Toyota will bring six ’22 Toyota Tundras, each with a different trim combination, to the SEMA Garage (link) in Diamond Bar, California, for SEMA members to have a close-up look with the newly designed trucks.

The Toyota Tundra Measuring Session at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, is scheduled for November 15-19.

The ’22 Toyota Tundra trim levels are:

• Double Cab Limited – 6.5-ft. Bed – 2WD
• CrewMax SR5 – 5.5-ft. Bed – 4WD
• Crew Max Platinum – 6.5-ft. bed – 2WD
• Crew Max 1794 – 6.5-ft. bed – 4WD
• Limited CrewMax Limited – 5.5-ft. bed – 2WD
• Double Cab SR5 – 6.5-ft. Bed – 4WD

Toyota technicians will be on-site to provide disassembly of selective components.

Event Dates: November 15–19, 2021

Register here!

Please note that this will be an in-person event at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. In order to comply with state and local health guidelines, this event will require scheduled appointments. Due to high demand, all appointments will be time-limited and subject to approval by availability.

*All registered attendees will be required to an initial temperature check, wear face coverings and gloves, as well as practice social distancing during their appointment.

By Ashley Reyes

Sean Crary has been named the SEMA Truck & Off-Road Alliance’s (TORA) newest spotlight volunteer. Crary is the business development manager at ZEDER Corp., a merged entity of Fulcrum Suspensions & Redranger—a manufacturer of automotive polyurethane bushings and related accessories.

Get to know Crary in his interview with SEMA below.

SEMA: Why did you decide to volunteer for TORA? How has it or will it impact you?

Sean Crary: After spending more than 20 exciting years in this industry, I felt like it was time to give back and help someone else's fire—like my mentors have done for me.

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?

SC: Buckle up, sit back and enjoy the ride. Don't be in a hurry to get to the next destination, but rather, enjoy the scenery along the way.

SEMA: What is your dream truck or off-road vehicle? Where would we find you in it on any weekend?

SC: Knock on wood. I think I have it at the moment. My ’21 Toyota 4Runner has been a blast. It is so capable with very few modifications. Fun for the family but still able to tackle most trails with ease.

Fill out an TORA-member spotlight form to highlight how you or your company are contributing to the truck and off-road specialty-equipment industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on TORA’s social media, SEMA eNews and future TORA member updates.

By Ashley Reyes

The 2021 Industry Cup Challenge, along with contributions from more than 100 companies, on-site donations at the SEMA Installation Gala, and a direct match from SEMA helped to bring in nearly $115,000 for SEMA Cares, the industry’s united voice and collective fundraising effort to support children’s charities.  

Companies compete in the Industry Cup Challenge in categories based on business type. Following, are the first-place winners in each category:   

• Manufacturer: WARN Industries 
• Warehouse Distributor: Turn 14  
• Rep Agency: Kunzman & Associates  
• Service Provider: Auto Image
• Media: Motor Trend

As all five first-place category winners competed among themselves, WARN placed first overall, earning the company the title as the 2021 Industry Cup Winner.  

Money raised from more than 40 Industry Cup competitors helped fight pediatric cancer through the Austin Hatcher Foundation, child abuse through Childhelp and children with serious medical conditions and serious illnesses through Victory Junction.

To learn more about SEMA Cares and how to support the industry’s fundraising efforts, visit www.sema.org/sema-cares.

By Della Domingo

Featuring a combination of star-studded celebrities, iconic and historic vehicles and brand-new builds featuring modern amenities, the SEMA Show Vehicle Reveal will provide media with an advance preview of the vehicles that will be showcased at the exclusive four-day SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Taking place Monday, Nov. 1, from 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.—the evening before the SEMA Show officially opens—the Vehicle Reveal teases about a dozen high-profile projects and gives participants an idea as to the innovation that will be on display at the exclusive business-to-business trade show.

“With two years’ worth of innovation, the SEMA Show is going to be jam-packed with excitement,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “We never know what we’ll see at the SEMA Show until we get on the Show floor. The Monday evening Vehicle Reveal is a unique opportunity for media to get a jump on some of the vehicles and news that will be debuting.”

Ant Anstead will share a Radford Lotus Type 62/2 Gold Leaf car built in collaboration with Jenson Button at the SEMA Show Vehicle Reveal.

During the Vehicle Reveal, the SEMA Awards will be presented to recognize the hottest new vehicle models on the market for personalization. Awards are presented annually in categories for SEMA Car, SEMA 4x4/SUV, SEMA Sport Compact, and SEMA Full-Size Truck of the Year. New this year will be an award for SEMA Mid-Size Truck of the Year.

Representatives from winning automakers, who collaborate with the SEMA and its members throughout the year, will be on-site to accept the prestigious awards.

Among the celebrities at the Vehicle Reveal will be Ant Anstead, host of “Celebrity IOU: Joyride.” Anstead will showcase and share details about some of his favorite vehicle builds, including a custom ’62 Buick that has been converted into an electric car in collaboration with American actor James Marsden as a gift to his deserving friend, Will. The project is what Anstead describes as the most ambitious EV build; it maintains the appearance of a classic American car, but operates as a state-of-the-art bespoke electric vehicle with carbon-fiber parts and a brand-new Karma Revero concealed underneath.

Anstead will share another modern classic at the SEMA Show Vehicle Reveal: A Radford Lotus Type 62/2 Gold Leaf car built in collaboration with Jenson Button, 2009 Formula One World Champion and Super GT Series Champion. The coach-built car marks the return of the iconic Radford vehicles from the ’40s and ’50s. Anstead and Button will road trip in the Type 62/2 to the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where they will be on hand to share details about the production of this model.

Other vehicles that will make their way down the red carpet-style runway include the new ’23 Nissan Z, a ’53 Corvette-inspired carbon-fiber concept car by Dave Kindig and some surprises from GM.

The SEMA Show Vehicle Reveal takes place in conjunction with the Exhibitor Appreciation Reception, where exhibitors relax before launching into four consecutive days of meeting face-to-face with resellers, distributors and media from the worldwide automotive industry. Exhibitors will fill the 2.5 million sq.-ft. Las Vegas Convention Center with displays and in-person demonstrations of new products designed to enhance the performance, styling, comfort, convenience and safety of cars, trucks and SUVs. The 2021 SEMA Show, which marks the first industry-wide, in-person gathering since 2019, will include more than 1,300 exhibitors and 40,000 registered buyers to date.

For more information about the November 2–5, 2021 SEMA Show, visit www.semashow.com.

By Della Domingo

The opening of the 2021 SEMA Show is less than two weeks away and more exhibitors are making headlines with vehicle and product debuts. Details about what attendees will see during the event, November 2–5, in Las Vegas, are making headlines:

Modern Tire Dealer:  Toyo to Unveil More Than 30 ‘World-Debut’ Vehicles During SEMA

• More than 30 vehicles—as well as two, “crowd-stopping” art installations—will be on display at Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp.’s Treadpass exhibit during the 2021 SEMA Show.

Body Shop Business: Akzonobel, Dave Kindig to Partner Once Again at SEMA Show

• Dave Kindig, television star of MotorTrend Network’s Bitchin’ Rides show and creator of custom car company Kindig-it Design, will again play a major role. Kindig will conduct daily autograph sessions throughout the week at the rig, displaying five one-of-a-kind vehicles. AkzoNobel will also have its paints featured on show cars throughout the event.

Inside EVs: Ford Performance Teases “Eluminator” Electric Crate Motor

• The company has announced it will show an electric crate motor at the SEMA Show this year. This means the Blue Oval will join GM with its Electric Connect and Cruise eCrate kit in offering the necessary hardware to electrify older cars.

Fox News: The Toyota ‘Tacozilla’ Is the Coolest Off-Road Camper You’ll See Today

The automaker’s motorsports tech center in Texas is building an updated version of the pickup-based camper it collaborated with the Chinook RV company on in the ’70s that will be unveiled at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas this November.

For more news from exhibitors, visit the Online Media Center. Below are some of the latest announcements you will find in the Online Media Center:

• Project X Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Chelsea Denofa Autograph Signing
• Old Air Products Introduces the ’67–’68 Mustang Center Vent for Factory Air
• Unmatched Spray Booth “Standards” vs. Options
• Winjet Automotive and Wolfstorm Offroad Attends SEMA 2021 in West Hall
• Avery Dennison Announces SEMA 2021 Schedule of Events
• God, Guys, & Gears Gets Ready for the 2021 SEMA Show
• How SEMA Connects Partners That Revolutionize an Industry
• Giant Loop Introduces Armadillo Bag Liquid Power Reservoirs
• It’s Time to Stop Taking Car Batteries for Granted
• Quick Check Commercial, Hunter’s New Unmanned Heavy-Duty Alignment and Inspection System
• Ivan Tampi Destroys All Other C8 Corvette Widebody Designs

Exhibitor Press releases can be found at www.semashow.com/press. Find all SEMA Show news at www.semashow.com/news.

All SEMA Show exhibitors are welcome to upload releases free of charge. Upload releases using this link.

The 2021 SEMA Show will take place November 2–5 in Las Vegas.

The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) announces the final details of the 2021 OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit, taking place Thursday, November 4, during the 2021 SEMA Show.

To register to attend the Summit, visit www.scrs.com/2021rde. Tickets can also be secured on-site, outside the education classrooms (rooms S229–S233) in the Upper Level of the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit, Session III: ADAS and Safety
Thursday, November 4, 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.

Passenger safety and advancements in automotive technology that provide increased safety assurances to vehicle owners and occupants continues to garner increased attention in both the collision repair space as well as the broader automotive sector. From safety provisions being assessed and passed at a governmental level to increased integration of crash avoidance features and safety tech, the development of safety and ADAS in vehicle design is only accelerating in pace. Understanding the big picture of what that means for the industry is as important as understanding the vehicle-specific integrations of the technology, especially for collision repairers. While these technologies are effective, they do not fully eliminate the crashes and resulting damage they are designed to prevent. The safety benefits of crash avoidance technologies can only continue to be realized by consumers when they are fully restored in the repair process after a collision.

The session will start with a presentation from Abey Abraham, managing director of automotive and materials at Ducker, and Scott Ulnick, managing principal at Ducker.  Abraham and Ulnick will provide the audience with a market-based overview on the nuances of ADAS, and a practical view on key existing technology and developments we can expect in vehicles (e.g., “What does sensor fusion even mean?!”). Not all ADAS are created equal, and operations are far from what the marketing labels imply as capabilities. Suppliers are critical and their roles evolve, especially as OEMs aim to further enhance their unique value proposition for their customers. Their presentation will transition to a panel of automakers, who will then discuss their vehicle platforms, the technology that exists today and the unique considerations the collision repair industry should know.

Join the following contributors:

• Ted Hicks – Subaru of America, regional technical training manager
• Scott Kaboos – American Honda Motor Co., national assistant manager of collision repair training and technology
• Frank Phillips – RIVIAN, manager, collision repair program
• Taylor Jozwiak – RIVIAN, collision R&D workshop manager

Other OEM Summit sessions being held Thursday, November 4, include:

OEM Session I: Electric Vehicles
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.

The session will explore the unique vehicle platforms each of the participating manufacturers have developed, and how their EV offering differs from other more traditional vehicles. From construction to repairs, characteristics and means in which the collision-repair industry will need to adapt, panelists will thoroughly explore considerations and opportunities afforded to the industry by EV.

Featuring:

• Jennifer Goforth - General Motors, director – global aftersales mechanical engineering
• John Eck - General Motors, collision manager – customer care & aftersales
• Andy McDonald - Lucid Motors, global body repair program senior manager
• Andy Hall - Lucid Motors, head of vehicle safety
• Kelly Logan - Rivian, senior manager, collision repair program
• Dan Black - Rivian, manager, service engineering

OEM Session II: Vehicle Research & Trends—Data Acceleration
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

This session will provide insights into the driver behavior and loss analysis telematics provides. Presenter Ryan McMahon will review the many use cases different industries have to leverage telematics data collected from connected vehicles, smartphones and IoT devices.

Featuring:

• Ryan McMahon – Cambridge Mobile Telematics, vice president of insurance and government affairs

Summit sessions can be selected individually, or as part of the Full Series Pass at www.scrs.com/rde.

To learn more about SCRS’ education series at the SEMA Show, visit  www.scrs.com/2021rde.

By Ashley Reyes

New to the 2021 SEMA Show is SEMA Member Central—a convenient place to learn about the association and discover how membership can help businesses be more successful. There will be so much to do and see during the four-day SEMA Show, but here’s why a visit to Member Central should be on your list of things to do:

• With the SEMA Membership staff on hand, visitors will be able get all their questions answered firsthand from the team who works day-to-day on providing benefits to members. Stop by to meet and talk with AJ Carney, SEMA membership director, and Tim Johnson, SEMA membership manager.
• View the entire list of on-demand webinars, as well as upcoming scheduled live webinars, that are available to help members learn new business skills.
• Find out how you can easily download free market research, filled with new data and stats to help you better target your customers, understand the vehicle landscape and prepare for future changes.
• Discover cost-saving benefits that can directly impact your company—including UPS shipping discounts and business insurance solutions.
• Learn about niche-specific networks and councils where you can connect with others who share common goals, interests and challenges throughout the year.
• Access comprehensive services to help your company expand worldwide through SEMA’s international resources.
• Find out how you can access exclusive tools and resources to assist you with product development through the SEMA Garage—including OEM-provided CAD/CAM drawings (technology transfer), measuring sessions and 3-D printing or rapid prototyping.
• Get your questions answered on how you can defend your automotive rights whenever they are in jeopardy through SEMA Individual Membership.
• Learn how to obtain direct ownership of your product data and have it configured and stored in the accepted industry ACES and PIES standards.
• Discover resources available for connecting automotive employers and candidates, as well as assisting future and current automotive professionals pay off their student loans.

SEMA Member Central will be open throughout the SEMA Show. In addition to meeting with the SEMA Membership Team to learn about the benefits and resources, exhibitors will be able to pick up their complimentary tickets to the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

While Congress was out of session for a large portion of the past few weeks, U.S. Representative Patrick McHenry (R-NC) has been busy meeting with his constituents. Rep. McHenry recently visited Hotchkis Sport Suspension in Mooresville, North Carolina, for a tour and meeting with local members of the motorsports parts industry. As the Congressman for North Carolina’s 10th Congressional District, which stretches from Mooresville up to the Virginia border, Rep. McHenry represents the heart of race country. Congressman McHenry is the lead sponsor of H.R. 3281, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2021 (RPM Act) and is a passionate advocate for racing.

 John Hotchkis, owner of Hotchkis Performance, led Rep. McHenry and industry guests on a tour of the facility, where his employees produce car, truck and SUV suspension handling kits, including fabricated trailing arms and caster/camber plates, coil springs, anti-sway bars and strut tower braces. After the tour, Rep. McHenry spoke with industry members about the RPM Act and other key issues he’s been working on that impact the racing industry.

“Thanks to John Hotchkis for hosting me for a tour and a terrific discussion on my legislation designed to protect the motorsports community, the RPM Act. Thank you to SEMA for organizing this discussion and advocating on behalf of the motorsports community. It was great to see so many leaders in racing showing support for their colleagues and for the sport.”

To send a letter to your lawmakers asking them to support the RPM Act, go to saveourracecars.com. A letter has already been drafted. It takes less than a minute to fill in your contract information, which ensures that your letter is sent to your U.S. Representatives and Senators. For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By Ashley Reyes

Industry icons and veterans narrowed the list of contenders for the SEMA Launch Pad competition down to five finalists, who will go on to compete for the grand prize during the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 2–5. The SEMA Launch Pad is the automotive aftermarket’s premier product-pitching competition designed to encourage automotive entrepreneurship and help inventors launch new products into the marketplace.

Now in its ninth year, the 2021 SEMA Launch Pad expanded to include more prize packages and the largest grand prize to date, valued at up to $100,000. The competition also included a record high number of applications, reaching nearly 200.

The 2021 SEMA Launch Pad was chronicled for the first time through a five-episode streaming series that debuted on the SEMA YouTube Channel. Through the series, viewers witnessed 15 semifinalists—whose products will all be on display at the 2021 SEMA Show—present their products to a panel of judges made up of industry veterans Chip Foose (Foose Design), Jared Hare (Addictive Desert Designs), Myles Kovacs (DUB) and Alex Parker (Redline Detection). The five selected to advance to the next round taking place at the 2021 SEMA Show are:

Jonathan Hurley, Owner, ToolBox Widget
Product: ToolBox Widget – Modular tool organizers that allow a mechanic to connect as many tool organizers together as needed, making them customizable to the mechanic.

Brendan McGrath, CEO, Dyme Performance Systems Inc.
Product: Rattlesnake Toolkit – Toolkit that can measure the exact length and angle of a hose assembly down to the millimeter, significantly reducing time and cost.

Kevin Robinson, President, TRAC LLC
Product: TRAC Tire Rotation Assistance Cart – Tool designed to simply lift and remove a wheel from a vehicle during service. The tool is designed to reduce workplace injuries while increasing productivity.

Tom Sawarynski, Owner, Off-Road Research
Product: Smart Cap Module (SCM) – Allows any aftermarket shock absorber with a bridge or remote-mounted reservoir to broadcast damper position to an external module or modules.

Dustin Woolf, Owner, Woolfpack Racing
Product: Natural Nitrous – Stand-alone refrigerated system for the air induction of the motor. It lowers the air charge and dehumidifies the moisture, which increases horsepower because there are dense oxygen atoms in the cylinder. It also lowers emissions because of the complete burn of the fuel.

“Not only did we receive more applications than ever before, but the quality of the applications is impressive,” said Ted Wentz, SEMA Board Member and chair of the SEMA Launch Pad Task Force. “The products represent such a variety and spectrum of items that support vehicle customization.”

As one of the judges, Parker—whose company, Redline Detection, won the Manufacturer of the Year award in 2020—said, “These entrepreneurs are absolute rock stars. It’s been an honor to learn about their businesses and heartbreaking to have to send so many of them home. The top five finalists reflect the best innovators in our industry: They are smart, hardworking, and passionate about their products.”

To watch the video in which the judges selected the five finalists, or to learn more about SEMA Launch Pad, visit www.sema.org/launchpad.

By Ashley Reyes

SEMA is governed by a Board of Directors who volunteer their time to lead and guide the association. While professional staff is responsible for the day-to-day execution of the programs and services, SEMA Board members provide direction and play a critical role in shaping the future of the automotive specialty-equipment market.

Kyle Fickler

SEMA Showgoers will have the opportunity to meet Kyle Fickler, SEMA Board Chair-Elect/Treasurer and Director of Sales and New Business Development at Driven Racing Oil; and new SEMA Board Members Brian Reese, CEO of Driven Lighting Group; and Larry Montante, Vice President, Category Management at Keystone Automotive Operations, as they join the first of six interviews taking place at the SEMA Show Stage in the Members Lounge, South #49031.

Brian Reese

Powered by the SEMA Wheel and Tire Council (WTC), “The Stage: Meet the new SEMA Board” will take place on Tuesday, November 2, at 11:00 a.m. The interview will be moderated by WTC Chair Todd Steen of Jackson Marketing Group and be a candid discussion on what SEMA’s current initiatives are.

Larry Montante

To RSVP and view the full list of The Stage, Powered by WTC sessions including “Meet the WTC Team,” “Five Things You Need to Launch a New Product” and more, click here.