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Online Voting Now Open For Design For SEMA Mustang By Women

DEARBORN -- Voting is now open online to help select the final concept for the first-ever SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women. To vote now through June 3, the public is invited to visit: www.hotrod.com/all-female-mustang-build-ford-sweepstakes/ to view three different design concepts and vote on the one they would like to see used for the build. Voters will be entered into drawings to win several prizes.

Announced earlier this week, the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women is a collaboration between Ford Motor Company and the Specialty Equipment Market Association. Led by the SEMA Businesswomen's Network, a 2013 Mustang GT donated by Ford will be completely modified using the winning design from start to finish by women.

Beginning with three concepts developed by women designers and concluding with women volunteers performing the hands-on modifications, the project is meant to shine light on women working in the automotive aftermarket and to encourage more women to pursue careers in the industry.

The three concepts are:

* High Gear: Designed by SBN member Jennifer Seely of Ford Motor Co., High Gear, a luxury Mustang concept, is inspired by international products in categories such as jewelry, couture clothing and architecture. Designed to stimulate the senses by fusing luxury and power, the results are fresh and exciting, propelling Mustang into a whole new arena

* Chromatic: Also designed by Seely, this ultimate pop culture edition Mustang takes a futuristic design approach drawing inspiration from such pop culture elements as street art and products for an exciting color palette that is free of all boundaries and disciplines. The anthracite-colored chrome body as a base exemplifies the neon colors bringing this Mustang to life. Design details include anthracite-colored chrome exterior, bright cyan wheels and white leather racing interior coupled with an aggressive track suspension and V8 roar

* Fast Metal: Designed by SBN member Theresa Contreras from L&G Enterprises, Fast Metal  takes the American muscle car to a whole new level using tone-on-tone dark metallic finishes and red accents for a dramatic design that underscores Mustang's DNA, raw speed and power.

Source Interlink Media, a partner in the project, posted the three concepts on several of its Web sites, so the public can vote for the design that will ultimately be selected. The concept with the most votes will be used for the build, which will take place at SIM headquarters in El Segundo, Calif.

"Women play a significant role when it comes to customizing a vehicle," said Bryan Harrison, senior manager of councils for SEMA and project manager on the build. "From purchasing the vehicle and determining what modifications to make, to executing the actual modifications and driving the customized vehicle, women are key players in the entire process. The SEMA Mustang Build demonstrates just how integral women are to customizing today's cars and trucks."

The completed vehicle will debut at the 2012 SEMA show in Las Vegas. The modified Mustang will then be auctioned off on eBay, with money raised to benefit the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund is dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket leaders and innovators by awarding cash scholarships to winning applicants.

To learn more about the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women, visit www.automobilemag.com , www.HotRod.com , www.mustangmonthly.com or www.MuscleMustangFastFords.com ; or contact Bryan Harrison at bryanh@sema.org or (909) 978-6691.

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