Ed Pink Racing Engines CEO Tom Malloy (left), Ed "The Old Master" Pink, president, and EPRE General Manager Frank Honsowetz (right).

Nearly 20 SEMA-member companies have come together in support of a unique project that will benefit the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund (SMSF). Their products are being used to build a big-inch small-block Ford engine that will be auctioned off on eBay in conjunction with this year’s SEMA Show.

Noted engine-building facility Ed Pink Racing Engines, which can point to impressive wins in drag racing, IndyCar, USAC, vintage and off-road racing, will assemble and dyno test the engine.

The engine—which is being constructed entirely out of aftermarket components—is a 347-cid (4.125-in. bore and 3.250-in. stroke) SBF based on a Dart 302 block and Pro 1 aluminum heads. It will have 9.5:1 compression and is estimated to produce more than 400 hp on pump gas. It’s ideally suited for use in a street rod, Cobra kit car, classic truck, Mustang or restomod Ford application.

Participating firms (in alphabetical order) are: ARP, ATI, Champion, COMP Cams, Crane Cams Ignitions, Dart, Edelbrock, Fel-Pro, Hedman Hedders, Joe Gibbs Driven, Mahle, Manley, Milodon, Moroso, Powermaster, Scat, Speed-Pro and Total Seal.

Proceeds from the engine sale will benefit the SMSF, which is a recognized 501(c)3 charity, and has donated nearly $2 million in scholarships over the years to students (university, college or trade school) seeking a career in the automotive industry. More information about the program can be found at: www.SEMA.org/scholarships.

Ongoing information about the engine and specially prepared Dodge Charger and Avenger automobiles that are being auctioned to benefit the SMSF and the eBay auction can be found at http://is.gd/SEMAauctions.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and surrounding countries provide some of the best opportunities for U.S. specialty-parts manufacturers as off-roading, car collecting and motorsports are all growing in popularity. UAE-based media and buyers will discuss how to cash in on this lucrative market at the SEMA Show in the Liberty Motorsports Room of the Las Vegas Convention Center (Room N255), Monday, October 31, 2011, from 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

Attendees will also learn about the details of the first SEMA one-on-one matchmaking program being held in the UAE in April 2012. Panelists will include: Zlatko Mulabegovic, director/editor of Top Performance magazine and Mitchell Perera, sales and marketing manager for Liberty Motorsports. No registration is required.

	Gregory Boutte, vice president of eBay Motors, led a panel discussion entitled, "From the Desktop to the Pocket: The Future of Internet Information," at the 2010 SEMA Show.

Consumers are increasingly changing the way they shop, adopting new technologies to help them learn about and purchase the products in which they are interested. Today’s unique economy is increasingly affecting business decisions and outcomes. Staying ahead of these trends and recognizing the opportunities they provide as well as the challenges they pose are key to business success.

This year’s keynote panel discussion at the 2011 SEMA Show, “The Future of Specialty Equipment 2012 and Beyond,” led by moderator Famous Rhodes, senior director of eBay Motors, will bring together a wide variety of industry experts who will share their unique insights into the trends that will define the future of the specialty-equipment industry. The panel discussion led by Rhodes will include Dr. Timothy Nash of Northwood University, Caroline Jacobini of Google, Bryan Murphy of WHI Solutions and Glenn Rogers of Cardomain Network.

As senior director of the Internet’s largest marketplace for buying and selling all things automotive, Rhodes leads the entire eBay Motors business unit. In the second quarter of 2011, the worldwide gross merchandise volume for the Parts and Accessories category was approximately $1.6 billion. A part or accessory is sold every second on eBay Motors—more than 226 million parts and accessories transactions have taken place on eBay Motors to date.

The keynote panelists will provide further insights into the top trends affecting the specialty-equipment industry. The Internet is constantly evolving and is increasingly used as a critical research and shopping tool for auto buyers. J.D. Power and Associates research in 2010 found that 77% of U.S. new-vehicle buyers and 68% of used-vehicle buyers accessed the Internet during their research process.

If the Internet is evolving, then mobile sales and marketing are accelerating at a furious pace. There is a huge opportunity for auto companies to leverage mobile to connect with consumers researching and considering auto purchases. In fact, comScore reports that 21% of users accessed this content almost every day, with 31% accessing auto content once per week and 48% accessing this content one to three times per month. Further data from Gartner projects that the worldwide market for mobile advertising will have doubled from $1.6 billion in 2010 to $3.3 billion in 2011.

The keynote presentation will give information on trends that will affect the aftermarket in the future and provide ideas on how to adapt to an ever-evolving consumer landscape. Don’t miss this insightful discussion, Monday, October 31, from 8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m. at the Las Vegas Hilton, Pavilion 1.

To view the entire SEMA Education Program, visit www.SEMAShow.com/Education.

	Gregory Boutte, vice president of eBay Motors, led a panel discussion entitled, "From the Desktop to the Pocket: The Future of Internet Information," at the 2010 SEMA Show.

Consumers are increasingly changing the way they shop, adopting new technologies to help them learn about and purchase the products in which they are interested. Today’s unique economy is increasingly affecting business decisions and outcomes. Staying ahead of these trends and recognizing the opportunities they provide as well as the challenges they pose are key to business success.

This year’s keynote panel discussion at the 2011 SEMA Show, “The Future of Specialty Equipment 2012 and Beyond,” led by moderator Famous Rhodes, senior director of eBay Motors, will bring together a wide variety of industry experts who will share their unique insights into the trends that will define the future of the specialty-equipment industry. The panel discussion led by Rhodes will include Dr. Timothy Nash of Northwood University, Caroline Jacobini of Google, Bryan Murphy of WHI Solutions and Glenn Rogers of Cardomain Network.

As senior director of the Internet’s largest marketplace for buying and selling all things automotive, Rhodes leads the entire eBay Motors business unit. In the second quarter of 2011, the worldwide gross merchandise volume for the Parts and Accessories category was approximately $1.6 billion. A part or accessory is sold every second on eBay Motors—more than 226 million parts and accessories transactions have taken place on eBay Motors to date.

The keynote panelists will provide further insights into the top trends affecting the specialty-equipment industry. The Internet is constantly evolving and is increasingly used as a critical research and shopping tool for auto buyers. J.D. Power and Associates research in 2010 found that 77% of U.S. new-vehicle buyers and 68% of used-vehicle buyers accessed the Internet during their research process.

If the Internet is evolving, then mobile sales and marketing are accelerating at a furious pace. There is a huge opportunity for auto companies to leverage mobile to connect with consumers researching and considering auto purchases. In fact, comScore reports that 21% of users accessed this content almost every day, with 31% accessing auto content once per week and 48% accessing this content one to three times per month. Further data from Gartner projects that the worldwide market for mobile advertising will have doubled from $1.6 billion in 2010 to $3.3 billion in 2011.

The keynote presentation will give information on trends that will affect the aftermarket in the future and provide ideas on how to adapt to an ever-evolving consumer landscape. Don’t miss this insightful discussion, Monday, October 31, from 8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m. at the Las Vegas Hilton, Pavilion 1.

To view the entire SEMA Education Program, visit www.SEMAShow.com/Education.

	Gregory Boutte, vice president of eBay Motors, led a panel discussion entitled, "From the Desktop to the Pocket: The Future of Internet Information," at the 2010 SEMA Show.

Consumers are increasingly changing the way they shop, adopting new technologies to help them learn about and purchase the products in which they are interested. Today’s unique economy is increasingly affecting business decisions and outcomes. Staying ahead of these trends and recognizing the opportunities they provide as well as the challenges they pose are key to business success.

This year’s keynote panel discussion at the 2011 SEMA Show, “The Future of Specialty Equipment 2012 and Beyond,” led by moderator Famous Rhodes, senior director of eBay Motors, will bring together a wide variety of industry experts who will share their unique insights into the trends that will define the future of the specialty-equipment industry. The panel discussion led by Rhodes will include Dr. Timothy Nash of Northwood University, Caroline Jacobini of Google, Bryan Murphy of WHI Solutions and Glenn Rogers of Cardomain Network.

As senior director of the Internet’s largest marketplace for buying and selling all things automotive, Rhodes leads the entire eBay Motors business unit. In the second quarter of 2011, the worldwide gross merchandise volume for the Parts and Accessories category was approximately $1.6 billion. A part or accessory is sold every second on eBay Motors—more than 226 million parts and accessories transactions have taken place on eBay Motors to date.

The keynote panelists will provide further insights into the top trends affecting the specialty-equipment industry. The Internet is constantly evolving and is increasingly used as a critical research and shopping tool for auto buyers. J.D. Power and Associates research in 2010 found that 77% of U.S. new-vehicle buyers and 68% of used-vehicle buyers accessed the Internet during their research process.

If the Internet is evolving, then mobile sales and marketing are accelerating at a furious pace. There is a huge opportunity for auto companies to leverage mobile to connect with consumers researching and considering auto purchases. In fact, comScore reports that 21% of users accessed this content almost every day, with 31% accessing auto content once per week and 48% accessing this content one to three times per month. Further data from Gartner projects that the worldwide market for mobile advertising will have doubled from $1.6 billion in 2010 to $3.3 billion in 2011.

The keynote presentation will give information on trends that will affect the aftermarket in the future and provide ideas on how to adapt to an ever-evolving consumer landscape. Don’t miss this insightful discussion, Monday, October 31, from 8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m. at the Las Vegas Hilton, Pavilion 1.

To view the entire SEMA Education Program, visit www.SEMAShow.com/Education.

 

	The Global Media Awards will be presented at SEMA's 8th annual International Happy Hour.

The eighth annual International Happy Hour (IHH)—taking place Wednesday, November 2, 2011, from 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Room S224—is the largest annual international networking event for the specialty-parts industry, featuring leading importers, distributors and retailers from more than 120 countries.

In addition, the IHH will provide an opportunity to meet with a distinguished panel of international journalists who will serve as judges for the annual Global Media Awards.

Register now for the IHH.

 

	The Global Media Awards will be presented at SEMA's 8th annual International Happy Hour.

The eighth annual International Happy Hour (IHH)—taking place Wednesday, November 2, 2011, from 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Room S224—is the largest annual international networking event for the specialty-parts industry, featuring leading importers, distributors and retailers from more than 120 countries.

In addition, the IHH will provide an opportunity to meet with a distinguished panel of international journalists who will serve as judges for the annual Global Media Awards.

Register now for the IHH.

Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to require companies that sell goods via the Internet and catalogs to collect sales tax in the same manner as “brick-and-mortar” retailers. The “Marketplace Equity Act” (MEA) is similar to the “Main Street Fairness Act” introduced earlier this year. Both bills would allow states to force retailers to collect sales tax from consumers even when the companies otherwise have no physical presence in that state.

The Main Street Fairness Act requires states to participate in the Streamlined Sales Tax Agreement, which sets uniform tax rules. To date, 24 states are full participants. In contrast, the MEA would set minimum federal rules and then allow states flexibility in establishing individual rules. The state would have three choices in selecting a tax rate—a single rate, a maximum state rate or a rate based on customer’s location. If the latter, the state would be required to supply tax software.  

Both bills authorize a “small-seller exemption.” The Main Street Fairness legislation does not set a limit but instead defers to the Streamlined Sales Tax Agreement, which currently establishes a threshold of $500,000 and below. The MEA exempts companies from collecting sales tax if they have either less than $1 million in total sales or less than $100,000 in sales in a particular state.

Under a 1992 U.S. Supreme Court decision, states cannot force retailers to collect use taxes unless the company has a physical presence in the state (“nexus”). However, the Court also noted that Congress could pass legislation authorizing states to collect use taxes within the scope of interstate commerce. In lieu of the federal law, many states have expanded the definition of nexus in order to compel companies to collect taxes. 

For more information, please contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to require companies that sell goods via the Internet and catalogs to collect sales tax in the same manner as “brick-and-mortar” retailers. The “Marketplace Equity Act” (MEA) is similar to the “Main Street Fairness Act” introduced earlier this year. Both bills would allow states to force retailers to collect sales tax from consumers even when the companies otherwise have no physical presence in that state.

The Main Street Fairness Act requires states to participate in the Streamlined Sales Tax Agreement, which sets uniform tax rules. To date, 24 states are full participants. In contrast, the MEA would set minimum federal rules and then allow states flexibility in establishing individual rules. The state would have three choices in selecting a tax rate—a single rate, a maximum state rate or a rate based on customer’s location. If the latter, the state would be required to supply tax software.  

Both bills authorize a “small-seller exemption.” The Main Street Fairness legislation does not set a limit but instead defers to the Streamlined Sales Tax Agreement, which currently establishes a threshold of $500,000 and below. The MEA exempts companies from collecting sales tax if they have either less than $1 million in total sales or less than $100,000 in sales in a particular state.

Under a 1992 U.S. Supreme Court decision, states cannot force retailers to collect use taxes unless the company has a physical presence in the state (“nexus”). However, the Court also noted that Congress could pass legislation authorizing states to collect use taxes within the scope of interstate commerce. In lieu of the federal law, many states have expanded the definition of nexus in order to compel companies to collect taxes. 

For more information, please contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to seek independent scientific analysis on the effects of 15%-blend ethanol gasoline (E15) on vehicles and engines. The review would include an evaluation of the short- and long-term environmental, safety and performance effects of E15 on both on- and off-road vehicle engines. Last January, the EPA decided to allow the use of E15 in vehicles manufactured after 2001 based solely on a limited study by the U.S. Department of Energy.  

SEMA has been a strong supporter of further testing to gauge the effects of E15. SEMA opposes the introduction of E15 into the marketplace due to concerns that the additional content will harm automobiles of all ages, including special-interest collector and historic vehicles. In addition to the potential harm of E15 on engine components, the EPA has no procedure in place to ensure that misfueling does not occur or any plan for ensuring regular gasoline continues to be available for older vehicles. SEMA’s concerns have been echoed by a number of other organizations. 

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