Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, webinars and activities. Click on an item for more details.

SEMA joined with the National Association of Manufacturers and a number of other organizations in urging Congress to extend the 100% bonus depreciation through 2012. The depreciation had been at 100% since 2010 but dropped to 50% January 1, 2012. Lawmakers are considering whether to include the extension within a larger bill to extend the payroll tax cuts for the rest of the year. The depreciation provision would allow businesses to write-off 100% of the cost of new equipment in the first year rather than depreciating the cost over multiple years. SEMA contends the depreciation write-off encourages companies to invest in newer, more efficient equipment and spurs sales and creates jobs. 

The White House supports the bonus depreciation extension and has included the provision in its own $48 billion small-business growth proposal. Other elements of the Obama administration program would include an elimination of capital-gain taxes from investments in small businesses, a 10% tax credit for companies that create new jobs in 2012 and a termination of country-specific immigration caps for skilled worker visas. The proposal must be approved by Congress in the form of legislation. 

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

SEMA joined with the National Association of Manufacturers and a number of other organizations in urging Congress to extend the 100% bonus depreciation through 2012. The depreciation had been at 100% since 2010 but dropped to 50% January 1, 2012. Lawmakers are considering whether to include the extension within a larger bill to extend the payroll tax cuts for the rest of the year. The depreciation provision would allow businesses to write-off 100% of the cost of new equipment in the first year rather than depreciating the cost over multiple years. SEMA contends the depreciation write-off encourages companies to invest in newer, more efficient equipment and spurs sales and creates jobs. 

The White House supports the bonus depreciation extension and has included the provision in its own $48 billion small-business growth proposal. Other elements of the Obama administration program would include an elimination of capital-gain taxes from investments in small businesses, a 10% tax credit for companies that create new jobs in 2012 and a termination of country-specific immigration caps for skilled worker visas. The proposal must be approved by Congress in the form of legislation. 

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

A SEMA-supported bill has been introduced in the New York Assembly to exempt restoration and custom shops from the state’s motor-vehicle repair shop requirements. This exemption would relieve these shops from the obligation to provide written estimates to customers seeking restoration, rebuild or customization work on specialty motor vehicles or motor vehicles at least 25 years old. 

The measure would allow restoration and custom shops to accurately inform customers of actual costs and materials, removing vagueness associated with shops attempting to “guess” probable time for unique tasks and probable costs for unique and, in some cases, yet to be fabricated parts. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

A SEMA-supported bill has been introduced in the New York Assembly to exempt restoration and custom shops from the state’s motor-vehicle repair shop requirements. This exemption would relieve these shops from the obligation to provide written estimates to customers seeking restoration, rebuild or customization work on specialty motor vehicles or motor vehicles at least 25 years old. 

The measure would allow restoration and custom shops to accurately inform customers of actual costs and materials, removing vagueness associated with shops attempting to “guess” probable time for unique tasks and probable costs for unique and, in some cases, yet to be fabricated parts. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Legislation to increase the age requirement for vehicles eligible for registration as “historic motor vehicles” has been introduced in the Maryland Legislature. Under the bill, the age requirement would be raised from 20 to at least 25 years old and would prohibit these cars from being used for “occasional transportation.” 

The measure would also require that an historic vehicle is insured by an historic vehicle, show vehicle or antique insurance policy. A hearing to consider the bill is scheduled for Tuesday, February 28, 2012, in the Environmental Matters Committee. SEMA is opposing the bill. 

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Legislation to increase the age requirement for vehicles eligible for registration as “historic motor vehicles” has been introduced in the Maryland Legislature. Under the bill, the age requirement would be raised from 20 to at least 25 years old and would prohibit these cars from being used for “occasional transportation.” 

The measure would also require that an historic vehicle is insured by an historic vehicle, show vehicle or antique insurance policy. A hearing to consider the bill is scheduled for Tuesday, February 28, 2012, in the Environmental Matters Committee. SEMA is opposing the bill. 

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

A SEMA-supported bill in the Utah State Legislature to create a statutory definition of a “vintage travel trailer” and provide for a one-time registration fee was approved by the Utah House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate for consideration. Under the bill, vintage travel trailers would also be eligible for a special group license plate and would be exempted from wheel cover, mudguard, flap or splash apron requirements. The measure provides for a $40 one-time fee and would exempt vintage travel trailer owners from any future registration fees. 

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

A SEMA-supported bill in the Utah State Legislature to create a statutory definition of a “vintage travel trailer” and provide for a one-time registration fee was approved by the Utah House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate for consideration. Under the bill, vintage travel trailers would also be eligible for a special group license plate and would be exempted from wheel cover, mudguard, flap or splash apron requirements. The measure provides for a $40 one-time fee and would exempt vintage travel trailer owners from any future registration fees. 

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Source Interlink Media (SIM) has launched the Motor Trend YouTube Channel making original automotive content available to online audiences immediately. The Motor Trend Channel is part of YouTube’s rollout of approximately 100 new original content channels throughout the year.

The Motor Trend Channel’s programs have been developed to create content from the opportunities and insights offered by SIM’s portfolio of automotive media brands, from Motor Trend to Hot Rod, Motorcyclist, Lowrider, FourWheeler, Dirt Rider, Car Craft, Automobile, Import Tuner and more. The programs cover first rides and drives and tests of the latest two- and four-wheeled machinery, as well as automotive lifestyle and documentary shows.

“We are really treating this like a TV channel,” said SIM Chief Content Officer and Motor Trend Channel Executive Producer Angus MacKenzie. “Though a common thread is our focus on cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles and automotive culture, we are offering different content and a range of program formats. There’ll be something on the channel for everyone, regardless of their particular automotive passion.”

A full schedule of programming that includes eight separate shows is expected to be uploaded and available by February 17. New videos from each of the shows will be posted on a varying schedule, but there will be new content available every day, Monday through Friday.

Motor Trend’s new programming will be produced by Michael Suggett and Julia Sanchez with MacKenzie serving as executive producer. Jim Gleason will assume the role of creative manager.

Motor Trend Channel original programming will include:

Ignition

• A weekly five-minute show featuring first drives and first tests of the hottest new cars, trucks and SUVs from around the world. New episodes uploaded every Monday.

Head 2 Head

• Motor Trend Channel’s comparison test series focusing on performance vehicles and fast motorcycles. New episodes uploaded every other Wednesday beginning February 8.

Roadkill

• A feature-length, 22-minute program following the exploits of Hot Rod’s David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan as they continue their love/hate relationship with hot rods, street machines and other highly strung performance vehicles. New episodes uploaded every third Friday beginning February 17.

Wide Open Throttle

• A five-minute weekly roundup of automotive news and events from around the world. The show is hosted and presented from a unique studio environment, and includes segments from channel experts on location from around the globe. New episodes uploaded every Thursday.

On Two Wheels

• This show features first rides and first tests of the newest and hottest motorcycles from around the world. Presented by experts from Motor Trend channel’s portfolio of motorcycling  brands, including Motorcyclist and Dirt Rider, it delivers the most complete and in-depth coverage of all types of two-wheeled machines. New episodes uploaded every other Wednesday.

Hot Rod Unlimited

• Hot Rod Unlimited is where anything goes in the world of American performance cars. Every other Friday the show features subjects as varied as those in Hot Rod magazine, including muscle cars, street machines, hot rods, wild trucks and more. New episodes uploaded every other Friday beginning February 10.

Epic Drives

• A feature-length program featuring amazing road trips from around the world. This monthly 22-minute show visits interesting locations in interesting cars. New episodes uploaded the first Friday of each month.

The Downshift

• The Downshift airs fascinating stories on interesting personalities and incredible machinery from beyond the automotive mainstream. The show celebrates the diversity of cars and car culture from extreme off-roading, drifting import cars, lowriders and action sport stars who love cars. New episodes uploaded every Tuesday.