This article focuses on the Australian automotive specialty-equipment market and, more specifically, on the vehicles on the road in Australia that provide the greatest opportunity for U.S. manufacturers.

They say it started in South Africa and Australia, spread rapidly through South America, and now has gripped North America. We’re talking, of course, about the overlanding phenomenon, an outdoor addiction that many aftermarket companies have become keenly aware of—so much so that the SEMA Show added an Overland Experience feature dedicated to the trend in 2019. But who exactly are these overlanders? What do they seek, and how is the industry discovering opportunities in helping them find it?

Companies in the 21st century enjoy a wide range of competitive advantages that were unavailable to previous generations of businesses. The use of the internet to automate ordering and billing, to manage inventory or to process payrolls can increase productivity, reduce waste and maximize efficiencies across departments.

Businesses looking to quickly beef up the number of reviews that appear about them on the major review websites—as well as on their own digital properties—are in luck. There are currently dozens of service providers vying for a chance to significantly increase the number of positive reviews your business enjoys online.

’23 GMC Canyon AT4: For the all-new ’23 model year, the AT4 trim looks more potent than that of the current truck. ’23 Range Rover Sport SVR: Like the normal ’23 Range Rover Sport, the SVR is said to be built on the Modular Longitudinal Architecture. ’22 Ford Expedition Timberline: The refreshed ’22 model clearly shows the new headlight treatment along with several other features, including a unique grille treatment, a high-clearance front fascia, and orange recovery hooks.

Industry news from SEMA-member companies, including The AAM Group, Formula DRIFT, John Force Racing and more.

The economic recovery continues along a bumpy path. The number of new hires slowed in the month of September, and the outlook for the labor market remains unclear in the coming months as pandemic-related benefits are phased out. Consumer spending remains strong, even as some of these government transfers wane.

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is governed by a Board of Directors who volunteer their time to provide leadership and guidance to the organization. Board members are nominated and elected by the association’s membership at large. Directors serve a three-year term, while the chairman serves for two years immediately after completing a two-year term as chairman-elect. The current Board was inaugurated at the SEMA Board meeting held on July 31, 2021.

While many businesses took a wait-and-see approach when Google released a major upgrade to its analytics software last fall—Google Analytics 4—now is a good time to begin experimenting with the latest version. The free software offers businesses a powerful way to analyze and improve on how visitors are interacting with their websites. It has been put through its paces since its release, and any kinks with the code appear to have been worked out.

Companies that rely on ad tech companies to post ads for their goods and services across the web will need a new plan in 2022, when support for that technology mostly disappears. Essentially, Google is warning businesses that its widely popular Chrome browser will no longer support the technology needed to make those ad placements—known as third-party cookies—beginning next year.