SEMA NAMED FIA INNOVATION CHALLENGE CHAMPION
-- SEMA received the award for its ADAS research initiative, helping close critical gaps in automotive safety policy --
DIAMOND BAR, Calif (Sept. 3, 2026) – The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organizations worldwide, has announced the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Champions of the FIA Innovation Challenge 2026.
Announced at the FIA American Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina, SEMA received the award for its Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) research initiative, helping the automotive industry better understand how vehicle modifications interact with modern safety technologies.
As ADAS technologies become standard in modern vehicles, uncertainty remains around how aftermarket modifications, repairs, and recalibration procedures can affect the performance of critical safety systems. SEMA's initiative addresses this challenge through independent, evidence-based research, testing, and industry collaboration.
The program combines controlled laboratory testing, real-world validation, and policy engagement to generate objective data that supports manufacturers, regulators, repair businesses, and vehicle owners.
Through this work, SEMA is helping ensure that life-saving safety technologies continue to function as intended while supporting responsible innovation across the automotive aftermarket.
• H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA said: “Congratulations to SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola and the Specialty Equipment Market Association on being named a Region III Champion in this year's FIA Innovation Challenge.
“SEMA's ADAS research initiative demonstrates how Member Clubs and organizations can play an important role in helping industry and policymakers understand emerging technologies, ensuring innovation continues to advance alongside road safety.”
• Tim Shearman, Deputy President for Automobile Mobility and Tourism said: “When meeting current and future mobility challenges, our Member Clubs are our greatest assets, enabling us to support road users with genuine local understanding.
“SEMA is demonstrating how independent research and industry collaboration can provide the evidence, knowledge, and confidence needed to support innovation while maintaining high standards of safety for road users.”
• Frank Fotia, FIA Region III President said: “As vehicle technologies become more sophisticated, it is essential that industry, regulators, and consumers have access to clear and reliable information to support informed decision-making.
“Through its ADAS research initiative, SEMA is helping build that understanding, creating practical pathways that support safety, encourage innovation and benefit the wider mobility ecosystem.”
• Mike Spagnola, CEO of SEMA said: “As advanced driver assistance systems become standard across the vehicle fleet, the automotive industry faces a shared responsibility to ensure innovation and safety continue to move forward together.
“By providing independent, evidence-based insights, our research is helping close critical knowledge gaps for manufacturers, policymakers and vehicle owners as they continue to use and interact with these potentially lifesaving systems on the road.”
SEMA joins the Alberta Motor Association (AMA, Canada) and the Jamaica Automobile Association (JAA, Jamaica), which have also been named Region III Champions of the FIA Innovation Challenge 2026.
A global judging panel will now select one Global Winner from these three champions, who will receive their award at FIA General Assemblies week in Shanghai, China, in December.
Now in its third year, the FIA Innovation Challenge has seen Member Clubs throughout Region III continue to demonstrate leadership and innovation in delivering safer, more sustainable and more affordable mobility solutions.
About SEMA
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) serves as a leading voice for the worldwide car culture, representing over 7,000 member companies that create, buy, sell, and use specialty-automotive parts that make vehicles more unique, attractive, convenient, safer, fun, and even like new again. Business member benefits include product development resources, market research, networking, education, legislative advocacy, and more. The Association organizes the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nev., and actively supports the career and business opportunities that the aftermarket generates. The industry contributes nearly $337 billion in economic impact to the U.S. economy, supports 1.3 million jobs nationally, and generates nearly $53 billion in parts sales annually. For more information, visit www.sema.org.
About the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations globally. It is a non-profit organisation committed to driving innovation and championing safety, sustainability and equality across motor sport and mobility.
Founded in 1904, with offices in Paris, London and Geneva, the FIA brings together 246 Member Organisations across five continents, representing millions of road users, motor sport professionals and volunteers. It develops and enforces regulations for motor sport, including six FIA World Championships, to ensure worldwide competitions are safe and fair for all.
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