At SEMA’s request, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently extended its “Parts in Progress” (PIP) program until September 30, 2011. The program was slated to conclude on June 30, 2011. The program was initiated in light of California's inclusion of light- and medium-duty diesel vehicles in its smog-check program. In order for uncertified diesel parts to not cause failure of the visual portion of the Bureau of Automotive Repair's (BAR) smog check, CARB (in conjunction with SEMA and its members), created a procedure whereby members submitted Executive Order (E.O.) applications; the agency then conducted an "engineering analysis" of the parts and placed them on a PIP list. The PIP list (viewable at www.arb.ca.gov) identifies companies that have submitted all traditional E.O. applications materials and are currently addressing test requirements spelled out in the program, including a rigorous steady-state test mode. Test letters continue to be obtained and testing has begun. Now through September 30, no diesel vehicle equipped with parts in the certification process will fail the visual portion of the BAR smog-check test.

Limited laboratory testing capability coupled with delays in members receiving CARB test letters have exacerbated getting tests completed to date. Meanwhile, BAR smog-check stations are referencing the CARB website to identify products that will not cause failure of the smog-check’s visual portion.

According to CARB, manufacturers of non-tuning products are not having problems concluding their emissions compliance testing by the original June 30 deadline. However, based on a variety of reasons, producers of tuning products are confronting issues, such as limited testing facilities able to conduct the required tests, anticipated changes to current product configurations and complexity of the new testing protocol.

SEMA staff continues to work with manufacturers of tuning products, the primary test facility (Automotive Testing and Development Services) and CARB representatives to help in meeting this new deadline. For additional information, contact Jim McFarland at 901/377-1210 or jmcfar1@aol.com.

At SEMA’s request, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently extended its “Parts in Progress” (PIP) program until September 30, 2011. The program was slated to conclude on June 30, 2011. The program was initiated in light of California's inclusion of light- and medium-duty diesel vehicles in its smog-check program. In order for uncertified diesel parts to not cause failure of the visual portion of the Bureau of Automotive Repair's (BAR) smog check, CARB (in conjunction with SEMA and its members), created a procedure whereby members submitted Executive Order (E.O.) applications; the agency then conducted an "engineering analysis" of the parts and placed them on a PIP list. The PIP list (viewable at www.arb.ca.gov) identifies companies that have submitted all traditional E.O. applications materials and are currently addressing test requirements spelled out in the program, including a rigorous steady-state test mode. Test letters continue to be obtained and testing has begun. Now through September 30, no diesel vehicle equipped with parts in the certification process will fail the visual portion of the BAR smog-check test.

Limited laboratory testing capability coupled with delays in members receiving CARB test letters have exacerbated getting tests completed to date. Meanwhile, BAR smog-check stations are referencing the CARB website to identify products that will not cause failure of the smog-check’s visual portion.

According to CARB, manufacturers of non-tuning products are not having problems concluding their emissions compliance testing by the original June 30 deadline. However, based on a variety of reasons, producers of tuning products are confronting issues, such as limited testing facilities able to conduct the required tests, anticipated changes to current product configurations and complexity of the new testing protocol.

SEMA staff continues to work with manufacturers of tuning products, the primary test facility (Automotive Testing and Development Services) and CARB representatives to help in meeting this new deadline. For additional information, contact Jim McFarland at 901/377-1210 or jmcfar1@aol.com.

SEMA members are invited to attend several networking events, including a seminar on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) specialty-equipment market on June 8, and a SEMA-sponsored dinner with selected key accessories and performance distributors. For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

SEMA members are invited to attend several networking events, including a seminar on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) specialty-equipment market on June 8, and a SEMA-sponsored dinner with selected key accessories and performance distributors. For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

Legislation to provide that classic vehicles and classic rods would be exempted from emissions inspections if owners pay a one-time $6 fee and submit a certification that their vehicle will not be driven more than 5,000 miles per year was passed by the Senate Transportation Committee and will now be considered by the full Nevada Senate. The bill already has been passed by the Nevada Assembly. Currently, classic rods and classic vehicles are subject to a 2,500-mile-per-year limit to qualify for an emissions exemption and must pass an initial two-speed idle emissions inspection to qualify. Also, each year, the owners of classic rods and classic vehicles must fill out a certification that their vehicles have not been driven more than 2,500 miles during the previous year and the certification must be verified by a DMV emissions technician. Under A.B. 2, the initial emissions inspection would no longer be required. Existing law only exempts ’67 and older model-year vehicles from emissions inspection.    

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org. 

Legislation to provide that classic vehicles and classic rods would be exempted from emissions inspections if owners pay a one-time $6 fee and submit a certification that their vehicle will not be driven more than 5,000 miles per year was passed by the Senate Transportation Committee and will now be considered by the full Nevada Senate. The bill already has been passed by the Nevada Assembly. Currently, classic rods and classic vehicles are subject to a 2,500-mile-per-year limit to qualify for an emissions exemption and must pass an initial two-speed idle emissions inspection to qualify. Also, each year, the owners of classic rods and classic vehicles must fill out a certification that their vehicles have not been driven more than 2,500 miles during the previous year and the certification must be verified by a DMV emissions technician. Under A.B. 2, the initial emissions inspection would no longer be required. Existing law only exempts ’67 and older model-year vehicles from emissions inspection.    

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org. 

SEMA-supported legislation to provide for an expanded-use antique-vehicle registration class that would allow antique vehicles and replicas to be driven without limitation during the warmer part of the year (April 1 through October 31) was approved unanimously by the full Illinois Senate. The bill already has been passed by the full Illinois House of Representatives and will now be sent to the governor for his signature and enactment into law. Under the bill, expanded-use antiques are limited to traveling to and from car shows, exhibitions, servicing or demonstration during the colder months (November 1 through March 31). Regular antique-vehicle registration would still be available for a lower fee to hobbyists who would prefer only operating their vehicle on a limited-use basis throughout the year.

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.     

SEMA-supported legislation to provide for an expanded-use antique-vehicle registration class that would allow antique vehicles and replicas to be driven without limitation during the warmer part of the year (April 1 through October 31) was approved unanimously by the full Illinois Senate. The bill already has been passed by the full Illinois House of Representatives and will now be sent to the governor for his signature and enactment into law. Under the bill, expanded-use antiques are limited to traveling to and from car shows, exhibitions, servicing or demonstration during the colder months (November 1 through March 31). Regular antique-vehicle registration would still be available for a lower fee to hobbyists who would prefer only operating their vehicle on a limited-use basis throughout the year.

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.     

 

While in Beijing, SEMA members will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with buyers from throughout China.

SEMA members are heading to Beijing, China, September 7–10, 2011, for the SEMA CIAPE China Business Development Conference to learn about the potential for their products in the vast Chinese market. Focus groups with local media, one-on-one meetings with buyers from all regions of China and other networking events are planned for those participating in this low-cost program, which also includes hotels, meals and interpreters.

For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit www.sema.org/china.

 

While in Beijing, SEMA members will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with buyers from throughout China.

SEMA members are heading to Beijing, China, September 7–10, 2011, for the SEMA CIAPE China Business Development Conference to learn about the potential for their products in the vast Chinese market. Focus groups with local media, one-on-one meetings with buyers from all regions of China and other networking events are planned for those participating in this low-cost program, which also includes hotels, meals and interpreters.

For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit www.sema.org/china.