A Trussville-based specialty vehicle manufacturer has debuted the latest versions of an off-road, high-performance pickup that’s a key part of its product lineup.
SCA Performance is rolling out to dealers the redesigned 2016 Black Widow, which is built on both the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra platforms.
Features of the new Black Widow include a 6-inch suspension lift system, 36-inch BF Goodrich All-Terrain KO2 tires, red ambient cabin lighting and a stainless steel performance exhaust.
Other exclusive touches on the high-performance pickups are pocket style fender flares, 20-inch wheels with milled spokes and puddle lights, which project the Black Widow logo on the ground below whenever the driver or passenger doors are open.
Engine modification packages and bumper upgrades also are available.
SCA Performance gets vehicles from manufacturers and outfits them with aftermarket touches and accessories. The firm has been producing the Black Widow versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra for four years, and the models represent about 70 percent of the company’s sales.
This year, the Sierra’s body style changed, and that opened up an opportunity to look at the previous Black Widow design and make improvements, said Drew Kerley, brand manager for SCA Performance.
“We produce around 100 Black Widows a month, including both Chevy and GMC, and it’s probably 70/30 Chevy to GMC,” he said.
The pickups are available at Chevrolet and GMC dealerships. Pricing for the models is set by dealers but typically ranges between $60,000 and $70,000, based on options.
RISING DEMAND
And just who buys the Black Widow?
“The majority of the retail information we have shows our average customers is a 50-year-old male, with income over $100,000 a year, who is involved in extra-curricular activities such as fishing, hunting and off-roading,” Kerley said.
SCA Performance’s overall sales are projected to increase 20 percent this year. Its other performance pickups include the Reaper, Apex, G2 and 421/571.
The company falls under the umbrella of McSweeney Holdings, which has about 100 employees. A sister firm, McSweeney Designs, produces armored vehicles with luxury appointments and sophisticated office technology and sells them to wealthy buyers in conflict-ridden regions around the world.
SCA Performance used to be known as Southern Comfort Automotive, but recently changed its name in a bid to establish more brand awareness.
For years, Southern Comfort was well known for producing customized vans. But now the business is shifting more into the trucks, including off-road performance and engine upgrades, so the new name better reflects that market.
“We really feel like that’s where the future of the industry is going to go, and we obviously want to remain at the forefront of that,” Kerley said.
