Drag Illustrated Issue 178, September / October 2022 | Page 84

PRODUCTS & PRESS

SEMA GARAGE OPENS IN DETROIT

■ The SEMA Garage in Detroit , Mich ., is now open for business . The new 45,000-square-foot facility represents a significant milestone for the automotive aftermarket industry and is the first-ever research facility dedicated to testing and understanding how the aftermarket is impacted and can successfully work with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems ( ADAS ).
Located in Plymouth , Mich . – just 30 miles from Detroit – the SEMA Garage Detroit features a large ADAS technology center , an installation center , and will expand to include a four-wheel chassis dyno lab , and another dyno lab capable of testing diesel and gasoline tailpipe emissions . Like the high-tech SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar , Calif ., the Detroit facility will give aftermarket parts manufacturers access to sophisticated resources that are typically accessible only to large-scale manufacturers .
“ The SEMA Garage Detroit is a game changer in helping aftermarket manufacturers develop products for today ’ s sophisticated automobiles ,” said Ben Kaminsky , SEMA Garage Detroit General Manager . “ We will be collaborating with automakers , suppliers , and key players in the industry to conduct some groundbreaking research . We are really going to be able to take product development and testing capabilities to a whole new level .”
Similar to the facility in Diamond Bar , the SEMA Garage in Detroit will feature exclusive OEM measuring sessions , scanning services , advanced tools and equipment , a CARB-recognized emissions lab , and a modern training center for members to use . Since opening in 2014 , the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar has helped manufacturers to secure more than 600 Executive Orders ( EOs ) from the California Air Resources Board ( CARB ) – more than any other testing facility .
The SEMA Garage in Detroit will offer all SEMA members complimentary access to automotive garage tools and equipment for aftermarket product development , R & D , prototyping , and measuring sessions . Additionally , the facility is available for trainings , how-to / installation videos , product reveals , and production video and photography .
Moreover , 5,000 of the 45,000-sq . -ft . building will be devoted exclusively to research on ADAS . The ADAS Center represents a new venture for SEMA , where manufacturers will be able to obtain static calibration of onboard vehicle ADAS systems ( radars and cameras ). With access to OEM-quality equipment and procedures , manufacturers will be able to easily troubleshoot software / hardware obstacles , as well as work on dynamic testing in conjunction with local facilities .
“ The SEMA Garage Detroit facility opens up new doors and opportunities for our member companies and SEMA ,” said Kaminsky . “ We will be able to elevate our current offerings by making the services accessible to new members , incorporating new technology , and collaborating with key partners in the area .”
The Detroit facility is three times larger than the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar . SEMA Garage Detroit features new equipment , such as emissions and horsepower testing for all-wheel-drive and diesel vehicles , vehicle lifts , full sets of tools , fabrication equipment , an alignment rack , 3D scanning tools , and engineering software . The lab accommodates a 48-inch all-wheeldrive chassis dynamometer and includes a new emissions test bench . With equipment that meets CARB ’ s new 1066 testing requirement standards , SEMA Garage Detroit will be able to perform all required CARB and EPA test procedures .
“ SEMA Garage provides manufacturers access to tools and equipment without the exorbitant individual costs ,” said Kaminsky . “ Manufacturers no longer need to rely on trial and error for their product development , reducing costs and increasing efficiency . SEMA Garage Detroit will enable more manufacturers access to our resources .”
Through the SEMA Garage ’ s resources , manufacturers are often able to develop fully functional prototypes in as little as two weeks and obtain CARB EOs in as little as 12 weeks . The SEMA Garage Detroit facility is now open for members . For more information , visit www . semagarage . com .
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