Vehicles from the early ’70s and later have traditionally been considered “classics,” with the idea of ’73 (pre-gas crisis, pre-catalytic converters) as reasonable cutoffs. However, the landscape has changed. More and more, classics have expanded to include vehicles from the ’70s and ’80s. These emerging classics are sparking the same nostalgic feelings among drivers looking to recapture a piece of their youth as they did to consumers a generation earlier. While the traditional areas of the classic vehicle space aren’t going anywhere, newer classic models are becoming more important for the industry.

When the crossover utility vehicle (CUV) first appeared in the mid-’90s, it seemed like the push-me-pull-you of the automotive market—not quite car and not truly SUV. As such, it raised several questions: Could consumers ever embrace a vehicle whose purpose wasn’t clearly defined and whose styling, quite honestly, wasn’t all that exciting? And, if they did, how would they utilize such an oddity? As a commuter car? A grocery getter or cargo hauler? Some sort of neo station wagon or minivan?

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.

Once considered one of the more backward-looking segments of the automotive aftermarket, the hot-rod and street-rod markets have changed radically over the past generation. No longer the exclusive province of ’30s through ’50s roadsters and sedans equipped with traditional running gear, today’s hot-rod market spans the automotive spectrum to include ’60s through ’80s musclecars, pickups and utility vehicles sporting 21st-century technologies. In all, the market has grown into a global industry that constitutes a $1.26-billion market sector, according to the most recent survey from the SEMA’s Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA).

There are many challenges to leading multiple generations in the workforce, primarily being able to achieve a common goal while coming from different life perspectives and experiences. But before that can happen, you must earn each member of your team’s trust and respect. Because today’s world has gone digital, the younger generation is more likely to be in tune with the progression of technology than their elder counterparts. Each generation communicates in a different way, and each has different motivations—especially when you add cultural, age and racial diversity to the mix.

It’s no secret that the electronic age has influenced every segment of the automotive aftermarket—and will continue to do so for as far into the future as we can see. Whether it’s the adoption of computer-aided design and 3-D printing by builders and fabricators or consumers demanding full integration of their cars and their devices, computer-driven electronics are here to stay. The proliferation of advanced driver-assistance systems across OE vehicle platforms and increased vehicle connectivity with the Internet of Things have created enormous technical and logistical challenges for the aftermarket—and boundless opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to establish a brand presence in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Carbon neutrality is a hot-button issue laden with political overtones and media hype—a true third rail if there ever was one for many in the automotive industry. Yet a growing number of brands are announcing green-friendly initiatives aimed at sustainability and carbon reduction. What’s driving this trend? And more importantly, how are industry businesses future-proofing themselves against what may be an unstoppable seismic shift?

After a year’s hiatus in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, the annual SEMA Show made a much-heralded return to Las Vegas in 2021. Despite the challenges of putting on a trade event amid the pandemic’s waning months, the 2021 SEMA Show proved incredibly successful. It ended up ranking among the top U.S. trade shows held last year.

“Custom, with a little bit of class.” That’s how builder/fabricator Dayton Jacobson described his building style at last year’s SEMA Show. We might also add “award-winning,” since Jacobson’s 2021 SEMA Show build (an ’00 Chevy S-10) captured top honors at the Battle of the Builders Young Guns competition, which culminated SEMA Show week last November. When not working on custom builds, he takes care of business as the owner of Jacobson’s Welding and Powder Coating in Burnsville, Minnesota.