternator only, alternator plus power steering, alternator plus air conditioning, and alternator plus power steering plus air conditioning configurations. Carbon-fiber systems for SBC, BBC, LS, LT, SBF, 351C and BB MOPAR.

651-356-8593
www.cvfracing.com
PN: CF-350-WRAPTOR-AC

 

CVF Racing
Patriot Wraptor Serpentine Systems

This system features a hydro-dipped and cleared patriotic-themed main bracket. Configured in alternator only, alternator plus power steering, alternator plus air conditioning, and alternator plus power steering plus air conditioning. Available with polished, C3 ceramic clear, stealth black anodized or black diamond finished pulleys.

651-356-8593
www.cvfracing.com
PN: PAT-350-WRAPTOR-AC

 

CVF Racing
Small-Block Chevy High-Mount Beast Serpentine System

 

Available in alternator only, alternator plus power steering and alternator plus power steering plus air conditioning configurations for long water pumps. Unique eight-rib design increases grip, reduces stretch and prevents belt slip when compared to traditional six-rib designs. High-mount alternator bracket for tighter spaces. Available in polished or black.

651-356-8593
www.cvfracing.com
PN: 350-SERPENTINE-AC-L

 

CVF Racing
LT4 Wraptor Mid-Mount Serpentine System

 

Converts included LS water pump to LT blocks to incorporate CVF LS-based Wraptor serpentine system. Comes in alternator only, alternator plus power steering, alternator plus air conditioning, and alternator plus power steering plus air conditioning configurations. Available in polished, C3 ceramic clear, stealth black anodized and black diamond finishes.

651-356-8593
www.cvfracing.com
PN: LT4M-WRAPTOR-AC

 

CVF Racing
Small-Block Ford High-Mount Beast Serpentine System

Available in alternator only and alternator plus power steering configurations. Unique eight-rib design increases grip, reduces stretching and prevents belt slippage when compared to traditional six-rib designs. Solves many clearance issues commonly found in Cobra replicas, MG Midgets and Jeep Wranglers. Polished finish only.

651-356-8593
www.cvfracing.com
PN: 302-SERPENTINE-PSH

 

DashLogic
SensorTap IAT/Baro Relocation Module

The SensorTap relocation module allows relocation of the IAT and/or Baro sensors on GM vehicles with a four-wire MAF. Users can move their IAT further down the air tract for better accuracy when using water/meth injection or put it within the manifold for supercharged applications. Blow-through boosted setups can break out the Baro sensor as well.

801-709-6300
www.dashlogic.com
PN: STB75CL

 

Design Engineering Inc.
Leather-Look Interior/Headliner Material

Universal headliner/interior material is said to be perfect for headliners, door panels or package trays. Made with black perforated leather-look vinyl laminated to an open-cell 1/8-in. foam backing. Comes in a 54x79-in. sheet. Great for any custom interior project.

440-930-7940
www.designengineering.com
PN: 50029

 

Dyme PSI
Rattlesnake Hose Design Toolkit

The Rattlesnake toolkit is an easy-to-use system to help users design, order and receive a crimped, fully tested, high-performance hose assembly. No catalogs, no mistakes, no leftovers and no stress. Dyme PSI provides a complete range of replicas of its hoses and fittings so that users can prototype exactly what they need and Dyme PSI then sends the real part. Easy.

909-267-8742
www.dymepsi.com
PN: RSTK10

 

FiTech Fuel Injection
Go Fuel Double Pump 1,600hp Fuel Cell Module

The Go Fuel Double Pump is a high-horsepower pump module that retrofits into 12-bolt-flange fuel cells. They feature dual 340-lph, high-pressure, E85-compatible fuel pumps to support engines with up to 1,600 hp when running gasoline. The module offers -8 AN fittings for feed and return as well as independent power terminals.

951-340-2624
www.fitechefi.com
PN: 50020

 

Ercolina-CML USA Inc.
HB60 Hot Shot

Ercolina’s HB60 Hot Shot bender is said to be ideal for producing tight-radius, consistent-quality bends in pipe, tube, squares, solids and other profiles. Mild-steel tube capacity: 21/2 in. Hybrid hydraulic gear-driven rotary draw bend action bends to CLR as small as 2-D. Bend to 180 degrees in seconds with patented ergonomic function—no
ratcheting or repositioning.

563-391-7700
www.ercolina-usa.com
PN: HB60

 

FiTech Fuel Injection
Go Shift AODe/4R70W

FiTech’s offers a new Go-Shift electronic transmission control for Ford AODe and 4R70w transmissions. If users plan to upgrade a transmission to an electronic overdrive version, they will need a controller to unleash the adjustability of shift points, shift firmness and torque converter lockup. It also comes preprogrammed straight out of the box.

951-340-2624
www.fitechefi.com
PN: 20011

 

FiTech Fuel Injection
Nemesis EFI 4500

Introducing the Nemesis by FiTech, the next level in throttle-body fuel injection systems with a 4500 flange and interchangeable and tunable annular discharge rings. Get the best in air flow and drivability with the Nemesis. Featuring dual TPS, dual IAC motors, -8AN fuel inlets and more for ultimate control on engines up to 1,600 hp.

951-340-2624
www.fitechefi.com
PN: 30070

 

FiTech Fuel Injection
Ultimate LS 1,000 hp

The next level up in the Ultimate LS line is 1,000 hp. Now including 80-lb. injectors to unleash more horsepower support to an LS. All 1,000hp kits include dual oxygen sensors and a fuel-pressure regulator standard. Available for LS1, LS3 and LS7 and similar engines, with or without transmission control for 4L60e and 4L80e.

951-340-2624
www.fitechefi.com
PN: 70030

 

FiTech Fuel Injection
Retro LS Port Injection

The retro LS port-injection system bridges the gap between port injection and carburetor looks on an LS engine. Providing a realistic carburetor-style throttle body with the benefits of sequential fuel injection, the kit includes an intake, fuel rails, injectors, a throttle body, an ECU, a harness, sensors and more. Throttle bodies are available in both black and gold.

951-340-2624
www.fitechefi.com
PN: 37002

 

FiTech Fuel Injection
Force Fuel Mini

The all-new FiTech Force Fuel Mini system makes the upgrade to fuel injection easier than ever. The Force Fuel Mini is more compact for more versatile mounting on framerails and tight spaces. It simply connects to a stock mechanical or electric fuel pump and then supplies the EFI system with high pressure through the use of an internal 340-lph pump.

951-340-2624
www.fitechefi.com
PN: 50006

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FiTech Fuel Injection
GM LT1 Standalone EFI System

 

Bring an old GM TPI-controlled engine (L98, LB9) to modern times. FiTech offers a new GM TPI standalone EFI system. This kit plugs into all existing sensors on a GM TPI engine and provides complete control of the engine. From timing control to self-learning fueling, this kit brings new lift into your GM TPI engine.

951-340-2624
www.fitechefi.com
PN: 38350

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FiTech Fuel Injection
Go Fuel Regulated With Fill Cap

 

The Go Fuel regulated pump module will retrofit into a 12-bolt-flange fuel cell. It features a 340-lph, high-pressure, E85-compatible fuel pump and is pre-regulated to 58 psi to support engines with up to 800 hp when running gasoline. The module offers -6 AN fittings for feed and return.

951-340-2624
www.fitechefi.com
PN: 50019

 

Ford Motor Co.
7.3 Crate Engine

Features: 7.3L displacement; 107.2mm bore and 101.0mm stroke. Cast-iron block; aluminum cylinder heads; 55.13mm intake valve diameter; 42.53mm exhaust valve diameter; 13.67mm/15.26mm lift (intake/exhaust); cam-in-block OHV design with variable cam timing; 430 hp at 5,500 rpm. More features and information on the
website.

313-269-8853
www.performanceparts.ford.com
PN: M-6007-73

 

FRI Exhibits/Flaming River Industries
The Contender

The Contender features hand-stitched Italian leather and polished billet-aluminum spokes. This steering wheel comes complete with a nine-bolt adapter and a billet horn button. This 14.5-in.-diameter dished wheel design fits seamlessly to a Flaming River tilt column for an elegant addition to any musclecar or custom interior.

800-648-8022
www.flamingriver.com
PN: FR20174KT

 

FRI Exhibits/Flaming River Industries
Microsteer Electric Power Steering With Speed Sensor

Kit includes wire harness, waterproof ECU and potentiometer in the event the user prefers manual control. The Microsteer provides electric power assist to a manual system for driving comfort. Ideal for
custom and classic vehicles.

800-648-8022
www.flamingriver.com
PN: FR40200KT

 

FRI Exhibits/Flaming River Industries
’79–’86 Jeep CJ-Series Floor Shift Key Column in Black Powdercoat Finish

New direct-fit tilt column for the ’79–’86 Jeep CJ series with an integrated ignition key in the column located in the stock location. No welded-on attachments or extra relays. Made in the U.S.A.

800-648-8022
www.flamingriver.com
PN: FR30019

 

FRI Exhibits/Flaming River Industries
Great Lakes Steering Wheel

A nostalgia roadster-style steering wheel features hand-stitched, Italian leather and polished-aluminum spokes to accent a roadster’s interior. This three-bolt steering wheel design is now available with a functioning horn button. Designed for use with a roadster column or use Flaming River’s three-bolt adapter FR33304 to use on a Flaming River tilt column.

800-648-8022
www.flamingriver.com
PN: FR20175BK

 

KW Suspensions/ST Suspensions/Belltech
Variant 5 High-Performance Four-Way Adjustable Coil-Overs

The first four-way, mass-production performance coil-over system. The Variant 5 features solid-piston technology, including four-way adjustability with high- and low-speed compression and rebound, making it the only damper of its kind to feature all five features, according to the company.

800-445-3767
www.kwsuspensions.com
PN: 30961032

 

Gliptone Car Care Products
Rubber Dressing RTU

Rubber Dressing RTU is a ready-to-use, premium, sprayable, non-silicone polymer blend dressing designed for use on automobile interiors and exterior tires and rims. This formula uses the latest technology to restore and provide a rich, lustrous gloss and lasting protection without the use of silicone. Non-staining formula easily wipes off.

631-285-7250
www.gliptone.com
PN: GT33201

 

Leed Brakes
’55–’68 Fullsize Chevrolet Rear Drum-to-Disc Brake Conversion Kit

 

As a direct bolt-on to a stock ’55–’68 fullsize Chevrolet axle, this kit features 11.25-in. rotors and single-piston calipers with a built-in parking brake. This kit is an excellent complement to the company’s front disc-brake conversion kits and many aftermarket brake products.

716-852-2139
www.leedbrakes.com
PN: RC1007

 

Leed Brakes
’64–’66 Mustang Power Brake Upgrade for Manual Transmission Cars

Add power brakes and a dual-bowl master cylinder to a ’64–’66 manual transmission Mustang. This kit works with the stock strut tower, export brace and stock clutch linkage, with no modifications to either. Works great with factory or aftermarket disc-brake systems.

716-852-2139
www.leedbrakes.com
PN: FC0042HK

 

Leed Brakes
’64–’66 Mustang Power Disc Brakes for Manual Transmission Cars

Add power disc brakes to a ’64–’66 manual transmission Mustang. This kit works with the stock strut tower, export brace and stock clutch linkage, with no modifications to either. The kit includes factory-style four-piston disc brakes, a power brake booster, a master cylinder and installation hardware.

716-852-2139
www.leedbrakes.com
PN: FC0001-H405M

 

Leed Brakes
C-Body MOPAR Power Booster Upgrade for Factory Power Cars

Need a new power brake booster for a C-body MOPAR? Leed Brakes has developed a new power brake booster to replace the old, worn-out factory power booster. This 8-in., dual-diaphragm booster is available for disc-brake and drum-brake vehicles. Available in standard zinc finish, or upgrade to brilliant chrome finish on disc-brake cars.

716-852-2139
www.leedbrakes.com
PN: PBKT2003-1

 

Leed Brakes
Fullsize Classic Ford Power Brake Upgrade for Factory Power-Brake Cars

Leed Brakes has developed a new power brake booster to replace the old, worn-out factory power booster. This 8-in., dual-diaphragm booster is available for disc-brake and drum-brake vehicles. Upgrade single-bowl master cylinder cars to dual-bowl master cylinders.

716-852-2139
www.leedbrakes.com
PN: FC0050HK

 

Leed Brakes
Fullsize Classic Ford Power Disc Brakes for Factory Power Cars

Upgrade a factory power drum-brake car to a power disc-brake car. Included in this kit is a complete four-piston disc brake kit
to work with most 14x7 and larger wheels. Also included is a power brake booster and master cylinder to replace the stock
power-brake setup.

716-852-2139
www.leedbrakes.com
PN: FC0025-P307

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Leed Brakes
MOPAR Power Disc Brake Master Cylinder Kit

Upgrade a factory power drum-brake car to a disc-brake master cylinder that works with most aftermarket disc-brake systems. Included in this kit is a 11/32-in.-bore master cylinder with a factory four-bolt mounting flange. The user also receives an adjustable proportioning valve and brake lines to fit most ’64–’74 MOPAR A-, B-, C- and E-body cars.

716-852-2139
www.leedbrakes.com
PN: FC2005HK

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Leed Brakes
MOPAR Disc Brake Kits for Factory Power-Brake Cars

 

Easily upgrade MOPAR A-, B-, C- and E-body cars to disc brakes while retaining the stock power-brake booster. Kits include a complete four-piston disc-brake conversion kit for factory MOPAR drum-brake wheels, a power disc-brake master cylinder and an easy-to-install brake line kit. Upgrade to powdercoated calipers and MaxGrip rotors for added performance and looks.

716-852-2139
www.leedbrakes.com

 

Leed Brakes
MOPAR Power Dual-Bowl Master Upgrade for Drum Brakes

The kit includes a power brake booster that will mount to any ’64–’74 MOPAR manual brake firewall, a dual-bowl master cylinder, a proportioning block, and a hydraulic brake-light switch for easy installation with improved performance and safety.

716-852-2139
www.leedbrakes.com
PN: FC2003HK

 

Mentor Performance Parts
Hood Hinges

Color: silver, black. Material: high-quality aluminum. Application: ’67–’69 Camaro. Placement on vehicle: right side and left side. Process: CNC machined. Description: Hood hinges are sold in pairs and come complete with nitrogen gas struts and all necessary mounting hardware.

+86-574-87913131
www.mentorparts.com
PN: MP-HGHD02

 

PerTronix
Patriot Exhaust Electronic Cutouts

Out for a cruise or out on the track, Patriot exhaust electronic cutouts provide complete control over exhaust sound, and users can do it all with a wireless remote that features a simple two-wire hookup. Uses 304 stainless-steel construction. No welding required for installation. Leak-free design, compact size, and available in 21/2- or 3-in. diameter.

909-599-5955
www.pertronixbrands.com

 

Michigan Vehicle Solutions
Daytona Challenger Superbird Conversion Kit

734-720-7649
www.mivehiclesolutions.com

 

Specialty Auto Parts/Proform
Shark-Gray Small-Block Valve Covers

Want something different under the hood this season? Try Chevrolet Performance’s latest finish: shark gray. Sleek and sophisticated would be a good way to describe this new look that’ll definitely give an engine some pop. Look for matching components such as air cleaners and wing nuts.

586-774-2500
www.proformparts.com
PN: 141-881

 

Specialty Auto Parts/Proform
Shark-Gray Small-Block Timing Chain Covers

Got a black engine block and want to give it a little bit of contrast? Chevrolet Performance’s new shark-gray finish is the perfect complement for an engine. Sleek and sophisticated, this look will definitely garner attention at the next car show. Fits small-block Chevy Gen 1 V8 engines.

586-774-2500
www.proformparts.com
PN: 141-883

 

Specialty Auto Parts/Proform
Omega-MOPAR Emblem Slant-Edge Air Cleaners

A truly amazing air cleaner like no other. Huge emblem, amazing finish, and an innovative design that doesn’t use a traditional center nut.

586-774-2500
www.proformparts.com
PN: 440-833

 

Specialty Auto Parts/Proform
Shark-Gray Stamped-Steel Air Cleaners

Chevrolet’s classic-style 14-in. air cleaner is now available in shark gray, the newest Chevrolet Performance finish. Sleek and sophisticated would be a good way to describe this glossy gray finish. The kit includes a genuine AC Delco filter, a drop base tray, mounting hardware, and a beautiful large Bowtie center nut.

586-774-2500
www.proformparts.com
PN: 141-882

 

Specialty Auto Parts/Proform
Omega-MOPAR Emblem Aluminum Shaft-Mount Roller Rockers

Less friction for more performance is the driving reason to consider these aluminum roller rockers. They feature bronze bushings and a slick, self-oiling system via the shaft. Shafts and aluminum spacers are included with these small-block (LA engines) rockers. MOPAR emblem is etched into each rocker arm.

586-774-2500
www.proformparts.com
PN: 440-869

 

Specialty Auto Parts/Proform
Deluxe Omega M Air Cleaner Center Nuts

There are air-cleaner nuts, and then there are air-cleaner wing nuts. The floating MOPAR omega emblem is so slick that it’ll really give an air cleaner some pop it never had before. Beautifully machined edges give this small item a big presence.

586-774-2500
www.proformparts.com
PN: 440-339

 

Specialty Auto Parts/Proform
MOPAR-Emblem 110-amp Alternators

Get the vintage look with a great new finish and the convenience of one-wire hookup technology. Plus, a few extra amps never hurt. This alternator can generate up to 110 amps at high rpm—so enjoy the loud music.

586-774-2500
www.proformparts.com
PN: 440-473

 

Speed Wiring Products LLC
Pre-Wired Bulkhead Connector Kit

919-300-5070
www.speedwiringproducts.com

 

Speed Wiring Products LLC
Fan Control Module

919-300-5070
www.speedwiringproducts.com

 

Speed Wiring Products LLC
Pre-Wired Connector Assembly

919-300-5070
www.speedwiringproducts.com

 

Speedway Motors
Ford 9-in. Rearend

This 9-in. housing comes with an axle flange designed to fit ’30s through ’40s Ford backing plates and a custom axle offset specifically designed for Buick finned brake drums or early Ford iron drums. The axle housing is pumpkin-centered, offsetting the pinion yoke about 1 in. This is done to make fabricating a triangulated four-link system much easier.

800-979-0122
www.speedwaymotors.com
PN: 91046154

 

Speedway Motors
LS Swap Radiator Hose Adapter

This adapter makes quick work of several LS-swap radiator hose issues with one simple piece. It features one 1.25-in. end to match the water pump outlet, one 1.5-in. end to match the upper radiator inlet, an integrated streamlined 1/4-in. 90-degree hose barb fitting for the steam line, and a black finish to blend in with radiator hoses.

800-979-0122
www.speedwaymotors.com
PN: 91717629

 

Speedway Motors
Side Detent Shifter

For GM Turbo-Hydramatic 200, 250, 350 and 400 floor mount with single 1-in. hole for cable. Bolt-on lever stub accepts the two-bolt manual lever of the user’s choice (not included). Positive detents ensure that users won’t overrun second gear. Reverse lockout detent. Integrated neutral safety and backup-light switches.

800-979-0122
www.speedwaymotors.com
PN: 9165000

 

Speedway Motors
Custom Driveshaft Assembly

The assembly is built with 3-in. OD 1020 DOM tubing with a .083-in. wall thickness for strength. Available in 16–58-in. in 1/2-in. increments to fit most builds and built to withstand up to but not exceeding 600 hp. Simply select the front yoke requirement and then select the required front and rear U-joints. Finally, select the length required.

800-979-0122
www.speedwaymotors.com
PN: 910383

 

Speedway Motors
Double-Hump Head

Step back in time with a modern reproduction of the iconic Chevy 461 double-hump cylinder heads, now cast in lightweight
aluminum. This all-new cylinder head casting is a modern take with all the old-school looks users desire out of a reproduction
camel-hump head.

800-979-0122
www.speedwaymotors.com
PN: 9103782462

 

Speedway Motors
Universal Stainless-Steel Dual Exhaust

These exhaust bend kits include enough tubing to allow users to run their own exhaust system the way they want it. Each pipe is expanded on one end to allow easy installation (clamps sold separately). Natural, uncoated finish. Four 48-in. straight pipes, four 90-degree pipes, four 45-degree pipes, and four 180-degree U-bends.

800-979-0122
www.speedwaymotors.com
PN: 91013834

 

Speedway Motors
Chevy to Chevy Bellhousing

Chevy engine bolt patterns. Laser-cut, CNC-finished flange for a perfect fit. Bolt pattern for Muncie/Saginaw transmissions as well as early Chevy-pattern T5, machined for pivot ball. Provision for clutch fork would need to be cut by end user. Non-SFI rated, must be used with a 153-tooth or smaller flexplate/flywheel. Made in the U.S.A.

800-979-0122
www.speedwaymotors.com
PN: 91027000

 

Speedway Motors
G-Comp C10

Upgrade a ’60–’72 1/2-ton 2WD C10 to performance suspension with this simple, bolt-in rear conversion kit from Speedway Motors. What makes this kit stand out above the rest is that it allows the user to add the adjustability of coil-overs and
tunable pivot locations while replacing unsafe rusted factory arms.

800-979-0122
www.speedwaymotors.com
PN: 9166072

 

Stainless Headers Manufacturing Inc.
Pontiac 400/455 D-Port Turbo Log Manifolds

 

An ideal solution to any packaging concerns. Made of .120-wall, U.S.-made 304 stainless-steel tube, these modular log manifolds can handle the heat and vibrations that come from a turbocharged engine. The D-ports utilize a divider wall to assist in anti-reversion and maintain flow.

800-290-3920
www.stainlessheaders.com
PN: SHM-MTH-PONT-455D

 

Speedway Motors
Ford 9-in. Differential Third Members

These third-member units are built to last with high-quality hardware and components. Tapered steel roller bearings minimize friction to better handle thrust loads and increase load-carrying capacity. The ring gears are assembled with Grade-9 bolts with a tensile strength of 180,000 psi, which is a 15% increase over Grade-8 hardware.

800-979-0122
www.speedwaymotors.com
PN: 91049345

 

Stainless Headers Manufacturing Inc.
Lightweight Aluminum Race Mufflers

Made of U.S.-sourced 6061 aluminum and are TIG-welded for optimal performance. Performance proven and made to withstand
the most extreme conditions. Packed with stainless-steel scrubble and TIG-welded, these U.S.-made aluminum race mufflers are said to be the ultimate in performance and quality.

800-290-3920
www.stainlessheaders.com
PN: SHM-3-12-6061

 

Stainless Headers Manufacturing Inc.
Oval Aluminum Exhaust

These U.S.-made 6061 exhaust kits are hand-fabricated and TIG-welded. The company offers mandrel bends, oval tubing, bullet mufflers and more in its exclusive aluminum oval exhaust kit. Said to be perfect for high-performance, low-weight racing applications. Engineered to perform stronger, fit better, weigh less and outdrive the competition.

800-290-3920
www.stainlessheaders.com
PN: SHM-OCK-6061

 

Stainless Headers Manufacturing Inc.
Complete-in-a-Weekend Turbo Header Systems

Complete bolt-in turbo system. Headers, turbos, sensors, intercooler, charge piping, tune, injectors and more. Everything is included. Includes detailed installation instructions and play-by-play videos or images. Stainless Headers Manufacturing says that the complete kit is able to be done in a weekend.

800-290-3920
www.stainlessheaders.com
PN: SHM-WTK-4523A-1-A

 

Superformance
Aluminum Daytona Coupe

The Shelby Daytona Coupe was designed by Peter Brock, this Daytona Coupe pays tribute to the coupe that won the World Manufacturers Championship for grand touring race cars. Supplied with a Shelby MCO and a Shelby CSX number.

800-297-6253
www.superformance.com/factory-models/daytona-coupe
PN: CSX9XXX

 

Superformance
MKIII R

Introducing the Superformance MKIII-R. It’s a bold and aggressive look with the addition of integrated scalloped fenders and hood. Black mesh side and fender vents also add aero to the overall grittier appearance. The MKIII-R also comes with a beefy rear diffuser and a body-contour-matching front splitter.

800-297-6253
www.superformance.com/factory-models/mkiii-r
PN: MKIII R SP0XXXX

 

Superformance
Electric MKIII

With the need to become greener while not limiting speed, this Superformance MKIII electric-powered vehicle does not disappoint. With impressive acceleration in this lightweight body, users will not miss a gasoline engine. Stay tuned for more information and statistics. Reserve an electric MKIII today. Between $150,000 and $200,000.

800-297-6253
www.superformance.com/factory-models-mkiii
PN: SPE0XXX

 

Switch Electric Vehicles
Electric Vehicle Conversion Training

Switch Electric Vehicles has been teaching individuals, automotive professionals and teachers how to convert cars from fossil fuels to electric for more than a decade. The program is available to all SEMA participants. Be sure to ask about the Switch Electric Vehicles partner program.

707-829-5746
www.switchvehicles.com/workshops
PN: SL/EV-5day

 

Switch Electric Vehicles
The Switch Chassis

Get on board, the Switch EV is a gas. Fast, nimble, rugged, the Switch is like no other EV on the market, and users can build it and customize it themselves. Start an EV business or just get the neighborhood talking.

707-829-5746
www.switchvehicles.com/retail
PN: SL/PM-96

 

Vintage Air Inc.
Front Runner for the LT1 and LS

New Front Runner accessory drive. A356-T6 USA cast housing incorporates accessory mounting provisions. Compact design with side and bottom heater fitting ports. Low-profile housing provides throttle-body clearance without a wedge spacer. Includes billet cartridge water pump, balancer, pulleys, compressor, 170-amp alternator and power-steering pump.

800-862-6658
www.vintageair.com
PN: 175037

 

Vintage Air Inc.
Billet Control Panel For ’66–’67 Chevrolet Novas/Chevy IIs

Bolt-in billet control panel for ’66–’67 Chevy II/Nova Gen IV systems. Features variable blower speed, mode and temperature control with LED backlighting and A/C indicator. 6061-T6 billet-aluminum panels available in machined or black anodized finish. Control panel kit includes mounting hardware and a complete wiring harness.

800-862-6658
www.vintageair.com
PN: 473271

 

Vintage Air Inc.
Gen IV SureFit for ’73–’79 Ford F-Series and ’78–’79 Bronco

Bolt-in electronically controlled complete heat/cool/defrost system for ’73–’79 Ford F-Series and ’78–’79 Bronco. Features variable blower speed, air delivery and temperature control with included new in-dash LED backlit control panel. Available for V8 or six-cylinder vehicles and original factory A/C and non-A/C models.

800-862-6658
www.vintageair.com
PN: 954160

 

Vintage Air Inc.
Billet Control Panel for ’64–’66 Chevrolet C10 Pickups

New bolt-in billet control panel for ’64–’66 Chevrolet C10 Gen IV systems. Features variable blower speed, mode and temperature control with LED backlighting and A/C indicator. Machined from 6061-T6 aluminum. Available in chrome or matte-black anodized finish. Control panel kit includes mounting hardware and a complete wiring harness.

800-862-6658
www.vintageair.com
PN: 473275

SEMA News—June 2021

EVENTS

The In-Person SEMA Show Is Back!

SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso Talks Show Plans, a New Hall and the Excitement to Come

By Mike Imlay

With just five months to go, SEMA is on track to again deliver an exciting in-person SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), November 2–5. In addition, the LVCC’s newly constructed West Hall will ensure ample space for new Show features and enhancements.

The hall was completed in January amid the COVID-19 shutdown and boasts 1.4 million sq. ft., which SEMA announced will now encompass exhibitors from the Restyling & Car Care Accessories, Powersports & Utility Vehicles, and Truck, SUV & Off-Road sections.

The realignment is one element in a comprehensive plan to optimize the attendee experience and connect exhibitors and buyers with engaging and interactive features throughout the four-day trade event. Details about additional resources—including a new online component that focuses on manufacturers, new products, feature vehicles and educational opportunities—were still being finalized as of this writing. However, Show organizers promised a series of exciting announcements set for the weeks leading up to the Show.

For a look at all the planning, along with hints at what’s to come, SEMA News turned to SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso. The following are highlights of our Q&A discussion, edited for clarity and conciseness.

SEMA News: This past spring, SEMA announced the return of the live SEMA Show for 2021. With registration well underway, how are plans shaping up?

Tom Gattuso: There is a lot of industry excitement—and certainly we’re excited—that the in-person SEMA Show is returning to the LVCC this November. There have been a lot of positive developments with both the city and the convention center that are making this possible. The state of Nevada and the city of Las Vegas are on course for a safe return of live events beginning in June. Their plans have support from the tradeshow and other industries, and we’re all working together to ensure that SEMA Show participants have a successful event in a safe and robust business environment come November.

SN: SEMA also announced that the Show footprint is expanding into the LVCC’s new West Hall. How will that impact the Show?

TG: The West Hall was a big announcement. We’re looking forward to deploying our industry Show throughout the entire LVCC campus, including the brand-new hall, which was part of a 1.4-million-sq.-ft. construction project. We’re thrilled, because the expansion will make our Show easier for exhibitors and attendees to experience. Plus, we’ll be able to showcase the industry in new and even more exciting ways this year. We can also plan for wider aisles and increased traffic flow so that people can move about more efficiently as they experience more than 2,000 world-class aftermarket companies in our new environment.

It’s also a great step for our future. The West Hall will now hold the Restyling & Car Care Accessories, Powersports & Utility Vehicles, and Truck, SUV & Off-Road sections. The Collision Repair & Refinish and Tools & Equipment sections will move from the North Hall into the Upper South Hall. The Lower South Hall mainstays, the TIA Global Tire Expo and our Wheel & Tire Accessories section as well as Racing & Performance, Hot Rod Alley and the Restoration Marketplace will remain in their traditional positions, but we’ll now have new adjacent overflow space allowing those sections to grow into the future.

SN: What do you think the return of the SEMA Show means for the industry?

TG: It’s interesting, because the industry has been doing well in many respects, so we’re excited to promote that resilience found in the aftermarket. In the 54-year history of the SEMA Show, we’ve never canceled an event until the situation that emerged in 2020, so we’re anticipating that the demand among people to return to this business opportunity will be very high. The SEMA Show has always been a huge draw for people eager to do business, network, experience first-rate education, and see thousands of new products and feature vehicles. We’re looking forward to creating a 2021 SEMA Show reflecting the industry’s passion.

SN: Along those lines, is SEMA offering any encouragements or incentives to Show exhibitors for 2021?

TG: From an exhibitor standpoint, SEMA has gone to great lengths to lower the risk of participation in the Show. Similar to last year, we’re giving manufacturers the ability to reserve their spaces with confidence by extending the refund policy to September 2, 2021. That enables them to reserve their space, make sure the marketplace is returning to the levels they anticipate, and know that they’ll have a great opportunity to reconnect with the industry and see the return on investment they’ve long been used to when they come to the Show in November.

SN: Beyond the Show’s return and expansion into the new West Hall, are there other new and exciting features planned?

TG: With a larger canvas on which to create opportunities, we’re seeing more companies wanting to participate. That means there will be more feature and demonstration areas and more education opportunities than we’ve ever had. We’ll be announcing many of those plans as they’re finalized in the lead-up to the Show.

SN: Last year, SEMA360 was created as an online alternative when the live SEMA Show was cancelled. Will the returning Show also have an online component?

TG: Yes, it will. Along with our in-person event, we’re planning a digital resource to accompany the exhibitor showcases directly from the Show floor. That resource will also become available throughout the year to extend the Show’s reach. We have four goals for the digital tool: to continue showcasing our manufacturers’ new products; to feature our industry’s great vehicle builds; to recognize their builders; and to make the education that takes place in and around our Show in November even more accessible to the industry.

SN: These have obviously been eventful times for SEMA members, the association and the SEMA Show team. Before we end this interview, would you like to share any personal thoughts on all that’s taken place?

TG: Looking at things positively, I think we can say that what we experienced since the 2019 SEMA Show has been an accelerated learning opportunity. We’re seeing many changes in the way the marketplace is doing business. That goes for everything from how audiences are consuming media to the relationships distributors, retailers and consumers have with our industry’s manufacturers and the ability to congregate and network at industry events. So, we’ve been evolving over the past two years, and the SEMA Show will leverage those market changes and continue to evolve to reflect our industry and anticipate its needs.

In addition, for 2021, we’ll have a Show that welcomes participants into an ideal environment where they can conduct the business they have come to expect from our in-person, trade-only events, so we’re excited at what’s coming this November.

We have a positive vision for a Show that will truly benefit our SEMA members. As we build it and see the growing participant support, a lot of new concepts and opportunities are going to manifest themselves. From a trade association perspective, even though there will be challenges, the benefits for the industry of getting together again at a live SEMA Show are second to none.

Plan Now to Attend

The SEMA Show offers an in-person attendee experience like no other trade show on the planet. It’s a pure business-to-business event and the best place to see the newest automotive performance products, discover the latest product and vehicle trends, and develop essential skills by attending any of the free education sessions, all of which are led by top industry professionals.

For attendee and media registration information, go to www.SEMAShow.com.

SEMA News—June 2021

PEOPLE

The 2021 SEMA Board of Directors Candidates

Get to Know the Nominees

By Mike Imlay

The SEMA Board of Directors provides strategic direction to the association and plays a critical role in shaping the future of the automotive specialty-equipment industry. There are a total of 10 candidates running for six open seats on the Board for the 2021 election cycle.

Online voting began May 11 and will continue through May 25. Voting is open to current SEMA-member companies, and votes must be cast by each company’s primary contact. Details on the election were sent to each member-company’s designated contact beginning April 30. For more information about the Board of Directors election, contact Susan Alfonso at susana@sema.org or 909-978-6671.

The winners will be announced by May 28 and will be featured in an upcoming issue of SEMA News. The new Board members will also be formally inducted at the SEMA Installation & Gala on Friday, July 30, in the newly completed West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

All SEMA-member companies are invited to join the festivities, but seating is limited. Register for the event at www.sema.org/gala.

Read on for the biographical information and statements of the 10 candidates. As a reminder, the remarks and opinions expressed by the candidates are solely their own. SEMA does not take responsibility for the accuracy or content of the candidates’ messages, and statements made by the candidates do not necessarily represent the views of SEMA.

2021 SEMA Board of Directors Candidates

Chairman-Elect (one open seat):

• Kyle Fickler–Director, Driven Racing Oil
• Les Rudd–President, Bob Cook Sales

Distributor/Retailer (two open seats):

• Larry Montante–Vice President, Keystone Automotive Operations
• Brian Rowland–GM, Parts & Accessories, Walmart
• Steve Whipple–Director, Jegs High Performance

Manufacturer (two open seats):

• Ian Lehn–Founder, BOOSTane
• Kim Pendergast–CEO/Owner, Magnuson Superchargers
• Brian Reese–President/CEO, The Retrofit Source

Service (one open seat):

• Lindsay Hubley–Managing Partner, Lodestone Events
• Jim Liaw–President/Co-Founder, Formula Drift Holdings

Chairman-Elect Category

Kyle Fickler

As a candidate for SEMA chairman-elect, I will work to maintain our right to modify our vehicles and have a place to enjoy them. This freedom can be restricted in many ways, but whether it is regulatory, legislative or societal, we need to act proactively as an industry to provide solutions. I bring SEMA members a unique perspective blended from the education of a licensed attorney, the unwavering commitment required of a business owner, and the hands-on passion demonstrated by a virtual lifetime of successful participation in motorsports and our industry.

I have served the last eight years on the SEMA Board of Directors and as SEMA treasurer, following six years as a select committee member and as MPMC chair, in addition to numerous SEMA task forces and committees, including:

• SEMA Board Executive Committee
• SEMA Investment Committee
• SEMA Budget Committee, Chair
• PRI Advisory Committee
• SEMA Manufacturer of the Year Task Force, Chair
• SEMA Person of the Year Task Force
• SEMA Board Nominating Committee, Chair and three-time member
• SEMA Town Hall, Host and three-time Panelist
• MPMC Rules of the Road, three-time Panelist
• MPMC Future of Performance, Panelist
• CBLC Liaison
• SEMA PAC, President’s Club

Although I am a licensed attorney in Missouri and Montana, my best experience has been in service of three different industry-leading manufacturers dating back more than 25 years: Aeromotive, Inc.–director of business development; Weld Racing LLC–vice president of sales and equity partner; and currently Driven Racing Oil–director of sales and business development.

I am very active in motorsports, with an AHRA World Championship and two NHRA National event wins to date. My wife and daughter also race, with Danika (my daughter) winning back-to-back races to start this season. When not racing, you are likely to hear a story about our JK on a Badge of Honor trail, and, like most gearheads, we have plenty of projects (10) that need attention.

Our industry is what my family lives for, and I will be a capable and energetic leader serving our industry for the benefit of current and future generations.

I humbly ask for your support.

Facebook.com/Fickler4SEMA

Chairman-Elect Category

Les Rudd

I am equally humbled and honored to have this opportunity to run as your next chairman-elect of the SEMA Board of Directors. With your support and vote, I will bring my lifelong experiences and my knowledge of our industry to the forefront to provide all SEMA members a supportive voice. I have personal experience at the jobber, dealer, e-comm, manufacturer and, of course, the manufacturers’ rep level. I understand firsthand the small-business challenges that we currently face and what lies ahead for each of us to overcome and turn them into opportunities.

I will support SEMA members with vision, integrity, loyalty and honesty as we face the key issues that lie before us today and on the horizon. I will maintain a key vision on the issues and opportunities that will lead us towards a prominent and secure future to ensure that all SEMA members succeed and prosper.

Professional employment:

• 1991–Present-Bob Cook Sales
• 1991–2003 Representative
• 2004–2013 Partner/Principal
• 2014–Current–President
• 1985–1991 TCI Automotive, National Sales Manager

Career Achievements and SEMA Involvement

• Five years SEMA Board of Directors
• SEMA Manufacturers’ Rep Network Chair–2014–2016
• SEMA Manufacturers’ Rep Council Chair–2002–2004
• SEMA PAC Presidents Club
• 24+ years of SEMA Council and Network Volunteerism
• CPMR–Certified Professional Manufacturers’ Rep
• Previous CAN and PWA BOD Liaison
• Member of Bob Cook Sales for seven SEMA Rep of the Year Awards
• Numerous Rep of the Year Awards from manufacturers and customers
• Past Goodguys Pros Pick 2007, 2008
• Super Chevy Editor’s Choice 2008 and Outstanding ’55 Award 2008
• Numerous Committees, Task Force memberships and industry recognitions

Although our industry is a large part of my everyday life, I do spend time on other interests as well. I am an avid outdoorsman. I am a regular volunteer and leader at my church. I enjoy gardening, a great steak, a nice wine, my five sons, my two grandchildren and my great wife whose patience and support allow for me seek my dreams.

Your confidence in me is an honor–your vote is greatly appreciated.

Distributor/Retailer Category

Larry Montante

My name is Larry Montante and I am excited to have the opportunity to serve the SEMA membership.

The market is changing and it’s time for action with a fresh approach. I am a proven, innovative leader, with 37 years of industry experience across many functions and channels, who knows the needs of the supplier, retailer and consumer.

Agenda–Leveraging my experience, passion for driving change and strategic nature I will drive several impactful topics to be part of SEMA’s future plans:

• Preserve–Protect our industry by engaging in key legislative areas, understanding and managing market shifts that cause disruption, fostering the creative passion that drives our industry, and preparing for changes brought on by future vehicles and technologies.
• Grow–Expand our industry and increase consumer awareness, target youth markets and onboard new enthusiasts and consumers, while developing plans to pursue adjacent markets.
• Engage–Drive more engagement from existing membership and grow membership, drive effectiveness and reach of SEMA communications, diversify SEMA’s influence beyond the SEMA Show and deliver more consumer reach through digital channels.

Experience

Career—37 years with Keystone Automotive. Well-versed in different business functions from my various leadership roles:

• Currently: Vice President, Category Management.
• Previously: Vice President, Marketing; Pricing & Analytics Director; Category Manager; Buyer; Salesperson; Retail Store Associate; and Warehouse Associate where I started my career at Keystone.

Industry–Served on the SEMA Show Committee, TORA, WTC and YEN. Hosted several SEMA events and served as an advisor to SEMA and member companies. Currently a Federated Group Executive Board member.

Accomplishments–Multiple SEMA WD of the Year Awards and 30+ top customer awards. Launched more than 25 innovative programs, websites, loyalty programs, promotions, shows and publications. Led new brand, product and market launches. Graduate of Wharton School Advanced Management Program.

At Work for You–As a hands-on driver of change, I will deliver fresh thinking to protect the future of our industry and promote GROWTH.

I appreciate the opportunity to serve the members by running the SEMA Board, and I humbly ask for your vote.

A Man of Action Focused on the Future

Website: larry4sema.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Larry4SEMA

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/larrymontante

Distributor/Retailer Category

Brian Rowland

I’m Brian Rowland, a lifelong automotive enthusiast and 14-year aftermarket veteran. I’m honored to be running for your 2021 SEMA Board of Directors and humbled by the opportunity to serve the membership.

If elected, I will bring distinct skills, experience and resources to the Board:

• Insights, trends and perspectives from the No. 1 retailer in the world.
• Major OE experience monetizing telematics data.
• Deep knowledge of marketplaces, as a seller and a platform.
• Proven digital transformation, omnichannel strategy and e-commerce expertise.
• Expertise in automotive data, technology and marketing integrations.
• Proven ability to successfully build and grow B2B and B2C businesses.

I’m uniquely equipped to help the membership with three critical issues:

• Growing U.S. Jobs: At Walmart, U.S.-made product is good business and an ethical obligation supported by programs and resources targeting U.S. jobs and products. I will look to replicate these efforts throughout our industry.
• Internet Penetration: 2020 was “a decade in a year” for digitization and sales mix, resulting in permanent customer behavior changes. Leveraging my e-commerce, omnichannel, B2B and B2C retail expertise combined with experience and insights from the world’s largest retailer, I will help our industry skate where this puck is going.
• Vehicle Telematics: OEs are creating a “moat” around their business by encrypting telematics data, building software designed to challenge aftermarket parts and removing OBDII ports from vehicles. From my time with a major OE, I will help protect our membership against “weaponized” telematics data.

Professional Experience:

• GM, Parts & Accessories; Walmart Inc.
• Director, Aftersales Marketing & Technology; Nissan USA
• Head of Digital & Ecommerce, Transamerican Auto Parts
• Vice President Category Management, US Auto Parts

Volunteer Experience:

• 2021 ACPN Keynote Speaker; 2021 Automotive Sales Council Speaker;
• 2017–2019 ARMO Select Committee; 2017 SEMA Launch Pad Judge;
• 2012–2016 Auto Care Association ACPN Board Member and Vice President

To learn more:

• www.facebook.com/brian.rowland.sema
• www.linkedin.com/in/browland
• www.BR4SEMA.com

Distributor/Retailer Category

Steve Whipple

Why Steve? The world has changed; undoubtedly we won’t go back to where it was. It’s time for leadership to shape the industry of tomorrow: new thinking, new innovation, new motivation, new inspiration, new transparency and commitment—not the same old stuff. It’s not the same old world!

Passions:

• Protect the Industry: Against being regulated out of business with unnecessary regulations and governmental overreach.
• Focus on the Future: Overcome the challenges in vehicle technology, including electric vehicles; successfully engaging the next generation of automotive enthusiast, including customers and employees, to influence our great industry going forward.
• Provide a Passionate Voice for All SEMA Members: Whether you’re a manufacturer, warehouse distributor, industry service provider or a small shop fighting for your life, I will be your voice, I will serve the SEMA members passionately.

Leadership Experience

• 4 months—Jegs Automotive, Director of Private Brands–New Markets
• 21 years—Edelbrock, Vice President, Sales and Marketing
• 2 years—Nitrous Oxide Systems (NOS), Director, Sales and Marketing
• 22 years—Super Shops, Western States Sales Manager
• 20+ years in Performance Core Manufacturing
• 20+ years in Performance Distribution
• 40+ years in the Performance Industry

SEMA Service and Awards

• SEMA Board of Directors–3 years
• SEMA MPMC Select Committee–5 years
• SEMA WD of the Year Committee–5 years
• SEMA Rep of the Year Committee–3 years
• SEMA: Attended the Washington Rally to meet with Congress in support of the RPM Act.
• PWA 2015 Person of the Year
• SEMA MPMC 2016 and 2017 Chairman’s Award
• SEMA MPMC Hall of Fame

Personal Life

• Been married for 42 years, to the same lady, Lisa.
• Have two great kids: Lindsey, 37, married to Christian, and Michael, 32, married to Kelly. I also have two “faultless” grandkids, Charlotte and Elliot.

You need to make a difference and vote. Vote for people that will make a difference—for people that have the industry experience to make a difference. I have that passion, the experience and the integrity to do the job the next three years. I ask for your vote.

Vote Steve Whipple, SEMA Board of Directors 2021.

Manufacturers Category

Ian Lehn

My name is Ian Lehn, and I am the founder of BOOSTane Octane Engineering, a small company based around a proprietary fuel technology that I developed while obtaining my engineering degree at Georgia Tech.

My experience as a small-business owner, innovator and racer enables me to help lead our association through the challenges ahead.

Keep Innovation Within SEMA: As the automotive industry continues to evolve, it is imperative that we embrace the challenges that lie ahead. My goal is to continue in my efforts to identify emerging trends and technologies and keep an eye on further government oversight, while developing the tools and resources to turn those challenges into opportunities for you, our member companies.

I believe to accomplish this successfully, you have to be proactive on all fronts:

• Youth Engagement: My journey into the automotive aftermarket came when I won SEMA’s Launch Pad competition. It propelled my college project into a thriving business. I have a responsibility to pay that opportunity forward and foster a clear pathway for the next generation of enthusiasts entering our industry.
• Government Legislation: The next four years are going to be a defining era for the future of our industry. Regulations and governmental overreach continue to threaten our passion and way of life. I plan to utilize my experience navigating the likes of CARB, EPA, DOT and other regulatory bodies to continue the fight alongside the SEMA PAC, lobbying on the Hill for legislation like the RPM Act.
• OEM Relations and Future Technology: I want to reinforce and expound upon the symbiotic relationship of the automotive aftermarket and OEMs. Encryption, regulation and technology (ADAS, EV, etc.) don’t need to be roadblocks—but rather opportunities.

Volunteer Experience

• Chair–SEMA Emerging Trends & Technology Network
• Chair–SEMA Scholarship and Student Engagement Committee
• Chair–SEMA Launch Pad Competition
• YEN Select Committee member
• President’s Club–SEMA Political Action Committee
• Judge and Mentor–Formula SAE/SAE Baja Competition
• Taskforce Chair–ETTN Student Competition Outreach

Personal

If I’m not racing or playing rugby, I’m caring for a new pup, tinkering on vintage motorcycles, or having a Guinness.

Proof:

Instagram: ian_for_sema

Manufacturer Category

Kim Pendergast

I’m Kim Pendergast, running for reelection to the SEMA Board of Directors. I am CEO and owner of Magnuson Superchargers, an entrepreneur, with 44 years of experience in business and 15 years in the automotive aftermarket.

Although new to the SEMA Board—replacing Dr. Jamie Meyer when he became president of PRI—I have experience on five boards in the automotive industry.

So, why am I running for reelection?

Simple: I believe it is CRITICAL that we PROTECT our industry—my business and your business—from increasing ATTACKS by the EPA and restrictive government regulations. I will be a voice in the board room pushing for our industry—through SEMA—to mount an aggressive and effective response in Washington.

How? First, SEMA must grow its Political Action Committee, and quickly. Next, SEMA must proactively and massively push back against the actions being taken against our industry through public awareness campaigns, grassroots efforts and organized, aggressive outreach campaigns at the local, state and national levels. Let them know who we are and why we are important!

As a business owner and manufacturer, I understand all too well the issues the industry is facing and want to address them head on. I promise to help SEMA be a strong industry advocate in Washington, and make clear to America, to Congress and regulators who we are, and the immense popularity and size of our industry.

New technological trends such as electrification threaten to become political mandates. We must take the lead on these issues, and make sure the aftermarket is not banned from playing a role in the future modification of vehicles.

I have been a member of SEMA since 2005 and strong supporter of the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN). In 2018, I was honored with the SEMA SBN Athena Woman of the Year Award. I served as the SEMA chair of the 2017 Person of the Year Task Force, as well as the 2018 Scholarship Committee.

With your vote, I will fight for our companies and our industry as a whole. Thank you for your support.

Learn more at www.Kim4SEMA.com

Manufacturer Category

Brian Reese

With the honor of serving on the SEMA Board, my overarching commitment is to represent the best interests of all SEMA members. My focus will start with four objectives. First, keep our industry legal! Legislative threats must be met with increased proactive effort from SEMA, and I will push for this. Second, SEMA must look forward and prepare the industry for emerging trends and technology, such as vehicle electrification. I will drive SEMA to lead this charge. Third, I will push SEMA to market the thrills and excitement of the aftermarket, in order to attract new enthusiasts and appeal as a career for talent, so we continue to be relevant and enticing to next generations. Finally, my door is always open—I welcome contact from members, who I am here to serve.

I bring broad and extensive experience, having worked my entire career for SEMA-member companies across several categories. Currently I am the president, CEO and co-owner of The Retrofit Source, the leader in aftermarket lighting. Previously, I was the president and CEO of Race Winning Brands (JE Pistons, Wiseco, Diamond Pistons, Trend, Dart, MGP, Rekluse, ProX and Manley). Prior to RWB, I served as a vice president at COMP Performance Group, vice president at Craftsman & DieHard, and director at SLP Performance.

My SEMA volunteer experience spans more than 20 years, starting as a YEN member. I have served on three councils (SCC, SPC, ETTN), chaired two councils, elected CBLC, served as a YEN Launch Pad judge, and served on several task forces and committees, including the HOF, Gen-III Innovator, and SEMA Garage planning team. I have been awarded the GEN-III Innovator (2012) and YEN Vanguard (2020) awards.

I am a fanatical “car guy.” From motorcycles to Jeeps to classics to performance and racing, I am an active participant. I have built engines, painted cars, raced motocross, autocrossed, road raced and drag raced. It’s my passion, personally and professionally. Beyond SEMA, I am also an endurance athlete who enjoys precious time with my wife and son as well as traveling the world.

I humbly ask for your vote!

BrianReeseSEMA.com

Service Category

Lindsay Hubley

My name is Lindsay Hubley and I am honored to run for the SEMA Board of Directors. I am an experienced public trade show and consumer event strategist with a passion for the overall sustainability of the automotive aftermarket, fostering the careers of women and youth, protecting our right to modify our vehicles and OHV land-use advocacy!

I grew up in this industry working into a leadership role in my father’s event production company­—producing events like the Hot Rod Power Tour, Car Craft Summer Nationals, Sand Sports Super Show and Off-Road Expo. Today, I am a 20-year active SEMA member and co-founder of Lodestone Events, producers of the Overland Expo series.

Over my career, I’ve produced thousands of events, reaching millions of automotive enthusiasts nationwide across racing/performance, classic car, powersports and off-road. My event management background combined with the successful pivot of a live-event business through the pandemic makes me uniquely qualified to guide SEMA’s development of a hybrid trade show strategy that is both live and virtual, and a 365-day content plan to engage young innovators and expand SEMA’s reach.

Youth Engagement, Education and Advocacy:

• 2012–2016—SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) Select Committee
• 2013—Developed first SEMA YEN Launch Pad
• 2014—Developed first SEMA YEN Power Tour
• 2015—2021 SEMA Political Action Committee Member
• 2019—Curated Overland Education for the SEMA Overland Experience

Current Positions:

• Off-Road Business Association Board Member
• Tread Lightly Education and Fundraising Partner
• Founding and Current Board Member, One Voice Foundation for Off Road Motorized Recreation

Strategic Initiatives:

• Expand SEMA’s youth engagement and global reach
• Enhanced SEMA member benefits including a robust year-round business education program.
• Threats from intellectual property and trademark infringement + the counterfeit community.
• Automotive + aftermarket industry sustainability in a looming net-zero emissions economy.
• Protecting the right to modify our vehicles and motorized access to public lands.

I am an industry professional that raises the bar, questions the status quo and drives change. As a SEMA Board member, I will PROTECT our right to innovate, modify, and to recreate in the automobile. Learn more at LindsayForSEMA.com.

Service Category

Jim Liaw

I’m running for the SEMA Board because I believe my experience will help preserve what’s great about the industry while stimulating new members and enthusiasts.

I’ve been involved in the automotive industry since graduating UCLA, first visiting SEMA in 1997 with McMullen Argus. When I saw the scale and massive potential of the industry, I was hooked—my passion became my career!

After working at the IDRC drag racing series and Hot Import Nights, I took those lessons and co-founded Formula DRIFT in 2003 with Ryan Sage. We took an unknown sport and elevated it to a world leader, with the best fan engagement in America behind NASCAR. We also have one of the most popular livestreams in the world, attracting fans and drivers globally.

Having successfully navigated through the dot-com crash, 2008 recession and global pandemic, I’m not afraid to innovate. I’m adept at adapting to trends and attracting new fans. I strongly believe the health of the industry is as dependent upon new enthusiasts as it is on established industry leaders.

While running a successful motorsports series, I’ve witnessed the challenges faced by tracks around the country. I’m committed to supporting not only the tracks, but ensuring people can build and race cars without strangling restrictions. This will be a pillar of my candidacy.

I have the experience and leadership to succeed as a SEMA Board member:

Accolades:

• SEMA YEN Vanguard of the Year
• SEMA GEN-III Award Finalist
• LA Magazine–The Influentials
• Super Street Magazine–Industry Innovators
• Long Beach Post–40 Under 40
• OC Metro Business–Hottest 25 People

SEMA Volunteerism:

• YEN: Launch Pad Task Force chair, member and judge; Select Committee
• GEN-III: Award Task Force
• SPC: Select Committee; RASR Task Force
• Battle of the Builders: Young Guns Advisory Group
• SEMA Show: Show Committee; Panelist; SEMA Ignited, drifting exhibition organizer
• PRI Show: Panelist

Other Positions:

• FIA: Drifting Commission Charter Member
• Pioneer Industries: Advisory Board

I humbly ask for your vote for the SEMA Board

• www.formulad.com/JimLiaw4SEMA
• www.facebook.com/JimLiaw4SEMA

SEMA News—June 2021

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

Law and Order

By Stuart Gosswein

FEDERAL UPDATE

SEMA Challenges EPA Position on Race Parts: SEMA filed an amicus brief in a lawsuit between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Gear Box Z. Inc., arguing against the EPA’s contention that the Clean Air Act (CAA) does not allow a motor vehicle to be converted into a racing vehicle used solely for competition. The EPA first pursued this controversial interpretation of the CAA as part of a 2015 draft rulemaking, but it quickly withdrew the provision following a huge, SEMA-led public outcry. In the GBZ litigation, however, the EPA again maintains that once a vehicle has been certified as a street vehicle, it cannot be converted into a racing vehicle even if that vehicle is trailered to the track and is never driven on public roads. In its brief, SEMA argued that the CAA does not apply to certified vehicles used exclusively on the track. SEMA noted that “the agency’s interpretation breaks from the plain language of the CAA, the legislative history, and EPA’s regulations and guidance.” The EPA responded to SEMA’s amicus brief, taking the position that its enforcement is limited to defeat devices (illegal parts installed on highway vehicles). The U.S. District Court for Arizona ruled that there was sufficient evidence in the case to issue a temporary restraining order against GBZ for future sales pending a court trial. The court declined to consider the motor-vehicle-conversion issue raised by SEMA, ruling that the issue was moot since GBZ presented no conclusive evidence its products were sold exclusively for competition.

RPM Act: SEMA is working with lawmakers in the U.S. Congress to reintroduce and pass the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (RPM Act)—bipartisan legislation to clarify that it is legal to make emissions-related changes to convert a street vehicle into a dedicated race car. It also confirms that it is legal to produce, market and install racing equipment. Since it was first introduced in 2016, the legislation has been subject to committee hearings and inclusion in a 2020 energy bill passed by the House but never taken up by the Senate. Congress must pass the RPM Act to counter EPA overreach and provide certainty to racers and motorsports parts businesses

Trade Show Participant Tax Credit: SEMA-supported legislation was introduced in the U.S. Congress that would provide tax credits to cover 50% of the expenses associated with exhibiting at or attending trade shows and conventions in the United States between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2024. The Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act would help businesses that participate in trade shows and the millions of men and women employed in the tourism industry. The legislation has been referred to the House and Senate committees that oversee tax policy.

Economic Support for Racetracks: SEMA and PRI (Performance Racing Industry) have formed a coalition in partnership with 17 organizations representing recreation, sports and amusement live venues that have experienced significant revenue declines during the COVID-19 pandemic. The coalition is working with Congress to create a federal program to provide financial grants to racetracks and other live-entertainment businesses impacted by state and local attendance restrictions during the pandemic.

Disaster Loan Payment Deferments: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has extended deferment periods for all disaster loans until 2022, including the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. For all SBA disaster loans made in 2020, the first payment due date is 24 months from the date of the note (extended from 12 months). For all SBA disaster loans made in 2021, the first payment due date is 18 months from the date of the note (extended from 12 months). The SBA also granted an additional 12-month deferment of principal and interest payments for existing disaster loans approved prior to 2020 and in effect on March 1, 2020. This is the third deferral extension for those loans. The SBA has approved more than $200 billion in COVID-19 EIDL loans to more than 3.7 million small businesses and non-profit organizations.

Definition of Independent Contractor: The Biden administration is withdrawing the independent contractor rule issued in the closing days of the Trump administration. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) questioned whether the rule fully aligned with the Fair Labor Standards Act, court rulings, and application of the economic realities test. At issue is an attempt to clarify when an individual is an independent contractor rather than a company employee. Factors include defining the economic independence of the contractor, such as control over the work and the opportunity for profit or loss. The withdrawal means that the issue reverts to previous DOL positions on the topic, which do not override laws enacted by California or any other states or local jurisdictions.

STATE UPDATE

Arizona—License Plates: The Arizona House of Representatives passed SEMA-supported legislation to create new legacy license plates replicating examples from the state’s past to be available for display on all vehicles. The plates would cost $25. Currently, authentic vintage plates may be displayed only on vehicles that are eligible for either classic-car or historic-vehicle plates upon authorization from the DMV. The bill awaits consideration by the Senate Transportation and Technology Committee.

Hawaii—Exhaust Noise: The Hawaii Senate passed SEMA-supported legislation that would allow the use, sale, alteration or installation of car mufflers that meet a 95-decibel noise limit. Under the current law, no person can sell, alter or install a muffler that will noticeably increase a vehicle’s noise. The bill currently awaits consideration by the House Committees on Transportation and Judiciary.

Idaho—Custom Vehicles: The Idaho Senate Transportation Committee passed SEMA-supported legislation to add a vehicle registration classification for custom vehicles. The bill defines a custom vehicle as a replica vehicle that is at least 30 years old and is designed and manufactured to resemble a vehicle that would qualify for classic license plates. Current law permits specialty designations only for motor vehicles registered as classics, old-timers or street rods. As with current specialty designations, a unique license plate would be created for custom vehicles and would allow the display of a single rear-mounted plate. The bill awaits consideration by the full Senate.

Idaho—License Plates: The Idaho House of Representatives passed SEMA-supported legislation that would allow all vehicles that were not originally equipped with a bracket, device or other means to display and secure a front license plate to display a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle. Current law permits the display of a single rear-mounted plate only for motor vehicles registered as classics, old-timers or street rods. The bill awaits consideration in the Senate Transportation Committee.

Illinois—License Plates: The Illinois House of Representatives introduced legislation to allow the display of only a single, rear-mounted license plate for all passenger vehicles. Under current law, vehicles must display two license plates. The bill currently awaits consideration in the House Transportation, Vehicles & Safety Committee.

Iowa—License Plates: The Iowa Senate passed SEMA-supported legislation that would allow certain vehicles to display a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle, including those registered as antiques or any vehicle that would require modification to accommodate a front plate. Current law permits the display of a single plate only for motor vehicles that are model-year ’48 or older as well as reconstructed or specially constructed vehicles built to resemble vehicles that are model-year ’48 or older. The bill currently awaits consideration by the House Transportation Committee.

Mississippi—Vehicle Titling: The Mississippi Senate passed SEMA-supported legislation that would allow for the titling of vehicles that are at least 30 years old and are missing documents on oath of ownership. Under current law, there is no such exemption from proper documentation for title applications for older vehicles. The bill currently awaits consideration in the House Ways and Means Committee.

South Dakota—Collector Car Appreciation Week: The South Dakota Senate issued a SEMA-supported resolution commemorating the last week of August as Collector Car Appreciation Week in the state. This action builds on last year’s recognition of Collector Car Appreciation Day and is intended to coincide with the state’s popular collector-car shows.

Texas—License Plates: The Texas House of Representatives introduced legislation to require the display of only a single, rear-mounted license plate for all passenger vehicles, with an additional $50 annual fee. Under current law, vehicles must display two license plates. The bill currently awaits consideration in the House Transportation Committee.

Vermont—License Plates and Window Tint: The Vermont House of Representatives introduced SEMA-supported legislation to require the display of only a single, rear-mounted license plate for all passenger vehicles with a registered weight of 10,000 lbs. or less. The bill would also allow window shading or tinting material on the side and vent windows to the left and right side of the driver. Under current law, vehicles must display two license plates, and window shading or tinting material is only permitted for medical reasons. The bill awaits con­sideration in the House Committee on Transportation.

Virginia—Imported Vehicles: The Virginia legislature passed SEMA-
supported legislation to allow the DMV to issue a title for an imported foreign-market vehicle manufactured at least 25 years ago. Current law allows for a negotiable title to be issued only to such vehicles manufactured prior to 1968. The bill currently awaits consideration by Governor Ralph Northam.

West Virginia—Antique Vehicles: The West Virginia House of Delegates introduced SEMA-supported legislation to create an “antique fleet” plate program whereby the owner of five or more antique vehicles would be able to use a single registration plate. Currently, antique license plates are available for vehicles that are older than 25 years and are owned solely as collector’s items. The bill currently awaits consideration in the House Technology and Infrastructure Committee.

West Virginia—Motorsports: The West Virginia Senate introduced SEMA-supported legislation to aid and incentivize the construction of motorsports complexes. The bill was introduced in the previous legislative session but failed to pass prior to the adjournment of the session. The bill currently awaits consideration in the Senate Economic Development Committee. n

OHV Access at Oceano Dunes: SEMA is vigorously opposing efforts by the California Coastal Commission to abolish off-roading at California’s Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA). The Commission voted to phase out off-highway vehicle (OHV) access within three years. The commission is citing environmental concerns despite decades of OHV access. Oceano Dunes is managed by California State Parks and is the only park that allows OHV access to the state’s Pacific coast. It has been enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts from across the country for decades under a permit first issued by the commission in 1982. The commission’s unilateral action to remove OHV recreation will likely lead to a lawsuit, since it conflicts with a separate action by State Parks to establish a long-range management plan for the area to include OHV access. State Parks is reviewing public comments on its proposed management plan. SEMA will continue to support OHV access to Oceano Dunes.

SEMA News—June 2021

EDUCATION

Artificial Intelligence, Electric Vehicles…and Flying Cars?

From The Drawing Board to The Dealer Showroom, the Future of Propulsion Is (Almost) Here

By Douglas McColloch

If there’s a topic that’s a greater subject of controversy in the automotive world at present than future tech, one would be hard-pressed to name it. By “future tech,” we’re referring to the increased production and popularity of electric and alternative-fuel vehicles; the explosive growth of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) over the past decade and a half; how both of those market trends are influencing consumer behavior and driving the development of semi- and even fully autonomous vehicle (AV) propulsion systems; and how these developments will potentially impact the specialty-equipment aftermarket in the not-too-distant future.

A recent SEMA Education webinar titled “A.I., Electric Cars, Flying Cars and Other Unicorns” took a deep dive into the subject of future vehicle propulsion systems. Hosted by SEMA Director of Market Research Gavin Knapp, the webinar looked at electric and other alternative-fuel systems and the state of autonomous vehicle technology and their potential impacts on OE chassis and powertrain development for the next decade and beyond. What follows is a brief summation of the webinar.

EVs: Peas in the Ocean, but Growing in Number

To gain some perspective, Knapp first provided the lay of the land.

“There are more than 280 million vehicles on the road in the United States, and that’s just passenger cars and light trucks,” he said. “Obviously, there’s a lot more vehicles, large and small, than those worldwide. There are five times that many vehicles on the road, and newer vehicles dominate the road, right? We know that vehicles are now lasting 10 to 12 years.”

He also noted increased sales volumes for SUVs and CUVs over traditional cars as another trend to bear in mind.

On the other hand, he said, new cars are essentially computers on wheels, and the manufacturers are so reliant upon computerization now that “we’ve probably all heard in recent days about the microchip shortage that’s having OEMs shutter their plants and stop their assembly lines because they’re missing out on that little chip.”

“Because of that,” Knapp continued, “there are whole new branches of the auto ecosystem that are popping up—not just micro-electronics but also software and, of course, cybersecurity. Those are things that are really taking off within automotive and are going to flow through everything that happens with new cars moving forward.”

While electric vehicles (EVs) still constitute a minuscule market share of all new-vehicle sales, their numbers are expected to grow—and grow rapidly—in the coming years. A recent survey by global marketing firm IHS Markit found that new EV registrations in the United States had tripled during the period of December 2017 to December 2020. Based on that trend, the firm forecasted a market share of 3.5% by the end of 2021 and 10% by the end of 2025. While nearly 80% of all current EV registrations are of Tesla models, the proliferation of new platforms—including ever-popular pickups—from a growing number of automakers suggests a promising rate of growth in the segment in the years beyond.

“Ultimately, we expect the plug-in or the electric vehicle to take over,” Knapp said. “At this point, you’re starting from zero with electrics, but they are growing. That is a path the OEMs are going down. We’ve got GM, Ford, Volkswagen, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo all coming out with plans to spend multibillions of dollars to convert their fleets to electric over the next 15 years, so this is absolutely a path that’s happening, but it’s not going to happen tomorrow.”

In that vein, Knapp reminded that “even if we stopped making gas vehicles today and only made electrics, it would take us 20 years to replace all the gas vehicles on the road. And that’s not happening anyway, because the infrastructure is not there, especially for the batteries or for the companies to even be able to make that many electric vehicles right now. So even in an aggressive scenario, we’d be looking at fewer than half of the gas vehicles off the road in 20 years.”

Contextualizing further, Knapp noted that “even if you look at the peak sales of the Tesla Model 3 a couple of years ago, you’re still talking about half of what the [annual] sales of a Toyota Camry are.”

If the Market’s so Small, Why Care at All?

As the variety of EVs expands beyond the purely utilitarian, their appeal to enthusiasts is likely to increase and in fact has already begun. Knapp used Tesla as a case study.

“They focused on the high-end upscale market, and they pushed performance as one of their selling points, as one of their brand offerings. If you don’t believe it, find somebody with a Model S and have them launch it. It’s a kick. And then, of course, the thing will park itself afterward.

“So expect to see a lot more push from those companies on the performance side and the enthusiast side as we go forward with new models—and not just giving you the Prius-type vehicles that we’ve seen in the past.

“Look at the Ford Mustang Mach-E that’s just been released. It will do 0–60 in 3.5 sec. That’s going to be more than enough performance for the general public and even for those who think of themselves as enthusiasts. The Mach-E also tops out at 300 mi. of range on a full charge, so that gets electric vehicles into that normal gas-car threshold. That alleviates a lot of the ‘range anxiety’ issues that came from earlier vehicles.”

Additionally, tax incentives such as those found in California can help bring down the prices of EVs to a more affordable range. The Mustang Mach-E “starts at $42,000, but there are still government incentives that could bring that down. If you’re in California, it can bring it down as much as $10,000,” Knapp observed. “That puts it into a pretty normal range, even though the cost of producing electrics is generally higher because of the battery technology.”

Challenges and Opportunities

While the future looks rosy for EVs, there are still some logistical roadblocks that will need to be cleared before they find wider acceptance among the general public. The first and most noticeable is charging time. Using the Mach-E as a benchmark, Knapp laid down a timeline.

“Using the supplied standard charger that you can plug into a 120-volt outlet, Ford estimates that it takes 95 hours to completely charge the vehicle—that’s four full days to charge,” he said. “So if you charge overnight, you can get 30 mi. of range. That’s probably good enough for your commute, but if you use it every day, you’re never going to get the thing fully charged.

“If you have access to a 240-volt outlet, you can get the charging time down to 15 hours, or a dedicated charger gets the charging time down to 11 hours—an overnight charge scenario. But a lot of people don’t have access to 240-volt outlets, especially if they live in apartments. If you live in some other building that requires you to park in a lot or on the street, charging options are not going to be good for you right now—and maybe charging at home is not an option at all.”

While public charging options have increased exponentially over the past decade with more than 16,000 charging stations nationwide now, Knapp noted that the number pales compared with the more than 120,000 gas stations in the United States.

“If you look at the map, the bigger issue is that there’s a lot of areas where there are no public charging stations,” he said. “Those empty areas are definitely a problem if we’re talking about widespread use of the vehicle and if you want to drive across the country.”

Even with those limitations, Knapp counseled against the aftermarket selling EVs short.

“You’ve looked at these issues facing electric cars and may be thinking, ‘Well, it’s only because of the hippies and the government that they’re doing this,’” he said. “I have to tell you, this is really largely about money and capitalism.”

Using Lordstown Motors as an example, Knapp laid down the bottom-line benefits to electrification.

“Lordstown Motors thinks its truck’s big benefit is that it has four electric motors, each one mounted at a wheel,” he explained. “There are no axles, no drivelines, no transmission and none of the thousands of other moving parts that need to be assembled in a typical gas-engine vehicle.

“If you’re a manufacturer, you have to look at that and say, ‘Wow, I can use fewer vendors. I can stock fewer parts. I can manufacture fewer parts, and I can very much simplify my assembly-line process by going down this type of path.’ I guarantee you that the OEMs are looking at that and saying, ‘We’ll invest now, but we will save a lot of money down the line once these electric vehicles come online.’”

Investors have also made it abundantly clear that they see electrification as the automotive wave of the future.

“Tesla sells a few hundred thousand cars per year, and yet they have a market cap of more than $600 billion,” Knapp explained. “The nearest other car company is Toyota at $200 billion—and Toyota sells 10 million cars a year—yet Tesla is still worth three times more. You look at GM, Ford—eight times multiple, 13 times multiple in terms of market cap, so when these companies are going into the electric vehicle market, they’re not just doing it to satisfy gas regulations, and they’re not just doing it to be green—they’re chasing the money.

“Even companies like Rivian, which hasn’t even delivered vehicles, is seeing multibillion-dollar investments and a $20 billion valuation. Some other companies you may not even have heard of have multibillion-dollar valuations. So keep that in mind when you’re thinking, ‘Oh, it’s just about going green, it’s just about government regulations.’ It’s about money, and if you follow the money, that is one of the reasons why I believe that electric is here to stay.”

Potential for the Aftermarket

While the short-term crossover appeal to the specialty-equipment market may be small—1% of the overall market, Knapp estimated—the popularity of EVs will continue to grow as more OE manufacturers produce vehicles such as the Mach-E that are tailored to the performance enthusiast sector.

“They’re going to try to get enthusiasts on board to become their advocates for electric power,” he said. And the future of this market trend may very well be now.

“The place this is most likely to start, and what might be the tipping point to entice enthusiasts and to bring our industry on board, is all of the new electric trucks that have been announced,” Knapp surmised. “Look at GM. It took the name of the poster child for fuel-economy excess, the Hummer, and made an electric truck out of it. You’ve got the Tesla Cyber Truck and the Lordstown trucks that are coming out and, of course, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe that’s coming out.

“So while people are used to seeing the Prius types, companies are changing their tack, and they are going after the high end and the enthusiast community with electric vehicles, which means they’re coming after our space” [emphasis added].

Formula Drift and Ultra 4 racer Vaughn Gittin Jr. explained the enthusiast appeal of electrification in a recent interview with SEMA News.

“I’m a Mustang guy to my core, but the acceleration [in the Mach-E] is unbelievable,” he said. “Because of the low center of gravity, the handling is something like you’ve never felt in an internal-combustion car except for supercars. The battery is in between the axles, inches from the ground, and the car just turns. It feels unbelievable. I’ve been swayed, and my increased love and passion for electric and these technologies is a result of that.”

AVs: Driving the More Distant Future

As with EVs, the market share for autonomous vehicles is expected to rise throughout the decade as more OE players and startups alike get involved in the segment, offering more makes and models for a greater variety of tasks and applications. A 2020 study by market research firm Market Digits forecasted substantial growth in market size for the sector, from $35 billion in global revenue in 2021 to $856 billion by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate of 58% during the period. While applications for passenger cars will remain limited for the near future, the study identified transportation (buses, cabs, etc.) and national defense as two promising industry growth sectors in the short term.

While many ADAS technologies that enable a degree of autonomous vehicle operation have already been adapted across the market—collision avoidance, automated brake assist, adaptive cruise control and self-park assist, to name a few—the realization of fully autonomous operation for OE production cars is still in the more distant future.

“I think GM had promised that we’re going to have a fleet of 50,000 autonomous vehicles on the road within the next four years,” Knapp recalled. “That was five years ago. It hasn’t happened.”

Still, as with EVs, the investment community, the OE manufacturers and the Silicon Valley tech companies have made it clear that they see autonomous vehicle technology as a viable growth market going forward.

“The biggest names in technology—companies with lots of money, such as Google, Microsoft, Apple and Amazon—are putting multi-billion dollar investments behind autonomous vehicles,” Knapp said. “Recent investments in [GM-backed] Cruise and [Google-owned] Waymo have shown them at valuations of $30 billion—and those are companies that have not produced any cars and, frankly, are quite a way from producing any road-going cars. But again, the money is following that technology.”

And the manufacturers are putting their platforms to the test. In California alone, Knapp noted, there are 63 companies that have permits to test AVs on public roads. Last year, 650 AV test vehicles reported mileage of almost two million combined miles.

Even with its current drawbacks, there are specific applications where AV technology could be employed before it becomes production-vehicle ready.

“Where we will see a lot more movement in the short term is with the special-use cases, such as a people mover,” Knapp said. “Basically, it’s a low-speed vehicle. It’s limited to a very specific area, like a parking lot at a university or a business park, and its object is to function like a small bus. People get on, get to where they’re going and get off. You’ve probably also seen those little drone autonomous delivery vehicles. They are coming too.

“Another area that seems to be a big push, which may be a little scary, is in long-haul trucking—basically the biggest vehicles on the road. It’s another area where people are predicting that autonomous driving may come early, at least for the highway portion of the route.”

Tesla, for one, is in the late testing stages of a Class 8 semi truck that is slated to enter production for preorder buyers later this year.

And Those Flying Cars?

For the foreseeable future, flying cars remain as they have been since they were envisioned in the ’40s and ’50s—an aspirational vehicle that’s still more embedded in theory than reality.

“We’re just not there yet,” Knapp admitted. “The space we’re in right now, there’s a lot of companies that are pushing out prototypes, who are pushing out hopes to do that, but most of the things coming out would be more like personal helicopters or large-scale drones. I think most companies are angling more for a commuter taxi type of setup rather than being actual cars that you drive and fly yourself. But while we’re not quite there yet, maybe someday we’ll have flying cars.”

About SEMA Education

Accessing SEMA’s industry-leading education curriculum is easier than ever. With dozens of live and on-demand offerings—and more live-streaming during the year—SEMA Virtual Education includes comprehensive presentations and insightful discussions and videos that teach, inform and entertain automotive specialty-equipment professionals. Builders, engineers, marketers and sales staff can all become better educated and prepared for success through SEMA’s Virtual Education. Visit www.sema.org/virtual-education to learn more.

SEMA News—June 2021

BUSINESS

Is There Something in the Air?

EPA Enforcement, Compliance and What You Need to Know

By Daniel Ingber

There is something in the air and it smells like a shakedown. Ever since the Volkswagen diesel scandal broke six years ago, it seems like the government has set its sights on the automotive specialty aftermarket. You can’t open the newspaper without reading about another enforcement action or settlement.

Last year the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) specifically said it was prioritizing “stopping aftermarket defeat devices for vehicles and engines” that override required emissions controls. No one expects things to get any better under the new administration.

Manufacturers, distributors and retailers alike are living in fear of a dreaded Notice of Violation or agents knocking on their door. Manufacturers and resellers of aftermarket performance tuners or parts for vehicle engine or exhaust systems are asking questions: What do I need to do to be left alone to run my business? How do I comply with the law when the rules seem to be changing all the time? How do I sell parts for race cars without the government coming after me? What can I do to help my company and the industry?

This article will answer these and other questions. Although this article is not intended as legal advice (after all, every company, enforcement action and situation is unique, and you should always consult your own lawyer), it does contain some legal talk. So bear with me here—I promise it won’t be so bad—and it may just help your company better navigate the tricky waters of emissions compliance.

The Legal Starting Point

Under the law, an aftermarket-part manufacturer cannot manufacture or sell products which defeat or tamper with the anti-pollution mechanisms of a vehicle. It will come as no surprise that the State of California was the first jurisdiction to establish emissions requirements for new automobiles—the California Air Resources Board (CARB) was formed in 1967, which pre-dated establishment of the Federal Air Quality Act of 1967. The Federal Clean Air Act (CAA) was passed in 1970, with major revisions in 1977 and 1990. Together, California and federal emissions law provides the legal framework for aftermarket compliance.

Manufacturers can demonstrate compliance with both federal and California law by receiving a CARB Executive Order (EO). Although the California Vehicle Code prohibits the sale of any part that alters or modifies a vehicle’s pollution-
control system, a part is exempt from this prohibition if it receives a CARB EO verifying a vehicle remains emissions-compliant with the part installed. As detailed below, one must submit an application to CARB and sometimes undertake lab testing to receive an EO for the part. A CARB EO is a golden ticket—neither EPA nor CARB will enforce against a part that has a CARB EO.

Clear as mud, right? Well, we haven’t even begun to talk about parts sold for race cars.

The Racing Angle

From the Clean Air Act’s inception, parts sold to convert street vehicles to vehicles used exclusively on the track fell outside the scope of the law. Of course, this makes perfect sense—a street vehicle converted for race use only (having attributes such as a roll bar, racing tune, etc.) and trailered to the track is no different than a purpose-built race car, and purpose-built race cars unambiguously fall outside of EPA jurisdiction.

In 2015, however, the EPA threw a wrench in the works, sneaking an interpretation into its rulemaking on an unrelated issue that would prohibit street-car to race-car conversions. That new interpretation would thereby prohibit the sale of parts that take a street vehicle out of compliance even if it became a track-use-only vehicle. Although the EPA quickly withdrew that official interpretation after a SEMA-led uproar—which included a White House petition that garnered more than 100,000 signatures—the EPA continues to stick to its guns. In fact, the agency has reiterated its position in recent enforcement litigation.

The EPA’s unreasonable interpretation of the Clean Air Act has sent a chill through the aftermarket and has manufacturers, distributors and retailers who sell parts for converted race cars looking over their shoulders. Even parts manufacturers who sell parts for dedicated, purpose-built race cars are worried that if their products find their way onto an outlaw street vehicle, they will be subject to enforcement. This is no way to treat a sector of the American economy that employs hundreds of thousands of people, generates billions of dollars in economic activity, and serves the needs of countless enthusiasts throughout the nation.

That’s why Congress needs to pass the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (RPM Act) ASAP. If you have been engaged with SEMA for the last few years, you probably already know what the RPM Act is. Still, here’s a refresher: The RPM Act reverses the EPA’s interpretation that the Clean Air Act does not allow a motor vehicle designed for street use to be converted into a dedicated race car.

Converting street vehicles into dedicated race vehicles is an American tradition dating back decades and has negligible environmental impact. The RPM Act will provide the racing community with certainty and confidence in the face of an EPA interpretation of the Clean Air Act that threatens to devastate an American pastime and eliminate jobs in our communities. That is why Congress must pass the RPM Act—now! Visit www.sema.org/rpmact.

Compliance Issues

For products intended to be installed on highway vehicles, the surest way to protect yourself from EPA/CARB enforcement is to obtain a CARB EO. Any product that affects airflow into or out of the engine, impacts the containment or delivery of fuel, or affects the functionality of an emissions control system or device must demonstrate emissions compliance to be considered legal for street use. This includes (but is not limited to) intake systems, exhaust components, tuning products, intercoolers, turbos and superchargers.

An application for a CARB EO is made with a test lab, which can test and evaluate the product, submit the application, and advocate for the product with CARB staff. To obtain a CARB EO, a manufacturer must submit an application that describes the product, its function and the range of vehicle fitment. Depending on the product’s complexity and potential impact, either an engineering evaluation or laboratory testing will be needed to demonstrate compliance. Testing requirements vary based on the type of product being tested. For example, superchargers and tuners must undergo more extensive testing than headers or air intake systems. The SEMA Garage operates a recognized testing facility, making it a viable option for member companies (see “Safeguarding Your Business,” p. 46).

Federal Compliance

A CARB EO is required under the law to sell an emissions-related part in California. At the federal level, the Clean Air Act prevents the modification of vehicles with products that impact emissions unless the vehicle remains compliant (just like California). Under EPA policy, the manufacturer of an emissions-related product must have a “reasonable basis” to market the product as compliant.

The EPA’s testing guidelines were prohibitively onerous until the agency issued its new Tampering Policy (Nov. 23, 2020). The agency has now identified three ways a company can demonstrate a reasonable basis for concluding that the specialty part is compliant: 1) having an CARB EO; 2) having applied for a CARB EO; or 3) performing equivalent independent emissions tests. The SEMA Garage is currently developing services that will help manufacturers test their parts and produce data establishing reasonable-basis compliance. Although California would still require a CARB EO, reasonable-basis testing should help companies bring products to market faster than seeking a CARB EO (or while waiting for California to issue the EO).

EPA Civil Enforcement

How does the EPA “find” you? Enforcement staff regularly review aftermarket manufacturer, distributor and retailer websites and social-media content to identify products that may take a vehicle out of compliance with applicable clean-air standards. Marketplace competitors also provide tips and information. Investigators will look at claims made about performance enhancement and any listed limitations on the use of the product to identify potentially illegal products.

EPA enforcement investigations can be overly aggressive and very disruptive (or even destructive) to businesses. As an example, Susan Peachtree (all names have been changed to protect the innocent) owns a successful warehouse distribution company that sells thousands of products—from suspension accessories to superchargers to tuners—through its website and catalog. Peachtree’s EPA enforcement ordeal began with an unannounced visit. (Peachtree, knowing her rights, declined to grant the agents access to her facility.) She then received the dreaded “208 letter”—an official Request for Information under § 208(a) of the Clean Air Act which authorizes the EPA to investigate.

“I was in a state of shock when I received this letter,” said Peachtree. “It was 20 pages long and demanded information on hundreds of products—including SKUs, pricing information, advertising information, technical information… The scope was breathtaking—anything affecting OBD, exhaust, catalysts… The list goes on and on.”

Peachtree wisely hired an attorney to immediately begin negotiations with the EPA regarding the range of the request. Together they tried to persuade the EPA investigator that the list of parts being targeted, and the time period covered, were too broad and onerous. Because fines could be in excess of $3,750 per violation (now $4,819 per violation), the EPA was threatening Peachtree with a multi-million-dollar penalty. “Basically, the EPA was threatening to destroy my business,” she said, “a business I have spent my entire life building.”

“Most of the parts on the EPA’s list were completely benign,” her attorney told me, “and for months the investigator would not even discuss the issue. It was clear to me that the investigator did not truly understand the parts or the industry, and simply wanted to threaten my client with as high of a fine as possible.” The EPA continued to pepper Peachtree with invasive requests about revenue and finances. “I was living with a cloud over my head,” she recalled. “I was losing a lot of sleep.”

Finally, after a year and a half—and a lot of back and forth between Susan’s attorney and the EPA—the EPA settled the case for a low six-figure sum (representing a fraction of the initial settlement amount proposed by the EPA) and an agreement limiting the parts that Peachtree could sell. Between the fines, attorneys’ fees and the enforcement ordeal, her business barely weathered the storm. “I am lucky that I am still in business,” she said, “but the whole process left a very bad taste in my mouth.”

Mark Binkens (a pseudonym to protect his clients), an attorney who defends clients in EPA and CARB enforcement actions, summed it up this way: “This is how they do it. They threaten exorbitant fines that no company can ever pay. They wear you down with onerous information requests, ask for financial documents to establish your breaking point, and finally offer a settlement just shy of that breaking point. No one can afford to take them to court because attorneys’ fees add up so quickly and fines are so high that it isn’t worth the risk. It’s a shakedown.”

Binkens added an ominous observation regarding the EPA’s actions: “Through the process the EPA also gains access to all of your suppliers, manufacturers, customers and shops you are doing business with.”

Unannounced Visits

Some SEMA-member companies have even reported unscheduled worksite visits by EPA enforcement personnel. EPA employees have been informing the companies they visit that they are carrying out investigations and have typically provide business cards to identify themselves. However, the enforcement teams usually provided little or no other paperwork connected with, or explaining the purpose of the visit.

If EPA or CARB does investigate your business, SEMA strongly advises you to work with an attorney to respond. Initial missteps during an investigation can have long-lasting consequences. If an EPA or a CARB official visits your facility unannounced, company personnel should respond in a business-like manner. It is appropriate to request official identification and a business card. Let the officials know that company policy requires employees to first confer with top management and legal counsel before granting any access. Ask the official to provide a written request for the information being sought. Then call your lawyer. In addition, SEMA staff are available to assist member companies in understanding the investigative process and can provide a list of attorneys experienced in this area of law.

This article has covered a lot of ground and a number of complex issues. The bottom line is that emissions compliance is something that the EPA takes seriously. The agency has stepped up its enforcement. But now, hopefully, you’re up to speed and educated in the legal, compliance and enforcement basics that can help protect your business from the knock at the door.

Safeguarding Your Business

How can you protect yourself against EPA/CARB enforcement? Below are things to think about.

My Company Manufactures or Sells Parts for Street Vehicles

• Obtain a CARB EO for any part that affects airflow into or out of the engine, impacts the containment or delivery of fuel or affects the functionality of an emissions control system (such as air intake systems, exhaust components, tuning product, intercoolers, turbos and superchargers). You can work with the SEMA Garage to design, develop, and test your part to obtain a CARB EO.
• If the part is not a performance or engine product (such as an aftermarket spoiler, rims, etc.), you can manufacture and sell it without worrying about EPA/CARB enforcement.
• A part can’t legally be sold for, or installed on, a street vehicle if the part can’t be engineered or designed in a way that maintains the function of a vehicle’s original pollution-control system (for example, DPF delete devices, racing tuners or cold air intake that increases emissions).

My Company Manufactures or Sells Parts for Competition Vehicles

• The Clean Air Act does not apply to parts manufactured and sold for street vehicles that have been modified to be track-only vehicles, but the EPA says otherwise. Help pass the RPM Act and save our race cars!
• In the meantime, know your customer. Document as much as you can that the vehicles you are manufacturing or selling for are race vehicles and have attributes such as roll bars, belong to a race team, or don’t have license plates.
• Ensure the number of units manufactured or sold supports sales that are for race-use-only vehicles.
• Do not rely on “For Race Use Only” labelling alone; it will not protect you from EPA enforcement.
• If you manufacture or sell parts for purpose-built race vehicles, the EPA probably won’t target you. Still, it’s possible, if highly unlikely, that if one of your parts ends up on a street vehicle the EPA will come knocking. “Trust us” isn’t good enough from the EPA: help pass the RPM Act.
• Be cognizant of your advertisements and social-media content. A viral video of a non-Clean-Air-Act-complaint vehicle doing burnouts on the street or a truck off-roading and belching out black smoke is an evidentiary “gift” to enforcers.

My Company Is a Distributor or Retailer

• Enforcement activities have targeted warehouse distributors, jobbers and some retail outlets because they are visibly marketing a variety of products and may not be as knowledgeable as the manufacturer about EOs and certification obligations.
• Ask your suppliers if their parts have CARB EOs and question them about a part’s legality.
• Advertise parts appropriately (for example, don’t show a license-plated vehicle on an advertisement for a race-use part) and be wary of claims made on websites (such as horsepower gains, etc.).
• Be mindful that based on the number of parts a distributor sells, fines can be extremely high.

Emissions Testing at the SEMA Garage

The SEMA Garage is available to assist with CARB EOs. It includes a CARB-recognized emissions laboratory for testing products at an affordable cost. The lab capabilities cover all tests (except evaporative testing when necessary) that may be required by CARB for the purposes of obtaining an EO for both gasoline and diesel vehicles. For more information on the SEMA Garage Compliance Center, go to www.semagarage.com or contact the staff at 909-978-6728 or garage@sema.org.

Additional Resources

• SEMA Government Affairs & SEMA PAC
• RPM Act
• SEMA Action Network (SAN)

 

Clean-Air Compliance

How SEMA Is Helping the Industry

By Daniel Ingber

Compliance Testing and Education

The SEMA Garage is available to help SEMA-member auto parts manufacturers with part design and demonstrate that a vehicle will remain emissions-compliant when the product is installed. The Garage’s Compliance Center includes experts and resources available to help members navigate the process, including evaluation of your product and recommendations for compliance procedures, assistance with the CARB EO process, interaction with CARB staff on your behalf, and review and evaluation of test data. SEMA also works closely with CARB and California lawmakers to ensure that testing procedures are fair and that EO applications are processed quickly.

SEMA also works with the EPA to assist our members in complying with the law. The EPA’s recent Tampering Policy, which will allow for more streamlined federal compliance, was a product of SEMA’s collaboration with EPA. SEMA also educates the EPA to dispel myths about the industry and to assist the EPA in setting enforcement priorities that do not unfairly target the aftermarket.

SEMA’s education programs help members comply with a complicated regulatory and enforcement landscape. SEMA’s February webinar on the EPA’s new Tampering Policy has been viewed more than 3,000 times (a SEMA record!), and the association has website resources on topics ranging from replica cars and vehicle titling/registration laws to state sales tax and Prop 65. Check SEMA eNews for new webinars and programs, and if you attend the SEMA Show this year, make sure to attend these two seminars: “Creating and Implementing an Effective Compliance Program to Manage EPA and CARB Risks,” and “Emissions Compliance: What You Need to Know,” which will include a panel of experts talking about EPA/CARB compliance and enforcement.

Fighting EPA Overreach

SEMA is leading the fight against the EPA’s overaggressive legal interpretations and enforcement tactics in the courts, the legislatures and the regulatory agencies. SEMA is determined to pass the RPM Act to correct the EPA’s misinterpretation of the Clean Air Act and allow racers to modify street cars into racing machines. SEMA also challenged the EPA in federal court on the assertion that a motor vehicle cannot be converted into a full-time race car. While the court did not address the issue directly, it did offer positive statements regarding the government’s burden of proof in such cases. Absent passage of the RPM Act or the EPA changing its position, this first-of-its-kind legal challenge is likely not the last.

SEMA is also leading the fight against overaggressive EPA enforcement. SEMA is asking the Office of Management and Budget, which oversees the regulatory process, to review and rein in the EPA’s use of unannounced site visits, government agents making overbroad or threatening statements, onerous demands for information, extortionate settlement demands, and other fear tactics employed by the EPA. SEMA will continue to oppose EPA overreach and protect the industry.

SEMA is committed to helping its members comply with the law and to influence the legal and regulatory compliance environment in a way that allows the industry to thrive. Through the SEMA Garage and Compliance Center, education programs, and working directly with the regulators and lawmakers, SEMA is easing the way for industry compliance.

Get Involved!

Being engaged with the government is an essential part of doing business as an aftermarket company. If you are a SEMA member, join the SEMA PAC and help SEMA throw its weight around Washington. Want to host a member of Congress at your company workplace? Let us know—SEMA helps arrange site visits. You can also represent the aftermarket and meet your lawmakers in person at the 2022 SEMA Washington Rally next May in D.C. Finally, every auto enthusiast should join the SEMA Action Network (SAN) to receive information about everything that affects enthusiasts and the industry, from the RPM Act to single license plate laws to military vehicle registration. The SAN is free, open to anyone, and a powerful tool to tell lawmakers what you think.

Additional Resources

• RPM Act
• SEMA Government Affairs & SEMA PAC
• SEMA Action Network (SAN)
• Washington Rally