Compiled by SEMA Editors

At Truck Hero’s first-ever SEMA Show media conference, two-time Purple Heart recipient Army Sergeant Curtis Crawford learned that he and his family would receive a mortgage-free home in Springfield, Missouri.

Truck Hero and Building Homes for Heroes Announce Latest Family to Receive Mortgage-Free Home

Last month at Truck Hero’s first-ever SEMA Show media conference, two-time Purple Heart recipient Army Sergeant Curtis Crawford officially joined the Building Homes for Heroes (BHH) family, and learned that he and his family would receive a mortgage-free home in Springfield, Missouri. The event took place in the Truck Hero booth, with a custom-wrapped ’19 Ford F-150 Building Homes for Heroes (BHH)-themed build as the backdrop. Sergeant Crawford joined the Army directly after high school in 1987 because “he wanted to be a part of something bigger than himself and serve his country.” Crawford re-enlisted following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks because “he knew it was his duty to put back on the uniform and fight for his country’s freedom.” During a mission, Sergeant Crawford suffered injuries when a sniper’s bullet ricocheted off his helmet into the windshield of his vehicle sending glass and shrapnel into his eyes and face. This is the first time Crawford would earn the Purple Heart. Less than two months later, Sergeant Crawford was shot in the chest by enemy insurgents and would spend the next days, weeks and months fighting for his life and rehabilitating. For his service to his country, Sergeant Crawford received a second Purple Heart, and is a highly decorated veteran receiving the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal and more. To date, BHH has gifted 178 mortgage-free homes, with a goal of gifting 200 by the end of 2019 and 500 by 2025.  

Yakima Announces Acquisition of Road Shower

Yakima has announced that it has completed an asset acquisition of Road Shower, an on-vehicle outdoor recreation water transport system. Through the acquisition, Yakima will take ownership of Road Shower’s intellectual property and existing inventory as it works to transition production to its own facilities. Following on the heels of the launch or expansion of several key categories for Yakima—including Truck, Basecamp, and Sportsman—Road Shower offers utility and versatility to adventure campers, anglers, surfers, bikers, kayakers, and anyone who wants to keep their gear, their vehicles, and themselves clean while out in the wild. Road Shower will be available for purchase at www.yakima.com beginning December 12.

Sonny Leonard and the team from Sonny’s World ClassRacing in Lynchburg, Virginia, is building another high-performance engine for the Sunnen Engine Charity Sweepstakes at the 2019 PRI Trade Show.

Sonny Leonard to Build 2019 Sunnen Engine Charity Sweepstakes Prize

Sonny Leonard and the team from Sonny’s World ClassRacing in Lynchburg, Virginia, is building another high-performance engine for the Sunnen Engine Charity Sweepstakes at the 2019 PRI Trade Show, following last year’s record-setting success. According to Leonard, this year’s 762-cid, 1,400 hp engine is even bigger than last year’s custom-built 727-cid engine. This is the 31st year of the Sunnen Engine Charity Sweepstakes, and all proceeds go to the Victory Junction—a camp for children living with serious medical conditions founded by NASCAR’s Petty family. Last year’s sweepstakes raised more than $102,000, crushing the previous record of $59,000. The winning ticket will be drawn December 14, near the close of the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis. The winner does not have to be present. Purchase tickets for the Sunnen Engine Charity Sweepstakes.

Saleen Experience Center Opens in Shanghai

The Saleen Experience Center—a retail and lifestyle space in Shanghai presented by supercar manufacturer Saleen—has officially opened its doors in China. Introduced with a champagne celebration, Saturday, November 30, attended by Saleen Automotive founder and CEO Steve Saleen, the new Saleen Experience Center provides an immersive experience into Saleen’s world of racing and supercars. For the first time in China, customers will now be able to see, experience and buy Saleen products. The Saleen Experience Center occupies the entire 10,000-sq.-ft. ground floor of the “House of Roosevelt.” The Saleen Experience Center marks the latest in Saleen’s global business expansion through a partnership to produce and distribute vehicles in China with Jiangsu Saleen Automotive Technology, Co. (JSAT), led by chairman and CEO Charles Wang. The new retail space in Shanghai demonstrates the enthusiasm for Saleen vehicles in China, which has ranked among the world’s top automotive markets for the past decade. The Saleen Experience Center features a large showroom displaying Saleen original vehicles. The retail facility also offers Saleen-branded apparel and highlights of Saleen’s racing career. Saleen owners can also gain exclusive access to a private club at the back of the store facility, featuring a wine bar, slot car track and other amenities.

Lorraine Stevenson of Stevensons Tire & Service Center LLC was recently awarded a ’19 Ford Mustang GT, sponsored by Standard Motor Products, through an Auto Plus Auto Parts performance promotion scratch-and-win contest

Auto Plus Announces Grand-Prize Winners of Auto Plus Performance Promotion

Lorraine Stevenson of Stevensons Tire & Service Center LLC was recently awarded a ’19 Ford Mustang GT, sponsored by Standard Motor Products, through an Auto Plus Auto Parts performance promotion scratch-and-win contest that ran from earlier this year. The promotion also offered opportunities to win a Disney family vacation for four, a NASCAR VIP trip for two and multiple $2,500 gift cards. Customers were tendered instant scratch-and-win prizes throughout the promotional period for qualifying purchases at their local Auto Plus location.

Grand prizes were awarded to:

• Jacob Cirbus of Quaker Basin Auto Repair, Deruyter, New York: Disney/Orlando family vacation for four, sponsored by BBB Industries
• Shawn Chance of East Side Auto Service, Frederick, Maryland: $2,500 gift card, sponsored by DRiV Motorparts
• Zachary Ewing of Hilldale Auto Service, Haverhill, Massachusetts: $2,500 gift card, sponsored by DRiV Motorparts
• Albert Brown of AMJ Automotive Service Inc., Stevensville, Maryland: NASCAR VIP race weekend for two, sponsored by Gate

Additionally, more than 80,000 instant scratch-and-win prizes were awarded at local Auto Plus stores across the nation during the contest period. Instant win prizes included cell phone chargers, Auto Plus hats, Auto Plus flashlights, Auto Plus coupons, and more.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

President Trump reimposed 25% tariffs on steel and 10% tariffs on aluminum imported into the United States from Argentina and Brazil on December 2. Both countries were previously exempt from the global steel tariffs that began March 23, 2018, and Argentina was exempt from the aluminum tariffs, based on trade quotas. However, President Trump maintains the nations are unfairly devaluing their currencies making U.S. exports to those countries more expensive.  

The tariffs apply to processed raw materials (steel/aluminum plate, sheets, bars, etc.) but not finished products (e.g., wheels, exhausts, etc.). Australia and South Korea have been exempted from the steel tariffs based on trade quotas, and Mexico and Canada were exempted in May 2019 from both metal tariffs as part of the new U.S./Mexico/Canada trade pact. The tariffs have been justified under a national security provision (Section 232) in U.S. trade law. They are currently being challenged in a federal court since application of the tariffs penalize some countries not being accused of dumping or subsidizing the metals.

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

President Trump reimposed 25% tariffs on steel and 10% tariffs on aluminum imported into the United States from Argentina and Brazil on December 2. Both countries were previously exempt from the global steel tariffs that began March 23, 2018, and Argentina was exempt from the aluminum tariffs, based on trade quotas. However, President Trump maintains the nations are unfairly devaluing their currencies making U.S. exports to those countries more expensive.  

The tariffs apply to processed raw materials (steel/aluminum plate, sheets, bars, etc.) but not finished products (e.g., wheels, exhausts, etc.). Australia and South Korea have been exempted from the steel tariffs based on trade quotas, and Mexico and Canada were exempted in May 2019 from both metal tariffs as part of the new U.S./Mexico/Canada trade pact. The tariffs have been justified under a national security provision (Section 232) in U.S. trade law. They are currently being challenged in a federal court since application of the tariffs penalize some countries not being accused of dumping or subsidizing the metals.

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

President Trump reimposed 25% tariffs on steel and 10% tariffs on aluminum imported into the United States from Argentina and Brazil on December 2. Both countries were previously exempt from the global steel tariffs that began March 23, 2018, and Argentina was exempt from the aluminum tariffs, based on trade quotas. However, President Trump maintains the nations are unfairly devaluing their currencies making U.S. exports to those countries more expensive.  

The tariffs apply to processed raw materials (steel/aluminum plate, sheets, bars, etc.) but not finished products (e.g., wheels, exhausts, etc.). Australia and South Korea have been exempted from the steel tariffs based on trade quotas, and Mexico and Canada were exempted in May 2019 from both metal tariffs as part of the new U.S./Mexico/Canada trade pact. The tariffs have been justified under a national security provision (Section 232) in U.S. trade law. They are currently being challenged in a federal court since application of the tariffs penalize some countries not being accused of dumping or subsidizing the metals.

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA has published two brochures on the regulation of emissions-related specialty auto parts under our nation’s clean air laws. The first describes how the laws are primarily enforced by two government agencies: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The second provides guidance on how to comply with the laws.  

Download the brochures.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA has published two brochures on the regulation of emissions-related specialty auto parts under our nation’s clean air laws. The first describes how the laws are primarily enforced by two government agencies: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The second provides guidance on how to comply with the laws.  

Download the brochures.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA has published two brochures on the regulation of emissions-related specialty auto parts under our nation’s clean air laws. The first describes how the laws are primarily enforced by two government agencies: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The second provides guidance on how to comply with the laws.  

Download the brochures.

The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:

This year, the SEMA Board of Directors has an opening in the Distributors/Retailers category.

As a member of the association, your recommendation is needed for industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors.

The following seat is open for this year’s election:

• Distributors/Retailers (1 open seat)

Please take a moment and tell us whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position by completing and submitting a nomination form. To help the vetting process, include a brief information about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements that would make that nominee an outstanding board candidate.

Nominations for the SEMA Board of Directors are due Friday, January 3, 2020. Please complete and submit the nomination form.

A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well.  We urge you to take part in the nominations process—our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the Board, but we need you to help bring them to the attention of the Nominating Committee.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE

SEMA President & CEO

The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:

This year, the SEMA Board of Directors has an opening in the Distributors/Retailers category.

As a member of the association, your recommendation is needed for industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors.

The following seat is open for this year’s election:

• Distributors/Retailers (1 open seat)

Please take a moment and tell us whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position by completing and submitting a nomination form. To help the vetting process, include a brief information about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements that would make that nominee an outstanding board candidate.

Nominations for the SEMA Board of Directors are due Friday, January 3, 2020. Please complete and submit the nomination form.

A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well.  We urge you to take part in the nominations process—our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the Board, but we need you to help bring them to the attention of the Nominating Committee.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE

SEMA President & CEO

By SEMA Editors

Latest Jobs Added to SEMA Career Center

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest jobs posted to the website.

Demand Planner
FOX Factory Inc. is hiring a demand planner responsible for all forecasting activities associated with customers and products; creating and maintaining forecasts incorporating information gathered from sales, marketing, finance, service and other business intelligence; and support the sales team in their efforts to better their customer forecasts. Two to three years of experience in the bike industry and a B.A. or B.S. college degree are required. APICS or other forecasting certification is preferred.   

Mechanical Engineer
MAHLE Motorsport is hiring a mechanical engineer to take full responsibility for all aspects of application and/or sales duties for the assigned customer accounts and motorsports product lines. Responsibilities include interfacing with customers, teams and individuals on various subjects in coordination with the company’s tech centers in Detroit and Germany, and with various MAHLE production facilities. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited four-year college or university and two to four years’ related experience and/or training or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Administrative Assistant
Anaheim Rod & Custom is seeking an administrative assistant responsible for maintaining office services by organizing office operations and procedures, including keeping all shop permits and licenses current, bookkeeping, accounts payable and receivable and preparing payroll. This position will also work alongside the shop owners and marketing manager on events, car show attendance and organization, blog entries, flier creation and other marketing/shop promotional tasks. Experience in, a passion for or basic knowledge of automotive restoration is a plus.