By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) business networking mixer at The Trail Hero is quickly approaching. Scheduled for Thursday, October 2, from 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. MDT, the event will take place at MischiefMaker TV Garage (174 Old Hwy. 91, Unit 2, Hurricane, UT 84737). 

Open to truck and off-road aftermarket professionals, the mixer is a great opportunity to:  

• Connect with industry peers and expand professional connections.  
• Learn about resources and programs designed to support truck and off-road businesses. 
• Meet members of the TORA select committee and discover ways to get involved with the council. 
• Hear updates on TORA's activities at the 2025 SEMA Show.  

TORA membership is open to all SEMA member companies serving the truck and off-road aftermarket industry. If this sounds like your business, don't miss your chance to enjoy an evening of great company, meaningful connections, and engaging conversation. Light snacks and drinks will be provided. Reserve your seat here today.  

By Ashley Reyes

With the 2025 SEMA Show a little more than a month away, now is the time for attendees and exhibitors to start thinking about their game plan. To help, the SEMA Future Leaders Network (FLN) will be hosting a live webinar this Thursday, September 25, at 10:30 a.m. PT/2:30 p.m. ET on how to get the most out of the SEMA Show.  

Led by Kathryn Reinhardt--principal at Kreative Marketing, former SEMA Board of Directors Member, and SEMA’s 2015 Person of the Year--this session is a must-attend to learn the "why" behind attending and exhibiting at the SEMA Show, tips for increasing ROI, and insight into SEMA Show features and networking opportunities tailored for attendee success.  

With 4.6 million sq. ft. of exhibit space booked by more than 2,000 leading brands, the SEMA Show continues to be the place where business gets done. Learn how to make the most of your experience by registering for the webinar here.

The first 20 pre-registered members who attend the full webinar will receive a $20 Uber Eats voucher to use on the remaining day of the webinar (September 25) or the entirety of the next day (September 26).   

Story and photos by Andreas Conradt, Automedia

Spy photographers have once again caught an upcoming vehicle undergoing testing, giving an early glimpse at what's to come before its official debut.

Porsche Set to Debut All-Electric '27 Cayenne Coupe

When the original Porsche Cayenne debuted as an '03 model, brand purists cried foul. However, it quickly fit in with Porsche's lineup of sports cars and became one of the brand's best-selling models. Now the midsize SUV stands at yet another crossroad as Porsche is just about to present the first Cayenne EV--with the Coupe following shortly after.

Although there's still plenty we don't know yet, insiders are expecting the Cayenne EV to provide a similar mix of driving thrills and family utility. Trading octane and engine sounds for wattage and emission-free motoring, the battery-powered Cayenne EV is expected to bear more than a passing resemblance to the gas-powered variant. The Cayenne EV is also expected to ride on the same platform as the new Macan EV and will slot below the still-unseen flagship electric SUV "K1" that Porsche has confirmed to arrive sometime later this decade.

What’s not going to change with the new generation Cayenne is the split of the range into the standard SUV and the Cayenne Coupe. While the first has been photographed in various locations throughout the last months, these newly captured images are the best shots yet of the coupe, which will hit dealers a couple of months after the SUV's debut.

While the two cars are virtually identical from front bumper to B-pillar, the coupe features a sloping roofline with lower rear side doors and a very tiny rear side window. The entire back will be different, too, and give the Cayenne a much sportier appearance.

The electric Cayenne SUV will be an all-new vehicle for the Porsche brand and we expect to see it debut as a '26 model. The coupe is believed to follow some six to 12 months later. As of now, there's no word on powertrain options, range or performance.

We know the Cayenne EV will eventually replace the entire lineup of the outgoing gasoline-powered Cayenne models, but it is unknown if it will retain the same trim-level structure.

Beyond 1,000 HP: Porsche Cayenne Coupe Turbo GT

A photographer at the German Nürburgring racetrack has snapped the first images of what’s likely to become the new Cayenne’s most powerful version: the Cayenne Coupe Turbo GT.

As of September 2025, the most performance-oriented Cayenne Coupe with internal combustion packs a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 with 650 hp on tap. When it comes to maximum output alone, the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupe trumps the coupe-only Cayenne Turbo GT with a staggering 729 hp.

Given these figures and the heavier curb weight of an equivalent battery-electric sibling, we can expect additional horsepower from the Cayenne Coupe Electric's most powerful specification. According to statements from engineers after test drives of the Cayenne Turbo, we're getting in the ballpark of 1,000 zero-emissions hp.

That's not all, though, because Porsche has further indicated a 0-60 mph time of less than 3 seconds, a 108-kWh battery and two drive units.

Differentiating the model snapped today over the standard Cayenne is a more aggressive front, additional air outlets in the front wings and a rear spoiler. Expect the car to be presented in '27 only.

By Ashley Reyes

Motorsports parts manufacturers looking to have their products promoted by the media have just one week left to secure their spot at the 2026 MPMC Media Trade Conference.

Happening January 27–29, 2026, in Anaheim, California, the MPMC Media Trade Conference is the only event in the industry where manufacturers can take part in more than 40 private, 30-minute meetings with various media outlets in a single week. Registration is only $950—less than the price of a single full-page magazine ad—and creates lasting media relationships and coverage that manufacturers can benefit from for years to come.

These meetings provide the ideal setting for manufacturers to share their latest products and newsworthy developments in their company, while media benefit from collecting content that they can promote in their channels year-round. The meetings with media are matched to the manufacturer's selected preferences during registration, ensuring a personalized, brand-aligned experience.

Top reasons for attending:

• Strengthen media outreach strategies.
• Connect face-to-face with key media through private, half-hour meetings.
• Network with leaders across the motorsports industry.
• Showcase products to engaged, targeted audiences.
• Gain a competitive edge in the marketplace.

The Media Trade Conference is open to MPMC, Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) and Performance Racing Industry (PRI) business members.

Register today at www.mediatradeconference.com.

Contact MPMC Council Director Marcy Yanus at marcy@sema.org with any questions. Media registration will open in October.

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

SEMA is urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to follow through with its proposal to rescind a dubious policy position that empowered regulators at the federal and state levels to deprive Americans of vehicle choice through electric-vehicle (EV) mandates that were out of step with marketplace realities.

• Because a third of the SEMA's members are internal-combustion-engine (ICE) dependent, the organization was especially motivated to share its views on the EPA's proposed rule, which can chart an important new direction for innovation and vehicle choice and promises to protect a $100 billion segment of the U.S. economy, including more than 330,000 U.S. jobs.

In comments responding to the EPA's rulemaking for Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2025–0194 — Reconsideration of the 2009 Endangerment Finding and Greenhouse Gas Vehicle Standards, SEMA identified economic and cultural considerations for re-establishing a foundation of vehicle choice in the U.S. automotive market, which, because of recent GHG emissions policies, have experienced an erosion of affordability and innovation.

SEMA articulates its support for the EPA's proposal in order to:

• restore the Clean Air Act to its proper scope;
• create long-term certainty for entire industries;
• protect consumer affordability and preserve vehicle choice;
• reduce adverse impacts on small businesses; and
• prevent a patchwork of competing federal and state mandates that destabilize markets by delegating policymaking back to the legislative branch.

"The specialty automotive aftermarket is a uniquely American industry built on ingenious innovation, vibrant consumer enthusiasm and an unmatched entrepreneurial spirit," writes SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola. "The EPA's reconsideration of the 2009 GHG Endangerment Finding presents an opportunity to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers and allow market forces to guide technological progress in a way that is consumer-driven. We urge the EPA to finalize the repeal of the Endangerment Finding and its related GHG vehicle standards."

• Read SEMA's full comments HERE.

BACKGROUND

• SEMA and its 7,000 member businesses are the heart of the United States automotive aftermarket industry, which annually contributes more than $337 billion to the U.S. economy and supports more than 1.3 million American jobs.
• Most of the businesses that make up the aftermarket are small businesses, but there is nothing small about the innovation and ingenuity they show every day. The products that aftermarket businesses manufacture, sell and distribute to automotive enthusiasts worldwide are a testament to our nation's engineering superiority.
• The upcoming 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the largest trade show in North America, with 160,000 attendees expected, includes the centerpiece "FutureTech Studio" activation, where the organization showcases different propulsion technologies, including EV, hybrid, hydrogen, alternative fuels and other technological advancements that represent the "what's next, what's possible" of the American automotive industry.
• SEMA is not anti-EV, nor will it ever be. Rather, SEMA is passionate about protecting the freedom of businesses to deliver the next groundbreaking product, and the American consumer's freedom to choose whether that product fits their needs and lifestyle. Such innovation can only be delivered through technology-neutral government policy and by allowing the marketplace to drive demand for these products.

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

SEMA is urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to follow through with its proposal to rescind a dubious policy position that empowered regulators at the federal and state levels to deprive Americans of vehicle choice through electric-vehicle (EV) mandates that were out of step with marketplace realities.

• Because a third of the SEMA's members are internal-combustion-engine (ICE) dependent, the organization was especially motivated to share its views on the EPA's proposed rule, which can chart an important new direction for innovation and vehicle choice and promises to protect a $100 billion segment of the U.S. economy, including more than 330,000 U.S. jobs.

In comments responding to the EPA's rulemaking for Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2025–0194 — Reconsideration of the 2009 Endangerment Finding and Greenhouse Gas Vehicle Standards, SEMA identified economic and cultural considerations for re-establishing a foundation of vehicle choice in the U.S. automotive market, which, because of recent GHG emissions policies, have experienced an erosion of affordability and innovation.

SEMA articulates its support for the EPA's proposal in order to:

• restore the Clean Air Act to its proper scope;
• create long-term certainty for entire industries;
• protect consumer affordability and preserve vehicle choice;
• reduce adverse impacts on small businesses; and
• prevent a patchwork of competing federal and state mandates that destabilize markets by delegating policymaking back to the legislative branch.

"The specialty automotive aftermarket is a uniquely American industry built on ingenious innovation, vibrant consumer enthusiasm and an unmatched entrepreneurial spirit," writes SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola. "The EPA's reconsideration of the 2009 GHG Endangerment Finding presents an opportunity to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers and allow market forces to guide technological progress in a way that is consumer-driven. We urge the EPA to finalize the repeal of the Endangerment Finding and its related GHG vehicle standards."

• Read SEMA's full comments HERE.

BACKGROUND

• SEMA and its 7,000 member businesses are the heart of the United States automotive aftermarket industry, which annually contributes more than $337 billion to the U.S. economy and supports more than 1.3 million American jobs.
• Most of the businesses that make up the aftermarket are small businesses, but there is nothing small about the innovation and ingenuity they show every day. The products that aftermarket businesses manufacture, sell and distribute to automotive enthusiasts worldwide are a testament to our nation's engineering superiority.
• The upcoming 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the largest trade show in North America, with 160,000 attendees expected, includes the centerpiece "FutureTech Studio" activation, where the organization showcases different propulsion technologies, including EV, hybrid, hydrogen, alternative fuels and other technological advancements that represent the "what's next, what's possible" of the American automotive industry.
• SEMA is not anti-EV, nor will it ever be. Rather, SEMA is passionate about protecting the freedom of businesses to deliver the next groundbreaking product, and the American consumer's freedom to choose whether that product fits their needs and lifestyle. Such innovation can only be delivered through technology-neutral government policy and by allowing the marketplace to drive demand for these products.

By Juan Torres

To help exhibitors connect with media at the 2025 SEMA Show, November 4-7 in Las Vegas, exhibitors are invited to complete a brief Exhibitor Information Form, which will be shared with registered journalists and media outlets covering the Show.  

Whether you're launching a groundbreaking product, showcasing an innovative service or revealing a custom vehicle build, this is your chance to inform media of your plans for this year's Show. By submitting your information, you increase your chances of being included in media coverage before, during and after the event--and may even be contacted for interviews or feature stories. 

Why Submit the Form? 

• Boost Visibility: Share what's new, exciting and happening in your booth. 
• Facilitate Coverage: Help media identify relevant stories, industry trends and schedule interviews. 
• Maximize ROI: Leverage your presence at the Show with increased press attention. 
• Get Noticed Early: Submitting early gives you the best opportunity to be featured. 
• Inclusion in SEMA Publications: Your news could also be used by SEMA publications. 

Available to SEMA Show exhibitors only, the form is quick to complete and tailored to highlight key details that media look for when building their SEMA Show coverage plans. 

Submit the Exhibitor Information Form here. 

Online registration for qualified professional attendees is $100 per person, with badge pick-up available on-site. A SEMA Show badge includes access to both the SEMA Show and AAPEX. Deadlines and fees for other registration categories can be found at semashow.com/register. 

Hotel reservations, including for several new properties in Las Vegas, are available at the guaranteed lowest rates exclusively for Show attendees through SEMA's official hotel provider, onPeak.

Attendees can maximize their ROI by taking advantage of travel discounts (more details here). 

For more information about the 2025 SEMA Show, visit semashow.com. Sign up for updates on SEMA Fest at semafest.com.

By Juan Torres

SEMA Show exhibitors have begun sharing their latest announcements, previewing their plans for the 2025 SEMA Show, November 4-7, Las Vegas. Exhibitors can post press releases, free of charge, at semashow.com/press-release to generate excitement and awareness, as well as possible inclusion in association publications and promotion to media attendees.

Below are some of the latest announcements you will find in the Online Media Center:

• Garret's Rod Shops to Unveil the "MJOLNIR" '53 Chevy Truck in the Scoggin Dickey Booth
• Pop & Lock to "Lock Your World" at SEMA 2025
• Wet Okole Debuts Custom-Fit Seat Covers for New Toyota Tacoma Hybrid ('24–'25) i-FORCE MAX
• CUSTUNING to Unveil Cybertruck "Anemoi" Carbon Fiber Widebody Kit and 24-In. Forged Wheels at SEMA Show 2025
• WD-40 Brand and Throtl Team Up to Revive a Ford GT

To find more relevant news quickly and efficiently, visit semashow.com/press and sort by type of announcement and/or market segment.

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will have new leadership, following the retirement of Chair Liane Randolph at the end of September. California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Lauren Sanchez, his senior advisor for climate, to take over CARB, effective October 1.

Before joining the Newsom administration, Sanchez advised the Biden administration's Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, held senior posts at CalEPA and CARB, and served as a climate negotiator at the U.S. Department of State.

"We look forward to working with Lauren Sanchez to ensure California remains a place where the aftermarket industry can innovate and grow. The automotive aftermarket thrives on creativity and engineering, and it's essential that state policies recognize the value of an industry that supports more than one million jobs, drives hundreds of billions in economic activity, and delivers real solutions for consumers," said SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola. "We're committed to working with CARB's new leadership to make sure innovation and industry go hand-in-hand with California's goals, and that regulations are not unnecessarily burdensome for small businesses."

Randolph, whose term was set to expire at the end of the year, guided CARB for four years, led the agency through a period of major regulatory change, including overseeing the adoption of the now-defunct Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulation, which would have mandated 100% zero-emissions new-vehicle sales by 2035. SEMA, through relentless advocacy and litigation, led the efforts to halt ACC II, along with its counterpart, Advanced Clean Fleets, which would've installed onerous, precedent-setting electric-vehicle (EV) mandates for the work truck industry.

SEMA works closely with CARB to ensure aftermarket products meet clean-air standards through the issuance of Executive Orders (EOs), which certify parts as emissions compliant and legal for sale nationwide. The SEMA Garage facilities in Diamond Bar, California, and Plymouth, Michigan, provide members with advanced testing tools, emissions labs, and compliance expertise. Over the last decade, SEMA has assisted with half of all aftermarket EOs issued by CARB, completing nearly 800 applications and investing more than $30 million to help members bring innovative, emissions-compliant products to market.

For more information, contact Christian Robinson, SEMA senior director of state government affairs, at christianr@sema.org.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will have new leadership, following the retirement of Chair Liane Randolph at the end of September. California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Lauren Sanchez, his senior advisor for climate, to take over CARB, effective October 1.

Before joining the Newsom administration, Sanchez advised the Biden administration's Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, held senior posts at CalEPA and CARB, and served as a climate negotiator at the U.S. Department of State.

"We look forward to working with Lauren Sanchez to ensure California remains a place where the aftermarket industry can innovate and grow. The automotive aftermarket thrives on creativity and engineering, and it's essential that state policies recognize the value of an industry that supports more than one million jobs, drives hundreds of billions in economic activity, and delivers real solutions for consumers," said SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola. "We're committed to working with CARB's new leadership to make sure innovation and industry go hand-in-hand with California's goals, and that regulations are not unnecessarily burdensome for small businesses."

Randolph, whose term was set to expire at the end of the year, guided CARB for four years, led the agency through a period of major regulatory change, including overseeing the adoption of the now-defunct Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulation, which would have mandated 100% zero-emissions new-vehicle sales by 2035. SEMA, through relentless advocacy and litigation, led the efforts to halt ACC II, along with its counterpart, Advanced Clean Fleets, which would've installed onerous, precedent-setting electric-vehicle (EV) mandates for the work truck industry.

SEMA works closely with CARB to ensure aftermarket products meet clean-air standards through the issuance of Executive Orders (EOs), which certify parts as emissions compliant and legal for sale nationwide. The SEMA Garage facilities in Diamond Bar, California, and Plymouth, Michigan, provide members with advanced testing tools, emissions labs, and compliance expertise. Over the last decade, SEMA has assisted with half of all aftermarket EOs issued by CARB, completing nearly 800 applications and investing more than $30 million to help members bring innovative, emissions-compliant products to market.

For more information, contact Christian Robinson, SEMA senior director of state government affairs, at christianr@sema.org.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock