By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A U.S. House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the scientific, technical and consumer impact of gasoline with 15% ethanol (E15). The hearing focused on the potential negative impact of E15 on engines, components and fuel-delivery systems. Ethanol absorbs water, which can then corrode metals, plastics and rubber. The EPA allows use of E15 in ’01 and newer vehicles, but agreed to make it “illegal to fuel pre-’01 vehicles” with E15.  

Hearing witnesses included representatives from the American Automobile Association (AAA), American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and the Coordinating Research Council (CRC), which recently issued a report documenting the detrimental effects of E15 on fuel system components. AAA voiced concern over the likelihood of misfueling due to lack of consumer education on the availability and hazards of E15. The Congressional panel identified the potential for warranty denials, motorist liability and lack of proper labeling as three critical issues making the introduction of E15 to the marketplace premature before further testing and education is completed.

The House Science Committee will soon consider a bill (HR 875) introduced by Rep. James Sensenbrenner directing the National Academies to conduct a scientific assessment on how gasoline blended with 15–20% ethanol (E15 and E20) may impact gasoline-powered engines, vehicles and related equipment. The analysis would consider a variety of issues, including tailpipe and evaporative emissions, impact on OBD systems, materials compatibility and fuel efficiency. The National Academies would have 18 months to conduct its analysis, during which time sales of E15 gas would be halted. The Committee passed a similar bill last year but no further action took place. 

The U.S. Senate is currently considering another SEMA-supported bill (S. 344) to ban sales of E15.

For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A U.S. House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the scientific, technical and consumer impact of gasoline with 15% ethanol (E15). The hearing focused on the potential negative impact of E15 on engines, components and fuel-delivery systems. Ethanol absorbs water, which can then corrode metals, plastics and rubber. The EPA allows use of E15 in ’01 and newer vehicles, but agreed to make it “illegal to fuel pre-’01 vehicles” with E15.  

Hearing witnesses included representatives from the American Automobile Association (AAA), American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and the Coordinating Research Council (CRC), which recently issued a report documenting the detrimental effects of E15 on fuel system components. AAA voiced concern over the likelihood of misfueling due to lack of consumer education on the availability and hazards of E15. The Congressional panel identified the potential for warranty denials, motorist liability and lack of proper labeling as three critical issues making the introduction of E15 to the marketplace premature before further testing and education is completed.

The House Science Committee will soon consider a bill (HR 875) introduced by Rep. James Sensenbrenner directing the National Academies to conduct a scientific assessment on how gasoline blended with 15–20% ethanol (E15 and E20) may impact gasoline-powered engines, vehicles and related equipment. The analysis would consider a variety of issues, including tailpipe and evaporative emissions, impact on OBD systems, materials compatibility and fuel efficiency. The National Academies would have 18 months to conduct its analysis, during which time sales of E15 gas would be halted. The Committee passed a similar bill last year but no further action took place. 

The U.S. Senate is currently considering another SEMA-supported bill (S. 344) to ban sales of E15.

For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A U.S. House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the scientific, technical and consumer impact of gasoline with 15% ethanol (E15). The hearing focused on the potential negative impact of E15 on engines, components and fuel-delivery systems. Ethanol absorbs water, which can then corrode metals, plastics and rubber. The EPA allows use of E15 in ’01 and newer vehicles, but agreed to make it “illegal to fuel pre-’01 vehicles” with E15.  

Hearing witnesses included representatives from the American Automobile Association (AAA), American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and the Coordinating Research Council (CRC), which recently issued a report documenting the detrimental effects of E15 on fuel system components. AAA voiced concern over the likelihood of misfueling due to lack of consumer education on the availability and hazards of E15. The Congressional panel identified the potential for warranty denials, motorist liability and lack of proper labeling as three critical issues making the introduction of E15 to the marketplace premature before further testing and education is completed.

The House Science Committee will soon consider a bill (HR 875) introduced by Rep. James Sensenbrenner directing the National Academies to conduct a scientific assessment on how gasoline blended with 15–20% ethanol (E15 and E20) may impact gasoline-powered engines, vehicles and related equipment. The analysis would consider a variety of issues, including tailpipe and evaporative emissions, impact on OBD systems, materials compatibility and fuel efficiency. The National Academies would have 18 months to conduct its analysis, during which time sales of E15 gas would be halted. The Committee passed a similar bill last year but no further action took place. 

The U.S. Senate is currently considering another SEMA-supported bill (S. 344) to ban sales of E15.

For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org.

The shooters at KGP Photography caught an enticing C7 Corvette test car—rocking silver stripes on top of its yellow paint job—in the midst of winter-testing. The prototype provides a first look at a racing-striped C7 and how it will interplay with the car's new lines and blacked-out trim. The question remains, is this just a test-striped early C7 build or is there any chance that this a new trim level, such as a C7 Gran Sport? KGP reports that there is no smoking gun that proves this is an alternate C7 performance package, but in the online colorizer that Chevrolet provided to paint your own Corvette, there were no provisions for adding any additional striping to the Stingray.

Next is the fact that while this C7 looks thoroughly badged-out, there is no Stingray badge on either front fender. While it could be an oversight, the omission on this test ’Vette is intriguing.

Finally, there is clear evidence of a car cover piled up in the rear cargo of this prototype. It would seem that Chevrolet is in full PR mode on the C7 Stingray at this point, so parking them around, uncovered, would seem to be a great eye-catcher to capture the public's attention. Is this car cover at the ready to keep prying eyes from discovering a new C7 variant? Seems plausible, and follows perfectly the protocol that was followed by Corvette test teams, which were caught on test runs during the C7's development period.

When it comes to the prospect of spotting the next C7 variant after the Stingray, the shooters at KGP Photography aren't leaving anything to chance and disregarding the anomalies found on this particular C7 test car.

Photo Credit: KGP Photography 

The shooters at KGP Photography caught an enticing C7 Corvette test car—rocking silver stripes on top of its yellow paint job—in the midst of winter-testing. The prototype provides a first look at a racing-striped C7 and how it will interplay with the car's new lines and blacked-out trim. The question remains, is this just a test-striped early C7 build or is there any chance that this a new trim level, such as a C7 Gran Sport? KGP reports that there is no smoking gun that proves this is an alternate C7 performance package, but in the online colorizer that Chevrolet provided to paint your own Corvette, there were no provisions for adding any additional striping to the Stingray.

Next is the fact that while this C7 looks thoroughly badged-out, there is no Stingray badge on either front fender. While it could be an oversight, the omission on this test ’Vette is intriguing.

Finally, there is clear evidence of a car cover piled up in the rear cargo of this prototype. It would seem that Chevrolet is in full PR mode on the C7 Stingray at this point, so parking them around, uncovered, would seem to be a great eye-catcher to capture the public's attention. Is this car cover at the ready to keep prying eyes from discovering a new C7 variant? Seems plausible, and follows perfectly the protocol that was followed by Corvette test teams, which were caught on test runs during the C7's development period.

When it comes to the prospect of spotting the next C7 variant after the Stingray, the shooters at KGP Photography aren't leaving anything to chance and disregarding the anomalies found on this particular C7 test car.

Photo Credit: KGP Photography 

The shooters at KGP Photography caught an enticing C7 Corvette test car—rocking silver stripes on top of its yellow paint job—in the midst of winter-testing. The prototype provides a first look at a racing-striped C7 and how it will interplay with the car's new lines and blacked-out trim. The question remains, is this just a test-striped early C7 build or is there any chance that this a new trim level, such as a C7 Gran Sport? KGP reports that there is no smoking gun that proves this is an alternate C7 performance package, but in the online colorizer that Chevrolet provided to paint your own Corvette, there were no provisions for adding any additional striping to the Stingray.

Next is the fact that while this C7 looks thoroughly badged-out, there is no Stingray badge on either front fender. While it could be an oversight, the omission on this test ’Vette is intriguing.

Finally, there is clear evidence of a car cover piled up in the rear cargo of this prototype. It would seem that Chevrolet is in full PR mode on the C7 Stingray at this point, so parking them around, uncovered, would seem to be a great eye-catcher to capture the public's attention. Is this car cover at the ready to keep prying eyes from discovering a new C7 variant? Seems plausible, and follows perfectly the protocol that was followed by Corvette test teams, which were caught on test runs during the C7's development period.

When it comes to the prospect of spotting the next C7 variant after the Stingray, the shooters at KGP Photography aren't leaving anything to chance and disregarding the anomalies found on this particular C7 test car.

Photo Credit: KGP Photography 

	The ’13 Ford Ranger T-6.
	CAD files of the ’13 Ranger T-6 truck bed are now available.

SEMA, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, has imported a ’13 Ford Ranger T-6 to the United States for SEMA members to measure. This hard-to-access vehicle is popular worldwide, but not sold in the United States.

As an added benefit, SEMA now has available selected ’13 Ranger T-6 CAD files for vehicle areas listed below to SEMA manufacturer members. These files have been created using 3D scanning technology and will be offered in neutral formats—IGES, STEP and Parasolid—which should work with all CAD engineering software applications.

For information and access to these files, please contact Oscar Muñoz or Gary Pis at techtransfer@sema.org. For information on the international vehicle measuring program in general or how to grow your overseas sales, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

’13 Ranger T-6 CAD files available:

• Front Driver and Passenger Floor Mat Areas
• Rear Driver and Passenger Floor Mat Areas
• Spindle Hub
• Driver-side and Passenger-Side Fender and Quarter Panels
• Tailgate
• Truck Bed

	The ’13 Ford Ranger T-6.
	CAD files of the ’13 Ranger T-6 truck bed are now available.

SEMA, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, has imported a ’13 Ford Ranger T-6 to the United States for SEMA members to measure. This hard-to-access vehicle is popular worldwide, but not sold in the United States.

As an added benefit, SEMA now has available selected ’13 Ranger T-6 CAD files for vehicle areas listed below to SEMA manufacturer members. These files have been created using 3D scanning technology and will be offered in neutral formats—IGES, STEP and Parasolid—which should work with all CAD engineering software applications.

For information and access to these files, please contact Oscar Muñoz or Gary Pis at techtransfer@sema.org. For information on the international vehicle measuring program in general or how to grow your overseas sales, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

’13 Ranger T-6 CAD files available:

• Front Driver and Passenger Floor Mat Areas
• Rear Driver and Passenger Floor Mat Areas
• Spindle Hub
• Driver-side and Passenger-Side Fender and Quarter Panels
• Tailgate
• Truck Bed

Are you hunting for a new job? The “Positions Available” section in the SEMA Member Classifieds lists more than 50 job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest classifieds posted to the website.

• Borla Performance Industries Inc., located in Oxnard, California, is hiring an inside sales representative responsible for assigned accounts and the development of new accounts via telephone, e-mail, fax and person-to-person contact. The ideal candidate must hold an associate degree or a minimum of five years' experience in the automotive industry with prior automotive experience preferred.

• Roadster Shop, located in Mundelein, Illinois, is hiring a CNC programmer to lead in the manufacturing of custom automotive specialty parts. The successful candidate must be familiar with programming/operating a HAAS VF-4 vertical mill and well-versed in tooling, setup and producing complex parts. Applicants must also be experienced with Master Cam software or comparable software.

• DeatschWerks, located in Oklahoma City, is hiring a salesperson to carry out a new sales initiative for modern muscle fuel-delivery products by developing new accounts and servicing existing accounts. This position requires more than three years' B2B sales experience and general automotive knowledge.

• Transamerican Auto Parts, located in Carson, California, is hiring an experienced quality assurance and compliance manager to develop and implement a tire quality and safety program for imported tires, compliant with U.S. federal and safety regulatory requirements. Travel is expected at 5% international and 5% domestic.

Are you hunting for a new job? The “Positions Available” section in the SEMA Member Classifieds lists more than 50 job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest classifieds posted to the website.

• Borla Performance Industries Inc., located in Oxnard, California, is hiring an inside sales representative responsible for assigned accounts and the development of new accounts via telephone, e-mail, fax and person-to-person contact. The ideal candidate must hold an associate degree or a minimum of five years' experience in the automotive industry with prior automotive experience preferred.

• Roadster Shop, located in Mundelein, Illinois, is hiring a CNC programmer to lead in the manufacturing of custom automotive specialty parts. The successful candidate must be familiar with programming/operating a HAAS VF-4 vertical mill and well-versed in tooling, setup and producing complex parts. Applicants must also be experienced with Master Cam software or comparable software.

• DeatschWerks, located in Oklahoma City, is hiring a salesperson to carry out a new sales initiative for modern muscle fuel-delivery products by developing new accounts and servicing existing accounts. This position requires more than three years' B2B sales experience and general automotive knowledge.

• Transamerican Auto Parts, located in Carson, California, is hiring an experienced quality assurance and compliance manager to develop and implement a tire quality and safety program for imported tires, compliant with U.S. federal and safety regulatory requirements. Travel is expected at 5% international and 5% domestic.