SEMA News—December 2013
REQUIRED READING
The SEMA Garage
SEMA recently hosted members of the media for a tour of the SEMA Garage–Industry Innovations Center. The event was held in conjunction with Collector Car Appreciation Day on July 12, 2013, at SEMA’s headquarters in Diamond Bar, California.
The SEMA Garage-Industry Innovations Center helps businesses create and design products for the automotive accessory market. Outfitted with nearly $2 million worth of equipment, the SEMA Garage features a complete emissions-testing cell for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) certification. In addition, a 3D lab, complete with a Faro arm and a 3D scanner, allows member companies to quickly scan production cars and accurately model production parts. Media who joined the tour were also given the opportunity to see additional equipment, including digital race car scales, vehicle lifts and a temperature-controlled test cell. Some of the coverage is highlighted below.
Industry trade publication Automotive News documented the benefit to SEMA members of having access to the newest vehicles to assist in developing prototype parts for markets both in the United States and abroad. Reporter Mark Rechtin noted that SEMA had imported test vehicles that are not available to the North American market, such as the Toyota Hi-Lux and the Ford Ranger T6. Rechtin further remarked that American companies are able to develop and export aftermarket parts to foreign markets more quickly and efficiently with SEMA’s help. |
Autoweek, a leading industry trade publication, also recognized the SEMA Garage’s benefits, taking special note of the lab where parts can be tested for CARB and EPA emissions standards. A key benefit of the lab is the ability to control the temperature from -30ºF to 100ºF and anywhere in between. Also available in the SEMA Garage is a Faro Edge scanner for member companies to scan production cars, allowing for accurate readings of bumpers, fenders, front ends and other parts. This process allows for greater cooperation between OEM and aftermarket manufacturers. | |
Diamond Bar Patch In addition to industry trade publications, local media, such as the Diamond Bar Patch joined the tour and were provided with a demonstration of the equipment available in the SEMA Garage, such as the 3D scanner, 3D printer and dynamometer, which is used to calculate a car’s or truck’s power output. The Diamond Bar Patch also recognized the benefits of the emissions testing lab at the SEMA Garage, where companies can test for fuel economy, acceleration, brake stopping distance and interior/exterior noise levels. |
Reporter Bob Moore’s commentary for Searchautoparts.com noted that he came away from his tour with “techno shock.” He highlighted that the facility provides member companies with low-cost testing and CARB certifications. He made special mention of the technological advances that were previously available only to OEMs and larger companies but now allow smaller companies a chance to grow and prosper; the Faro arm and 3D scanner allow SEMA-member companies to conduct accurate digitized measuring at much more reasonable rates than they would find anywhere else. |
Automotive News
Autoweek
Searchautoparts.com
