The SEMA Garage–Industry Innovations Center is now open to provide manufacturers with access to a full emissions-testing EO certification lab and dyno services. Located adjacent to SEMA’s Diamond Bar, California, headquarters, the 15,000-sq.-ft. facility will include a full mechanic’s garage and tech center.

The building was purpose-built 10 years ago with a full dyno lab that uses highly technical and sophisticated equipment to measure emissions output at a level consistent with the Air Resources Board requirements for EO certification. Working in conjunction with the Auto Club, SEMA is able to use the equipment to provide members with a valuable, low-cost resource for testing and obtaining certifications for new products.

Toyota made its first-ever public reveal at a major music event, unveiling the redesigned ’14 4Runner at the recent Stagecoach Music Festival in Indio, California. To celebrate the premiere of the new 4Runner, Toyota created a whimsical, “World of Wonders” stage complete with carnival games, circus performers and a special performance by country recording artist
Dierks Bentley.

Now in its fifth generation, the Toyota 4Runner features a rugged new exterior design along with a powerful 4.0L, 270hp V6 teamed to a five-speed ECT-i automatic transmission. The new midsize SUV will be available in three grades—the well-equipped SR5, top-of-the-line Limited, and a Trail grade for off-road enthusiasts. 4Runner owners will have the choice of a rear-wheel 4x2, part-time 4x4 or a full-time multi-mode 4x4 with a locking center differential.

SEMA will host its annual Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, Friday, July 26, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California. The annual event is well attended by automotive professionals and recognizes the newest Board members, while honoring the 2013 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees.

“The annual installation banquet is a chance to honor our newly elected Board of Directors as well as our Hall of Fame members,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “The fact that we are able to support SEMA’s selected charitable organizations is an added bonus and something we are proud to sponsor.”

This year’s SEMA Show booth-selection process was a success. Almost 2,000 exhibitors signed up for priority booth selection, which took place May 2–15, 2013. This represents a 6% increase over last year’s numbers, and a complete, updated floorplan is now available at www.SEMAShow.com. Since 91% of buyers base their decisions on whether to attend the SEMA Show partly on what companies are exhibiting, these numbers are certainly a testament to the early support and enthusiasm for this year’s SEMA Show. Companies are able to sign up any time for exhibit space at www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth. The SEMA Show is set for November 5–8, 2013, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Registration is now open for the 2013 SEMA Show, Tuesday–Friday, November 5–8, Las Vegas. Attendees, media and exhibitors are invited to register for the annual Show online.

“Preregistering online and obtaining approval in advance of the Show is the most efficient and economical way to obtain Show credentials,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “In addition to paying a lower cost, attendees receive their badges in the mail before the SEMA Show so that they can hit the Show floor running when they arrive.”

Getting Your Business to Look Good on All Computer Devices Just Became Effortless

Businesses looking for a quick fix to the increasingly vexing challenge of getting their web presence to look good on all screen sizes—including smartphones, tablets and desktop PCs—may want to turn to YouTube. The online video goliath is rolling out a major upgrade this spring specifically designed to ensure that a company’s website on its service, which YouTube calls a “channel,” looks great no matter how visitors decide to view it.

“The main focus of this update is to make your new channel look great on browsers across all screens and devices,” said Jeb Havens, a product manager at YouTube.

In its December 1965 issue, Car Craft magazine featured an extensive review of the ‘66 Pontiac GTO. But not just any GTO. This particular car was the GeeTO Tiger, a hot hard-top owned by Hurst Performance and used as a test mule for various engine, suspension and tire-and-wheel modifications. Adding to the GTO’s pedigree, it was tuned by Milt Schornack of Royal Pontiac, the Detroit-area dealer that had developed the famous “Royal Bobcat” tune-up packages for GTOs and other performance Pontiacs.

The article went into great detail about the modifications performed on the Tiger, from Air Lift bags in the suspension to Schornack’s careful cylinder-head work. The author, Roger Huntington, also advised Car Craft readers to not buy a GTO “without having a careful look at the list of options. The dealer might sell you one off his back lot for a little less money. But for maybe another $100 or so, you might be able to get a combination that would suit you a lot better.” A combination, in other words, ready to hit the dragstrip.

Owning Your Data Is Owning Your Future

British computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee is credited with inventing the World Wide Web in 1989 when he implemented the first successful communication between a Hypertext Transfer Protocol client and a server via the Internet. He had this to say about data ownership: “Customers need to be given control of their own data—not being tied into a certain manufacturer so that when there are problems they are always obliged to go back to them.”

With that in mind, I selected the words in the title of this article very carefully. “Owning Your Data Is Owning Your Future.” Seems simple enough, and certainly makes sense. But think about the reciprocal meaning of that statement. If someone else owns your data, someone else owns your future. Yep, that’s a scary thought.

Car-Care and Restyling Products From the 2012 SEMA Show

The SEMA Show offers thousands of products to automotive professionals, ranging from performance hard parts to purpose-built off-road equipment. But vehicle accessories—body kits, interior additions and restoration parts—can spruce up nearly any car or truck, and car-care products are used throughout the industry on both new and used vehicles.

The next few pages include dozens of restyling and car-care products that were unveiled at the 2012 SEMA Show. We have also compiled comments from industry professionals at some of the leading car-care companies about changes in technology, the distribution process and the influence of the Internet on both consumers and retailers.