Compiled by SEMA Editors

Colby Abernathy

Martin & Company Names Colby Abernathy Accounting and Traffic Manager

Martin & Company Advertising has promoted Colby Abernathy to accounting and traffic manager. In the new position, he will provide full fiduciary oversight over the agency’s operations, direct and track progress on all agency work projects while providing some human resource duties. Abernathy is now responsible for all account receivables and payables, statements, tax payments, budgets, invoices, monthly and quarterly close processes and reporting, reconciliations, forecasting and budgets and analysis to ensure efficient staff utilization and company time. As traffic manager, Abernathy will ensure that all work flow occurs on time and within budget. Working with both the agency’s full-time in-house employees and multiple independent contractors, Abernathy will ensure that all state and federal laws are strictly adhered to and advise the agency on execution of benefits and pay scale. 

Faurecia and Hella Announce Strategic Partnership

Through a new partnership, HELLA and Faurecia will jointly develop lighting with high-technology content in the domain of surface lighting and dynamic lighting.

Lighting and electronics specialist HELLA and leading automotive technology company Faurecia have announced a strategic partnership for the development of innovative interior lighting solutions. Both companies will jointly develop lighting with high-technology content in the domain of surface lighting and dynamic lighting for a more personalized cockpit environment. Faurecia will contribute its expertise as a complete system integrator for vehicle interiors and HELLA will supply innovative products in the field of interior lighting.

At the Paris Motor Show held in October 2018, Faurecia and HELLA showcased a first demonstration of a unique ambient lighting experience. On entering the vehicle, occupants were welcomed by personalized interior lighting on the instrument panel, door panels and seats. Faurecia and HELLA also have worked on an autonomous driving scenario to devise a series of dynamic lighting features aimed at enhancing driver information and safety.

TREMEC Transmissions Names American Powertrain 2018 Elite Performer at 2018 SEMA Show

American Powertrain has been named the 2018 Elite Performer by TREMEC Transmissions. The Elite Performer Award is given to the authorized TREMEC dealer that has the No. 1 sales volume of TREMEC-brand performance products for the year. The award was presented to Robert Hall, owner of American Powertrain at the 2018 SEMA Show by Nate Tovey, enthusiast marketing director for TREMEC.

The ’19 Genesis G70 was named 2019 Motor Trend Car of the Year.

Genesis G70 Named 2019 Motor Trend Car Of The Year

Motor Trend has named the ’19 Genesis G70 the recipient of its 2019 Car of the Year award at the annual Motor Trend Awards ceremony held in conjunction with the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Mobility Show. It marks the first time that a Genesis has taken the honor. G70 competed against 19 other Car of the Year award contenders in Motor Trend’s evaluation of the most competent, desirable and capable vehicles to debut for the ’19 model year. As part of testing, Motor Trend editors put eligible vehicles through their paces on both the street and on the test track to determine a verdict.

Brett Kinsfather	Karen Grassel

Hellwig Suspension Products Announces Two New Hires

Hellwig Suspension Products has announced that Brett Kinsfather has taken on the role of director of sales and marketing and Karen Grassel has joined as the company’s new customer service manager. Kinsfather comes to Hellwig with a strong marketing and sales background, having worked extensively with both manufacturers and distribution. Beginning his professional career in the CART series, he eventually went on to work for K&N Engineering as its sales and marketing program manager. He later served as vice president of sales and marketing at Motovicity Distribution, where he launched several high-yielding sales and marketing initiatives. After accruing more than 15 years of experience, Grassel developed her skills in sales, management and business development in the food service industries with George’s Greek Café and Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurants.

Permatex Receives 2018 Automotive Communications Award

Donny Braga (left), Permatex senior product manager, and Paco Agrafojo, Permatex director of marketing, accept the 2018 Automotive Communications Award for Best Business to Consumer-Article/Blog/Content Piece.

Permatex received a 2018 Automotive Communications Award in the Best Business to Consumer-Article/Blog/Content Piece category for the company's technical feature, "10 Most Common Epoxy Mistakes." The award was presented during the 2018 Automotive Communications Award ceremony, by Women in Auto Care. The feature focuses on the 10 most common mistakes consumers make when using epoxy adhesives. Epoxy adhesives are a valuable chemical tool, but to make sure the consumer gets the results they are hoping for, Permatex details and illustrates the 10 common mistakes made when using epoxies and the solutions to avoid those mistakes. This information was provided to media, distributors, bloggers, content managers and industry websites across the automotive aftermarket as a ready-to-use editorial and as individual text and high-quality images. Permatex also provides a complementary instructional YouTube video to support the content.

Trevor Lilovich

Airtex-ASC Names Trevor Lilovich Account Manager

Airtex-ASC has named Trevor Lilovich as account manager, according to Charles Harris, senior director of sales and marketing for Airtex-ASC. Prior to joining Airtex-ASC, Lilovich served as business development manager for Brake Parts Inc., where he partnered with distributor customers helping develop mutually profitable relationships. Lilovich has also held positions at Valvoline and Hertz.

Duke R. Vair

Hopkins Names Duke R. Vair Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

Hopkins Manufacturing Corp. has announced the addition of Duke R. Vair as vice president of human resources and chief human resources officer. Vair will lead and direct all human resources-related activities for Hopkins, at its 10 locations around the world. Most recently, Vair was vice president of human resources and chief human resources officer for Brakebush Brothers, a food processing, trucking/transportation, logistics, sales and marketing company.  Prior to that, he served as vice president, human resources for AG Processing, a global soybean oil and biofuels manufacturing and processing company. He has also had human resources experience in a variety of industries, including architectural services, staffing services and telecommunications.

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

By Kyle Cheng

Download the November “SEMA Industry Indicators” report from SEMA Market Research.

Over the past month, the U.S. stock market has witnessed significant volatility and equity correction, wiping out the gains made so far in 2018. Despite this, the economy continues to run on all cylinders. Consumer sentiment remains positive and high, with spending growing at one of its highest rates since 2000—although vehicle sales were essentially flat in October. Additionally, October added another 250,000 jobs.

However, hurdles are looming. As we move into 2019 and 2020, waning fiscal stimulus and restrictive monetary policy may hinder growth. Likewise, housing continues to weaken, and affordability is a major concern in some markets. A strengthening dollar and weak economic growth outside the United States will also affect the economy.

To learn more, download the November “SEMA Industry Indicators” report from SEMA Market Research.

Want to learn more about the state of our industry? Interested in seeing current and projected product trends? Check out SEMA's new "Industry Perspectives Report."

Interested in learning about what young accessorizers drive? Curious about their motivations and how to reach them more effectively? Check out the new “SEMA Young Accessorizers Report.”

Download both of these reports and much more for free.

By Kyle Cheng

Download the November “SEMA Industry Indicators” report from SEMA Market Research.

Over the past month, the U.S. stock market has witnessed significant volatility and equity correction, wiping out the gains made so far in 2018. Despite this, the economy continues to run on all cylinders. Consumer sentiment remains positive and high, with spending growing at one of its highest rates since 2000—although vehicle sales were essentially flat in October. Additionally, October added another 250,000 jobs.

However, hurdles are looming. As we move into 2019 and 2020, waning fiscal stimulus and restrictive monetary policy may hinder growth. Likewise, housing continues to weaken, and affordability is a major concern in some markets. A strengthening dollar and weak economic growth outside the United States will also affect the economy.

To learn more, download the November “SEMA Industry Indicators” report from SEMA Market Research.

Want to learn more about the state of our industry? Interested in seeing current and projected product trends? Check out SEMA's new "Industry Perspectives Report."

Interested in learning about what young accessorizers drive? Curious about their motivations and how to reach them more effectively? Check out the new “SEMA Young Accessorizers Report.”

Download both of these reports and much more for free.

This is the ’20 Ford Explorer, caught testing in light camo just outside of Dearborn, Michigan.

The Explorer will get its first comprehensive redesign in nearly a decade for the ’20 model year. It will ride on the D6 platform that is flexible enough for front-, rear- or all-wheel-drive configurations. There is the possibility the Explorer could even go rear-wheel drive.

What is more likely, however, is a more powerful Explorer ST. Just as the Edge gained an ST model for ’19, the Explorer should do the same with a 2.7L high-output Ecoboost V6, putting out at least as much power as the 335hp variant in the Edge—although a more powerful 3.5L Ecoboost may be likely. The Explorer ST will also add more aggressive styling and tuning.

Expect to see the new Explorer in the coming months.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’20 Ford Explorer, caught testing in light camo just outside of Dearborn, Michigan.

The Explorer will get its first comprehensive redesign in nearly a decade for the ’20 model year. It will ride on the D6 platform that is flexible enough for front-, rear- or all-wheel-drive configurations. There is the possibility the Explorer could even go rear-wheel drive.

What is more likely, however, is a more powerful Explorer ST. Just as the Edge gained an ST model for ’19, the Explorer should do the same with a 2.7L high-output Ecoboost V6, putting out at least as much power as the 335hp variant in the Edge—although a more powerful 3.5L Ecoboost may be likely. The Explorer ST will also add more aggressive styling and tuning.

Expect to see the new Explorer in the coming months.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’20 Ford Explorer, caught testing in light camo just outside of Dearborn, Michigan.

The Explorer will get its first comprehensive redesign in nearly a decade for the ’20 model year. It will ride on the D6 platform that is flexible enough for front-, rear- or all-wheel-drive configurations. There is the possibility the Explorer could even go rear-wheel drive.

What is more likely, however, is a more powerful Explorer ST. Just as the Edge gained an ST model for ’19, the Explorer should do the same with a 2.7L high-output Ecoboost V6, putting out at least as much power as the 335hp variant in the Edge—although a more powerful 3.5L Ecoboost may be likely. The Explorer ST will also add more aggressive styling and tuning.

Expect to see the new Explorer in the coming months.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’20 Ford Explorer, caught testing in light camo just outside of Dearborn, Michigan.

The Explorer will get its first comprehensive redesign in nearly a decade for the ’20 model year. It will ride on the D6 platform that is flexible enough for front-, rear- or all-wheel-drive configurations. There is the possibility the Explorer could even go rear-wheel drive.

What is more likely, however, is a more powerful Explorer ST. Just as the Edge gained an ST model for ’19, the Explorer should do the same with a 2.7L high-output Ecoboost V6, putting out at least as much power as the 335hp variant in the Edge—although a more powerful 3.5L Ecoboost may be likely. The Explorer ST will also add more aggressive styling and tuning.

Expect to see the new Explorer in the coming months.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’20 Ford Explorer, caught testing in light camo just outside of Dearborn, Michigan.

The Explorer will get its first comprehensive redesign in nearly a decade for the ’20 model year. It will ride on the D6 platform that is flexible enough for front-, rear- or all-wheel-drive configurations. There is the possibility the Explorer could even go rear-wheel drive.

What is more likely, however, is a more powerful Explorer ST. Just as the Edge gained an ST model for ’19, the Explorer should do the same with a 2.7L high-output Ecoboost V6, putting out at least as much power as the 335hp variant in the Edge—although a more powerful 3.5L Ecoboost may be likely. The Explorer ST will also add more aggressive styling and tuning.

Expect to see the new Explorer in the coming months.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’20 Ford Explorer, caught testing in light camo just outside of Dearborn, Michigan.

The Explorer will get its first comprehensive redesign in nearly a decade for the ’20 model year. It will ride on the D6 platform that is flexible enough for front-, rear- or all-wheel-drive configurations. There is the possibility the Explorer could even go rear-wheel drive.

What is more likely, however, is a more powerful Explorer ST. Just as the Edge gained an ST model for ’19, the Explorer should do the same with a 2.7L high-output Ecoboost V6, putting out at least as much power as the 335hp variant in the Edge—although a more powerful 3.5L Ecoboost may be likely. The Explorer ST will also add more aggressive styling and tuning.

Expect to see the new Explorer in the coming months.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

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.

Supply Chain Manager: Daystar Products International is hiring a supply chain manager to assist logistics processes for the development of new products, inventory maintenance, manufacturing, shipment and delivery and returns on products; keep detailed records, generate reports and develop presentations to help management understand the logistics perspective; and build relationships within the company and with external parties, such as suppliers, third-party providers and distributors. The successful candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in business management, supply chain management or a related field; a minimum of three years’ experience in a related field, Automotive experience is preferred, and the ability to manage logistics of all aspects of the supply chain, from product development to the shipment of finished items.

Wheel Sales and Applications Specialist: Kansei Wheels is hiring a wheel sales and applications specialist to search, develop and manage dealer accounts; provide customer and racer service via phone and email; use technical wheel fitment knowledge to approach customer service needs; and develop and maintain sponsorship relationships. The ideal candidate will have an intimate knowledge of performance Japanese cars used for drift, touge and street driving to aid in the sales growth to dealer accounts and individuals. A passion for tuning and a positive attitude are highly preferred.

Classic Car Mechanic/Technician: Bumbera’s Performance is hiring a classic car mechanic/technician who is a hard-working self-starter and highly knowledgeable about domestic classic cars ranging from the ’50s–’00s. The ability to jump right in and start working is a must. Knowledge of most domestic vehicles is required. Candidates must have their own tools.

Public Relations Account Executive: Kahn Media Inc. is hiring a public relations account executive responsible for developing and implementing PR and social-media strategies, maintaining relationships with journalists, communicating directly with clients, attending events and trade shows to support clients, facilitating interviews with the media, capturing content for social media use and creating monthly, quarterly and yearly reports for clients. The ideal candidate will be a talented writer, have a deep understanding of the current media landscape, have a thorough working knowledge of all major social-media channels and a passion for communication.

Prototype Fabricator: MagnaFlow is hiring a prototype fabricator to cut, size, notch and form tubing and hangers as necessary to properly fit vehicles; measure and document the design of prototype parts; and produce small quantity production runs to validate designs. MIG and TIG welding and metal fabrication skills are required. Bilingual (English-Spanish) candidates are preferred.