SEMA News—January 2022

EVENTS

The 2021 SEMA New-Vehicle Awards

Recognizing the Most Customizable New Platforms for 2022

Compiled by SEMA News Staff

The 2021 SEMA Award winners (from left): Toyota Marketing Group Vice President Lisa Materazzo; Ford Future Electric Vehicles, Vehicle Platform Director Dave Pericak; SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting; Ford F-Series Chief Program Manager Jackie DiMarco; Ford Executive Director for Global Programs Phil Collaraeno.

Each year prior to the SEMA Show, exhibitors are polled on the new vehicles that, in their judgment, represent the best opportunities for customization and accessorization via the aftermarket for the coming year. Vehicles are chosen in five distinct classes, and the winners are announced ahead of the start of the Show. This year’s announcement was made on Monday, November 1, before the first day of the 2021 Show. The winners were:

• SEMA Car of the Year: Ford Mustang
• SEMA Fullsize Truck of the Year: Ford F-Series
• SEMA 4x4/SUV of the Year: Ford Bronco
• SEMA Midsize Truck of The Year: Toyota Tacoma
• SEMA Sport Compact of the Year: Toyota Supra

What follows on these pages is a sampling of the winning vehicles that exhibited at the 2021 SEMA Show.

Toyota

One of the builds that garnered the most buzz at the 2021 Show was “Tacozilla”—a backwoods trail and travel rig that pays homage to the old-school Chinook camper conversions of the ’70s.

The Tacoma relies on the stock 3.5L for power, though a custom dual-battery configuration is plumbed in to provide extra juice for ancillaries. A 2-in. TRD suspension lift with billet control arms clears a set of 285/70R17 General Grabber X3s. The interior, outfitted by Complete Customs, features teak “sauna-style” flooring, a fully operational kitchen with fridge, stove and sink, and a 3-D-printed dining table that folds away to convert to a backlit piece of wall art. The Tacoma’s bodywork, also provided by Complete Customs, utilizes PPG paint, and a fully integrated winch resides within the front bumper.

Also drawing attention at the Toyota booth was this overlander concept built in collaboration with Cruiser Outfitters. The Tacoma SR5 retains the stock V6 and six-speed automatic, though an ARB Safari snorkel intake has been added for deep-water crossings. A 3-in. Old Man Emu suspension lift incorporates old-school Dakar leaf springs in the rear, and a set of 285/70R17 Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs is wrapped around gunmetal Icon Alloy Alpha wheels. Expedition One skidplating and rock sliders provide additional sheetmetal protection. A Warn Zeon 10-S Platinum winch lends pulling power as needed, and Rigid LED light pods illuminate the trail. Onboard tools include a shovel and an axe. An ARB compressor powers a 63-qt. fridge/freezer, and a Yakima rooftop tent opens to allow sleeping for two.

Also of note at the Toyota booth was the ’22 GR86 Premium Supra. Engineered by Gazoo Racing, the Supra utilizes new front crossmembers and a rear full-ring frame for added on-road stability, and a large duckbill spoiler improves aerodynamics. The 2.4L horizontally opposed four-cylinder delivers 18% more horsepower than the previous model, with peak torque at 3,700 rpm translating into a more immediately responsive driving experience. An aluminum roof and front fenders provide weight savings, and the base GR weighs in at just over 2,800 lbs., making it one of the lightest production sports cars on the market. An eight-speaker audio system is standard, and a 200W subwoofer is an available option.

Scosche

The new Bronco has generated a great deal of aftermarket interest, and the 2021 SEMA Show gave builders the chance to show off their most recent Blue Oval projects. This example at the Scosche booth incorporated an array of the company’s products, including an M8RIX relay switch system, an NEXS HD dash cam, a MagicMount Pro2 clip mount, and a PowerVolt car charger. A Fox coilover suspension that utilizes BDS upper control arms damps a set of 37-in. Mickey Thompsons mounted on Fuel Off-Road wheels. A set of 4 Wheel Parts Factory bumpers and sliders protects against rocks, and a Warn 10-S winch is ready for extraction duties. Baja Designs lighting improves visibility, and a PowerTank provides a source of onboard air.

Dynamat

Bronco specialists Maxlider Brothers brought their latest creation to the Dynamat booth, and it continues their tradition of eye-catching builds. A 4-in. BDS suspension system and Fox shocks provide jounce and rebound for a set of 37x12.50 BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/As and Vision wheels. Exterior armor comes courtesy of Addictive Desert Designs and Rock Slide Engineering, and a Warn winch lends a hand if the vehicle is rendered immobile. Under the hood, a Stainless Brothers custom exhaust handles spent gases, and Advanced Fiberglass Concepts provided an air hood to optimize airflow. A custom leather interior was sourced from Maxlider, Dynamat soundproofing helps keep the cab quiet, and lighting from Vision X and Oracle Lighting includes a trick backlit grille treatment. Additional support for the build came from Air Design USA and Limelite Graphics.

SEMA Central

Broncos were abundant at the 2021 SEMA Show, but none wore a coat of trail patina better than this Rebelle Rally-tested Badlands model built by 4 Wheel Parts Factory and co-piloted by the company’s own Tori Bundrant and Kathryn Reinhardt at the 2021 rally race. The 35-in. Mickey Thompson Baja Bosses mounted on a set of Method Race wheels were up to the challenge, and a Smittybilt compressor was on hand to keep them properly aired up. Rigid lighting aided visibility regardless of the hour, and an ARB fridge came in handy during the eight-day, 1,700-mi. endurance test. 4 Wheel Parts Factory bumpers provided front and rear protection, and the company’s fender deletes enabled necessary tire clearance.

Ford

Ford F-Series trucks have been the best-selling vehicles in America for more than 40 years running, and this Powerboost hybrid model from Hellwig Products provides a fitting platform for an overlanding rig. An Icon Vehicle Dynamics Stage 5 suspension system pairs with a set of Hellwig helper springs and swaybars to assist the 35-in. Falken Wildpeak A/T tires and 17-in. Icon wheels in delivering a more supple on-road ride. An AT Overland Equipment Summit bed-topper includes an integrated rooftop tent, and a Yakima heavy-duty rack allows for storage of large and bulky items. Bumpers from Addictive Desert Designs provide trail armor, and a Warn winch is ready for extraction duties. Under the hood, an Injen cold-air intake and a Ford Performance cat-back exhaust help the engine breathe more freely, and an ARB compressor provides a steady source of onboard air.

Sony

Tacomas have long been a popular build platform, and this example combines onboard electronics with overland capabilities. A Fabtech suspension system clears room in the wheelwells for a set of Nitto Recon Grappler tires mounted on Fuel Off-Road wheels, and beefy Fab Fours bumpers provide protection front and rear. A Warn winch resides within the front bumper, and a 23 Zero rooftop tent enables overnight camp stays. A Compustar remote security system keeps would-be thieves at bay, and electronic components from Scosche and iDatalink Maestro enhance functionality and comfort inside. At the rear, a custom rack-mounted panel houses a nine-speaker Sony E-Mobile system.

DV8 Off-Road

This Bronco at the DV8 Off-Road booth shows you don’t need a lengthy list of parts sources to build a capable street and trail machine. Start with an Eibach coilover suspension that enables clearance and flex for 37x12.50/17 Falken A/T3 tires mounted on 17-in. DV8 883 wheels, then add an assortment of DV8 performance parts. Modular bumpers and skidplating provide protection on rocky trails, while a 50-in. roof-mounted lightbar houses an array of Elite Series lighting and a pair of dual pod A-pillar mounts bring more illumination. Up front, a 12,000-lb. synthetic winch line adds safety as well as stoutness during extractions, and a set of DV8 tube sliders protects vulnerable rocker panels.

Addictive Desert Designs

Another case of the “less is more” build ethos could be seen with this Bronco at the Addictive Desert Designs booth. The builders started with an already capable Wildtrak Sasquatch model that comes straight from the factory with locking front and rear diffs and clearance for 35-in. tires. The builders went one better, adding a 2-in. BDS suspension system that provided room for 37x12.50/17 Nitto Trail Grapplers on a set of 17-in. Dirty Life Mesa beadlocked wheels. Add a pair of ADD Bomber bumpers, and you’ve got a Bronco that can handle nearly any type of terrain. Oh, and having a custom “Splash” graphic design courtesy of Chip Foose Design will make it stand out on any trail ride.

Body Armor 4x4

The Tacoma overlander at the Body Armor booth was chock-full of the company’s product line, including its HiLine-series winch bumper and Pro-series rear bumper, a 20-in. combo-beam lightbar, Cube LED light floods and an Overland roof rack, which accommodates a Sky Ridge-series three-person tent. Bushwacker fender flares provide clearance for a set of AMP tires on Icon alloy wheels, and Husky Liner protects the bed from abrasions. An Action Trax recovery board is on hand to aid with extraction. Inside, Roadwire seating keeps the occupants comfortable, and an Edge programmer provides throttle boost as needed. Lighting from Rigid Industries and Morimoto improve visibility, and the Toyota’s engine gets an assist from a Gibson performance exhaust under the hood.

Toyo Treadpass

Equipped with a color-matched bike and surfboard, this Bronco at the Toyo Treadpass was outfitted as an outdoor lifestyle rig. An Eibach suspension locates the Toyo Open Country A/T tires wrapped around a set of fifteen52 analog HD wheels. Baja Designs lighting lends a trick look and improved front visibility while a Next Base dash cam monitors road conditions elsewhere. The bike out back sits on a Thule rack, and components from Pelican Products and Goose Gear enhance storage and security. A Goal Zero portable power station can aid the Dometic fridge, while Katzkin seats keep the Bronco’s occupants comfortable.

SEMA News—January 2022

EVENTS

Battle of the Builders 2021

History, FYI Channel Special to Air in January 2022

By Douglas McColloch

The Top 12 finalists for the 2021 Battle of the Builders are pictured here at SEMA Ignited, the SEMA Show’s annual after-hours party. The competition will be aired on A+E Network’s FYI and History Channel’s Drive block on Sunday, January 23, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. EST.

Robert Matranga of Irvine, California, garnered top honors at the eighth annual SEMA Battle of the Builders (BOTB) competition at the 2021 SEMA Show, held November 2–5 in Las Vegas. The announcement was made at the start of SEMA Ignited, the official SEMA Show after-party designed to celebrate the builders and showcase products from the Show.

For 2021, a Tri-Five Chevy beat out close to 250 entrants in the internationally recognized competition. The top four finalists for 2021 were Matranga with his ’55 Chevrolet Bel Air (hot rod category); Bryan Thompson with a ’34 Ford Pickup (truck/off-road); Eddie Pettus and his ’61 Austin Healey Sprite (sport compact); and Young Guns winner Dayton Jacobson with his ’00 Chevrolet S10. Each builder was recognized with a trophy in his respective class.

The BOTB finalists’ vehicles were on display throughout SEMA Show week inside North Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The four finalists for this year’s competition will be highlighted along with other featured builders in a new TV special, “SEMA: Battle of the Builders,” scheduled to debut on A+E Network’s FYI and History’s Drive block on Sunday, January 23, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. EST. Check your local station listings for the latest updates.

The 2021 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition included submissions from seasoned builders as well as new customizers representing an elite group of individuals who demonstrated extreme talent, creativity and craftsmanship in modifying cars, trucks and SUVs. The Young Guns category (builders age 27 years and younger) continues to evolve and expand, providing the next generation of builders with an opportunity to get their vehicles into the BOTB competition.

The 12 finalist vehicles were judged one at a time, with every build detail observed and scrutinized by the finalists themselves. New for 2021, judges were able to view the undercarriage of each vehicle.

A panel of industry experts assessed all of the entrants and narrowed down the field of nearly 250 entries to a Top 40 (10 in each category) before selecting the top 12 builds overall. The top 12 finalists were:

The 12 finalists themselves then took over the judging duties for the competition and named Matranga the overall winner.

Bob Matranga celebrated his win at Battle of the Builders 2021 alongside his ’55 Chevy Bel Air.

We’ll have full-length features on each of the Top 12 BOTB finalists in the March 2022 issue of SEMA News. For more information about the 2021 competition or SEMA Young Guns program, visit www.sema.org/botb, www.semayoungguns.com or SEMA’s YouTube channel.

Hot Rod

• Mike Filion—’56 Oldsmobile 98
• Mark Giambalvo—’30 Ford Model A Two-Door Sedan
• Robert Matranga—’55 Chevrolet Bel Air

Sport Compact

• Samantha Frazier—’73 Nissan Datsun 240Z
• Eddie Pettus—’61 Austin Healey Sprite
• Simo Veharanta—’82 Porsche 911 RSR

Truck/Off-Road

• Jeremy Miranda—’59 Chevrolet Apache
• Kamaka Pocock—’67 Chevrolet C10
• Bryan Thompson—’34 Ford Pickup

Young Guns

• Dayton Jacobson—’00 Chevrolet S10
• Chelsie Lesnoski—’93 Mazda RX-7 FD
• Cole Marten—’91 Nissan Skyline R32 GTR

After the Top Four vehicle class finalists were announced, they led the SEMA Cruise motorcade to the site of SEMA Ignited.

SEMA News—January 2022

INDUSTRY NEWS

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

’23 Range Rover Sport SVR

’22 Ford S550 Mustang GT

Exactly why Ford is updating the S550 Mustang so late in its lifecycle is puzzling, but it may just be a play to wring out some additional bucks before it goes to pasture.

’22 Ford Expedition

When the Expedition does make it to market as an ST, power is expected to sit somewhere between 450 to 475 hp and be mated to a 10-speed automatic. This boost in power would easily give the Expedition ST a 0–60 time in the 5-sec. range.

Expect an official Expedition debut in the coming months.

Best in the Desert Racing Association has released its 2021 year-end issue of DirtVenture magazine.

To view the latest issue, click here.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule to tighten the new-car emissions requirements for greenhouse gases. For model-year ’26, the fleetwide average for cars, SUVs and pickups will be 161 grams of carbon dioxide per mile. If expressed in miles per gallon (mpg) in real-world stop-and-go driving, the new rule translates into a fleetwide average of about 40 mpg for MY ’26 vehicles. The Biden administration originally proposed 38 mpg in August, which was a marked increase from the 32-mpg requirement set by the EPA under the Trump administration. The rule takes effect in MY ’23 and increases the requirements each year through 2026.

The EPA faced pressure from environmentalists and other groups that its initial proposal of this rule didn’t go far enough. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents the major OEMs and suppliers, has pushed back on the finalized rule saying the higher fleetwide fuel standards may not be possible without additional supportive government policies like consumer incentives and infrastructure growth in place. The EPA rule anticipates a gradual increase in the number of zero-emission cars and trucks on the road. The administration expects that EVs and plug-in hybrids will represent 7% of all new vehicles sold in 2023, and they are seeking to increase this figure to 17% of vehicles sold in 2026.

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

This is a virtually undisguised Ford Bronco Raptor in Dearborn, Michigan.

The Bronco Raptor features the infamous FORD grille, which has been seen on Raptors since inception, and also gains some aggressive front fender vents—something not previously seen on a Bronco.

All the expected workings of a Raptor are present and accounted for, including a significantly higher ground clearance, wider wheel arches, and a wider, more aggressive stance and of course the FORD grille.

The prototype rides on a set of BF Goodrich AT All Terrain T/A tires, though we can’t quite make out the size (it appears to be a 17-in. rim). Power is expected to come from the 3.0L twin turbo V6 mated to a seven-speed automatic.

The Bronco Raptor will launch for the ’23 model year, where it is expected to join the F-150 Raptor and Ranger Raptor. Expect an official debut in the first quarter of 2022.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is a virtually undisguised Ford Bronco Raptor in Dearborn, Michigan.

The Bronco Raptor features the infamous FORD grille, which has been seen on Raptors since inception, and also gains some aggressive front fender vents—something not previously seen on a Bronco.

All the expected workings of a Raptor are present and accounted for, including a significantly higher ground clearance, wider wheel arches, and a wider, more aggressive stance and of course the FORD grille.

The prototype rides on a set of BF Goodrich AT All Terrain T/A tires, though we can’t quite make out the size (it appears to be a 17-in. rim). Power is expected to come from the 3.0L twin turbo V6 mated to a seven-speed automatic.

The Bronco Raptor will launch for the ’23 model year, where it is expected to join the F-150 Raptor and Ranger Raptor. Expect an official debut in the first quarter of 2022.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By Ashley Reyes

For years, individuals and organizations have turned to Dale Carnegie’s books and seminars to help them reach new levels of success. Showgoers at the recent SEMA Show in Las Vegas, were treated to a live presentation by Dale Carnegie experts, who shared Carnegie’s methods and principles on how to become a more effective leader.

Showgoers at the recent SEMA Show in Las Vegas, were treated to a live presentation by Dale Carnegie experts, who shared Carnegie’s methods and principles on how to become a more effective leader.

A free recording of the SEMA Show session is available now on the new SEMA Education website at www.semashow.com/education. The website includes a collection of educational webinars and resources available to anyone in the industry. Many of the offerings are available at no cost, including recordings of the 2021 SEMA Show seminars that took place live in Las Vegas.

“Leading Across Generations, Presented by Dale Carnegie,” features Steve VerBurg, managing partner at Dale Carnegie. Online users will learn how leading a team of diverse generations can be an incredibly rich and productive experience when leaders have the skills in place to capitalize on the strengths of each generation.

“The more we can understand who they are, the more we can empathize, the more we can motivate them,” says VerBurg. “When we talk about successfully leading across generations, we have to be interested, first of all, in what goes on in those generations. […] Sometimes we have these negative feelings or these assumptions based on the age of that generation, whether they are older or younger than us, that ‘oh I know the way they are going to think’ just because someone else did. We need to have positive feelings towards those generations and focus our intention on thinking feeling and behaving in a way that is conducive of a leader.”

VerBurg shares insights and tools in the video that will help turn the attitudes and skills each generation brings to the table into powerful performance drivers. Viewers will also learn the approaches that will most often help them lead members of each generation, resulting in an engaging and productive work environment for everyone.

New seminars are added weekly at www.semashow.com/education. Other recently added seminars include:

• ChangeMasters: How to Make the Changes You Need Now in Your Business and For the Rest of Your Life (Track: Small-Business Strategy)
• MAP and Resale Price Policies: Everything You Wanted to Know, but Didn't Know Who to Ask (Small-Business Strategy)
• Future-Proofing Classic and Collector Cars (State of Electric Vehicles)
• Seamless Visual Integration of Modern Electronics in Vehicles (Track: Automotive Electronics)

Users of the SEMA Education website will need to create a personal profile upon their first visit, which will then provide access to all recordings in the library.

Tire industry veteran Joe Jordan passed away on December 11 due to a heart complications. Jordan was a major driving force behind the Toyo Tires tuner market and Proxes S/T 20-in. and 22-in. larger-diameter tires for use on pickups and SUVs.

Before the movie “The Fast and Furious,” the import-tuner market was a very different scene. During the late ’90s, tire sizes were limited and products were just not available to enthusiasts. A group of overly passionate, fresh-faced individuals wanted to change the mindset of tire size limitations. Jordan, who worked for Toyo Tires at the time, spearheaded this movement. He understood what the market needed, and was willing to hang his career and future on it. He successfully convinced Toyo Tires Japan to invest significantly in tire sizes that never existed, but ultimately did not have a prior placement for the tires.

Toyo listened to Jordan and produced industry-changing sizes—Proxes FZ4 215/15R18, 225/35R19 and Proxes S/T 305/50R20 and 305/40R22. The risk paid off, as these tire sizes changed how the consumer viewed Toyo Tires and is arguably considered the turning point for the brand in the U.S. market. This major industry breakthrough was accomplished by a handful of people that believed in Jordan’s vision.

Jordan was also considered the father of the cost-effective Toyo Tires RA-1 tire, which excelled in performance and embraced the drivers’ demands.

“Joe Jordan convinced Japan to produce the 20-in. size, Proxis ST, but we had to sell 20,000 units,” said Steve French, former Toyo Tires ultra-high-performance sales manager. "I asked Joe what happens if we do not sell the tires? His response, we will be fired.”

Jordan began his career at Yokohama Tires and soon moved into the ultra-high-performance director role at Toyo Tires. After leaving Toyo, Jordan opened a tire store, The Wheel Store, in San Diego. He returned to Toyo a couple of years later for short spell and later concluded his career in the tire industry at Dealer Tire in Ohio before retiring from the tire industry.

By Ashley Reyes

Priority media registration may have passed, but reporters and journalists who would like to participate in the SEMA MPMC Media Trade Conference can still sign up. Taking place entirely online from January 25–27, the event brings media and manufacturers together for private, quality interviews.

Journalists who register today at www.sema.org/mtc still have an opportunity to sit down with up to 42 (14 each day) representatives from the top motorsports parts manufacturers in the industry with more than 80 exhibitors to choose from.

Representatives from these companies are prepared to discuss their newest product lines and important updates within the company. Media participation is free for this event, making this an exclusive and affordable opportunity for journalists to obtain editorial content on the latest industry news and trends that can be shared to their audience throughout the year with the amount of quality interviews that take place throughout the three-day event.