Tue, 10/01/2013 - 07:47

SEMA News—October 2013

EVENTS
By Colby Martin

SEMA Members Celebrate Fourth Annual Collector Car Appreciation Day

 

In honor of Collector Car Appreciation Day on July 12, several SEMA members and staff celebrated with music, food and, of course, collector cars.
SEMA-member company representatives, automotive media and local car enthusiasts joined SEMA staff for the association’s fourth-annual Collector Car Appreciation Day celebration at SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California. 

  
On July 12, 2013, SEMA-member companies joined with SEMA staff and thousands of enthusiasts to celebrate the fourth annual Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD). Official events were held in the United States, Canada and Australia to commemorate the day, designated by a SEMA-requested U.S. Senate resolution.

Sponsored by Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), the U.S. Senate resolution recognized “that the collection and restoration of historic and classic cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the United States.” Lawmakers in states, provinces, counties and cities have followed the Senate’s lead by adopting their own resolutions. This year’s participants included: Michigan; New Mexico; New York; Manitoba, Canada; Nova Scotia, Canada; Las Vegas, Nevada; Madera County, California; York County, Virginia; and Washington Parish, Louisiana.

The official events included car club cruise-ins, open houses at SEMA-member companies, specialty shows at automobile museums and “drive your collector car to work” displays. Scores of other unofficial events included car shows, picnics and other gatherings. A detailed summary and online photo gallery of CCAD celebrations are available on the SEMA Action Network’s (SAN) website at www.semaSAN.com.

CCAD is supported by SEMA and its Automotive Restoration Market Organization and Hot Rod Industry Alliance.

 

SEMA Director of Congressional Affairs Dan Sadowski (center) presented Senate Resolution 176 to Carlisle Events Co-Owner and President Bill Miller (right) and Co-Owner Lance Miller (left) at the 2013 All-Chrysler Nationals CCAD celebration in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
SEMA Director of Congressional Affairs Dan Sadowski (center) presented Senate Resolution 176 to Carlisle Events Co-Owner and President Bill Miller (right) and Co-Owner Lance Miller (left) at the 2013 All-Chrysler Nationals CCAD celebration in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

  
SEMA-Member Companies That Hosted Events
  • American Collectors Insurance Inc.Cherry Hill, New Jersey
  • BASF Corp., Huntsville, Alabama
  • Camaro Central/Firebird Central/Muscle Car Industries, Richmond, Kentucky
  • Coker Tire Co., Chattanooga, Tennessee
  • Carlisle Events, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
  • Eastwood Co., Pottstown, Pennsylvania
  • Extreme Automotive, Corona, California
  • The Filling Station, Lebanon, Oregon
  • Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, Columbus, Ohio
  • Hagerty Operation Ignite!, Orange County, California•Hemmings Motor News, Bennington, Vermont
  • ididit Inc., Tecumseh, Michigan
  • Kee Auto Top Manufacturing Co., Charlotte, North Carolina
  • MSD Performance, El Paso, Texas
  • Nancy Perry Productions, Glendale, Arizona
  • ProMedia Events, Santa Ana, California
  • Speedway Motors, Lincoln, Nebraska
  • Ron’s Performance Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
  • Source Interlink Media, Tampa, Florida; Irvine, California; El Segundo, California
  • Steele Rubber Products, Denver, North Carolina
  • Volkswagen Group of America, Auburn Hills, Michigan

Nate Shelton (second right), chief marketing officer of Flowmaster and SEMA Chairman of the Board, helped celebrate CCAD at the NMRA/NMCA Muscle Car Nationals at Route 66 Raceway. Shelton is pictured with fellow SEMA Board member and ProMedia Events owner Steve Wolcott (right) and the winners of NMCA’s People’s Choice Best of Show award, Steve and Bev West, with their ‘72 Chevelle SS.
ididit Inc. honored CCAD during the company’s Cruisin’ to Columbus Tour, which began in Tecumseh, Michigan, and finished at the Goodguys PPG Nationals in Columbus, Ohio.  

 

 Nate Shelton (second right), chief marketing officer of Flowmaster and SEMA Chairman of the Board, helped celebrate CCAD at the NMRA/NMCA Muscle Car Nationals at Route 66 Raceway. Shelton is pictured with fellow SEMA Board member and ProMedia Events owner Steve Wolcott (right) and the winners of NMCA’s People’s Choice Best of Show award, Steve and Bev West, with their ‘72 Chevelle SS.
Nate Shelton (second right), chief marketing officer of Flowmaster and SEMA Chairman of the Board, helped celebrate CCAD at the NMRA/NMCA Muscle Car Nationals at Route 66 Raceway. Shelton is pictured with fellow SEMA Board member and ProMedia Events owner Steve Wolcott (right) and the winners of NMCA’s People’s Choice Best of Show award, Steve and Bev West, with their ‘72 Chevelle SS.

   Volkswagen Group of America in Auburn Hills, Michigan, attracted a diverse group of vehicles for its Collector Car Work Cruise-In.
Volkswagen Group of America in Auburn Hills, Michigan, attracted a diverse group of vehicles for its Collector Car Work Cruise-In.
    

 The Crazy Cruiser’s Car Club hosted its fourth-annual CCAD event at the Wicked Wheel Restaurant in Panama City Beach, Florida. The group was joined by special guest and honorary club member Russ Deane, SEMA’s general counsel (left).
The Crazy Cruiser’s Car Club hosted its fourth-annual CCAD event at the Wicked Wheel Restaurant in Panama City Beach, Florida. The group was joined by special guest and honorary club member Russ Deane, SEMA’s general counsel (left).

   The Old Salem AACA chapter line up members’ cars on the track at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia.
The Old Salem AACA chapter line up members’ cars on the track at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia.
    

 The City of Longwood, Florida, hosted a collector car cruise to celebrate CCAD.
The City of Longwood, Florida, hosted a collector car cruise to celebrate CCAD.

   Extreme Automotive in Corona, California, hosted a CCAD open house at its shop.
Extreme Automotive in Corona, California, hosted a CCAD open house at its shop.
    

 MSD Performance in El Paso, Texas, celebrated CCAD with a movie and cruise night.
MSD Performance in El Paso, Texas, celebrated CCAD with a movie and cruise night.

   An array of vehicles gathered at a “Drive Your Collector Car to Work” event at Source Interlink Media’s office in Tampa, Florida.
An array of vehicles gathered at a “Drive Your Collector Car to Work” event at Source Interlink Media’s office in Tampa, Florida.
    

 Christian Robinson, SEMA Political Action Committee manager (right), presented Senate Resolution 176 to Steele Rubber Products President Matt Agosta (left) during the company’s event in Denver, North Carolina.
Christian Robinson, SEMA Political Action Committee manager (right), presented Senate Resolution 176 to Steele Rubber Products President Matt Agosta (left) during the company’s event in Denver, North Carolina.

   Christian Robinson, SEMA Political Action Committee manager (right), presented Senate Resolution 176 to Steele Rubber Products President Matt Agosta (left) during the company’s event in Denver, North Carolina.
Wayne County Cruisers battled through the rain to hold its cruise from Goldsboro to the Hwy 55 Burgers and Shakes restaurant in Mount Olive, North Carolina.

SEMA PAC President’s Club Spotlight: Tom Brooks

 

Virginia Congressman Rob Wittman (left) and Tom Brooks of Truckin’ Thunder discuss SEMA’s legislative priorities.
Virginia Congressman Rob Wittman (left) and Tom Brooks of Truckin’ Thunder discuss SEMA’s legislative priorities. 

  

Tom Brooks is the founder and president of Truckin’ Thunder, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.

Brooks is an eight-year member of the SEMA Political Action Committee (PAC) President’s Club and previously served on SEMA’s Board of Directors.

“Over my many years working with the staff of SEMA’s office in Washington, D.C., my respect for their diligence and lobbying skill has grown,” Brooks said.

“At special events, such as the Childhelp National Day of Hope Luncheon and the SEMA Washington Rally, the staff has arranged meetings for me with the Senators and Congressmen from my home state of Virginia. I believe my membership in the SEMA PAC President’s Club is one of the best investments I’ve made, and I urge each of you to support SEMA PAC.”

For more information about SEMA PAC, contact SEMA PAC Manager Christian Robinson by phone at 202-783-6007 x20 or via e-mail at christianr@sema.org.

Tue, 10/01/2013 - 07:46

SEMA News—October 2013

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS
By Steve McDonald

Law and Order

STATE UPDATE 

  

North Carolina Titles:

Legislation to provide for the prompt issuance of titles to owners of out-of-state motor vehicles that are 35 years old or older was signed into law by Governor Pat McCrory. Under the SEMA-supported new law, if a required inspection and verification is not conducted by the Division of Motor Vehicles within 15 days after it receives a request and the inspector has no probable cause to believe that the ownership documents or vehicle identification number do not match the vehicle being examined, the vehicle will be deemed to have satisfied all requirements and the title will be issued to the owner within 15 days. If an inspection and verification is performed in a timely manner and the vehicle passes, title will issue to the owner within 15 days of the date of the inspection. The new law, which became effective on July 23, provides vehicle owners with a fair, reasonable and reliable time period in which they can have these older cars inspected and receive title from the DMV.

 North Carolina Headlamps:

SEMA-opposed legislation that would have imposed a $100 fine on any person who equipped a car with headlamps that “change the original design” died when the North Carolina legislature adjourned for the year. SEMA-opposed legislation that would have imposed a $100 fine on any person who equipped a car with headlamps that “change the original design” died when the North Carolina legislature adjourned for the year.

The bill directly conflicted with the federal National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, which makes clear that the standards adopted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for required motor vehicle equipment (including headlamps) are to be performance standards, not design standards.

   

Ohio Headlamps:

SEMA is challenging recently introduced Ohio legislation to require headlamps to display a “white light” without further requiring that they comply with NHTSA standards regarding lighting equipment.

Under the NHTSA standard, it is possible to design a headlamp that emits a light that is perceived as having a blue tint but which nevertheless remains within the boundaries that define “white.”

 

A federal appeals court dismissed on technicalities a lawsuit that challenged the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to permit the sale of 15% ethanol (E15) content in gasoline for ’01 and newer model-year cars and light trucks. Oregon Ethanol:

Legislation to repeal the requirement that retail dealers, nonretail dealers or wholesale dealers sell only gasoline blended with a specified percentage of ethanol died when the Oregon legislature adjourned for the year. The bill did not receive committee consideration. Oregon requires that gasoline sold or offered for sale contain 10% ethanol by volume. The measure recognized that, while the current ethanol mandate does not apply to fuel used in antique vehicles, there has been an inability to obtain unblended gasoline for engines that may be damaged by ethanol.

FEDERAL UPDATE

  

Health-Care Law:

The Obama administration announced that implementation of the health-care law’s employer mandate penalties will be delayed for one year. The law requires employers with 50 or more fulltime workers to offer health-care insurance or be subject to a $2,000 fine per employee.

The play-or-pay mandate will still take effect on January 1, 2014, but will not be enforced until 2015. The delay comes in part from a business community appeal that the law is complex, regulations are still being drafted, and companies need more time to understand and comply with the rules. The decision does not affect small employers with fewer than 50 workers, since they are not required to offer insurance under the law. For more information, visit here.

 

E15 Ethanol:

Witnesses representing oil, fuel and petrochemical, livestock, automotive, food, biofuel and environmental organizations testified before a U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on whether the Renewable Fuel Standard should be repealed or scaled back. The Renewable Fuel Standard mandates that an increasing amount of biofuels be blended into gasoline each year. It is the driving force behind the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to permit sales of 15% ethanol in gasoline (E15) in order to achieve the Renewable Fuel Standard mandates. Committee leaders have stated that full repeal of the Renewable Fuel Standard is unlikely, but reform is a viable option. SEMA supports reducing the Renewable Fuel Standard mandates and banning the sale of E15. Ethanol can cause metal corrosion and dissolve certain plastics and rubbers, especially in older cars. E15 can also burn hotter than E10 gasoline and cause damage to certain high-performance specialty parts.

Tue, 10/01/2013 - 07:46

SEMA News—October 2013

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS
By Steve McDonald

Law and Order

STATE UPDATE 

  

North Carolina Titles:

Legislation to provide for the prompt issuance of titles to owners of out-of-state motor vehicles that are 35 years old or older was signed into law by Governor Pat McCrory. Under the SEMA-supported new law, if a required inspection and verification is not conducted by the Division of Motor Vehicles within 15 days after it receives a request and the inspector has no probable cause to believe that the ownership documents or vehicle identification number do not match the vehicle being examined, the vehicle will be deemed to have satisfied all requirements and the title will be issued to the owner within 15 days. If an inspection and verification is performed in a timely manner and the vehicle passes, title will issue to the owner within 15 days of the date of the inspection. The new law, which became effective on July 23, provides vehicle owners with a fair, reasonable and reliable time period in which they can have these older cars inspected and receive title from the DMV.

 North Carolina Headlamps:

SEMA-opposed legislation that would have imposed a $100 fine on any person who equipped a car with headlamps that “change the original design” died when the North Carolina legislature adjourned for the year. SEMA-opposed legislation that would have imposed a $100 fine on any person who equipped a car with headlamps that “change the original design” died when the North Carolina legislature adjourned for the year.

The bill directly conflicted with the federal National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, which makes clear that the standards adopted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for required motor vehicle equipment (including headlamps) are to be performance standards, not design standards.

   

Ohio Headlamps:

SEMA is challenging recently introduced Ohio legislation to require headlamps to display a “white light” without further requiring that they comply with NHTSA standards regarding lighting equipment.

Under the NHTSA standard, it is possible to design a headlamp that emits a light that is perceived as having a blue tint but which nevertheless remains within the boundaries that define “white.”

 

A federal appeals court dismissed on technicalities a lawsuit that challenged the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to permit the sale of 15% ethanol (E15) content in gasoline for ’01 and newer model-year cars and light trucks. Oregon Ethanol:

Legislation to repeal the requirement that retail dealers, nonretail dealers or wholesale dealers sell only gasoline blended with a specified percentage of ethanol died when the Oregon legislature adjourned for the year. The bill did not receive committee consideration. Oregon requires that gasoline sold or offered for sale contain 10% ethanol by volume. The measure recognized that, while the current ethanol mandate does not apply to fuel used in antique vehicles, there has been an inability to obtain unblended gasoline for engines that may be damaged by ethanol.

FEDERAL UPDATE

  

Health-Care Law:

The Obama administration announced that implementation of the health-care law’s employer mandate penalties will be delayed for one year. The law requires employers with 50 or more fulltime workers to offer health-care insurance or be subject to a $2,000 fine per employee.

The play-or-pay mandate will still take effect on January 1, 2014, but will not be enforced until 2015. The delay comes in part from a business community appeal that the law is complex, regulations are still being drafted, and companies need more time to understand and comply with the rules. The decision does not affect small employers with fewer than 50 workers, since they are not required to offer insurance under the law. For more information, visit here.

 

E15 Ethanol:

Witnesses representing oil, fuel and petrochemical, livestock, automotive, food, biofuel and environmental organizations testified before a U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on whether the Renewable Fuel Standard should be repealed or scaled back. The Renewable Fuel Standard mandates that an increasing amount of biofuels be blended into gasoline each year. It is the driving force behind the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to permit sales of 15% ethanol in gasoline (E15) in order to achieve the Renewable Fuel Standard mandates. Committee leaders have stated that full repeal of the Renewable Fuel Standard is unlikely, but reform is a viable option. SEMA supports reducing the Renewable Fuel Standard mandates and banning the sale of E15. Ethanol can cause metal corrosion and dissolve certain plastics and rubbers, especially in older cars. E15 can also burn hotter than E10 gasoline and cause damage to certain high-performance specialty parts.

Tue, 10/01/2013 - 07:46

SEMA News—October 2013

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS
By Steve McDonald

Law and Order

STATE UPDATE 

  

North Carolina Titles:

Legislation to provide for the prompt issuance of titles to owners of out-of-state motor vehicles that are 35 years old or older was signed into law by Governor Pat McCrory. Under the SEMA-supported new law, if a required inspection and verification is not conducted by the Division of Motor Vehicles within 15 days after it receives a request and the inspector has no probable cause to believe that the ownership documents or vehicle identification number do not match the vehicle being examined, the vehicle will be deemed to have satisfied all requirements and the title will be issued to the owner within 15 days. If an inspection and verification is performed in a timely manner and the vehicle passes, title will issue to the owner within 15 days of the date of the inspection. The new law, which became effective on July 23, provides vehicle owners with a fair, reasonable and reliable time period in which they can have these older cars inspected and receive title from the DMV.

 North Carolina Headlamps:

SEMA-opposed legislation that would have imposed a $100 fine on any person who equipped a car with headlamps that “change the original design” died when the North Carolina legislature adjourned for the year. SEMA-opposed legislation that would have imposed a $100 fine on any person who equipped a car with headlamps that “change the original design” died when the North Carolina legislature adjourned for the year.

The bill directly conflicted with the federal National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, which makes clear that the standards adopted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for required motor vehicle equipment (including headlamps) are to be performance standards, not design standards.

   

Ohio Headlamps:

SEMA is challenging recently introduced Ohio legislation to require headlamps to display a “white light” without further requiring that they comply with NHTSA standards regarding lighting equipment.

Under the NHTSA standard, it is possible to design a headlamp that emits a light that is perceived as having a blue tint but which nevertheless remains within the boundaries that define “white.”

 

A federal appeals court dismissed on technicalities a lawsuit that challenged the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to permit the sale of 15% ethanol (E15) content in gasoline for ’01 and newer model-year cars and light trucks. Oregon Ethanol:

Legislation to repeal the requirement that retail dealers, nonretail dealers or wholesale dealers sell only gasoline blended with a specified percentage of ethanol died when the Oregon legislature adjourned for the year. The bill did not receive committee consideration. Oregon requires that gasoline sold or offered for sale contain 10% ethanol by volume. The measure recognized that, while the current ethanol mandate does not apply to fuel used in antique vehicles, there has been an inability to obtain unblended gasoline for engines that may be damaged by ethanol.

FEDERAL UPDATE

  

Health-Care Law:

The Obama administration announced that implementation of the health-care law’s employer mandate penalties will be delayed for one year. The law requires employers with 50 or more fulltime workers to offer health-care insurance or be subject to a $2,000 fine per employee.

The play-or-pay mandate will still take effect on January 1, 2014, but will not be enforced until 2015. The delay comes in part from a business community appeal that the law is complex, regulations are still being drafted, and companies need more time to understand and comply with the rules. The decision does not affect small employers with fewer than 50 workers, since they are not required to offer insurance under the law. For more information, visit here.

 

E15 Ethanol:

Witnesses representing oil, fuel and petrochemical, livestock, automotive, food, biofuel and environmental organizations testified before a U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on whether the Renewable Fuel Standard should be repealed or scaled back. The Renewable Fuel Standard mandates that an increasing amount of biofuels be blended into gasoline each year. It is the driving force behind the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to permit sales of 15% ethanol in gasoline (E15) in order to achieve the Renewable Fuel Standard mandates. Committee leaders have stated that full repeal of the Renewable Fuel Standard is unlikely, but reform is a viable option. SEMA supports reducing the Renewable Fuel Standard mandates and banning the sale of E15. Ethanol can cause metal corrosion and dissolve certain plastics and rubbers, especially in older cars. E15 can also burn hotter than E10 gasoline and cause damage to certain high-performance specialty parts.

Tue, 10/01/2013 - 07:46

SEMA News—October 2013

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS
By Steve McDonald

Law and Order

STATE UPDATE 

  

North Carolina Titles:

Legislation to provide for the prompt issuance of titles to owners of out-of-state motor vehicles that are 35 years old or older was signed into law by Governor Pat McCrory. Under the SEMA-supported new law, if a required inspection and verification is not conducted by the Division of Motor Vehicles within 15 days after it receives a request and the inspector has no probable cause to believe that the ownership documents or vehicle identification number do not match the vehicle being examined, the vehicle will be deemed to have satisfied all requirements and the title will be issued to the owner within 15 days. If an inspection and verification is performed in a timely manner and the vehicle passes, title will issue to the owner within 15 days of the date of the inspection. The new law, which became effective on July 23, provides vehicle owners with a fair, reasonable and reliable time period in which they can have these older cars inspected and receive title from the DMV.

 North Carolina Headlamps:

SEMA-opposed legislation that would have imposed a $100 fine on any person who equipped a car with headlamps that “change the original design” died when the North Carolina legislature adjourned for the year. SEMA-opposed legislation that would have imposed a $100 fine on any person who equipped a car with headlamps that “change the original design” died when the North Carolina legislature adjourned for the year.

The bill directly conflicted with the federal National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, which makes clear that the standards adopted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for required motor vehicle equipment (including headlamps) are to be performance standards, not design standards.

   

Ohio Headlamps:

SEMA is challenging recently introduced Ohio legislation to require headlamps to display a “white light” without further requiring that they comply with NHTSA standards regarding lighting equipment.

Under the NHTSA standard, it is possible to design a headlamp that emits a light that is perceived as having a blue tint but which nevertheless remains within the boundaries that define “white.”

 

A federal appeals court dismissed on technicalities a lawsuit that challenged the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to permit the sale of 15% ethanol (E15) content in gasoline for ’01 and newer model-year cars and light trucks. Oregon Ethanol:

Legislation to repeal the requirement that retail dealers, nonretail dealers or wholesale dealers sell only gasoline blended with a specified percentage of ethanol died when the Oregon legislature adjourned for the year. The bill did not receive committee consideration. Oregon requires that gasoline sold or offered for sale contain 10% ethanol by volume. The measure recognized that, while the current ethanol mandate does not apply to fuel used in antique vehicles, there has been an inability to obtain unblended gasoline for engines that may be damaged by ethanol.

FEDERAL UPDATE

  

Health-Care Law:

The Obama administration announced that implementation of the health-care law’s employer mandate penalties will be delayed for one year. The law requires employers with 50 or more fulltime workers to offer health-care insurance or be subject to a $2,000 fine per employee.

The play-or-pay mandate will still take effect on January 1, 2014, but will not be enforced until 2015. The delay comes in part from a business community appeal that the law is complex, regulations are still being drafted, and companies need more time to understand and comply with the rules. The decision does not affect small employers with fewer than 50 workers, since they are not required to offer insurance under the law. For more information, visit here.

 

E15 Ethanol:

Witnesses representing oil, fuel and petrochemical, livestock, automotive, food, biofuel and environmental organizations testified before a U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on whether the Renewable Fuel Standard should be repealed or scaled back. The Renewable Fuel Standard mandates that an increasing amount of biofuels be blended into gasoline each year. It is the driving force behind the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to permit sales of 15% ethanol in gasoline (E15) in order to achieve the Renewable Fuel Standard mandates. Committee leaders have stated that full repeal of the Renewable Fuel Standard is unlikely, but reform is a viable option. SEMA supports reducing the Renewable Fuel Standard mandates and banning the sale of E15. Ethanol can cause metal corrosion and dissolve certain plastics and rubbers, especially in older cars. E15 can also burn hotter than E10 gasoline and cause damage to certain high-performance specialty parts.

Tue, 10/01/2013 - 07:46

SEMA News—October 2013

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS
By Steve McDonald

Law and Order

STATE UPDATE 

  

North Carolina Titles:

Legislation to provide for the prompt issuance of titles to owners of out-of-state motor vehicles that are 35 years old or older was signed into law by Governor Pat McCrory. Under the SEMA-supported new law, if a required inspection and verification is not conducted by the Division of Motor Vehicles within 15 days after it receives a request and the inspector has no probable cause to believe that the ownership documents or vehicle identification number do not match the vehicle being examined, the vehicle will be deemed to have satisfied all requirements and the title will be issued to the owner within 15 days. If an inspection and verification is performed in a timely manner and the vehicle passes, title will issue to the owner within 15 days of the date of the inspection. The new law, which became effective on July 23, provides vehicle owners with a fair, reasonable and reliable time period in which they can have these older cars inspected and receive title from the DMV.

 North Carolina Headlamps:

SEMA-opposed legislation that would have imposed a $100 fine on any person who equipped a car with headlamps that “change the original design” died when the North Carolina legislature adjourned for the year. SEMA-opposed legislation that would have imposed a $100 fine on any person who equipped a car with headlamps that “change the original design” died when the North Carolina legislature adjourned for the year.

The bill directly conflicted with the federal National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, which makes clear that the standards adopted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for required motor vehicle equipment (including headlamps) are to be performance standards, not design standards.

   

Ohio Headlamps:

SEMA is challenging recently introduced Ohio legislation to require headlamps to display a “white light” without further requiring that they comply with NHTSA standards regarding lighting equipment.

Under the NHTSA standard, it is possible to design a headlamp that emits a light that is perceived as having a blue tint but which nevertheless remains within the boundaries that define “white.”

 

A federal appeals court dismissed on technicalities a lawsuit that challenged the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to permit the sale of 15% ethanol (E15) content in gasoline for ’01 and newer model-year cars and light trucks. Oregon Ethanol:

Legislation to repeal the requirement that retail dealers, nonretail dealers or wholesale dealers sell only gasoline blended with a specified percentage of ethanol died when the Oregon legislature adjourned for the year. The bill did not receive committee consideration. Oregon requires that gasoline sold or offered for sale contain 10% ethanol by volume. The measure recognized that, while the current ethanol mandate does not apply to fuel used in antique vehicles, there has been an inability to obtain unblended gasoline for engines that may be damaged by ethanol.

FEDERAL UPDATE

  

Health-Care Law:

The Obama administration announced that implementation of the health-care law’s employer mandate penalties will be delayed for one year. The law requires employers with 50 or more fulltime workers to offer health-care insurance or be subject to a $2,000 fine per employee.

The play-or-pay mandate will still take effect on January 1, 2014, but will not be enforced until 2015. The delay comes in part from a business community appeal that the law is complex, regulations are still being drafted, and companies need more time to understand and comply with the rules. The decision does not affect small employers with fewer than 50 workers, since they are not required to offer insurance under the law. For more information, visit here.

 

E15 Ethanol:

Witnesses representing oil, fuel and petrochemical, livestock, automotive, food, biofuel and environmental organizations testified before a U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on whether the Renewable Fuel Standard should be repealed or scaled back. The Renewable Fuel Standard mandates that an increasing amount of biofuels be blended into gasoline each year. It is the driving force behind the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to permit sales of 15% ethanol in gasoline (E15) in order to achieve the Renewable Fuel Standard mandates. Committee leaders have stated that full repeal of the Renewable Fuel Standard is unlikely, but reform is a viable option. SEMA supports reducing the Renewable Fuel Standard mandates and banning the sale of E15. Ethanol can cause metal corrosion and dissolve certain plastics and rubbers, especially in older cars. E15 can also burn hotter than E10 gasoline and cause damage to certain high-performance specialty parts.

Tue, 10/01/2013 - 07:46

SEMA News—October 2013

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS
By Steve McDonald

Law and Order

STATE UPDATE 

  

North Carolina Titles:

Legislation to provide for the prompt issuance of titles to owners of out-of-state motor vehicles that are 35 years old or older was signed into law by Governor Pat McCrory. Under the SEMA-supported new law, if a required inspection and verification is not conducted by the Division of Motor Vehicles within 15 days after it receives a request and the inspector has no probable cause to believe that the ownership documents or vehicle identification number do not match the vehicle being examined, the vehicle will be deemed to have satisfied all requirements and the title will be issued to the owner within 15 days. If an inspection and verification is performed in a timely manner and the vehicle passes, title will issue to the owner within 15 days of the date of the inspection. The new law, which became effective on July 23, provides vehicle owners with a fair, reasonable and reliable time period in which they can have these older cars inspected and receive title from the DMV.

 North Carolina Headlamps:

SEMA-opposed legislation that would have imposed a $100 fine on any person who equipped a car with headlamps that “change the original design” died when the North Carolina legislature adjourned for the year. SEMA-opposed legislation that would have imposed a $100 fine on any person who equipped a car with headlamps that “change the original design” died when the North Carolina legislature adjourned for the year.

The bill directly conflicted with the federal National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, which makes clear that the standards adopted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for required motor vehicle equipment (including headlamps) are to be performance standards, not design standards.

   

Ohio Headlamps:

SEMA is challenging recently introduced Ohio legislation to require headlamps to display a “white light” without further requiring that they comply with NHTSA standards regarding lighting equipment.

Under the NHTSA standard, it is possible to design a headlamp that emits a light that is perceived as having a blue tint but which nevertheless remains within the boundaries that define “white.”

 

A federal appeals court dismissed on technicalities a lawsuit that challenged the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to permit the sale of 15% ethanol (E15) content in gasoline for ’01 and newer model-year cars and light trucks. Oregon Ethanol:

Legislation to repeal the requirement that retail dealers, nonretail dealers or wholesale dealers sell only gasoline blended with a specified percentage of ethanol died when the Oregon legislature adjourned for the year. The bill did not receive committee consideration. Oregon requires that gasoline sold or offered for sale contain 10% ethanol by volume. The measure recognized that, while the current ethanol mandate does not apply to fuel used in antique vehicles, there has been an inability to obtain unblended gasoline for engines that may be damaged by ethanol.

FEDERAL UPDATE

  

Health-Care Law:

The Obama administration announced that implementation of the health-care law’s employer mandate penalties will be delayed for one year. The law requires employers with 50 or more fulltime workers to offer health-care insurance or be subject to a $2,000 fine per employee.

The play-or-pay mandate will still take effect on January 1, 2014, but will not be enforced until 2015. The delay comes in part from a business community appeal that the law is complex, regulations are still being drafted, and companies need more time to understand and comply with the rules. The decision does not affect small employers with fewer than 50 workers, since they are not required to offer insurance under the law. For more information, visit here.

 

E15 Ethanol:

Witnesses representing oil, fuel and petrochemical, livestock, automotive, food, biofuel and environmental organizations testified before a U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on whether the Renewable Fuel Standard should be repealed or scaled back. The Renewable Fuel Standard mandates that an increasing amount of biofuels be blended into gasoline each year. It is the driving force behind the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to permit sales of 15% ethanol in gasoline (E15) in order to achieve the Renewable Fuel Standard mandates. Committee leaders have stated that full repeal of the Renewable Fuel Standard is unlikely, but reform is a viable option. SEMA supports reducing the Renewable Fuel Standard mandates and banning the sale of E15. Ethanol can cause metal corrosion and dissolve certain plastics and rubbers, especially in older cars. E15 can also burn hotter than E10 gasoline and cause damage to certain high-performance specialty parts.

Tue, 10/01/2013 - 07:46

SEMA News—October 2013

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS
By Steve McDonald

Law and Order

STATE UPDATE 

  

North Carolina Titles:

Legislation to provide for the prompt issuance of titles to owners of out-of-state motor vehicles that are 35 years old or older was signed into law by Governor Pat McCrory. Under the SEMA-supported new law, if a required inspection and verification is not conducted by the Division of Motor Vehicles within 15 days after it receives a request and the inspector has no probable cause to believe that the ownership documents or vehicle identification number do not match the vehicle being examined, the vehicle will be deemed to have satisfied all requirements and the title will be issued to the owner within 15 days. If an inspection and verification is performed in a timely manner and the vehicle passes, title will issue to the owner within 15 days of the date of the inspection. The new law, which became effective on July 23, provides vehicle owners with a fair, reasonable and reliable time period in which they can have these older cars inspected and receive title from the DMV.

 North Carolina Headlamps:

SEMA-opposed legislation that would have imposed a $100 fine on any person who equipped a car with headlamps that “change the original design” died when the North Carolina legislature adjourned for the year. SEMA-opposed legislation that would have imposed a $100 fine on any person who equipped a car with headlamps that “change the original design” died when the North Carolina legislature adjourned for the year.

The bill directly conflicted with the federal National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, which makes clear that the standards adopted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for required motor vehicle equipment (including headlamps) are to be performance standards, not design standards.

   

Ohio Headlamps:

SEMA is challenging recently introduced Ohio legislation to require headlamps to display a “white light” without further requiring that they comply with NHTSA standards regarding lighting equipment.

Under the NHTSA standard, it is possible to design a headlamp that emits a light that is perceived as having a blue tint but which nevertheless remains within the boundaries that define “white.”

 

A federal appeals court dismissed on technicalities a lawsuit that challenged the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to permit the sale of 15% ethanol (E15) content in gasoline for ’01 and newer model-year cars and light trucks. Oregon Ethanol:

Legislation to repeal the requirement that retail dealers, nonretail dealers or wholesale dealers sell only gasoline blended with a specified percentage of ethanol died when the Oregon legislature adjourned for the year. The bill did not receive committee consideration. Oregon requires that gasoline sold or offered for sale contain 10% ethanol by volume. The measure recognized that, while the current ethanol mandate does not apply to fuel used in antique vehicles, there has been an inability to obtain unblended gasoline for engines that may be damaged by ethanol.

FEDERAL UPDATE

  

Health-Care Law:

The Obama administration announced that implementation of the health-care law’s employer mandate penalties will be delayed for one year. The law requires employers with 50 or more fulltime workers to offer health-care insurance or be subject to a $2,000 fine per employee.

The play-or-pay mandate will still take effect on January 1, 2014, but will not be enforced until 2015. The delay comes in part from a business community appeal that the law is complex, regulations are still being drafted, and companies need more time to understand and comply with the rules. The decision does not affect small employers with fewer than 50 workers, since they are not required to offer insurance under the law. For more information, visit here.

 

E15 Ethanol:

Witnesses representing oil, fuel and petrochemical, livestock, automotive, food, biofuel and environmental organizations testified before a U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on whether the Renewable Fuel Standard should be repealed or scaled back. The Renewable Fuel Standard mandates that an increasing amount of biofuels be blended into gasoline each year. It is the driving force behind the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to permit sales of 15% ethanol in gasoline (E15) in order to achieve the Renewable Fuel Standard mandates. Committee leaders have stated that full repeal of the Renewable Fuel Standard is unlikely, but reform is a viable option. SEMA supports reducing the Renewable Fuel Standard mandates and banning the sale of E15. Ethanol can cause metal corrosion and dissolve certain plastics and rubbers, especially in older cars. E15 can also burn hotter than E10 gasoline and cause damage to certain high-performance specialty parts.

Thu, 09/26/2013 - 14:43

By Linda Spencer

china
Learn the latest trends, applications and perceptions of United States brands in the Chinese market.

Interested in the Russian, Middle Eastern or Chinese markets? SEMA will hold three sessions, Monday, November 4, featuring buyers and media from these key markets:

Middle East
Monday, November 4, 2013
11 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Learn how to cash in on this lucrative region. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and surrounding countries provide some of the best opportunities for United States specialty-parts manufacturers, as off-roading, classic car collecting and motorsports are all growing in popularity. Attendees will also learn about the details of the second SEMA one-on-one matchmaking program being held in the UAE in March 2014.

Russia
Monday, November 4, 2013
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

  • Russia ranks sixth in the world in terms of annual passenger-vehicle sales. The country’s auto market has rebounded from the 2008–2009 recession with new-vehicle sales for 2012 up 11% from the previous year, which makes Russia the second-largest European vehicle market. With 2.9 million passenger vehicles sold last year, the country is quickly gaining on Germany—the top market in Europe—and many experts estimate that the positions will flip between these two countries in the next few years.
  • There are now 38.7 million passenger vehicles on Russian roads. But with 140 million people, a large, unmet demand still exists for those who have not yet had the opportunity to purchase a vehicle.
  • SUVs represent the largest and fastest-growing automotive sector in Russia, making up 31% of all passenger sales in 2012. Nearly one-third of all passenger-vehicle sales were SUVs—more than double the rate of SUV sales throughout the rest of Europe.
  • Russia has the highest gross domestic product per capita among the members of BRICS. “[By] 2020, Russia should be one of the biggest consumer markets on a global basis,” said Russian Machines Chairman Siegfried Wolf in a Just-Auto.com interview. The company also owns the GAZ Group automotive division. Per capita, Wolf said, Russia has doubled the income of the Chinese—$20,000 compared to $11,000—and India is at about $6,000.

China
Monday, November 4, 2013
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Chinese distributors and SEMA members already successful in the region provide insider tips. Learn the latest trends, applications and perceptions of United States brands in the Chinese market. This will be a great opportunity to meet with press and distributors of specialty products in this market of 1.3 billion people in this informal, practical session to assist you in deciding if this market is a good fit for your products.

For the latest educationschedule visit www.SEMAShow.com/education.

Thu, 09/26/2013 - 14:43

By Linda Spencer

china
Learn the latest trends, applications and perceptions of United States brands in the Chinese market.

Interested in the Russian, Middle Eastern or Chinese markets? SEMA will hold three sessions, Monday, November 4, featuring buyers and media from these key markets:

Middle East
Monday, November 4, 2013
11 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Learn how to cash in on this lucrative region. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and surrounding countries provide some of the best opportunities for United States specialty-parts manufacturers, as off-roading, classic car collecting and motorsports are all growing in popularity. Attendees will also learn about the details of the second SEMA one-on-one matchmaking program being held in the UAE in March 2014.

Russia
Monday, November 4, 2013
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

  • Russia ranks sixth in the world in terms of annual passenger-vehicle sales. The country’s auto market has rebounded from the 2008–2009 recession with new-vehicle sales for 2012 up 11% from the previous year, which makes Russia the second-largest European vehicle market. With 2.9 million passenger vehicles sold last year, the country is quickly gaining on Germany—the top market in Europe—and many experts estimate that the positions will flip between these two countries in the next few years.
  • There are now 38.7 million passenger vehicles on Russian roads. But with 140 million people, a large, unmet demand still exists for those who have not yet had the opportunity to purchase a vehicle.
  • SUVs represent the largest and fastest-growing automotive sector in Russia, making up 31% of all passenger sales in 2012. Nearly one-third of all passenger-vehicle sales were SUVs—more than double the rate of SUV sales throughout the rest of Europe.
  • Russia has the highest gross domestic product per capita among the members of BRICS. “[By] 2020, Russia should be one of the biggest consumer markets on a global basis,” said Russian Machines Chairman Siegfried Wolf in a Just-Auto.com interview. The company also owns the GAZ Group automotive division. Per capita, Wolf said, Russia has doubled the income of the Chinese—$20,000 compared to $11,000—and India is at about $6,000.

China
Monday, November 4, 2013
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Chinese distributors and SEMA members already successful in the region provide insider tips. Learn the latest trends, applications and perceptions of United States brands in the Chinese market. This will be a great opportunity to meet with press and distributors of specialty products in this market of 1.3 billion people in this informal, practical session to assist you in deciding if this market is a good fit for your products.

For the latest educationschedule visit www.SEMAShow.com/education.