The NHTSA and EPA drafted regulations to increase fuel economy and reduce CO2 for model year 2012-2016 cars and trucks.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued draft regulations to implement new fuel-economy standards for model year 2012-2016 cars/trucks, and simultaneously reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions through a national standard.

The Obama Administration announced this approach last spring as a mechanism to end years of debate between California, the federal government and the automakers over who can regulate CO2 emissions.

The federal standards are harmonized with those previously adopted by California and 13 other states. The average CAFE rating will be 35.5 mpg in 2016, based on a combined 39 MPG rating for passenger cars and 30 mpg for light trucks. The EPA will set a CO2 emissions standard of 250 grams per mile for vehicles sold in 2016, roughly equivalent to 35.5 MPG.

The final regulations must be issued by March 31, 2010 so as to apply to MY 2012 vehicles. SEMA is reviewing the draft CO2 rules to see how they would apply to the aftermarket. The automakers view the standards as being achievable and, with SEMA, support a national approach to fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

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

SEMA is urging lawmakers to make permanent changes that will limit the government's take on estate taxes.

SEMA joined with a number of other associations in forming the “Permanent Estate Tax Relief Now Coalition." The Coalition is urging Congress to pass legislation which makes permanent the current exemption rate of $3.5 million/individual ($7 million/couple). Monies beyond that amount are taxed at 45 percent.

Under President Bush’s tax cut of 2001, the so-called “death tax” is being gradually phased-out by 2010. It will reappear under its previous 55% tax rate on anything above $1 million in 2011, however, unless lawmakers change the law.

Although the topic has been debated for years, lawmakers have yet to find a permanent solution. There is a chance that the taxes could remain at the highest levels after 2011 given the growing federal deficit. The Coalition believes the current rates would allow small-business owners to maintain family-run businesses without being forced to sell the company to pay estate taxes. Additionally, it would provide certainty when making estate tax planning decisions.

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

SEMA is urging lawmakers to make permanent changes that will limit the government's take on estate taxes.

SEMA joined with a number of other associations in forming the “Permanent Estate Tax Relief Now Coalition." The Coalition is urging Congress to pass legislation which makes permanent the current exemption rate of $3.5 million/individual ($7 million/couple). Monies beyond that amount are taxed at 45 percent.

Under President Bush’s tax cut of 2001, the so-called “death tax” is being gradually phased-out by 2010. It will reappear under its previous 55% tax rate on anything above $1 million in 2011, however, unless lawmakers change the law.

Although the topic has been debated for years, lawmakers have yet to find a permanent solution. There is a chance that the taxes could remain at the highest levels after 2011 given the growing federal deficit. The Coalition believes the current rates would allow small-business owners to maintain family-run businesses without being forced to sell the company to pay estate taxes. Additionally, it would provide certainty when making estate tax planning decisions.

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

SEMA is urging lawmakers to make permanent changes that will limit the government's take on estate taxes.

SEMA joined with a number of other associations in forming the “Permanent Estate Tax Relief Now Coalition." The Coalition is urging Congress to pass legislation which makes permanent the current exemption rate of $3.5 million/individual ($7 million/couple). Monies beyond that amount are taxed at 45 percent.

Under President Bush’s tax cut of 2001, the so-called “death tax” is being gradually phased-out by 2010. It will reappear under its previous 55% tax rate on anything above $1 million in 2011, however, unless lawmakers change the law.

Although the topic has been debated for years, lawmakers have yet to find a permanent solution. There is a chance that the taxes could remain at the highest levels after 2011 given the growing federal deficit. The Coalition believes the current rates would allow small-business owners to maintain family-run businesses without being forced to sell the company to pay estate taxes. Additionally, it would provide certainty when making estate tax planning decisions.

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

SEMA is urging lawmakers to make permanent changes that will limit the government's take on estate taxes.

SEMA joined with a number of other associations in forming the “Permanent Estate Tax Relief Now Coalition." The Coalition is urging Congress to pass legislation which makes permanent the current exemption rate of $3.5 million/individual ($7 million/couple). Monies beyond that amount are taxed at 45 percent.

Under President Bush’s tax cut of 2001, the so-called “death tax” is being gradually phased-out by 2010. It will reappear under its previous 55% tax rate on anything above $1 million in 2011, however, unless lawmakers change the law.

Although the topic has been debated for years, lawmakers have yet to find a permanent solution. There is a chance that the taxes could remain at the highest levels after 2011 given the growing federal deficit. The Coalition believes the current rates would allow small-business owners to maintain family-run businesses without being forced to sell the company to pay estate taxes. Additionally, it would provide certainty when making estate tax planning decisions.

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

SEMA is urging lawmakers to make permanent changes that will limit the government's take on estate taxes.

SEMA joined with a number of other associations in forming the “Permanent Estate Tax Relief Now Coalition." The Coalition is urging Congress to pass legislation which makes permanent the current exemption rate of $3.5 million/individual ($7 million/couple). Monies beyond that amount are taxed at 45 percent.

Under President Bush’s tax cut of 2001, the so-called “death tax” is being gradually phased-out by 2010. It will reappear under its previous 55% tax rate on anything above $1 million in 2011, however, unless lawmakers change the law.

Although the topic has been debated for years, lawmakers have yet to find a permanent solution. There is a chance that the taxes could remain at the highest levels after 2011 given the growing federal deficit. The Coalition believes the current rates would allow small-business owners to maintain family-run businesses without being forced to sell the company to pay estate taxes. Additionally, it would provide certainty when making estate tax planning decisions.

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

SEMA is urging lawmakers to make permanent changes that will limit the government's take on estate taxes.

SEMA joined with a number of other associations in forming the “Permanent Estate Tax Relief Now Coalition." The Coalition is urging Congress to pass legislation which makes permanent the current exemption rate of $3.5 million/individual ($7 million/couple). Monies beyond that amount are taxed at 45 percent.

Under President Bush’s tax cut of 2001, the so-called “death tax” is being gradually phased-out by 2010. It will reappear under its previous 55% tax rate on anything above $1 million in 2011, however, unless lawmakers change the law.

Although the topic has been debated for years, lawmakers have yet to find a permanent solution. There is a chance that the taxes could remain at the highest levels after 2011 given the growing federal deficit. The Coalition believes the current rates would allow small-business owners to maintain family-run businesses without being forced to sell the company to pay estate taxes. Additionally, it would provide certainty when making estate tax planning decisions.

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

SEMA is urging lawmakers to make permanent changes that will limit the government's take on estate taxes.

SEMA joined with a number of other associations in forming the “Permanent Estate Tax Relief Now Coalition." The Coalition is urging Congress to pass legislation which makes permanent the current exemption rate of $3.5 million/individual ($7 million/couple). Monies beyond that amount are taxed at 45 percent.

Under President Bush’s tax cut of 2001, the so-called “death tax” is being gradually phased-out by 2010. It will reappear under its previous 55% tax rate on anything above $1 million in 2011, however, unless lawmakers change the law.

Although the topic has been debated for years, lawmakers have yet to find a permanent solution. There is a chance that the taxes could remain at the highest levels after 2011 given the growing federal deficit. The Coalition believes the current rates would allow small-business owners to maintain family-run businesses without being forced to sell the company to pay estate taxes. Additionally, it would provide certainty when making estate tax planning decisions.

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

SEMA is urging lawmakers to make permanent changes that will limit the government's take on estate taxes.

SEMA joined with a number of other associations in forming the “Permanent Estate Tax Relief Now Coalition." The Coalition is urging Congress to pass legislation which makes permanent the current exemption rate of $3.5 million/individual ($7 million/couple). Monies beyond that amount are taxed at 45 percent.

Under President Bush’s tax cut of 2001, the so-called “death tax” is being gradually phased-out by 2010. It will reappear under its previous 55% tax rate on anything above $1 million in 2011, however, unless lawmakers change the law.

Although the topic has been debated for years, lawmakers have yet to find a permanent solution. There is a chance that the taxes could remain at the highest levels after 2011 given the growing federal deficit. The Coalition believes the current rates would allow small-business owners to maintain family-run businesses without being forced to sell the company to pay estate taxes. Additionally, it would provide certainty when making estate tax planning decisions.

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

SEMA is urging lawmakers to make permanent changes that will limit the government's take on estate taxes.

SEMA joined with a number of other associations in forming the “Permanent Estate Tax Relief Now Coalition." The Coalition is urging Congress to pass legislation which makes permanent the current exemption rate of $3.5 million/individual ($7 million/couple). Monies beyond that amount are taxed at 45 percent.

Under President Bush’s tax cut of 2001, the so-called “death tax” is being gradually phased-out by 2010. It will reappear under its previous 55% tax rate on anything above $1 million in 2011, however, unless lawmakers change the law.

Although the topic has been debated for years, lawmakers have yet to find a permanent solution. There is a chance that the taxes could remain at the highest levels after 2011 given the growing federal deficit. The Coalition believes the current rates would allow small-business owners to maintain family-run businesses without being forced to sell the company to pay estate taxes. Additionally, it would provide certainty when making estate tax planning decisions.

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