Light trucks (pickups, SUVs, CUVs and vans) have long been a cornerstone of the specialty-equipment aftermarket. Pickups and Jeeps in particular are key enthusiast market segments. But a newer segment, CUVs, has emerged as the most common vehicle type for Americans to purchase. While many of these crossover utility vehicles are used strictly as the default family vehicle, some enthusiasts see their potential to support their outdoor and even off-road hobbies. This opens up a new area of opportunity for the industry to provide accessories and upgrades for the growing CUV community. For more information on the industry, visit www.sema.org/research.

The U.S. government estimates that less than 1% of U.S. small businesses currently export, even though there’s a huge demand for high-quality American-made products. SEMA members appear to fare better as a percentage of those that engage in exporting, yet many overseas markets are still underserved and are eager to connect with and do business with executives of SEMA-member companies.

In February, SEMA introduced a new program that makes it possible for automotive aftermarket parts manufacturers to meet the legal requirement for emissions compliance under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Tampering Policy. The program, called SEMA Certified-Emissions (SC-E), gives manufacturers the ability to verify that a product meets the EPA’s “reasonable basis” criteria and is therefore legal for sale in 49 states.

The products featured below are from SEMA Data member companies that have attained Gold- or Platinum-level data, which means that their product data is robust and complete—likely to drive customer purchase decisions. SEMA Data members meeting data scorecard requirements are invited to submit product releases for consideration to enews@semadatacoop.org.

As the SEMA News Team’s SUV hit Boone Rd. from Highway 247, you could feel the energy and the excitement that comes to Johnson Valley just once a year. The King of the Hammers (KOH) is an off-road Mecca, and everyone who loves leaving the pavement comes to this event. For these passionate pilots nothing compares to opening up the throttle across the dessert, or navigating surgically through rock obstacles. The SEMA News Team spent four days looking to connect with drivers, manufacturers and enthusiasts. And for 2022 one word sums up KOH—biblical.

Kansas—Restoration: The Kansas House of Representatives Transportation Committee passed SEMA-supported legislation to allow the full restoration of antique vehicles, including temporary removal of the vehicle identification number (VIN) when necessary. This bill changes existing law to allow for the removal and reinstallation of a VIN if the removal and reinstallation is reasonably necessary for repair or restoration. Currently, restorers who intentionally remove or alter a VIN, regardless of reason, are guilty of a felony, and the vehicle is subject to seizure and destruction by law enforcement. The bill awaits consideration on the House floor.

The advent of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) on original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) vehicles has posed numerous challenges to the automotive industry—none more so than the automotive aftermarket, where customization and accessorization are the name of the game. On the other hand, ADAS also presents numerous opportunities for the manufacturer or shop owner who understands how these systems can work in tandem with aftermarket parts and accessories.

Powersports sales have been on fire, dramatically increasing across the board since 2020, but resulting in part of the supply-chain woes we’re constantly reading about in the news. The culprit: enthusiasts and even ordinary people desperately seeking adventure to distract themselves or reemerge from the COVID-19 doldrums.

Hyundai’s Prophecy concept car will morph into the Ioniq 6 when it finally hits dealers in production form in 2023. As expected, spy shots now prove that the radical design of the Prophecy has been toned down for the production model.

From the earliest days, the automobile and its surrounding lifestyle have been about freedom. However, recent years have seen a growing assault on many of the freedoms consumers, hobbyists and recreational enthusiasts have come to enjoy.