Almost two years ago, TheDrive discovered patent documents filed by Ford that were titled “electrified vehicles with a removable and interchangeable range-extending generators.”

The patent reads: “This disclosure details electrified vehicles that are equipped with removable generators for increasing the electric range of the vehicles. An exemplary electrified vehicle includes a cargo space, such as a truck bed, and a generator removably positioned within the cargo space. The generator is adapted to selectively supply power for either charging a battery pack of the electrified vehicle or for propelling one or more vehicle drive wheels. In some embodiments, the generator is shaped like, and therefore disguised as, a toolbox.”

This brings us to our shots, we first caught a look at this prototype back in February and then again late last week. The Lightning prototype features the aforementioned “toolbox” and appears to be the same truck in both shots, albeit with different plates. The trucks have the same blue 161 sticker in the window, which we haven’t seen on any other lightnings (they’ve all been yellow).

So, is this just a lightning with a toolbox, or is Ford making progress on their range-extending generator patent? At this point all we can do is speculate, but it would be an interesting development if this technology came to fruition.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Truck Hero’s CEO Bill Reminder Announces Retirement

Truck Hero Inc. announced that after more than 20 successful years building Truck Hero into the preeminent player in the industry, President and CEO Bill Reminder has announced his plans to retire. The Company’s board of directors has commenced a search process to identify the company’s next CEO, and has retained Heidrick & Struggles, a leading global executive search firm, to assist in the process. Reminder will remain as CEO until a successor is identified and will continue to serve on the board following the transition as Truck Hero's largest individual investor.

SuperSprings International Names Adam Weisner Company President

Adam Weisner has been named president of SuperSpring International (SSI). Formerly the company’s chief commercial officer, has been functionally driving the direction and revenue since August 2021, according to SSI. The company recently restructured to include five distinct business units all reporting to Weisner. He has been with the company since 2018.

Outdoor Adventure X Launching at Snowbasin Resort in 2023

Outdoor Adventure X, a new outdoor consumer festival, will debut at Snowbasin Resort in Huntsville, Utah, next June. The three-day event, scheduled for June 16–18, 2023, is open to the public and will include hands-on outdoor product experiences—camping, climbing, cycling, hiking, overlanding, water sports,and more—along with consumer-driven education, advocacy programs, live music, films, food, and family fun. Outdoor Adventure X is a collaboration between the new Xcelerator division of Emerald and Lodestone Events, producers of the Overland Expo event series, and will take place the weekend prior to Outdoor Retailer Summer in Salt Lake City and County.

Outdoor Adventure X will stage in advance of Outdoor Retailer Summer, which returns to Salt Lake and the Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center from June 19–21, 2023. Outdoor Retailer attendees will have free access to Outdoor Adventure X on Sunday, June 18, 2023, for an industry day. More details on Outdoor Adventure X will be available later this year, including information for outdoor manufacturers, nonprofit organizations and educational speakers to get involved, as well as consumer ticketing and camping packages.

James Elkins Promoted to Editor of Ford Muscle

Power Automedia has announced the promotion of James Elkins to editor of Ford Muscle magazine. Elkins started at the company as a freelancer just over a year ago, and his potential was quickly realized, earning a spot on the publishing staff as the senior associate editor of Ford Muscle magazine. Both Ford Muscle’s website traffic and Facebook audience have flourished under James’ guidance, with an all-time high being set just this past May.

Elkins is a writer, editor and content strategist who has a deep passion for all things Ford. He has proven to be an excellent leader for Ford Muscle, crafting content that engages and excites its audience. Since his hiring, Ford Muscle’s website traffic went from averaging around 16,000 readers per week to more than 20,000. In this year alone, Ford Muscle has seen 25,000 to 30,000 readers per week with April and May reaching 50,000 to 109,000 per week.

2022 Virginia Festival of Wheels Scheduled for August 26-28

The 4th annual Virginia Festival of the Wheel takes place in Charlottesville at the Boar’s Head Resort from Friday, August 26 to Sunday, August 28. Event organizers announced that some of the finest automobiles in the Commonwealth and beyond will be on display to raise funds supporting the UVA Cancer Center Patient Fund. Tickets and registration are open now at vafestivalofthewheel.com. The 2022 theme is “Cars of the Autobahn” and features classes for Porsche, BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz with perhaps a separate open class for Karmann-Ghia, Opel and VW if there is enough demand. The special guest for 2022 is Hurley Haywood, famed road racing endurance driver.

Race Winning Brands Continues Growth Into New Markets

Race Winning Brands Inc. (RWB), a portfolio company of MiddleGround Capital, is revving up its growth momentum with the acquisition of CORSA Performance, CORSA Performance Marine and Volant Performance. This group of acquisitions brings decades of experience in intake and exhaust system performance to the RWB family and tallies up to 16 add-ons for Race Winning Brands since its 2017 inception. The transaction of CORSA Performance, CORSA Marine, and Volant Performance is effective immediately. The businesses will continue to operate and service customers from their respective location.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA News. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

  By SEMA Editors

It’s not too late for exhibitors who want to participate in the 2022 SEMA Show to submit a booth space application. Attendees are encouraged to check the floorplan throughout the week to see where the companies they need to interact with will be located at the 2022 SEMA Show.

For more information about exhibiting, refer to the Exhibitor Service Manual, where you will find information about deadlines, booth and feature vehicle applications, Show guidelines, booth services, target times for freight and more.

The 2022 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, November 1–4, in Las Vegas.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibitors of the 2022 SEMA Show are invited to expand their reach, product exposure and Show-floor presence by offering products to builders through the Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list. The list connects manufacturers with builders looking to create or complete a vehicle project.

The list, which will be updated in SEMA eNews, features product offers and contact information provided by confirmed SEMA Show exhibitors. Builders interested in obtaining a product use the information to contact exhibitors directly. With each project vehicle required to be supported by a current 2022 SEMA Show exhibitor, all product-placement decisions, negotiations and agreements are the responsibility of the exhibiting manufacturer and the builder.

The list is open to exhibitors of the 2022 SEMA Show only. To be included in the list, complete the form.

Exhibitors: Each submission will appear on a first-come, first-served basis. As participation increases, all submissions will also be archived on www.SEMAShow.com.

Note: For verification purposes, the Project-Vehicle Builders form must be used to participate in the program; email submissions will not be included in the list. Participation in the list does not guarantee product or vehicle placement at the 2022 SEMA Show.

View the Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list.

  Registration for the 2022 SEMA Show, the premier gathering for the automotive specialty-equipment industry, is now open at www.semashow.com/register.

Taking place November 1–4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the 2022 SEMA Show will build upon the positive momentum following last year’s event, which successfully connected the $47.8 billion industry in person in what was the largest automotive trade show in North America since the pandemic shut everything down in 2020.

“The SEMA Show is where industry professionals go to grow existing relationships, create new ones, and push their businesses forward,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “Exhibitors are eager to showcase their products and services to the tens of thousands of qualified professionals in attendance.”

Anticipation for this year's SEMA Show ramped up in recent weeks as exhibitors selected their booth locations during Priority Space Selection, a weeks-long process that took place May 2–18.

“Enthusiasm for the 2022 Show continues to exceed last year’s, with more than 1 million sq. ft. of exhibitor space already committed for the 2022 SEMA Show and confirmed spaces running 25% above last year,” said Warren Kosikov, SEMA vice president of sales.

Attendees at the 2022 SEMA Show will learn about the latest products, trends and technology in the industry from manufacturers exhibiting throughout the entire Las Vegas Convention Center, including the surrounding parking lots. Educational seminars led by industry experts and networking events that bring market niches together will also be available during the four-day trade event.

“Our industry continues to thrive despite current challenges in the marketplace, and last year’s event proved that the value of conducting business and networking face-to-face can never be replaced,” said Gattuso. “Our mission is to help continue that momentum by providing an unparalleled experience that builds meaningful business relationships.”

Registration for the 2022 SEMA Show is offered in three categories—attendee, exhibitor and media—and everyone must qualify to attend. Attendees are encouraged to register early at www.semashow.com/register so they can secure their credentials and receive updates on breaking news from the 2022 SEMA Show.

Attendees are encouraged to check the floorplan to see where the companies they need to interact with will be located at the 2022 SEMA Show.

For more information about qualifying documents and the 2022 SEMA Show, log on to www.semashow.com.

By SEMA Editors

Latest Jobs Added to SEMA Career Center

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest jobs posted to the website.

Mechanical Engineer
Currie Enterprises is hiring a mechanical engineer to provide engineering support for new and existing products, utilize a variety of manufacturing methods and develop 3-D CAD models and 2-D drawings for manufacturing. Candidates must have more than three years of mechanical engineering and manufacturing experience; extensive experience using SolidWorks for 3-D parts, assemblies, and drawing; and experience working with precision mechanical assemblies.

High-Performance Engine Assembler
Group-A Engineering is hiring a high-performance engine assembler to work on high-profile projects. Applicants must be mature, experienced and versatile—able to switch from project to project. Also, candidates must have the ability to work on everything, such as various engines and vehicles, both import and domestic. A minimum of 3–5 years’ high-performance engine building experience is required.

Senior Accountant
EGR Inc. is hiring a senior accountant who can quickly be groomed to step into the role of financial controller. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills; technology, organizational and analytical skills; at least three years’ of general and cost accounting experience (using an integrated ERP system) in a manufacturing environment; a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance; and hold a CPA license.

By SEMA Editors

Dates and locations have been scheduled for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a final rule to update the standard reference test tire (SRTT) used as a baseline tire to rate treadwear, braking traction, snow traction and evaluate pavement surface friction. The rule was necessary because the only manufacturer of the previously referenced SRTT ceased production of the tire. Referencing a new SRTT ensures the availability of a test tire for testing purposes.

Under the final rule, ASTM E1136, ‘‘Standard Specification for P195/75R14 Radial Standard Reference Test Tire’’ (14-in. SRTT) will be replaced with ASTM F2493, Standard Specification for P225/60R16 (16-in. SRTT). The 16-in. SRTT is considered more representative of current tires because of its larger size, new material and design features that are more typical of modern passenger car tires.

To view the final rule click here.

For more information, contact Caroline Fletcher at carolinef@sema.org.

By Ashley Reyes

Emerging entrepreneurs and inventors have until June 13 to submit their applications for the SEMA Launch Pad. Through the SEMA Launch Pad, those with a functioning automotive-related product or accessory will vie for a chance to win a grand-prize package valued at $92,000 to help launch their product or service into the marketplace. 

SEMA Launch Pad is the ultimate product-pitching competition for automotive entrepreneurs, and helps elevate budding businesses though brand exposure, access to business resources, face time with key industry influencers and more. Cash prizes are awarded to the top three finalists, while other semifinalists and their products are promoted on SEMA websites, publications and social-media networks throughout the duration of the competition.

Fifteen semifinalists will be selected in June to participate in the first round of pitching and be invited to exhibit at the 2022 SEMA Show in Las Vegas in November. The top five finalists will pitch their products to a panel of industry judges during the SEMA Show, where a final winner will be selected.

Past products included have been selected from segments such as vehicle technology, restyling, truck and off-road and more, although the program is not limited to any product that has the potential to positively impact the future of the aftermarket industry.

To qualify, applicants must be a business owner or company-leading executive (president, CEO, CFO, COO or vice president), and must offer a product or service that is a functioning prototype or concept or currently available for sale.

Apply now for SEMA Launch Pad.

By Ashley Reyes

Modern battery pack design has come a long way in a short period of time. While many engineers are familiar with the basic principles, designing battery packs for a hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV), plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle (PHEV) or battery electric vehicle (BEV) requires advanced engineering.

Knowing chemistry types and wiring, battery management systems and difference between parallel versus series cell arrangement is critical to know when designing battery packs because many cells connect together to create larger battery capacities.

Automotive engineers, programmers and product developers are invited to learn about battery pack design basics, and how to identify the basic design elements of a properly designed HEV/EV high-voltage battery pack, during the SEMA Emerging Trends and Technology Network (ETTN) webinar on June 21, at 1:00 p.m. (PDT).

Jake Hawksworth, founder and CEO at Hypercraft, will demystify high-voltage battery packs and present the types of cells and their uses, so attendees can understand the safety systems involved, and have a deeper understanding of current high voltage architecture.

Register here.