SEMA News—May 2020

FROM THE HILL

By Colby Martin

Ignited We Stand

Unearthing Common Ground With Elected Officials

U.S. Representative Gil Cisneros (D-CA) celebrated Independence Day at a local car show.

One of the major perks of working at SEMA has been exposure to a wide array of interesting personalities. Like so many, I grew up inspired by the countless influential talents found in the automotive field. The well-known faces and brands are usually linked to a unique style of craft, innovation or entertainment. While I don’t always share their tastes, I can appreciate their unique expressions. At the end of the day, a common thread unites us enthusiasts: the love and dedication for all things four-wheeled.

In my role as the SEMA Action Network (SAN) director, the “who’s-who” roster includes folks I never considered meeting: elected officials. I had falsely assumed that nobody in government shared my sense of fun with four wheels prior to this position. Through in-person experiences with lawmakers and staff, my perception has been proven wrong. Lawmakers such as Reps. Bill Posey (R-FL), Dina Titus (D-NV) and Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) have previously attended the SEMA Show and the Washington Rally, but it wasn’t until recently that I had the chance to personally interact with our industry’s legislative allies. It turns out that cars and trucks transcend just about every line—even political parties! It’s been so refreshing to meet lawmakers in my home state who have a similar affection.

California Assembly Member Tim Grayson (D) represents the 14th district in the California Assembly, which includes parts of Contra Costa and Solano Counties. Assembly Member Grayson was one of the driving forces behind legislation to immediately restore law enforcement’s ability to issue fix-it tickets, providing car owners with 30 days to correct suspected violations of California’s exhaust noise limits. For his effort, he was awarded the Stephen B. McDonald Legislator of the Year award at the 2019 SEMA Show.

Assembly Member Tim Grayson (second from right) was recognized for his efforts in the California legislature to promote policies and legislation that support the automotive aftermarket industry. During the 2019 SEMA Show, Assembly Member Grayson accepts his award from West Virginia Delegate Gary Howell (left), national chairman of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus, SEMA’s Christian Robinson (second from left) and Daniel Ingber (right).

I first met Assembly Member Grayson, as well as his wife Tammy, at the 2018 SEMA Show. It didn’t take long to recognize a kindred spirit. He was excited about the possibility of taking a hot lap in an exhibition Cobra outside the Las Vegas Convention Center. In fact, Assembly Member Grayson believes that his own ’67 Ford Mustang Fastback is a “bipartisan car.”

“My colleagues may have never sat in a muscle car or even heard one run,” he said. “And then, all of a sudden, they hear that car roar in the basement of the Capitol. It gets their attention—and some of them become very passionate. It causes us to lay down our differences and to appreciate something that is complete Americana all the way.”

When U.S. Representative Gil Cisneros (D-CA) recently paid a visit to my workplace, I was interested to learn about both his life experiences and his passion for Corvettes; now this was a politician speaking a language I could understand! In 2018, Rep. Cisneros was elected to represent California’s 39th Congressional District, which is home to SEMA’s headquarters in Diamond Bar, California. A first-time elected official, Rep. Cisneros served 10 years in the Navy, reaching the rank of lieutenant commander. He served in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Shield and later worked as a shipping and production manager for Frito-Lay before being elected to Congress.

As an automotive enthusiast, Rep. Cisneros has been an advocate for the automotive aftermarket during his time in Congress, serving as an original cosponsor of the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act and as a member of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus.

“Growing up, my dad and I bonded over our love of cars, and I have many fond memories working on his old ’56 Chevy,” Rep. Cisneros said. “Although I was a proud Corvette owner, I’ve since been forced to trade it in for a minivan following the birth of my twin boys.”

U.S. Representative Norma Torres (D-CA, center) posed for a photo with SEMA staff.

Even though U.S. Representative Norma Torres (D-CA) is my member of Congress, I was unaware that she had her own meaningful connections with the industry. As a constituent in the 35th Congressional District, I’ve sent her office many personal messages on automotive issues. I’ve learned that, when given the opportunity, she’ll proudly mention that she enjoys driving a ’66 Ford Mustang that her husband Louis restored. With that in mind, it was only a matter of time before she made her way to the SEMA Garage, also at SEMA headquarters.

During her SEMA Garage tour, Rep. Torres was especially interested to hear about Project Underdog, in which local youth customized and displayed at the SEMA Show a ’72 Maverick, with guidance from Fast & Furious star Sung Kang. Project Underdog brought Rep. Torres back to the days when she drove a 302-powered ’74 Maverick. Hearing her recount colorful tales to my co-workers and me about time behind the car’s wheel left a lasting impression.

Prior to being elected to Congress in 2014, Rep. Torres worked as a 911 dispatcher for the Los Angeles Police Department for nearly 20 years before deciding to run for elected office. Her distinguished career in public service includes service as mayor of Pomona and on the city council, in addition to the California State Assembly and Senate.

Upon her election to Congress, Rep. Torres embarked on a Job Creation Listening Tour, meeting with more than 200 business owners, employees, education professionals and local economic leaders. Rep. Torres then introduced a bill to direct the U.S. Department of Labor to help fund pilot projects that provide education and training programs for jobs in advanced manufacturing. Rep. Torres’s bill, the JOBS Act, would connect educational institutions with manufacturers to give workers the training and skills they need to find jobs in growing industries—a top SEMA priority. Additionally, Rep. Torres supported the automotive aftermarket by cosponsoring the RPM Act and pushing the U.S. Department of Transportation to complete a rulemaking to allow the production and sale of completed replica vehicles.

What’s the big takeaway? While you may not have party affiliation or policy views in common, put them aside and give a fair chance those elected to represent you and your neighbors. Make an effort to connect on topics that are revered equally. Rep. Torres summed up the sentiment nicely:

“Visiting the SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar was like taking a trip down memory lane,” she said. “It was great to be around people who have the same passion, love and enthusiasm for hot rods that the greater Inland Empire and I share.”

SEMA News—May 2020

FROM THE HILL

By Colby Martin

Ignited We Stand

Unearthing Common Ground With Elected Officials

U.S. Representative Gil Cisneros (D-CA) celebrated Independence Day at a local car show.

One of the major perks of working at SEMA has been exposure to a wide array of interesting personalities. Like so many, I grew up inspired by the countless influential talents found in the automotive field. The well-known faces and brands are usually linked to a unique style of craft, innovation or entertainment. While I don’t always share their tastes, I can appreciate their unique expressions. At the end of the day, a common thread unites us enthusiasts: the love and dedication for all things four-wheeled.

In my role as the SEMA Action Network (SAN) director, the “who’s-who” roster includes folks I never considered meeting: elected officials. I had falsely assumed that nobody in government shared my sense of fun with four wheels prior to this position. Through in-person experiences with lawmakers and staff, my perception has been proven wrong. Lawmakers such as Reps. Bill Posey (R-FL), Dina Titus (D-NV) and Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) have previously attended the SEMA Show and the Washington Rally, but it wasn’t until recently that I had the chance to personally interact with our industry’s legislative allies. It turns out that cars and trucks transcend just about every line—even political parties! It’s been so refreshing to meet lawmakers in my home state who have a similar affection.

California Assembly Member Tim Grayson (D) represents the 14th district in the California Assembly, which includes parts of Contra Costa and Solano Counties. Assembly Member Grayson was one of the driving forces behind legislation to immediately restore law enforcement’s ability to issue fix-it tickets, providing car owners with 30 days to correct suspected violations of California’s exhaust noise limits. For his effort, he was awarded the Stephen B. McDonald Legislator of the Year award at the 2019 SEMA Show.

Assembly Member Tim Grayson (second from right) was recognized for his efforts in the California legislature to promote policies and legislation that support the automotive aftermarket industry. During the 2019 SEMA Show, Assembly Member Grayson accepts his award from West Virginia Delegate Gary Howell (left), national chairman of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus, SEMA’s Christian Robinson (second from left) and Daniel Ingber (right).

I first met Assembly Member Grayson, as well as his wife Tammy, at the 2018 SEMA Show. It didn’t take long to recognize a kindred spirit. He was excited about the possibility of taking a hot lap in an exhibition Cobra outside the Las Vegas Convention Center. In fact, Assembly Member Grayson believes that his own ’67 Ford Mustang Fastback is a “bipartisan car.”

“My colleagues may have never sat in a muscle car or even heard one run,” he said. “And then, all of a sudden, they hear that car roar in the basement of the Capitol. It gets their attention—and some of them become very passionate. It causes us to lay down our differences and to appreciate something that is complete Americana all the way.”

When U.S. Representative Gil Cisneros (D-CA) recently paid a visit to my workplace, I was interested to learn about both his life experiences and his passion for Corvettes; now this was a politician speaking a language I could understand! In 2018, Rep. Cisneros was elected to represent California’s 39th Congressional District, which is home to SEMA’s headquarters in Diamond Bar, California. A first-time elected official, Rep. Cisneros served 10 years in the Navy, reaching the rank of lieutenant commander. He served in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Shield and later worked as a shipping and production manager for Frito-Lay before being elected to Congress.

As an automotive enthusiast, Rep. Cisneros has been an advocate for the automotive aftermarket during his time in Congress, serving as an original cosponsor of the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act and as a member of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus.

“Growing up, my dad and I bonded over our love of cars, and I have many fond memories working on his old ’56 Chevy,” Rep. Cisneros said. “Although I was a proud Corvette owner, I’ve since been forced to trade it in for a minivan following the birth of my twin boys.”

U.S. Representative Norma Torres (D-CA, center) posed for a photo with SEMA staff.

Even though U.S. Representative Norma Torres (D-CA) is my member of Congress, I was unaware that she had her own meaningful connections with the industry. As a constituent in the 35th Congressional District, I’ve sent her office many personal messages on automotive issues. I’ve learned that, when given the opportunity, she’ll proudly mention that she enjoys driving a ’66 Ford Mustang that her husband Louis restored. With that in mind, it was only a matter of time before she made her way to the SEMA Garage, also at SEMA headquarters.

During her SEMA Garage tour, Rep. Torres was especially interested to hear about Project Underdog, in which local youth customized and displayed at the SEMA Show a ’72 Maverick, with guidance from Fast & Furious star Sung Kang. Project Underdog brought Rep. Torres back to the days when she drove a 302-powered ’74 Maverick. Hearing her recount colorful tales to my co-workers and me about time behind the car’s wheel left a lasting impression.

Prior to being elected to Congress in 2014, Rep. Torres worked as a 911 dispatcher for the Los Angeles Police Department for nearly 20 years before deciding to run for elected office. Her distinguished career in public service includes service as mayor of Pomona and on the city council, in addition to the California State Assembly and Senate.

Upon her election to Congress, Rep. Torres embarked on a Job Creation Listening Tour, meeting with more than 200 business owners, employees, education professionals and local economic leaders. Rep. Torres then introduced a bill to direct the U.S. Department of Labor to help fund pilot projects that provide education and training programs for jobs in advanced manufacturing. Rep. Torres’s bill, the JOBS Act, would connect educational institutions with manufacturers to give workers the training and skills they need to find jobs in growing industries—a top SEMA priority. Additionally, Rep. Torres supported the automotive aftermarket by cosponsoring the RPM Act and pushing the U.S. Department of Transportation to complete a rulemaking to allow the production and sale of completed replica vehicles.

What’s the big takeaway? While you may not have party affiliation or policy views in common, put them aside and give a fair chance those elected to represent you and your neighbors. Make an effort to connect on topics that are revered equally. Rep. Torres summed up the sentiment nicely:

“Visiting the SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar was like taking a trip down memory lane,” she said. “It was great to be around people who have the same passion, love and enthusiasm for hot rods that the greater Inland Empire and I share.”

SEMA News—May 2020

HERITAGE

Mickey’s Meet

By Drew Hardin

Photography: Jim Kelly, Petersen Publishing Company Archive

The place was Lions Drag Strip in Long Beach, California, the date November 12, 1966, and the occasion was the second annual gathering of Mickey Thompson’s exclusive 200 MPH Club.

So began Car Craft’s February 1967 coverage of “Mickey’s Meet,” what the magazine said was “the last big race of the season” and “the final chance for budding dragster hopefuls and proven pros to strike it rich in ’66. Top money for the winner was more than $5,000.”

Racer/speed-parts manufacturer/strip manager Thompson had launched the race the year before “as a means of rewarding his regular customers,” said the magazine. Thompson stipulated that his company’s rods and pistons had to be used in the engines of the 200-mph dragsters to be eligible for the race. Other manufacturers got involved, too, “with contingent and non-contingent awards for the winners.”

The evening’s schedule included eliminator brackets and a Funny Car match race between Arnie “The Farmer” Beswick’s new Pontiac and “Dyno” Don Nicholson’s flip-top Comet. But the undisputed stars of the show were the “high gear only nitro burners,” including a 56-car Top Fuel field and a combo eliminator bracket of AA/Gas dragsters and Junior Fuelers.

“Goodyear’s new 183-series slicks were on a majority of the cars,” said Car Craft, “and combining with Lion’s sea-level super traction asphalt surface, this resulted in some blistering times.” The Crietz & Greer Top Fuel team out of Tulsa set low e.t. during qualifying with a 7.25-second pass, and top speed of the meet was clocked by Neil Leffler in the A&W Root Beer Special at 216.86 mph.

Petersen’s Jim Kelly caught this shot of Lions’ unique roller-start area just behind the starting line, where dragster pilots fired up their engines rather than using the traditional-for-the-time push start. The race team’s push truck would nudge the car until its slicks were on the rollers, then “the driver depresses the clutch and signals the fire-up starter,” the magazine wrote. “A flick of an electric switch starts the rollers in motion, spinning the big slicks. The driver then lets out the clutch, builds desired oil pressure, and flips the mag switch. Immediately, the big supercharged engines roar to guaranteed life. Rollers and tires are stopped as the driver disengages the clutch, and the car is moved to the starting line, ready to race.”

SEMA News—May 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS

By Douglas McColloch

Attendees at the 2020 SEMA Show can receive discounts of up to 10% off round-trip airfare to Las Vegas.

2020 SEMA Show Airfare Discounts Available

SEMA Show attendees and exhibitors can start making travel arrangements by taking advantage of the discounted airfare options available through www.SEMAShow.com. Show organizers work with major air carriers to offer discounted airfare for exhibitors, attendees and media. Alaska, Delta and United are among the airlines offering up to 10% off on round-trip airfare to Las Vegas.

Each airline provides discounts for all Showgoers, whether they arrive a few days before the Show or leave several days after.

Travel Dates for Airfare Discounts

• Alaska Airlines: October 27–November 10
• Delta Airlines: October 29–November 11
• United Airlines: October 31–November 9

For rates, booking information, discount codes and additional details on airfare, visit the SEMA Show Travel and Lodging page at www.SEMAShow.com.

The 2020 SEMA Show will take place Tuesday–Friday, November 3–6, in Las Vegas. Visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth to secure booth space for the 2020 SEMA Show. Complete information about the 2020 Show is available at www.SEMAShow.com.

The Nordic region has long been a hotbed of drag racing, rally racing and drifting. The inaugural SEMA Nordic Business Development Program takes place August 29–September 2, 2020.

There’s Still Time to Register for Inaugural SEMA Nordic Business Development Program

Join SEMA for the inaugural SEMA Nordic Business Development Program, to be held August 29–September 2, in Stockholm, Sweden. Participants can learn the potential for their products in that performance- and classic-car paradise.

Meet with top trade buyers enabling the half-century-old craze to restore and upgrade American classic cars in Sweden and the surrounding countries of Norway, Finland and Denmark. Performance upgrades are among the top improvements sought for a range of vehicles. The region is the headquarters of the European drag-racing championship, and circuit racing, drag racing, rally racing and drifting all have strong followings. High disposable incomes coupled with a passion for personalization make it a very attractive region.

SEMA business development programs are low-cost, turnkey events that bring together SEMA-member manufacturers and buyers from key markets. Fees start at $4,150 per company. For those who qualify, that includes $750 in U.S. government grants to help defray trip costs.

Hotels, a tabletop display, meals and networking events are all included; flights to and from the United States are not. Additional state funds are available, including $1,000 for qualified California-based companies.

For additional information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

Among the speakers providing insight will be Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events, who will explain the ways to avoid the most common pitfalls that exhibitors experience.

Learn to Generate More Business at Exhibitor Summit

Registration for the 2020 SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit is open. The Exhibitor Summit, now in its 11th year, is scheduled for Wednesday–Thursday, June 24–25, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The SEMA Show Summit event brings together individuals who are new to the Show with experienced exhibitors looking to generate the most business and recognition through Show week. All attendees will benefit from sessions conducted by experienced trade show pros as they cover how to properly budget, identify existing time-saving programs that they may not be using, and generate more foot traffic, along with best practices for post-Show follow-up, avoiding misleading vendors claiming to be official Show partners, and much more.

The mission of the event is to help all attendees regardless of trade-show experience by limiting the cost and time needed to prepare for November.

In addition to the sessions, exhibitors will also be able to meet with their respective Show sales rep. Sales representatives are the first point of contact for exhibitors who have Show questions.

Cost for the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit is intentionally low, with hotels, meals and workshops covered by SEMA. The only expense that attendees will incur is transportation to and from the event.

To register and for more information, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

Jeff Dahlin.

PRI Announces New Industry Sales Director, Additional Personnel Moves

Jeff Dahlin has joined Performance Racing Industry (PRI) as an industry sales director, where he will oversee a portfolio of client accounts and drive revenue for the PRI Trade Show, held annually in Indianapolis, as well as its accompanying monthly publication and media channels.

Dahlin brings with him 20 years of automotive sales, marketing and executive-level publishing experience. Notably, he spent 16 years at Source Interlink Media and the Motor Trend Group, where he rose through the ranks at several publications as a director, group publisher and eventually to the position of general manager of the Hot Rod Network. Dahlin was also named one of SEMA News’ “35 under 35” in 2007.

In related news, PRI announced that company veteran Reham Gharib will take on the new position of sales operations project manager. In that role, Gharib will manage the records of all PRI and SEMA sponsorship contracts, help ensure deliverables are accounted for, and communicate with all appropriate stakeholders. She also will be the key stakeholder and project manager for the PRI Show’s Featured Product Showcase and the SEMA Show’s New Products Showcase. Gharib has been with PRI since 2014.

In addition, PRI Industry Sales Manager Brendan Gillespie, who previously served in a sales/operations hybrid role, will now focus strictly on sales opportunities—specifically exhibit space and sponsorship sales for both the PRI and SEMA Shows as well as advertising sales for both PRI Magazine and SEMA News. Gillespie, a six-year veteran of the company, will concentrate on the racing and performance market.

SEMA News—May 2020

Evolving to Serve You Better

Chris Kersting

More recently, SEMA has evolved a wide variety of new programs and even new business units such as the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) and SEMA Garage, each offering more specialized services. As those specialized benefits become available, SEMA aims to reach relevant individuals within each company who might want to know about them. For example, a product data manager would be specifically interested in the SDC’s benefit of digitized product information—necessary to allow broader B2B and B2C exchanges in an increasingly online world. Similarly, SEMA Garage offers services specifically useful to product-development specialists and engineers, and SEMA legislative and regulatory alerts are of interest to company CEOs, legal advisors and those who communicate with the enthusiast community. It’s quite possible that information about such services and opportunities reaches its intended target less frequently if the member company’s primary contact is the only one informed of it.

In short, as SEMA’s industry benefits evolve, there has grown a need to communicate more directly with individuals within member companies as a means of better serving their needs, based on their roles and functions. Simultaneously, modern communications methods have made that process entirely possible. Mobile and desktop devices and social-media tools provide the opportunity for SEMA to reorient and build a direct connection and relationship with individual employees within a member company.

Toward the end of 2018 the SEMA Board of Directors approved the long-range development of a model where individual employees within a dues-paying SEMA-member company can build a personalized connection with the association, its staff and its programs through content delivery and technology. Starting with a redesigned www.sema.org website and continuing with increasing the relevance of association emails, we expect this revolutionary change to improve each industry professional’s ability to interact with SEMA and focus on the relationships and SEMA tools that mean the most to that person.

Technology, including mobile and desktop devices, will make this initiative more effective for the individual, but it will also improve the SEMA community by building stronger ties and greater value return for members.

Under this concept, an employee within a member company will be able to get the information they select based on their job function, market segment and personal interests. That creates the possibility of reducing irrelevant messages from SEMA, which can be perceived as clutter and become a deterrent to effective communication.

Once implemented, the plan will allow members to engage through individual and personalized interactions, participate in social communities, and receive news and information that is relevant to their occupations and interests. In the end, we expect to better tailor the quality and delivery of industry information, to enhance the individual user experience, and to improve access to SEMA services and benefits.

SEMA is currently preparing infrastructure and systems to begin offering services more directly to employees of our member companies—a move that will begin this summer and continue into the SEMA Show season. It’s a project you’ll be hearing more about in the future as we move forward and continue to build resources for our industry.

Since its inception in 1963, the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has had companies as its members and communicated with them through a single company representative—the “primary contact.” Up until recent years, that single primary contact might have been the only individual who received association information and publications. Consequently, the primary contact was usually each business’ only conduit for information about association services, benefits and opportunities.

SEMA News—May 2020

Evolving to Serve You Better

Chris Kersting

More recently, SEMA has evolved a wide variety of new programs and even new business units such as the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) and SEMA Garage, each offering more specialized services. As those specialized benefits become available, SEMA aims to reach relevant individuals within each company who might want to know about them. For example, a product data manager would be specifically interested in the SDC’s benefit of digitized product information—necessary to allow broader B2B and B2C exchanges in an increasingly online world. Similarly, SEMA Garage offers services specifically useful to product-development specialists and engineers, and SEMA legislative and regulatory alerts are of interest to company CEOs, legal advisors and those who communicate with the enthusiast community. It’s quite possible that information about such services and opportunities reaches its intended target less frequently if the member company’s primary contact is the only one informed of it.

In short, as SEMA’s industry benefits evolve, there has grown a need to communicate more directly with individuals within member companies as a means of better serving their needs, based on their roles and functions. Simultaneously, modern communications methods have made that process entirely possible. Mobile and desktop devices and social-media tools provide the opportunity for SEMA to reorient and build a direct connection and relationship with individual employees within a member company.

Toward the end of 2018 the SEMA Board of Directors approved the long-range development of a model where individual employees within a dues-paying SEMA-member company can build a personalized connection with the association, its staff and its programs through content delivery and technology. Starting with a redesigned www.sema.org website and continuing with increasing the relevance of association emails, we expect this revolutionary change to improve each industry professional’s ability to interact with SEMA and focus on the relationships and SEMA tools that mean the most to that person.

Technology, including mobile and desktop devices, will make this initiative more effective for the individual, but it will also improve the SEMA community by building stronger ties and greater value return for members.

Under this concept, an employee within a member company will be able to get the information they select based on their job function, market segment and personal interests. That creates the possibility of reducing irrelevant messages from SEMA, which can be perceived as clutter and become a deterrent to effective communication.

Once implemented, the plan will allow members to engage through individual and personalized interactions, participate in social communities, and receive news and information that is relevant to their occupations and interests. In the end, we expect to better tailor the quality and delivery of industry information, to enhance the individual user experience, and to improve access to SEMA services and benefits.

SEMA is currently preparing infrastructure and systems to begin offering services more directly to employees of our member companies—a move that will begin this summer and continue into the SEMA Show season. It’s a project you’ll be hearing more about in the future as we move forward and continue to build resources for our industry.

Since its inception in 1963, the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has had companies as its members and communicated with them through a single company representative—the “primary contact.” Up until recent years, that single primary contact might have been the only individual who received association information and publications. Consequently, the primary contact was usually each business’ only conduit for information about association services, benefits and opportunities.

SEMA News—May 2020

REQUIRED READING

By Juan Torres

SEMA News—May 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS

Photos courtesy SpiedBilde, Brian Williams. Reuse or reproduction without the copyright holder’s consent is prohibited.

’21 Dodge Durango Here’s a refresh for Dodge’s popular three-row SUV. As the Jeep brand prepares to roll out two new Jeep Grand Cherokee variants for the ’21 model year (including a three-row model), the current Dodge Durango will soldier on (10 years old by the time it hits the market). This Durango has a heavily camouflaged front end, which looks to be hiding updated styling for the ’21 model year, while the rest of the vehicle looks virtually unchanged. According to information released during the recent UAW negotiations, Dodge will introduce a mild hybrid system from its Ram 1500 lineup into the ’21 Durango. It should launch in the third quarter of 2020.
VW Golf R While some thought there was no camouflage on this next-gen VW Golf R, a good look at the front bumper, cut-out for the exhaust pipes and diffuser at the rear reveals a bit of plastic at the front and a clever paint job on both ends. Even the doorsills could be false. Specific details in the prototype present clear markings of the Golf R’s DNA: lowered suspension and oversized wheels with low-profile tires; sportier bumpers with big air intakes at the front; a massive diffuser at the rear flanked by quad round exhausts; a bigger roof spoiler; side skirts and blue-painted brake calipers on massive brake discs. This VW Golf R is expected to debut in mid-2020.
Ram Rebel TRX Ram is expected to launch a full-on rival to the Ford F-150-based Raptor performance pickup in 2020 with the Rebel TRX. It’s expected to get the Hellcat version of the 6.2L supercharged V8 found in models such as the Dodge Challenger Hellcat and the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. The 707hp is expected to remain and the TRX looks like it will get a revised body that’s expected to be more muscular, based on the heavy camouflage on this prototype. Ride height and tires seem to be taken from the off-road-oriented Rebel variant of the 1500, suggesting that the TRX will also have off-road prowess to rival the Raptor’s. Expect the Rebel TRX to go on sale sometime in 2020.

’21 Ford F-150 Hybrid Ford is giving the F-150 a significant overhaul. While the sheetmetal is said to be changed, it looks to keep similar styling cues to the facelifted ’18 model that continues today, save for a heavily revised grille and front end. A new 4.8L V8 that is expected to replace the current 5.0L, although the engine lineup will continue to be dominated by EcoBoosts. A plug-in hybrid may also follow, while a full-electric F-150 is also said to be in the works—and may have some input with new partner Rivian. Finally, it’s expected the high-performance, off-road Raptor variant will get rear coil springs, while other models will retain the leaf springs. Expect the F-150 this summer, possibly at the Detroit Auto Show.

SEMA News—May 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS

Photos courtesy SpiedBilde, Brian Williams. Reuse or reproduction without the copyright holder’s consent is prohibited.

’21 Dodge Durango Here’s a refresh for Dodge’s popular three-row SUV. As the Jeep brand prepares to roll out two new Jeep Grand Cherokee variants for the ’21 model year (including a three-row model), the current Dodge Durango will soldier on (10 years old by the time it hits the market). This Durango has a heavily camouflaged front end, which looks to be hiding updated styling for the ’21 model year, while the rest of the vehicle looks virtually unchanged. According to information released during the recent UAW negotiations, Dodge will introduce a mild hybrid system from its Ram 1500 lineup into the ’21 Durango. It should launch in the third quarter of 2020.
VW Golf R While some thought there was no camouflage on this next-gen VW Golf R, a good look at the front bumper, cut-out for the exhaust pipes and diffuser at the rear reveals a bit of plastic at the front and a clever paint job on both ends. Even the doorsills could be false. Specific details in the prototype present clear markings of the Golf R’s DNA: lowered suspension and oversized wheels with low-profile tires; sportier bumpers with big air intakes at the front; a massive diffuser at the rear flanked by quad round exhausts; a bigger roof spoiler; side skirts and blue-painted brake calipers on massive brake discs. This VW Golf R is expected to debut in mid-2020.
Ram Rebel TRX Ram is expected to launch a full-on rival to the Ford F-150-based Raptor performance pickup in 2020 with the Rebel TRX. It’s expected to get the Hellcat version of the 6.2L supercharged V8 found in models such as the Dodge Challenger Hellcat and the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. The 707hp is expected to remain and the TRX looks like it will get a revised body that’s expected to be more muscular, based on the heavy camouflage on this prototype. Ride height and tires seem to be taken from the off-road-oriented Rebel variant of the 1500, suggesting that the TRX will also have off-road prowess to rival the Raptor’s. Expect the Rebel TRX to go on sale sometime in 2020.

’21 Ford F-150 Hybrid Ford is giving the F-150 a significant overhaul. While the sheetmetal is said to be changed, it looks to keep similar styling cues to the facelifted ’18 model that continues today, save for a heavily revised grille and front end. A new 4.8L V8 that is expected to replace the current 5.0L, although the engine lineup will continue to be dominated by EcoBoosts. A plug-in hybrid may also follow, while a full-electric F-150 is also said to be in the works—and may have some input with new partner Rivian. Finally, it’s expected the high-performance, off-road Raptor variant will get rear coil springs, while other models will retain the leaf springs. Expect the F-150 this summer, possibly at the Detroit Auto Show.

SEMA News—May 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS

Photos courtesy SpiedBilde, Brian Williams. Reuse or reproduction without the copyright holder’s consent is prohibited.

’21 Dodge Durango Here’s a refresh for Dodge’s popular three-row SUV. As the Jeep brand prepares to roll out two new Jeep Grand Cherokee variants for the ’21 model year (including a three-row model), the current Dodge Durango will soldier on (10 years old by the time it hits the market). This Durango has a heavily camouflaged front end, which looks to be hiding updated styling for the ’21 model year, while the rest of the vehicle looks virtually unchanged. According to information released during the recent UAW negotiations, Dodge will introduce a mild hybrid system from its Ram 1500 lineup into the ’21 Durango. It should launch in the third quarter of 2020.
VW Golf R While some thought there was no camouflage on this next-gen VW Golf R, a good look at the front bumper, cut-out for the exhaust pipes and diffuser at the rear reveals a bit of plastic at the front and a clever paint job on both ends. Even the doorsills could be false. Specific details in the prototype present clear markings of the Golf R’s DNA: lowered suspension and oversized wheels with low-profile tires; sportier bumpers with big air intakes at the front; a massive diffuser at the rear flanked by quad round exhausts; a bigger roof spoiler; side skirts and blue-painted brake calipers on massive brake discs. This VW Golf R is expected to debut in mid-2020.
Ram Rebel TRX Ram is expected to launch a full-on rival to the Ford F-150-based Raptor performance pickup in 2020 with the Rebel TRX. It’s expected to get the Hellcat version of the 6.2L supercharged V8 found in models such as the Dodge Challenger Hellcat and the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. The 707hp is expected to remain and the TRX looks like it will get a revised body that’s expected to be more muscular, based on the heavy camouflage on this prototype. Ride height and tires seem to be taken from the off-road-oriented Rebel variant of the 1500, suggesting that the TRX will also have off-road prowess to rival the Raptor’s. Expect the Rebel TRX to go on sale sometime in 2020.

’21 Ford F-150 Hybrid Ford is giving the F-150 a significant overhaul. While the sheetmetal is said to be changed, it looks to keep similar styling cues to the facelifted ’18 model that continues today, save for a heavily revised grille and front end. A new 4.8L V8 that is expected to replace the current 5.0L, although the engine lineup will continue to be dominated by EcoBoosts. A plug-in hybrid may also follow, while a full-electric F-150 is also said to be in the works—and may have some input with new partner Rivian. Finally, it’s expected the high-performance, off-road Raptor variant will get rear coil springs, while other models will retain the leaf springs. Expect the F-150 this summer, possibly at the Detroit Auto Show.