By Ashley Reyes

SEMA's Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) has named Terry Payne, CEO of RDMBUILDS, as the council's newest spotlight volunteer. Get to know Payne and his passion for restyling in his interview with SEMA News below. 

SEMA News: What inspired you to pursue a career in restyling? 

RDMBUILDS CEO Terry Payne: The endless possibilities of creation to the automotive world.  

SN: Why did you decide to volunteer for PRO? 

TP: I wanted to be with the best and learn.  

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

TP: Dream; don't follow the others and be unique. 

SN: What is your dream vehicle? Where would we find you in it on any weekend? 

TP: My dream vehicle is a Ford Cyclone GT. You would find me at a car show.   

SN: What is the best advice you have ever received? 

TP: From George Barris--dream your dream, not everybody else's. 

SN: What keeps you in the industry? 

TP: My commitment to be the best at it. 

SN: Where can you be found on a Saturday? 

TP: Usually at a car event with my wife.  

Fill out a PRO member spotlight form to highlight how you or your company are contributing to the automotive restyling industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on PRO's social media, SEMA News and future PRO-member updates. 

By Ashley Reyes

SEMA's Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) has named Classic Recreations as the council's newest spotlight member. Get to know how this car builder rose to prominence in the industry with the SEMA News interview with Classic Recreations' Operations Manager Sean Swayer below.  

SEMA News: Tell us the story of your business. How did you start? 

Classic Recreations Operations Manager Sean Sawyer: Classic Recreations started 18 years ago in Oklahoma City. The current ownership purchased it in 2020, one week before COVID shut the world down. After purchase, the new owner relocated the company to Flower Mound, Texas, and centralized it into one large facility. 

The owners have spent the last three years dealing with COVID-related manufacturing delays while turning the company into a modern manufacturing business. 

SN: Tell us about your business now and the projects that you are working on. 

SS: We are known for our Shelby Licensed Carbon Fiber-bodied '67 and '68 Mustangs, many supercharged. We also build Ford Licensed Boss 429 and Mach 1 recreations, as well as '65 and '66 Shelby GT350CR models. 

SN: Tell us about a particular project, product or build you are proud of. 

SS: We are currently building the prototype for the 60th Anniversary Shelby Cobra on a full race chassis and Carbon fiber body. We plan to build 10 of them. 

SN: What advice do you have for young professionals contemplating a career in the automotive restoration segment? 

SS: In addition to learning your trade, get an education in business. This industry is populated by small businesses, and there are too many owners that have talent for the work but not talent for the business. 

Fill out an ARMO-member spotlight form to highlight how your company is contributing to the specialty-equipment industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on ARMO's social media, SEMA News and future ARMO-member updates. 

By SEMA News Editors

SEMA News sources have spotted camouflaged performance versions of the Mercedes CLE Convertible and Mercedes CLE Coupe in Germany, believed to be the new AMG 53 and AMG 63 variants. Photographers captured the cars in action, sporting a few aggressive design elements you won't find on the standard CLE-Class that debuted earlier this year, which replaced the coupe and convertible versions of the C-Class and E-Class.

The camouflaged Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 seen here is expected to provide a more spirited driving experience than the entry-level versions.

The Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 is expected to provide a more spirited driving experience than the entry-level CLE 300 4Matic and CLE 450 4Matic. The 450 is already powered by a turbocharged inline-six, but it only produces 375hp.

Exterior-wise, the alleged Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 features blacked-out trim and the Panamericana grille, which is only bolted to the front of AMG-badged vehicles. The lesser CLE models are adorned with chrome trimmings for a more elegant appearance.

Rumors suggest the AMG 53 will be powered by a more powerful version of the 3.0L M 256 turbocharged mild-hybrid inline-six found in the CLE 450. It could produce the same 429hp as other models equipped with the 53 badge, a 54hp increase over the 450. The 53 also has a quad-exhaust setup with circular tips.

The camouflaged Mercedes-AMG CLE 63 seen here is expected to allow Mercedes-Benz to field a rival to the BMW M4 and Audi RS5.

The AMG 63 variant, on the other hand, will allow Mercedes-Benz to field a rival to the BMW M4 and Audi RS5. It also features the squared-off quad exhaust outlets seen on AMG 63 models and appears to have bigger brakes and a wider track compared with previously spied prototypes.

By SEMA News Editors

Ford Performance in Dearborn, Michigan, has unveiled the new Mustang for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series based on the Mustang Dark Horse.

Based on the seventh-generation Mustang, this Dark Horse version adds to the lineup of racing Mustangs, and means that starting in 2024, Mustang will be eligible to race on six continents.

"What a crazy year it has been revealing our new global Mustangs for racing. The positive response from our fans around the world has been amazing, and we’re confident that this Mustang Dark Horse Cup car will be no different and that NASCAR fans will be excited to cheer us on next year," said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “Our Ford Performance staff, together with our NASCAR race teams, have worked tirelessly in the wind tunnel developing this car, and I can’t wait to finally see it race on the track next season.”

Ford unveiled the all-new Mustang Dark Horse just over a year ago, marking the first new performance nameplate for Mustang since 2001. It is the most track-capable 5.0L V8 street-legal Mustang ever and has inspired the current roster of Mustang cars that started racing this year in the Repco Supercars Championship in Australia and Formula Drift series.

In the months ahead, Mustang Dark Horse racing variants will be eligible to compete in GT3 and GT4 classes globally and in addition, Dark Horse R will compete in the Mustang Challenge Series and many grassroots racing events.

The NASCAR Cup Series Mustang Dark Horse will debut on February 4, 2024, as part of the Clash at the Coliseum exhibition race inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

For more racing industry news, visit the PRI website at performanceracing.com/magazine/industry-news.

By SEMA News Editors

LTA Manufacturing has officially launched its new truck topper brand, Venturous Truck Tops, last week at the 2023 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The first-of-its-kind truck cap solution incorporates the all-new, patent-pending PolyFuse™ Technology to produce a top that is designed to be lighter, stronger and sleeker than traditional truck tops. It is the first major advancement to truck top manufacturing in more than 50 years, the company stated.  

Current truck tops are manufactured with an open-mold system that uses fiberglass and resin mixed with fillers such as calcium carbonate, layered with a cardboard honeycomb in the center. To create an improved, more efficient solution, LTA Manufacturing invented PolyFuse Technology, which uses a closed-mold system in its injection molding process to produce a top that is lighter and stronger and has a higher weight capacity for truck top accessories and roof rack systems.

"This is truly a game-changing solution in a largely traditional market," said Matt Blais, vice president of sales, LTA Manufacturing. "For years, the manufacturing process for truck tops has been the same. The launch of Venturous Truck Tops marks the first time this innovative production technology is being used to create an entirely new type of top."

The PolyFuse technology enables a truck top to be 38% lighter and three-times stronger than other models on the market, as the Venturous top can withstand up to 1,500 lbs. of static weight and up to 750 lbs. dynamic. Additionally, the closed-mold PolyFuse process generates a truck top that is more uniform and more consistent in shape, eliminates air pockets, and reduces the risk of condensation.

Having been specifically designed with outdoor adventures and off-road durability in mind, Venturous Truck Tops are easily customizable to fit the needs of different lifestyles with options and add-ons ranging from increased storage space to increased security.

To learn more, visit venturoustrucktops.com. To find an LTA dealer near you, click here. 

Fisker Names David King Chief Technology Officer

Los Angeles-based Fisker, the company on a mission to create the world's most emotional and sustainable electric vehicles (EVs), has announced that David King has been promoted to chief technology officer. 

King will immediately assume his new role, replacing Dr. Burkhard Huhnke, who will leave the company for personal reasons.

King joined Fisker in 2021 after three decades in the auto industry. As Fisker's senior vice president of engineering, he previously headed up global body engineering, where he oversaw the development and launch of the Ocean body program in Graz, Austria, at Fisker's manufacturing facility. King also supervised UK operations and led Fisker Magic Works, the company's special vehicle division. In this position, he has been leading the development of the Fisker Ronin super GT convertible and the Force-E offroad package for the Fisker Ocean.

As CTO, King will report to Chairman and CEO Henrik Fisker and will lead Fisker's global engineering and software teams in the United States, Europe, India and China.

For more information, visit fiskerinc.com.

Full Race Takes Full Control of Distribution Channels With MidwayPlus

MidwayPlus has announced that Full Race has completed the modernization of its wholesale distribution channels using the MidwayPlus SaaS platform. A brand-new Full Race B2B Storefront on MidwayPlus is designed to deliver a better user experience for their resellers and offers a window into hundreds of new wholesale opportunities that exist in the MidwayPlus marketplace. 

Full Race's partnership with MidwayPlus empowers them to scale their wholesale efforts while maintaining a focus on product development and fulfillment. 

MidwayPlus centralizes all B2B orders through a single portal, controls discounts for all customers, ensures the latest product info is available and provides a marketing channel to customers through the MidwayPlus feed, checking all of the boxes that Full Race required for its B2B strategy without the need to scale their staff.

For more information, visit midwayplus.com.

By SEMA News Editors

SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN), the fastest-growing professional group within SEMA, has announced that the charity auction of its '21 Ford Bronco Wildtrak, built exclusively by female automotive professionals and enthusiasts, had a final winning bid of $59,600. The collaborative effort was a hit at the 2023 SEMA Show, and the week-long bidding war raised awareness for the SEMA Businesswomen's Network and the SEMA Cares charity effort.

The '21 Ford Bronco Wildtrak garnered a lot of attention for the SEMA Businesswomen's Network and SEMA Cares during this year's 2023 SEMA Show.

A diverse group of female volunteers from various sectors of the automotive industry contributed to the project from its inception to its unveiling at the SEMA Show in 2022. Volunteers representing both U.S. coasts and Canada came from a wide range of cultural backgrounds and included veterans, students, multi-generational family duos, including mothers and granddaughters, automotive technicians, racecar drivers and accomplished car-building sisters.

A diverse group of women volunteers from across the continent and various automotive segments came together to build the '21 Ford Bronco Wildtrak to benefit charity.

"This build really highlighted the talent and growing involvement of women in the automotive industry," said Nicole Bradle, SBN council director. "The decision to use this build to give back to the community through SEMA Cares was an easy one, and the positive effect it had on the women who participated and the connections they made will last a lifetime."

SEMA Cares is an organization focused on channeling the dedication and expertise of SEMA association members toward making a positive impact beyond the automotive community. Since its establishment in 2007, SEMA Cares has provided much-needed support and care to children and others in need. By auctioning the all-female-built Bronco this year, it hopes to expand the level of care it can provide in the coming years.

For more information about the SEMA Businesswomen's Network, visit the SBN website.

By Ashley Reyes 

The SEMA Future Leaders Network (FLN) has named James Kovac, wholesale account manager at Diode Dynamics, as the network's newest spotlight member.   

Get to know Kovac in his interview with SEMA News below.  

SEMA News: What is the best advice you have ever received?    

James Kovac: Follow your passion when looking for a career. Growing up, I figured that working in this industry would be a pipe dream or simply unsustainable. After I graduated, I took a chance at (what was) a small company and have been growing with them ever since! 

SN: What keeps you in the industry?  

JK: My love of all things automotive. Secondly, being able to contribute product and process suggestions that have a tangible impact on my company's operations. 

SN: Where can you be found on a Saturday?    

JK: If I'm not attending an expo or show for work, you can find me working on an endless list of DIY projects for my old house or spending time with friends and family. 

SN: How do you prepare for an important meeting?   

JK: Step one, ensure that I am fully caffeinated! Then, I usually dedicate 10 minutes or so to mentally reviewing the subject and objectives of the meeting. I'll make a short list of talking points that need to be hit to ensure nothing is missed. 

SN: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who would it be?    

JK: Lee Iacocca.

Fill out an FLN member spotlight form to be eligible to be featured on FLN's social media, SEMA News and FLN member updates.   

By SEMA News Editors

The PRI Show, December 7-9 in downtown Indianapolis, provides dozens of conferences, seminars, social gatherings and more events to help the industry share new ideas. Among the activities are networking opportunities and events from the SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN), SEMA Future Leaders Network (FLN) and the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC). 

SBN Gear-Up Girl Lunch

Women racing professionals are encouraged to register to share their expertise with students pursuing careers in the motorsports industry at the 2023 PRI Show.

Female racing and aftermarket industry professionals will connect with female students pursuing careers in the motorsports industry at the Gear-Up Girl Lunch powered by SBN on Friday, December 8, 11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m. EST in Room 208. Reserved only for women, this fun and dynamic event serves as a networking opportunity for professionals to give back and share advice with today's female youth. To RSVP for the Gear-Up Girl Lunch powered by SBN, click here.

FLN and MPMC Networking Reception

On Friday, December 8, from 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. EST in the Wabash Ballroom, the FLN and MPMC networking reception will serve as an opportunity to close out day two of the PRI Show while networking with industry friends and colleagues in a relaxed setting. The event features complimentary hot hors d'oeuvres and drinks, and will include the induction of the next MPMC Hall of Fame member. Select committee members will be on-site to answer questions about council and network membership, and limited quantities of SEMA swag will be available too! To RSVP for the reception, click here.

For more information on the 2023 PRI Show, including how to register, visit performanceracing.com/tradeshow.

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

During the 2023 SEMA Show, SEMA presented its Stephen B. McDonald Lawmaker of the Year Award to California State Senator Anthony Portantino for his work on SB 301, the "Zero-Emissions Aftermarket Conversion Project."

SB 301 is a groundbreaking bill, which currently awaits a final vote by the Assembly, that would create new opportunities for SEMA members and provide financial assistance to Californians to convert their gasoline-powered vehicles to zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs).  

California has multiple programs to promote the purchase of new ZEVs, but none assist with ZEV conversions of gas-powered vehicles. SB 301 would fill this gap, making it more affordable for Californians to convert their existing vehicles to ZEVs. 

SB 301 has won the backing of business and environmental groups alike. The California Manufacturing and Technology Association (CMTA), the Los Angeles Business Federation (LA BizFed), the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, BREATHE California and CALSTART have all endorsed the bill. The California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber) has also labeled SB 301 as a "Job Creator." 

During a tour of the 2023 SEMA Show, California Senator Anthony Portantino was interviewed by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), the top drag racing sanctioning body that is based in his district. During the conversation, he touched upon a crucial aspect of technological advancement: the role of policymakers in fostering innovation. Senator Portantino emphasized that instead of favoring specific technologies, policymakers should focus on creating a level playing field where diverse innovations can flourish.

"We as policymakers sometimes get pushed between what technology we should embrace," he stated, "and I think one of the things that I'm walking away from here (the 2023 SEMA Show) is that we shouldn't be picking the winners, we should be helping all of them compete against each other."

This approach, Portantino believes, will lead to a more dynamic and inclusive technological landscape, where the best ideas have the opportunity to thrive. 

"Senator Portantino is a true champion for SEMA members and the aftermarket industry," said Christian Robinson, senior director of state government affairs and grassroots at SEMA. "He understands the importance of the aftermarket industry to California's economy and the role that SEMA members play in developing new technologies to reduce emissions and make vehicles more fun to drive." 

"SB 301 is a groundbreaking bill that would create new opportunities for SEMA members," Robinson continued. "The bill would create new demand for aftermarket parts and services, and SEMA members would be well-positioned to meet that demand." 

SEMA supports all of the above vehicle technology approaches, including the aftermarket expansion for ZEVs. SEMA opposes the government choosing winners and losers in the marketplace, including California's 2035 ban on new gas- and diesel-powered cars and trucks. SEMA believes that Californians and their families should be able to choose what type of vehicle is best suited for their needs. 

Senator Anthony Portantino represents California's 25th State Senate District, which stretches along the 210 Freeway from Sunland/Tujunga to Upland. Senator Portantino currently serves as the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Before his years in the legislature, he worked in film and television production, served on the California Film Commission, and spent nearly eight years on the La Cañada Flintridge City Council, with two terms as mayor. 

Senator Portantino grew up in New Jersey, where he attended public schools and graduated from Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania, where he met his future wife, Ellen, a longtime business executive at Warner Brothers and Disney. They have two daughters. 

For more information, contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

The U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce has passed H.R. 906, the "Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act." The subcommittee voted on 16 pieces of legislation to improve product safety, secure supply chains, bring consumer transparency on hidden fees and protect consumers' right to repair their motor vehicles. The Energy & Commerce Committee can now consider the SEMA-supported REPAIR Act. SEMA continues to advocate for the REPAIR Act to be amended in committee to expand the legislation to protect the right to modify our motor vehicles. 

The bipartisan legislation would ensure that the aftermarket industry will have access to the tools and repair information necessary to produce and install parts used to repair cars, trucks and SUVs that we love as an industry. SEMA supports expanding the legislation to protect our right to modify. We are seeking changes to the bill to: 

• Prevent vehicle manufacturers from employing any technological, legal or cryptographic barriers that impede the ability of an aftermarket parts manufacturer or a vehicle repair facility to produce or install aftermarket parts and software that are custom or modify a vehicle. 
• Amend the bill's cybersecurity provision to ensure that motor vehicle owners and their designees can access cryptographic or technologically protected vehicle-generated data and safety-critical vehicle systems. 
• Amend how the bill defines "critical repair information and tools" to include advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) recalibrations necessary to return a vehicle to operational specifications. 

The REPAIR Act was introduced by U.S. Representatives Neal Dunn (R-FL), Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Warren Davidson (R-OH) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA). The bill currently has 46 co-sponsors (23 Republicans and 23 Democrats).  

Click here to send a letter to your U.S. Representative asking them to support and expand the REPAIR Act to protect our right to modify vehicles.  

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org or visit sema.org/advocacy/right-to-repair.