Tabla de contenidos para October 2024 en SEMA Magazine

Since its founding in the ’60s, SEMA has been a trade-focused association. In recent years, however, we’ve also grasped the urgently growing need to engage our industry’s consumers at a grassroots level. The reasoning for this is two-fold: First, we naturally want to fuel enthusiasm for association members’ brands and products; and second, vehicle owners can be formidable advocates for the automotive lifestyle and the right to drive, enjoy and modify the vehicles of our choice. In 2021, we laid a foundation for such consumer outreach and advocacy with the launch of the SEMA Individual Membership (SIM) program. It was a new arena for SEMA, and the program allowed us to listen and learn about the distinct needs and motivations of this audience and the messaging and experiences that resonate…

As we approach a new year, one of the most anticipated features of the SEMA Show is New Product Showcase (NPS). It’s an exciting Show feature where exhibitors display their new and featured products and attendees get a sneak peek at what manufacturers are bringing to the market. These new products drive the industry forward. Buyers frequently look for the latest power-producing engine components, solvents, recovery gear, tools and more to stock up for next year. Consumers are always excited about what upgrades come out of the Show, whether they be as simple as a grip alteration on a ratchet or as complex as diagnostic software. NPS is not just a showcase, it’s a platform that creates massive buzz and publicity waves at the Show, giving your company and its…

PRESENTED BY MOTHERS POLISH Craftsmen, fabricators and builders from the United States and beyond work passionately for months—sometimes years—on a project car. After pouring blood, sweat and endless hours into their build, modifiers will find no better place to feature their vehicle than the SEMA Show’s annual Battle of the Builders (BOTB) Presented by Mothers Polish competition. Judges review hundreds of applicants and determine whose artistic vision, ingenuity and craftsmanship best translates into th0e highly modified car they have crafted. Victory grants the builder unlimited bragging rights and marketing and networking opportunities, and the competition series is one of the SEMA Show’s most closely followed events throughout the Show week. This year’s participants are vying for honors across four build categories: Hot Rod/Hot Rod Truck; 4 Wheel Drive & Off-Road;…

In early July, a press event was held at St. Andrews Marina in Panama City, Florida, to announce that the facility is the first in the area to offer a 93-octane gasoline called Purfuels that can reduce emissions by 30% more than E10 gasoline. Suzuki Marine USA is also using sustainable fuel blends at its Panama City-based test center in the United States and in Japan. Purfuel is a blend stock made from ethanol and Brazilian sugar cane mixed with unleaded gasoline to arrive at a desired octane level. It’s a small but important step in the process of reducing marine emissions by implementing alternatives to electric propulsion—a trend that may have important repercussions for the automotive aftermarket as well. “Sustainable fuels will make an immediate impact on CO2 emissions,”…

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund issued $99,000 in scholarship and loan forgiveness awards to help 46 individuals currently working in or planning to pursue careers in the automotive aftermarket industry. The winners include 39 college students and seven employees of SEMA-member companies. “As the automotive specialty-equipment market grows, so does the need for talented, ready-to-work individuals who are passionate about the industry,” said Jose Escobar, SEMA project manager of recognition programs. “This year’s winners represent the diversity and interests that the market needs, and we’re excited to support them in their academic and professional journeys.” Established in 1984, the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is designed to encourage future talent and current leaders to succeed in the automotive industry. Each year, scholarships are awarded to help the next generation get off…

THE [CHEVROLET V8] ENGINE USED IN THE CAR WAS ALMOST WORTHY OF A STORY ITSELF… In the mid-’60s, when the NHRA lifted its ban on nitromethane, Dode Martin and Jim Nelson had a decision to make. Dragmaster, the company they founded in 1954 in the San Diego, California, area, was a prolific fabricator of dragster chassis. Martin and Nelson promoted the business by being successful racers themselves. But Top Fuel racing was a different animal than running gasoline, putting increased demands on the dragster’s foundation, and the two men decided to stop chassis production rather than follow the changing trends. Instead, they made a hard turn into the kit-car business. THE KIT-CAR REVOLUTION Kit cars, in one form or another, have been around almost as long as automobiles. But there…

The automotive specialty-equipment and motorsports industries are dynamic and ever-evolving, constantly facing new challenges and opportunities. At the heart of advocating for these industries’ interests is the SEMA Political Action Committee (PAC). The PAC plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the voices of SEMA members are heard in the halls of Congress and state legislatures, and that legislation supports, rather than hinders, our thriving community. WHAT IS THE SEMA PAC? The SEMA PAC is a powerful tool designed to support lawmakers who champion the interests of the automotive specialty-equipment and motorsports industries. Through contributions from SEMA members, the PAC provides essential financial support to political candidates who advocate for policies that benefit our industry. By doing so, the PAC ensures that we have a seat at the table when…

Maybe you’re into classics or hot rods. Then again, maybe trucks or modern muscle are your scene—or perhaps even tuners or Teslas. But whatever industry sector you cater to as an aftermarket professional, the very nature of automotive transportation is rapidly changing. Thankfully, you can get a handle on the fluctuating currents at the 2024 SEMA FutureTech Studio, returning to booth #24401 in the Show’s Central Hall, November 5–8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. “Obviously everyone nowadays is focusing on powertrains and emissions and the continued viability of internal combustion engines [ICEs] in the coming decades,” observes Andy Tompkins, SEMA trade show director. “But the industry is already feeling the impact of other trends as well, from new manufacturing techniques and materials to telematics and autonomous vehicles. While these…

Bear Grylls, host of “Man vs. Wild,” “Running Wild With Bear Grylls” and “You vs. Wild,” will deliver a keynote address at the 2024 SEMA Show as part of the trade-only event’s professional-development experience. Taking place November 5–8 in Las Vegas, the SEMA Show will feature Grylls, a renowned survival expert, writer and adventurer, on the SEMA Main Stage, where he will talk about the things that have shaped him and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Grylls’ keynote address, entitled “The Power of Resilience—Never Give Up, Featuring Bear Grylls,” will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 7 in the West Hall. The adventurer’s speech is part of a comprehensive SEMA Show Education program that focuses on leadership and year-round skill development. Through his keynote, Grylls will…

In an era where safety, enjoyment and connectivity are paramount, the mobile-electronics market is booming with new ideas. From new takes on car audio equipment to telematics-enabled control devices and AI-enhanced driver assistance technologies, industry companies are leading the charge in creating fresh innovations to keep consumers safer, more smartly informed and enjoyably entertained on the road. “Innovation is thriving across the mobile-electronics and technology markets, particularly in response to the increasing number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the road,” affirms Phil Meada, president of Rydeen Mobile Electronics, a maker of backup cameras, monitorsucts, and other video safety solutions. “Our industry is adapting by developing products tailored for these vehicles, ensuring seamless integration and offering customers the opportunity to further enhance their driving experience. As customers seek differentiation, there’s a…

As today’s race cars continue to push the boundaries of horsepower and performance, EFI tuning has taken on increasing importance in the world of motorsports. Great tuners bring home trophies, bad tuners detonate motors. For prospective tuners, these realworld consequences underscore the importance of getting a high-quality tuning education from a credible program. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of programs offering EFI tuning education. Online and in-person programs cover a range of budgets, teaching styles and time commitments. But after speaking with top tuning teachers from around the country, one thing is clear: There are no shortcuts to becoming a successful tuner. WILD WEST It wasn’t so long ago that EFI tuning was stuck in the dark ages. “We started in the mid-’90s, and there were no good ways to learn…

Digital marketers are gung-ho on any sort of promotion that includes video this year—a format that is consistently bringing home ever-more-impressive results, according to a new study from HubSpot, “The State of Marketing 2024” (hubspot.com/state-of-marketing). The free report—which surveyed more than 1,400 marketers across the globe and offers insights on the full spectrum of digital promotion tools—found that great success with video has translated into increasing numbers of marketers doubling down, especially video-friendly networks like TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. A FULL 29% OF MARKETERS SAY THE BEST ROI FOR THEIR MARKETING DOLLAR STILL COMES FROM FACEBOOK, ACCORDING TO HUBSPOT RESEARCHERS. That’s where the younger buyers can be found, according to HubSpot’s researchers. In fact, those younger consumers spend so much time on the services that they prefer to use the…

FEDERAL UPDATE SUPREME COURT PULLS BACK REGULATORY OVERREACH: The U.S. Supreme Court overturned what is known as the Chevron Doctrine, a decadesold precedent that enabled federal agencies to interpret laws passed by Congress that are ambiguous or have gaps, so long as the agencies’ interpretations are reasonable. The Court’s decision affirms that agencies cannot take actions that are inconsistent with, or not supported by, the language of the laws passed by Congress. This landmark ruling by the Supreme Court will reign in federal agencies’ former power to expand the scope of regulations beyond congressional intent and has the potential to allow current regulations where federal agencies have overstepped their authority to be overturned in future court challenges. The overturn of Chevron does not change laws such as the emissions standards…