Posts Tagged ‘ Industry News ’

SEMA Announces New Product Showcase Award Winners

By Devlin Smith , November 2, 2011 in News & Events

SEMA has announced the winners of the New Products Showcase Awards, held Tuesday at the 2011 SEMA Show. The event recognizes the most cutting-edge automotive products either on the market or about to hit the market. This year, nearly 2,000 new products were submitted for consideration, according to the association.

Criteria that ranked high on the judges’ selection for the New Product Showcase Awards included superiority of innovation, technical achievement, quality and workmanship, consumer appeal and marketability, according to the association.

The 2011 New Product Award Winners are:

Best Engineered New Product

Winner: Baer Brake Systems, Full Floating Rear End Conversion
Runner Up: Aeromotive Inc., Camaro Stealth Fuel System
Runner Up: Fuelab, Electronic Fuel Pressure Regulator

Cyberdyne Inc. Acquired by Veethree North America

By Devlin Smith , October 4, 2011 in Interior, News & Events

Veethree, a supplier of mechanical and electronic instrumentation, has acquired the assets of Cyberdyne Inc.. Under the deal, Veethree will manufacture Cyberdyne gauges in its Chicago facility.

“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to serve the automotive aftermarket and combine the digital accuracy of LED gauges with our solid-state GPS receivers and fuel senders,” said Shekhar Tewatia, Veethree’s vice president, in a statement released by the company. “This acquisition gives us a chance to enter the automotive aftermarket and consolidate Veethree’s position in the truck and bus segment.”

Texas DMV Introduces Simplified Vehicle Registration Fee Structure

By Devlin Smith , August 31, 2011 in News & Events

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles has introduced a simplified registration fee structure that will begin on Sept. 1. Under the new program, the fee for classic license plates has been eliminated.

Currently, Texas has 1,745 fee categories for registration. That number is being reduced to nine weight classifications. The simplified structure makes it easier for Texans to know what they owe, and reduces administrative costs for the state, counties and private businesses, according to a Texas DMV press release.

Aftermarket Mourns the Loss of Bob DeYoung

By Ashley Smissen , December 3, 2010 in News & Events

(Photo: SEMA)

Bob DeYoung, sales manager for Cragar Wheel, has passed away at the age of 59, SEMA is reporting. DeYoung was active in the automotive aftermarket for many years, having worked at Cragar for 24 years. He previously worked at other automotive aftermarket companies including Tom Klein Racing Engines and Gossic Total Performance.

DeYoung was also well-known in the racing industry. Along with partner Joe Faulkner, DeYoung raced an El Camino drag car in the late 1970s, in addition to a unique Cadillac Seville-bodied car that he raced throughout the southwestern United States.

Services will be held for DeYoung on Monday, Dec. 20 at 1 p.m. in Building H of the Phoenix First Assembly of God in Phoenix.

Tags: Breaking News, Cragar Wheel, Industry News, Tires & Wheels, Wheel

Ohio Technical College Announces the Edelbrock Academy

By Devlin Smith , November 4, 2010 in News & Events

Ohio Technical College (OTC), an automotive training school, has announced a new partnership with Edelbrock LLC to create the Edelbrock Academy, a program designed to give students a solid foundation in the building and tuning of American muscle cars and performance vehicles.

The Edelbrock Academy at Ohio Technical College will provide students with the skills necessary to efficiently produce a vehicle through planning, installation and modification of the engine, suspension system, braking system and drive train. In addition, the course will cover engine performance modifications; installation of intakes, exhaust, nitrous, carburetors, fuel injection, supercharging systems and numerous additional Edelbrock products; and dyno tuning and testing using products and equipment from Edelbrock LLC.

Heidts Under New Ownership, Founder Returning in Advisory Role

By Devlin Smith , September 30, 2010 in Chassis & Suspension, News & Events

Heidts Hot Rod & Muscle Car Parts has announced to its dealer network that the company is under new ownership. As of Sept. 1, Wallace (Wal) Leyshon owns Heidts and has assumed the role of president/CEO from Frank Happ, who is returning to his former business, according to the company announcement.

News Bites: Industry News in 100 Words or Less

By Ashley Smissen , July 20, 2010 in News & Events

Hot rodders enjoy the new hot rod book shop recently opened at Gunner's Great Garage.

Hot Rod Book Shop Opens in Manawa, Wisconsin

Gunner’s Great Garage, a shop profiled in Hotrod & Restoration the May 2010 issue, has opened a new book shop that will specialize in selling both new and used automotive books, literature, press kits, posters and other paper collectibles, as well as toy and model cars. For July and August, the new book shop will highlight hot rod books in honor of the Symco Shakedown – a traditional hot rod show that will take place in nearby Symco, Wisconsin on August 13 and 14. For more information call (920) 596-2273.

News Bites: Industry News in 100 Words or Less

By Ashley Smissen , July 9, 2010 in News & Events

This 1965 Shelby GT350 Fastback will cross the auction block in Des Moines.

Mecum Auction to Offer 500 Classic Cars at Des Moines Event

More than 500 collector cars, including a rare 1965 Shelby GT350 Fastback, will cross the auction block during the Mecum Des Moines Auction, July 16-17, 2010, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

The Mecum Des Moines Auction will take place in the air-conditioned Varied Industries Building at the fairgrounds. The event is open to the general public, with tickets available at the door for $15. To view a complete list of vehicles that will be auctioned, visit www.Mecum.com.

The Paddock to Liquidate Assets at Auction

The Paddock, a muscle car part distribution center that has been opened since 1965, closed its doors in recent months and will now be auctioning off everything inside the building.

The live auction will be held on-site at the company’s facility in Knightstown, Ohio.

Indianapolis-based commercial auction group Key Auctioneers will be facilitating the auction, which is said to include parts, cars and equipment. The bulk of the inventory will be sold in ten large segmented lots and will be segmented. A large variety of parts will also be sold individually, including sheet metal, gauges and other items.

For more details regarding the auction go to www.keyauctioneers.com/auction_detail.php?id=137739.

SEMA Launches Website to Prevent Illegal Street Racing

In an effort to move drag racing from the streets to the racetrack, SEMA and the Street Performance Council (SPC) have launched an all-new “Racers Against Street Racing” (RASR) website to make it easier for racers to find a listing of sanctioned racetracks.

The goal of RASR is to educate drivers about the dangers of street racing and stunts that put them—and others— at risk of serious injury and death. The site, www.rasr.org, provides individuals with a resource to locate professionally controlled environments in which today’s performance and speed enthusiasts can participate in automotive-related events throughout the United States.

Tags: Auctions, Auctions & Events, Company News, Industry News, Muscle Cars, Racing, Road Racing, SEMA, Shelby Mustangs, Street Racing, The Paddock, Websites

THI Corporation Appoints New Marketing Director

By Ashley Smissen , February 18, 2010 in News & Events

THI Corporation, parent company of Extang, TruXedo and BedRug has appointed Michael McGunagle to the position of Marketing Director. McGunagle will be responsible for the marketing and branding efforts for all THI product lines.

HRR Education & Training Day Presenter Egge Celebrating 95th Anniversary

By Devlin Smith , January 26, 2010 in Hotrod Seminar Spotlight, News & Events, Photo Galleries

Egge Machine Co. has been added to the list of companies presenting workshops during the 2010 Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show’s Education & Training Day. The company, which is celebrating its 95^th anniversary on Feb. 9, is presenting a workshop called “Building Value in Vintage Engines” that will teach attendees how to generate profit by building vintage engines.