AkzoNobel's expanded presence at this year's show included several cars designed by Dave Kindig, including one he created for comedian Kevin Hart.
AkzoNobel kicked off the first day of the 2023 SEMA Show with Dave Kindig, the company’s spokesperson, unveiling a celebrity vehicle.
Kindig, owner of Kindig-it Design and star of MotorTrend’s “Bitchin’ Rides” series, was challenged to build a vehicle for the comedian and actor Kevin Hart that represented the Batman villain Bane. He unveiled the creation, also named “Bane,” Oct. 31 at one of AkzoNobel’s two booths---a Dodge Challenger painted with Modern Classikk color Black Ice, described by Kindig as “the deepest darkest black you can get.”
Kindig said the build, which has a chili red interior designed by JS Custom Interior, includes a lot of “really cool technology.” Several components were 3D-printed, including the dash center console, components of the door panels and rear quarter panels, as well as the supercharger’s cover.
“Our relationship with Dave Kindig continues to expand and provide a lot of excitement for us,” said Jen Poliski, marketing communications manager-North America, AkzoNobel Automotive & Specialty Coatings. “SEMA provides the best opportunity for us to showcase how he uses our paints to help create his masterpieces.”
In 2018, AkzoNobel launched Modern Classikk, a custom color line of automotive paints designed in partnership with Kindig. The Modern Classikk line now includes more than 40 base coat colors and four reducers.
“One of the things that people don't realize is these are all colors that Dave Kindig formulated,” noted Sue Jaszkowski, marketing communications-North America, AkzoNobel Automotive & Specialty Coatings.
In addition to being the spokesperson for Modern Classikk, earlier this year, AkzoNobel announced Kindig as its brand ambassador for Sikkens, its premium paint line.
AkzoNobel has also restyled the Modern Classikk label.
“We were five years into the partnership and wanted to give the label a facelift,” explained Jaszkowski. “The redesign was a collaborative effort.”
The new label now reads, “Modern Classikk, powered by Sikkens,” and was inspired by Kindig’s hand-drawn and colored renderings created for each Kindig-it Design vehicle build.
AkzoNobel Booth Highlights
During SEMA, AkzoNobel and Kindig-it Design shared 2,400 square feet of exhibit space in the Silver Lot outside, displaying several one-of-a-kind vehicles. These included the Bitchin’ Bronco featured on recent episodes of “Bitchin’ Rides” and two of Kindig’s carbon fiber CF Roadsters. One was painted with a new color the company plans to launch in 2024 and the other with Modern Classikk Sageless.
In addition to the outdoor space, AkzoNobel set up a larger indoor exhibit in Central Hall this year to showcase Sikkens and hold demonstrations of Carbeat, the company’s digital body shop workflow control solution. The booth featured Kevin Hart’s “Bane” vehicle, as well as a custom-designed roadster. The cars were nominated for an award for Best on RS 2023.
Throughout the event, Kindig signed autographs in both booths.
AkzoNobel paint was featured on several additional SEMA vehicles, including a 1951 Chevy 3100 Pickup by Miller & Son Collision, painted with Lesonal; a 1986 Ford Mustang GT by Andrew Schenk, painted with Sikkens; a 1963 VW Double Cab, painted with Sikkens Autowave; a 1967 Ford Shelby Cobra by the Austin Hatcher Foundation, painted with Modern Classikk “No Strings White;” and a 1977 Jeep J10 Extended Cab---only one of its kind---by Mike Smith, painted with Wanda.
Industry Insight Shared
AkzoNobel employees and customers had an opportunity to share insight during various presentations throughout the week. Tony Adams, AkzoNobel business services consultant, discussed improving employee retention and engagement through communications during his presentation, “Freedom to Speak?” Adams also teamed up with Tim Ronak, senior services consultant, and customers Stephen Bozer from Fix Auto Tempe and Kena Dacus, owner of Dacus Auto, to discuss “Changing the World With a Four-Day Work Week?”
In addition, some AkzoNobel customers took part in educational sessions. Andrew Batenhorst, body shop manager at Pacific BMW, talked about the death of the estimator role. Both Michael Giarrizzo, CEO of DCR Systems and Calibration Connection, and Andy Tylka, owner of TAG Auto Group and Midwest ADAS, participated in a SEMA panel discussion about ADAS calibration strategies.
“The SEMA Show is the largest event we do, and we were excited to be contributing in many ways again this year,” said Poliski.
Abby Andrews