’22 BMW X7: As a big, luxurious, three-row SUV, the BMW X7 is doing quite well, and work has already begun on a mid-life refresh. ’22 Kia Sportage: A thinly disguised prototype was snapped testing on the Nürburgring ahead of its likely reveal later this spring. ’22 Toyota Tundra: After almost two years, we officially have our first look at the next-gen Tundra.

The Mint 400 has earned a longstanding reputation as being one of the roughest off-road races in the country, as this photo from 1969 attests. John Thawley, reporting on the race for the June 1969 issue of Hot Rod, said 206 entries started the two-day event, but just 21 finished the required eight laps of the course—“46 miles of dust, rock, and talcum powder along Nevada desert roads laced with holes, ditches, hills, and a wide and ugly assortment of equipment-breaking surprises.”

In a year that delivered a lot of obstacles, it’s been a challenge for enterprises of all types to stay focused and deliver on long-term goals and objectives. Here at SEMA, our team has been intent on making adjustments but also working with the industry to keep valuable, long-term programs and benefits on track. An example is the annual Battle of the Builders program, a show-car competition involving SEMA and the industry’s talented builders that helps energize people everywhere to engage and enjoy the automotive lifestyle.

The performance products market—including products for engine and drivetrain, performance ignition, intake and exhaust, cooling, safety and race gear—is one of the largest and most robust in the automotive aftermarket. While many specialty-equipment market segments saw declines in sales in the wake of the COVID-19 disruption last spring, sales of performance products held steady in 2020, generating an estimated $10.6 billion in revenues, according to the 2020 “SEMA Market Report.”

Industry news from SEMA-member companies, including Peterson Manufacturing, Oracle Lighting, Wilwood and more.

The U.S. economy continues to recover but, as noted last month, growth is moderating, according to the latest “SEMA Industry Indicators” report. In Europe, where fiscal stimulus was smaller than in the United States, rising COVID-19 cases drove a fresh series of national lockdowns in late 2020. The economy there was likely to see another contraction in the fourth quarter, indicating the start of a double-dip recession. The probability of a double-dip recession in the United States has inched higher and was probably around 25% as of press time.