SEMA Opens Nominations for 2026 Industry Awards

The Specialty Equipment Market Association has opened nominations for its SEMA Industry Awards, as shared in a recent press release.

The SEMA Industry Awards recognize individuals and companies that have demonstrated excellence, innovation, and leadership in the automotive aftermarket over a year-long period. Nominations this year are due Aug. 17.

The program recognizes honorees in five different categories:

• Channel Partner of the Year: Honors a sales channel partner for outstanding service to the sales, distribution, retail, and/or e-commerce channel(s) of the industry.
• Content Creator of the Year: Honors a content creator for their outstanding contributions to the automotive culture and for creating a positive impact with automotive enthusiasts.
• Manufacturer of the Year: Honors a manufacturing company for its outstanding industry contributions and innovations.
• Person of the Year: Honors an individual for their outstanding contributions to SEMA and the broader automotive specialty-equipment market.
• Visionary 8: Honors eight emerging leaders aged 35 and under who are on track to drive innovation and positive change in the automotive aftermarket.

Winners will be recognized at the 2026 SEMA Show, held Nov. 3-6 in Las Vegas.

Multiple Recalls Issued for Jeep Vehicles

Stellantis has recalled over a million Jeep vehicles due to an issue that could cause overheating and potentially a fire, reports The Detroit News. Included in the recall are an estimated 1.1 million vehicles, consisting of model year 2021-25 Wranglers and Gladiators made in the United States.

As discovered by the automaker during an internal investigation, the electric hydraulic power steering pump wiring in the vehicles is prone to poor electrical connection. This can cause overheating, and in a rare event may lead to a fire, as shared by company spokesperson Frank Matyok.

A solution is expected to be put out in July. In the meantime, vehicle owners are urged to have the wiring harnesses and electric hydraulic power steering pumps of their vehicles inspected.

Meanwhile, Over 400,000 Jeep vehicles are being recalled due to a defect with the airbag, according to a report from WKRC-TV. Included in the recall are 2022-26 Jeep Grand Cherokees and 2023-25 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ls. 

As shared by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the defect lies with the vehicles’ Occupant Restraint Controller, and can cause the airbag to deploy slower than normal.

Top Technicians Shine at Valvoline's 32nd Oilympics Competition

Valvoline Inc. announced the winners of its 32nd annual Oilympics competition in a recent press release.

The Oilympics field is made up of 39 regional teams, rising through local and market qualifiers to represent the top 1% of Valvoline's technicians across the entire network in the U.S. and Canada. The tradition dates to 1994 and has grown alongside Valvoline's network of more than 2,400 company-owned and franchised locations in North America, operating under the Valvoline Instant Oil Change and Valvoline Great Canadian Oil Change brands.

This year, teams were welcomed to the company’s corporate headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky. The first-place gold medal winners for the U.S. team were the Valvoline Instant Oil Change franchise team representing Henley Enterprises from West Covina, California, consisting of Vanessa Little, Algenis Santos, and Lars Rodriguez.

For Canada, the Great Canadian Oil Change franchise team representing Regina Franchise Group from Regina, Saskatchewan, made up of Gage McKay, Josh Baber, and Aidan Holma, came in first.

Silver and bronze medalists, most valuable player, and best overall service experience were also recognized.

FullSpeed Automotive Strengthens Leadership Team with Three Key Appointments

FullSpeed Automotive recently announced the appointment of three senior executives to its executive leadership team in a press release.

• Todd Vogensen as Chief Financial Officer: Vogensen brings over 30 years of financial leadership experience, having served as CFO at Purple Innovation, Party City Holdco, and Chico’s FAS. He’s also held senior finance roles at Michaels Stores, Gap, Inc., and PricewaterhouseCoopers. 
• Corina Ort as Chief People Officer: Ort is a human resources executive and SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) with deep experience building strategic people functions in consumer-facing, multi-unit environments. Most recently, she served as the Head of HR at Sky Zone, where she led HR strategy across a fast-growing franchise organization. 
• Kyle Benko as Senior Vice President of Finance and Controller: Benko comes from TBC Corporation, with a background in automotive services finance that brings immediate industry relevance to his role overseeing financial reporting, controls, and accounting operations.