SEMA regularly partners with media to help members succeed and the automotive aftermarket industry thrive. Just as the industry has changed through the years, so has the media landscape. Traditional media are now joined by online outlets, social-media channels and podcasts—many of which cover SEMA’s different events and services, resulting in an increase in the association’s audience reach. The following are some of the podcasts that have recently hosted SEMA guests and helped spread the word about SEMA’s initiatives.
While the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas has been postponed to November 2021, SEMA’s alternative “virtual” event, SEMA360, aroused widespread interest among the automotive specialty-equipment aftermarket when it was first announced last September. More than 700 companies signed up to participate in the event, held online November 2–6, 2020, and more than 300 exhibitor vehicles registered as well. What follows in these pages is a representative sampling of the vehicles that were in attendance at SEMA360.
’22 Ford Maverick: The Maverick will slot below the Ranger in Ford’s expanding pickup lineup. Corvette C8 Z06: The Z06 features a staggered wheel/tire configuration, with the rear tires being particularly wide. ’21 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Half-Door: With added pressure from the upcoming Ford Bronco, it now appears that Jeep is looking at bringing a half-door option to the market.
Industry news from SEMA-member companies, including Icahn Automotive, TMI Automotive Products Inc., Bed Wood Parts and more.
The U.S. Treasury issued a new loan forgiveness application form for Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loans of $50,000 or less, intending to simplify the loan review process for smaller loan amounts. While the new form was reduced from five to two pages, it still requires the borrower to submit significant documentation (bank statements, tax forms, payment receipts, employee benefit statements, etc.). While welcoming the revised form, SEMA has joined a coalition of companies and organizations seeking a more streamlined process so that small-business owners can invest in jobs and supporting their local economies rather than spending time and resources on paperwork. The PPP has provided 5.2 million loans worth $525 billion to American small businesses, according to the U.S. Treasury.
Thousands of industry professionals logged onto www.sema360.com on Monday, November 2, to take part in SEMA360—a five-day online trade-only event in which attendees from throughout the world connected with automotive parts manufacturers while discovering new products, industry trends and ideas from leading experts in the specialty-equipment aftermarket.
The SEMA360 New Products Showcase winners were selected from more than 2,200 products across 16 different categories, including Collision Repair & Refinish, Mobile Electronics, Off-Road/4-Wheel Drive, Performance Racing and Performance Street. They represent the most innovative and cutting-edge automotive aftermarket products that will be consumable in 2021.
The annual celebration of industry excellence always marks a SEMA Week high point, no matter the venue. With SEMA360 bridging the gap left by a canceled 2020 SEMA Show, the 2020 SEMA Awards ceremony premiered online at the SEMA YouTube channel on Thursday evening, November 5. Emcee’d by automotive media personalities Jarod DeAnda and Kevin Oeste and featuring a musical band, the event struck an inspirational tone as the association honored the industry leaders, legends and innovators who shined amid a challenging year.
As aftermarket businesses enter the new year, the state of the American economy will be closely watched for sales and market planning. Fortunately, the latest SEMA research indicates considerable good news on the consumer front. In its recently released “State of the American Consumer” report, the SEMA market research department sees many positive signs that consumers are beginning to move past the COVID-19 hit the economy took in spring 2020.
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