Posted on

SEMA ANNOUNCES NEW PRODUCT AWARD WINNERS

SEMA ANNOUNCES NEW PRODUCT AWARD WINNERS
LAS VEGAS, NV. (Nov. 5, 2013) – SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, today announced the winners of the New Products Showcase Awards held at the 2013 SEMA Show. The event recognizes the most cutting-edge automotive products either on the market or about to hit the market. This year, more than 2,000 new products were submitted for consideration.
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.
The 2013 New Product Award Winners are:
Collision Repair & Refinish Product
Winner: 3M, 3M™Body Protection System (BPS)
Runner Up: Creative Autobody Solutions, ABS plastic spray out cards
Runner Up: Shelwes Tools & Body, ShelWes Automatic Contour Sander

Engineered New Product
Winner: Viking Performance Inc., Viking Berserker ASM (Active Shock Management)
Runner Up: Aeromotive Inc., Aeromotive A3000 Fuel Pump
Runner Up: McHitch Automatic Trailer Couplers, McHitch Automatic Trailer Coupler

Exterior Accessory Product
Winner: Rigid Industries LED Lighting, 2008-2010 Ford F250/F350 FX4 Grille
Runner Up: Shark Kage, Shark Kage Multi-Use 6 in 1 Ramp
Runner Up: Kleinn Air Horns, Kleinn TimeBlaster™ Train Horn Kit – 15 Minute Installation

Interior Accessory Product
Winner: Palmer Performance Engineering, DashLogic
Runner Up: Palmer Performance Engineering, DashCommand
Runner Up: Rampage Products, Jeep Wrangler Door Stay/Catch

Merchandising Display
Winner: BedRug Inc. & Advantage Truck Accessories, BedRug and BedTred for Jeep®
Runner Up: WeatherTech, WeatherTech TechLiner Countertop Display
Runner Up: Innovative Creations Inc., ICI Bumper Display

Mobile Electronics Product
Winner: ESCORT Inc., Passport Max
Runner Up: Retro Manufacturing LLC, RetroSound RetroPod Multipurpose Surface-Mount Speaker Modules
Runner Up: Retro Manufacturing LLC, RetroSound Newport 1.5 DIN Direct-fit Bluetooth Radio

Off-Road/4-Wheel Drive Product
Winner: Shenzhen Nova Technology Co. Ltd., NOVA LED HEAD LIGHT
Runner Up: Palmer Performance Engineering, DashLogic
Runner Up: Omix-ADA/Rugged Ridge, Rugged Ridge X-Clamp Mounting System For 2-3” Tubes (Black or Silver)

Packaging Display
Winner: Edge Products Inc./Superchips, Edge Evolution CTS
Runner Up: Mantic Engineering, Mantic Track Series 2 Clutch Packaging
Runner Up: COMP Performance Group, FAST EZ-EFI 2.0 Engine Control System, Base Kit Packaging

Performance-Racing Product
Winner: COMP Performance Group, TCI Bolt-Together High Strength Steel Planetary for Powerglide Transmissions
Runner Up: QA1, Preassembled Extended Length Ball Joints
Runner Up: COMP Performance Group, Electronic Fuel Pressure Sensor Kit

Performance-Street Product
Winner: Auto Meter, Boost Controller
Runner Up: Auto Meter, LS Plug-n-Play Tach Adapter Kit
Runner Up: Dakota Digital, ECD-100 Electronic Cable Drive Unit

Powersports Product
Winner: Titan Lifts, 1500XLT Motorcycle/ATV Lift Table – 1,500-lb. Lifting Capacity
Runner Up: Bully Dog Technologies, Powersports GT for Skidoo Applications
Runner Up: Extreme Max Products, Motorcycle RampXtender

Street Rod/Custom Car Product
Winner: Aeromotive Inc., Phantom 200 Stealth Fuel System
Runner Up: Del City, Del City’s Mini Fuse Panels
Runner Up: Classic Instruments Inc., ZST – Zeus Speedometer Technology

Tire and Related Product
Winner: Coker Tire Co., American Classic “Bias-Look” Radial Whitewall Tire
Runner Up: Continental Tire the Americas LLC, ContiForceContact
Runner Up: Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., Cooper Zeon RS3-S

Tools & Equipment Product
Winner: Leap Innovations, Weigh Safe  – Trailer Hitch Scale – Measures Tongue Weight
Runner Up: ShelWes Tools & Body, ShelWes Automatic Contour Sander
Runner Up: Schley Products/SP Tools, Mobile Hydraulic Press Extender Arm #11015

Van/Pickup/Sport-Utility Product
Winner: AutoTrickz, Touch Activated Trigger for Keyless Entry and other Accessories
Runner Up: McHitch Automatic Trailer Couplers, McHitch Automatic Trailer Coupler
Runner Up: Antigravity Batteries, Antigravity Batteries MICRO-START

Wheel and Related Product
Winner: Ultra Wheel Co., WORX SERIES 806
Runner Up: Voxx Wheel, Voxx Asti
Runner Up: Ultra Wheel Co., Platinum Wheel – Wraith

Posted on

HOTTEST CAR, SPORT COMPACT, TRUCK AND 4×4-SUV ANNOUNCED AT THE 2013 SEMA SHOW

HOTTEST CAR, SPORT COMPACT, TRUCK AND 4×4-SUV ANNOUNCED AT THE 2013 SEMA SHOW
— Ford Mustang, Scion FR-S, Ford F-Series and Jeep Wrangler Named 2013 SEMA Award Winners —

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 5, 2013) — This year’s SEMA Award for the top trending vehicle models in four categories were announced today at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The Ford Mustang was named Hottest Car, the Scion FR-S took the Hottest Sport Compact honors, the Ford F-Series won Hottest Truck and the Jeep Wrangler received the Hottest 4×4-SUV award.

“The SEMA Show has always been the annual event where the newest and most innovative products are seen first,” said Chris J. Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “The SEMA Award celebrates the industry’s unique ability to identify and set the trends that influence consumers worldwide.”

The SEMA Award recognizes vehicle models that specialty-equipment manufacturers believe are the best platforms for accessorization and that showcase the year’s coolest products. It also underscores the cooperative relationship between the automakers and SEMA-member companies.

“Now in its fourth year, the SEMA Award helps guide consumers toward the hottest-trending and most accessory friendly vehicles on the market,” added Kersting. “Our SEMA Show exhibitors are industry visionaries who determine the winners of the SEMA Award. The booth space is a ballot and the vehicles they choose to showcase in their booths are a vote. The most prominent models in each category are the winners.”

The 2013 SEMA Show features more than 2400 exhibiting companies that manufacture thousands of products designed to improve performance, safety and convenience, as well as those that enhance appearance and comfort. While products are available for every make and model, exhibitors are investing more in the Ford Mustang, Scion FR-S, Ford F-Series, and Jeep Wrangler than any other vehicles. Consumers, therefore, can expect to find great specialty products for accessorizing these vehicles.

To learn more about the SEMA Award winners and the products that are available for them, visit www.sema.org/semaaward.

Posted on

Titan Presents Revolutionary Spare Tire Auxiliary Fuel System

Spare-Tire-SEMA_Rendering_10.22.2013Titan Presents Revolutionary Spare Tire Auxiliary Fuel System at 2013 SEMA Show

30-gallon polyethylene tank fits into the existing spare tire cavity of virtually all American-made pickup trucks, doubling fuel capacity without encroaching on bed space.

 

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho—Titan Fuel Tanks, a leading manufacturer of high-performance, engineered aftermarket fuel tanks, announced that it will introduce its new cross-linked polyethylene, Spare Tire Auxiliary Fuel System at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The innovative 30-gallon tank and fuel transfer control unit have a patent pending and will be shown to the industry for the first time in Titan’s booth 35111 in the Upper South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The first-of-its-kind fuel system is designed to repurpose the space commonly used to stow a vehicle’s spare tire and fits most American-made diesel pickup trucks made after 1999. The tank essentially doubles the fuel capacity of most pickups and, unlike in-bed auxiliary fuel tank solutions, its underbody location means that it has no impact on the truck bed’s storage capacity.
The lightweight, one-size-fits-all 30-pound tank is easy for one person to install and includes mounting hardware, a filler kit and an electronic fuel transfer control unit that can be operated from the comfort of the cab. Titan has engineered the system for fast installation, and all components come in a standardized package.
“Titan’s new Spare Tire Auxiliary Fuel System has tremendous potential, and is the most creative and efficient use of space I have seen,” said Kyle Shiminski, category director,Keystone Automotive Operations. “We are very excited to be one of the first to be stocking their product in our warehouses.  The lightweight material, ease of installation and concealed mounting location make Titan’s system an excellent universal solution for adding fuel capacity.”
Titan’s single-tank design accommodates all applications, while mounting hardware unique to the host vehicle’s make and model allows the tank to securely attach to the cross members of the vehicle’s frame. Mounting brackets attach easily and are completely noninvasive, requiring no cutting, welding or drilling. Like the spare tire it replaces, a mounting stud slides through the middle of the tank, which is then secured with a mounting plate.
“Diesel truck owners are always interested in extending their range and fuel capacity without compromising space in their trucks cargo bed and Titan’s new spare tire tank is an innovative solution to this challenge,” said Paul Nishanian, executive vice president for Xtreme Diesel Performance (XDP). “XDP stocks a complete range of Titan fuel tanks and we’re excited about expanding our Titan offering with their new spare tire tank.”
Titan’s electronic fuel transfer control unit gives the vehicle operator total flexibility in managing the use of extra fuel capacity. The additional fuel can be held in reserve or transferred on the go and as the need arises. The controller’s illuminated user interface indicates the tank’s fuel level in increments of one-tenth and features a single-touch button that starts the fuel transfer sequence. With one touch, fuel begins transferring from the Spare Tire Fuel Tank to the vehicle’s primary fuel tank and continues to flow until it is automatically stopped by the controller or the button is touched again. A red LED on the controller illuminates during the fuel transfer process.
“This new tank is available at Summit Racing Equipment now, for any diesel truck owner who wants to add extra fuel capacity,” said Jeff Winters, chief marketing officer, Summit Racing Equipment. “In fact, using this new tank in conjunction with one of the other Titan auxiliary tanks we offer, a truck owner can have up to 100 gallons of diesel fuel onboard, all in underbody locations.”
Titan’s new Spare Tire Auxiliary Fuel System fits most full-sized, American-made, diesel pickup trucks and its polymer material is highly resistant to the corrosive effects of diesel and bio-diesel fuels as well as fuel additives that have been known to degrade the linings of steel diesel fuel tanks.
The tanks come with a universal filler kit featuring a brushed aluminum door that can be installed on the vehicle’s exterior sidewall or on an inside wall of the truck bed. The tanks include a rollover vent valve and a vent hose.
Titan’s entire line of polymer replacement and auxiliary fuel tanks are formed from military-grade cross-linked polyethylene (XLHDPE). The rugged polyethylene material is 200 times less thermal conductive than steel, and the polymer’s insulating properties eliminate condensation, boosting mileage efficiency by keeping fuel cooler and closer to optimal combustion temperatures than metallic tanks. All Titan fuel tanks come with a limited five-year warranty.
Titan’s tanks are designed by a staff of fuel tank engineers. Titan serves fleets and other end-users of Ford, GMC, Chevrolet and Dodge diesel pickup trucks. Titan uses finite element analysis (FEA) in its design process, enabling it to simulate a wide array of dynamic stresses on systems and components. Virtual impact testing, off-road conditions and accelerated aging can all be simulated using FEA. For safety purposes, Titan requires that all trucks using their new Spare Tire Auxiliary Fuel System be equipped with a heavy class-5 hitch, standard on most full-sized diesels.
Titan’s distributors in the United States, Canada and Australia are expected to have the new polymer Spare Tire Auxiliary Fuel System in stock on or about December 1, 2013. For those who consider spare tires critical, dealers will also offer a Titan kit that allows the displaced spare tire to be vertically mounted in the truck bed.