Industry news from SEMA-member companies, including the NHRA, Red Kap, Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc., The Marx Group, Yokohama Tire Corp.’s and more.

Regis Finn began his automotive career sweeping floors at a local speed shop when he was 15. In his early 20s, he made a cross-country move to California, where he landed at B&M Racing and Performance. He started in the customer service department and has since held many positions in sales and...

An open-house event showcased the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts (AXC), now located at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, as part of the Robert E. Petersen Garage.

’16 Ford Mustang EcoboostFord has revived the Pony Package with the 2.3L Ecoboost engine.’17 Fiat 124 SpiderThe 124 Spider will be powered by the 1.4L turbo four-cylinder engine, and a six-speed manual is likely to be the standard transmission.Jeep CherokeeThe upcoming Jeep Cherokee will use the...

On July 1, the Wheel and Tire Council (WTC) installed three newly elected select committee members, though none of them are strangers to the council. Carl Robinson is product manager at Mickey Thompson Tires. With almost 40 years of experience in the performance aftermarket, he brings a seasoned...

Each year, members and volunteer leaders of the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) gather to discuss council priorities and strategic goals at an annual long-range planning meeting. This year, more than two dozen members participated in the meeting, which was held on June 18 and 19 near...

On May 28, 2015, the MPMC hosted its open general membership meeting at the SEMA Garage. The half-day event provided a venue for local members and the select committee to connect face-to-face about SEMA’s Board initiatives and the hot-button issues faced by motorsports parts manufacturers. Members...

This past spring, 41 SEMA-member companies participated in SEMA’s four-day Middle East program in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The program featured an all-day measuring session with commonly customized vehicles not sold in the United States as well as a chance for participants to exhibit...

This summer was a busy one for the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA), with the usual council events plus a few changes. The new select committee terms began on July 1. In this year’s election, HRIA welcomed back four incumbents: Scott Bowers (Ron Francis Wiring), B.J. Elmore (Ridetech), Jeff Major...

SEMA held two successful Town Hall meetings in 2015, giving members and prospective members a chance to catch up with each other and the state of the association. The first SEMA Town Hall was held in 2011, in an effort to keep an ear to the ground for feedback and challenges in the industry. Since...