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Ford named featured marque for 2009 SEMA Show
by Damon Lavrinc on Jun 18th 2009 at 2:34PM 
Ford at SEMA 2008 - Click above for a high-res image gallery
Although the auto industry is suffering through dark times, there's a faint light glowing in the form of this year's SEMA show. With automakers scaling back at some of the world's largest auto expos, the 2009 aftermarket extravaganza is anticipating one of its highest turnouts in years, from both exhibitors and attendees.
As the featured automaker at SEMA 2009, Ford is leading the charge, and in addition to plenty of bespoke offerings from both the Blue Oval, SEMA organizers are planning to announce "several 'first-ever' programs" in the coming weeks. With all the doom and gloom surround the industry, we're looking forward to a respite later this year, and it looks like the SEMA show, running November 3 through 6, could be it.
Gallery: SEMA 2008: Ford Booth
PRESS RELEASE
Ford Heightens Support of the 2009 SEMA Show
DIAMOND BAR, Calif., June 18 -- Ford Motor Company will be the featured automaker of the 2009 SEMA Show taking place Nov. 3-6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
"Ford has always been a strong supporter of SEMA and our industry," said Christopher J. Kersting, president and CEO of SEMA. "We are pleased to announce their participation as Vehicle Manufacturer of the Show and to be collaborating with them on several branding and technology programs."
Ford has long recognized the benefits of partnering with the specialty equipment industry. The automaker participates with SEMA members on several technology sharing programs. In recent years, Ford received several of SEMA's prestigious design awards for creating accessory friendly vehicles. Ford also paved the way for other automakers in the SEMA Technology Transfer Program and also participated in the annual OEM Tech Talks and measuring sessions.
"Ford Motor Company is pleased to be the featured manufacturer for the 2009 SEMA Show," said John Felice, General Manager, Ford and Lincoln Mercury Marketing. "The SEMA Show provides us with the opportunity to showcase the flexibility of our vehicles for personalization and accessorization and ultimately drive sales of our new cars, trucks, crossovers, and SUVs."
"Ford's involvement this year is much more than a show sponsorship," adds Kersting. "SEMA will be making some exciting announcements in the coming weeks about several "first-ever" programs at the 2009 show. These programs will further demonstrate how the SEMA Show represents one of many year-round activities that help us all do better business."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sea Urchin 2:42PM (6/18/2009)
I think i speak for everyone when i say
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
It's ugly.
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996700 2:47PM (6/18/2009)
Agreed
John P. 2:47PM (6/18/2009)
It looks like a land speed record Mustang, most salt flat machines look pretty ugly to me.
aj121489 2:57PM (6/18/2009)
Like John P. said, it's most likely an attempt at a speed record. It's not about looks.
John P. 2:50PM (6/18/2009)
Since the Mustang's aftermarket industry could fill easily fill a few convention halls on it's own, could there really be any "featured marque" this year?
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John P. 2:51PM (6/18/2009)
Ouch, look at my grammar! Sorry people.
Rob 2:56PM (6/18/2009)
Oh great. 850 more "Special Edition" mustangs that Autoblog will undoubtedly cover. Are they even special if there are 850 other special versions? I don't think so.
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Jared 3:11PM (6/18/2009)
thats just how popular the mustang is ; ). besides its not like we'll be able to buy them so their not really considered 'special editions' unless u can go down to the dealership and buy it.
Berto 3:16PM (6/18/2009)
I can only begin to imagine how many Mustangs will be destroyed and insulted by some of these SEMA vendors...
We should keep a count of how many matte mustangs show up...
Mustangs with LED strips?
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adam1drift 3:22PM (6/18/2009)
I was actually suprised that there was only one mustang there....
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Blake 4:02PM (6/18/2009)
Of course it is FORD, they are the only member of the Big Three that are not owned by the government!
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jpm100 4:26PM (6/18/2009)
yet.
Anthony Gentavoe 4:06PM (6/18/2009)
Not about Ford, but based on the number of emails I have received over the past few weeks to reminder me to register for the show, as well as the deep hotel discounts for attendees, I am going to predict that SEMA will have an even lower turnout than last year.
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KT 4:59PM (6/18/2009)
I'm sure there will be a few modded SHO's on display. I guessing some will be pushing the +400hp mark (though the transmission can't handle that).
I would also guess we'll see a couple "SHO" Fusion's now that the 3.5 is an option.
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Matt 7:01PM (6/18/2009)
Even SEMA can't make the "new" Fords desirable.
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