Ann Arbor Students to Build Custom Bronco at SEMA Show

Six local students will perform a live vehicle build to gain technical experience in automotive service and body repair.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Auto Parts

Bold vector editorial illustration of mechanical engine parts and a vehicle chassis, representing automotive vocational training. — Washtenaw Community College students will perform a live build of a Ford Bronco at the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas to build skilled trades. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Washtenaw Community College students will perform a live build of a Ford Bronco at the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas from November 3-6. This initiative is part of an automotive workforce training partnership between the college and Ford Motor Company.

Why it matters

The project aims to address the growing skilled trades shortage by providing students with direct, real-world experience in vehicle customization. This hands-on training helps prepare the next generation of workers for the automotive service and body industries.

Six students from Ann Arbor are participating in the project after completing eight Ford Speaker Series sessions. The trades workforce currently faces a demographic imbalance where 24% of workers are 55 or older, while only 11% are under 25.

The players

Washtenaw Community College

An Ann Arbor-based institution offering specialized automotive service and body training programs.

Ford Motor Company

The Dearborn-based automaker and automotive industry leader that manufactures the Bronco.

The details

Participating students from automotive service and body programs will disassemble the Bronco, install aftermarket upgrades, and reassemble the vehicle on site. This process builds on eight sessions from the Ford Speaker Series, which covered specialized topics like product development, marketing, and the technical aspects of vehicle customization. The live experience will also be documented in an upcoming film project.

Students began a specialized preparation course in August 2026.
The 2026 SEMA Show takes place November 3-6, 2026, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The Home Front

This project reflects a broader shift in automotive training aimed at addressing the shrinking pipeline of skilled trade workers in the U.S. By bridging classroom theory with live application, the program addresses the industry-wide imbalance between an aging workforce and incoming talent.

Readers looking to enter or advance in the automotive service field should monitor college-led training programs for similar experiential learning opportunities. Keeping track of these industry partnerships can provide insight into the changing skill requirements for modern vehicle maintenance.

The takeaway

This collaboration provides a practical look at how the automotive industry is engaging students to secure the future of skilled vehicle repair. Those interested in the trades can track these development programs to better understand the evolving requirements for modern automotive body and service work.