By the SEMA D.C. office

The Automotive Service Association, the Society of Collision Repair Specialists, and Alliance for Automotive Innovation signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the right to repair that updates a 2014 national MOU between automakers and the independent repair industry. The agreement now includes telematics data needed to diagnose and repair vehicles and covers all vehicle technologies and powertrains.

While the MOU is a step in the right direction, it is non-binding and provides access only to telematics and data that is available through the OBDII port. Automakers would provide access through OEM-controlled systems and tools per the agreement. The MOU does not provide vehicle owners and the aftermarket with direct access to telematic and repair data. Simply put, the MOU does not provide the full protections needed to maintain a competitive repair and modification market in the future. Accordingly, SEMA and our coalition partners continue to advocate for Congress to pass the REPAIR Act. Bipartisan support for the REPAIR Act continues to grow, as lawmakers understand the importance of protecting the right to repair in federal law through an enforceable statute. 

The REPAIR Act is important to repair and replacement businesses, although SEMA still has more work to do to ensure that the legislation extends to protect the right to modify. SEMA is committed to protecting the right to modify vehicles by prohibiting automakers from locking down ECUs and ensuring aftermarket companies have access to the information needed to recalibrate vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) after they have been modified.

The REPAIR Act is the only bill that addresses vehicle maintenance and repair restrictions. Specifically, the REPAIR Act will:  

• Preserve consumer access to high-quality, affordable vehicle repair by ensuring that vehicle owners and their repairers of choice have access to necessary repair and maintenance tools and data as vehicles continue to become more advanced. 
• Ensure cybersecurity by allowing vehicle manufacturers to secure vehicle-generated data and requiring the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to develop standards for how vehicle-generated data necessary for repair can be accessed securely.  
• Provide transparency for consumers by requiring vehicle owners to be informed that they can choose where and how to get their vehicle repaired. 
• Create a stakeholder advisory committee and provide them with the statutory authority to provide recommendations to the FTC on how to address emerging barriers to vehicle repair and maintenance.  
• Provide ongoing enforcement by establishing a process for consumers and independent repair facilities to file complaints with the FTC regarding alleged violations of the requirements in the bill and a requirement that the FTC act within five months of a claim. 

Click here to send a letter to your U.S. Representative that asks them to support the REPAIR Act by cosponsoring the bill. For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By the SEMA D.C. office

The Automotive Service Association, the Society of Collision Repair Specialists, and Alliance for Automotive Innovation signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the right to repair that updates a 2014 national MOU between automakers and the independent repair industry. The agreement now includes telematics data needed to diagnose and repair vehicles and covers all vehicle technologies and powertrains.

While the MOU is a step in the right direction, it is non-binding and provides access only to telematics and data that is available through the OBDII port. Automakers would provide access through OEM-controlled systems and tools per the agreement. The MOU does not provide vehicle owners and the aftermarket with direct access to telematic and repair data. Simply put, the MOU does not provide the full protections needed to maintain a competitive repair and modification market in the future. Accordingly, SEMA and our coalition partners continue to advocate for Congress to pass the REPAIR Act. Bipartisan support for the REPAIR Act continues to grow, as lawmakers understand the importance of protecting the right to repair in federal law through an enforceable statute. 

The REPAIR Act is important to repair and replacement businesses, although SEMA still has more work to do to ensure that the legislation extends to protect the right to modify. SEMA is committed to protecting the right to modify vehicles by prohibiting automakers from locking down ECUs and ensuring aftermarket companies have access to the information needed to recalibrate vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) after they have been modified.

The REPAIR Act is the only bill that addresses vehicle maintenance and repair restrictions. Specifically, the REPAIR Act will:  

• Preserve consumer access to high-quality, affordable vehicle repair by ensuring that vehicle owners and their repairers of choice have access to necessary repair and maintenance tools and data as vehicles continue to become more advanced. 
• Ensure cybersecurity by allowing vehicle manufacturers to secure vehicle-generated data and requiring the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to develop standards for how vehicle-generated data necessary for repair can be accessed securely.  
• Provide transparency for consumers by requiring vehicle owners to be informed that they can choose where and how to get their vehicle repaired. 
• Create a stakeholder advisory committee and provide them with the statutory authority to provide recommendations to the FTC on how to address emerging barriers to vehicle repair and maintenance.  
• Provide ongoing enforcement by establishing a process for consumers and independent repair facilities to file complaints with the FTC regarding alleged violations of the requirements in the bill and a requirement that the FTC act within five months of a claim. 

Click here to send a letter to your U.S. Representative that asks them to support the REPAIR Act by cosponsoring the bill. For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA has a strong reputation for driving and supporting change within the automotive industry. Our collective passion and ability to advance the industry will best be realized through diverse communities that embrace and champion diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

The SEMA Board recently directed the formation of a new Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Steering Committee to prepare a DEI plan for the Association and how SEMA connects with the industry.

SEMA Vice President of People and Culture Jaelyn Young will chair the committee, which will be comprised of representation from SEMA's membership, the Board of Directors and SEMA staff and include a professional DEI consultant and advisor.

To ensure our efforts are far-reaching, we are asking if there are interested SEMA members with a passion and expertise for diversity, equity and inclusion that would like to apply to be considered for the committee. We are anticipating significant interest, and the committee chair will be vetting all interested members before making final recommendations to the SEMA Board.

Please email Staci Bostock at stacib@sema.org if you are interested in being involved or have any questions.

By Laura Pitts

The 2023 SEMA Show in Las Vegas is gearing up to be one of the best events to date, thanks in part to a new, fully customizable education program. Attendees can take advantage of the robust SEMA Show Education schedule to create a best-in-class professional development experience during the SEMA Show (October 30-November 3) and throughout the year.

Highlighting the lineup of world-class seminars is the SEMA Women in Automotive Symposium, designed to provide a resource for women to network, mentor and participate in professional development programs geared toward helping them accelerate and advance in their careers and business. This inaugural event--taking place in Room N258 on Wednesday, November 1, from 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.--will help women address common challenges faced by women in the industry, find solutions, gain new tools, and learn essential skills to drive business and career advancement.

(From left to right) Julia Landauer, Amanda Busick and Carolyn Jackson.

Executives, general managers, middle managers, department heads, emerging leaders, diversity managers and related automotive professionals will benefit from several sessions, beginning with an inspiring opening keynote called "Drive: How to Gain and Maintain a Competitive Advantage" led by two-time racing champion and entrepreneur Julia Landauer, who has 21 years of competition under her belt, most recently starting the No. 44 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Away from the track, Landauer is a sought-after motivational speaker, having participated in TEDx Talk and as a contestant on Season 26 of CBS' reality TV show "Survivor." She has purposefully built her brand to be where technology, community and racing intersect while advocating for STEM education and women's empowerment as a motivational speaker. Landauer will encourage the audience to take ownership of every aspect of their lives and cover topics such as authenticity, leadership, teamwork, fear management and embracing discomfort.

Following will be a power networking luncheon and fireside chat called "Communication Secrets, Secrets of Success and Maintaining a Success Mindset." This session will be led by FOX Sports Reporter Amanda Busick and feature Carolyn Jackson, vice president, brand strategy, Barrett-Jackson. This interactive session will see Busick interview Jackson for career insights and thoughts on the tenacity and determination of a committed and dynamic team, a leadership state of mind, empowerment and challenges, plus the achievements of her career as a top female executive in the automotive industry. Audience members will also have an exclusive (and invaluable) opportunity to ask questions, so come prepared!

(From left to right) Melanie White, Jacki Lutz, Deanna Singh and Shaundra Dineen.

Rapid-fire-style workshops are next on the schedule, with four 15-minute sessions designed to help attendees engage, discover and connect with subject-matter experts and thought leaders on small-business strategies and industry topics, including:

• "Becoming A Woman-Owned Certified-Enterprise," led by Melanie White, CEO and owner of Hellwig Products.
• "Self-Branding: The ACTION Behind Building Your Personal Brand," led by Jacki Lutz, senior manager marketing communications, corporate at Sensata Technologies.
• "The Power of Mentorship, Sponsorship and Allyship as a Strategy for Success," led by Deanna Singh, managing partner at Uplifting Impact.
• "Make the Jump! Four Steps to Becoming the Authority in Your Industry," led by Shaundra Dineen, award-winning motivational speaker and podcaster.

The program concludes with a moderated conversation with industry executives in a session designed to teach how action leaders are working toward gender equity and insights into the most significant challenges (and opportunities!) facing the industry today. 

"The further you advance in your career, the more important it becomes to hear directly from senior executives about the critical issues on their radar--and how you can also prepare to address such challenges as you progress through the ranks. We're looking forward to providing this opportunity, and so much more, to the women in the industry as part of this inaugural SEMA Education program," said Pamela Brown-Matthis, SEMA director of education.

The "Driving the Future of Automotive: C-Suite Insights" panel, co-hosted by SEMA Businesswomen's Network, will be led by industry executives explaining what they are doing personally to support women leaders through mentoring, sponsorship and modeling effective allyship, followed by a Q&A session. Moderated by Cheryl Thompson, the president and founder of Center for Automotive Diversity, Inclusion & Advancement (CADIA), the one-hour session also features panelists Kim Less, vice president, aftermarket at Nissan North America; Subi Ghosh, executive vice president, Strategic Partnerships & Marketing at Stream Companies and partnerships chair at Women of Color Auto Network; Jayme Blasiman, founder of Femanic Garage and founder and co-owner of Women's Motor Fest; Matilda Johnson, chief experience officer at City Classic Cars; and Axel Cooley, president of Metallon.  

The SEMA Women in Automotive Symposium is free for all 2023 SEMA Show attendees. Online registration for the SEMA Women in Automotive Symposium is available here. Registration for individual sessions is also available at the links below. 

2023 SEMA Show Women in Automotive Symposium Schedule

Wednesday, November 1

Room N258

• 11:00 a.m.-11:45 a.m PDT/Opening Keynote "Drive: How to Gain and Maintain a Competitive Advantage," featuring two-time race champion and entrepreneur Julia Landauer.
• 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. PDT/Power Networking Luncheon and Fireside Chat hosted by FOX Sports Reporter Amanda Busick and featuring Carolyn Jackson, vice president brand strategy, Barrett-Jackson.
• 1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. PDT/Micro-Learning Lab (15-minute, rapid-fire-style workshops) featuring Melanie White, CEO and owner of Hellwig Products; Jacki Lutz, senior manager marketing communications, corporate at Sensata Technologies; Deanna Singh, managing partner at Uplifting Impact; and Shaundra Dineen, award-winning motivational speaker and podcaster.
• 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. PDT/"Driving the Future of Automotive: C-Suite Insights" panel, co-hosted by SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBA) and moderated by Cheryl Thompson, president and founder of Center for Automotive Diversity, Inclusion & Advancement.

Stay tuned for more details on the world-class SEMA Education program for 2023, which will be headlined by keynote speaker, world-renowned athlete, entrepreneur and philanthropist Tim Tebow. Register for the SEMA Show at SEMAShow.com/register by September 29 for just $60. After, registration is $120.

By SEMA Editors

Tickets for SEMA Fest--the ultimate automotive playground at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds, November 3-4--will go on sale this week. Join thousands of enthusiasts and industry insiders for two days of freestyle motocross, drifting competitions, incredible vehicle builds, celebrity appearances, craft foods, automotive marketplace and the hottest musical acts in the country!

Unlike the trade-only SEMA Show, the SEMA Fest is open to the public. Everyone now can experience the excitement of the week, get a glimpse of the newest trends and connect with some of the hottest brands and names in the industry.

SEMA Fest Marketplace

Connect with thousands of consumers from around the world at the SEMA Fest Marketplace, the festival destination for automotive and craft products, souvenirs and official event merchandise.

SEMA Fest Marketplace is located in a central location where all festival attendees will access two days of motorsports activation and premier concert entertainment.

To learn more about the SEMA Fest Marketplace, contact info@semafest.com. To learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact partnership@semafest.com.

Tickets will go live on Friday, July 14, at semafest.com.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Battle of the Builders, Presented by Mothers, returns for 2023. The prestigious competition is judged by industry experts, with awards presented to individuals who have demonstrated extreme talent, creativity and craftsmanship in modifying cars, trucks, SUVs, sport compacts and luxury and exotic builds.

By SEMA Editors

Hemmings Marketplace, the collector car marketplace, takes on a new adventure by partnering with Rambler Rallies, the curator of custom road trips for automotive enthusiasts across some of the best landmarks and auto treasures in the United States. The Rambler Rallies, presented by Hemmings Marketplace, is an inexpensive way to take your hot rod on a five-day commissioned tour in a variety of cities full of exciting and engaging fun along some of the best scenic paths.

"Knowing how much collector car owners want to enjoy driving their vehicles to iconic locations, it was a natural fit to have Hemmings become the title sponsor of three upcoming Rambler Rally tours," said Jonathan Shaw, Hemmings president. "Hemmings Marketplace is the go-to resource for buying and selling collector vehicles across North America.

New for 2023, Rambler Rallies, presented by Hemmings Marketplace, will host three events with predetermined routes, including three to four hours of driving, scenic lookouts, visiting quaint towns, museum tickets, track events and evening activities. This event is open to all years, makes and models of vehicles and drivers who want to enjoy the scenic route.

The Rambler Rallies, presented by Hemmings Marketplace Schedule

• Circle the Smokies/Asheville, North Carolina/July 10-14
• Rocky Mountain Miglia/Boulder, Colorado/August 21-25
• Leaves and Lobsters/Newport, Rhode Island/October 9-13

For more information and to register your vehicle, visit ramblerrallies.com/signup.

By Ashley Reyes

Electric vehicles (EVs) are part of a rapidly growing segment in the performance aftermarket. To ensure efficient product development, engineers, programmers and developers must know how to accurately assess modifications' influence on EV performance--and they can learn do so with an upcoming online program.

During the webinar EV Dyno Testing on Wednesday, July 13, at 1:00 p.m. PDT, attendees will learn how to properly dyno test an EV chassis. Participants will hear from Michael Caldwell, the sales manager at Mustang Advanced Engineering, and walk away knowing: 

• The difference between dyno testing an EV and an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle.
• How to prepare an EV for accurate chassis dyno testing.
• How to evaluate the results from an EV chassis dyno test.
• How to report proper performance increases. 

Caldwell has more than 20 years of experience in the automotive testing business. Connect with him live on Wednesday, July 13, and register for the webinar today.

By the SEMA D.C. office

The co-chairs of the SEMA-supported Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus (CAPMC) introduced U.S. House Resolution 573 (H. Res. 573), recognizing July 14, 2023, as "Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD)." This year marks the 14th commemoration of what has become an annual event to celebrate and raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection play in American society.

SEMA thanks CAPMC Co-Chairs U.S. Representatives Bill Posey (R-FL) and Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA) for recognizing the cultural significance of collecting and restoring collector vehicles. These Congressional leaders are among the strongest advocates for the automotive culture in Washington, D.C., and the Caucus is an informal, non-partisan member organization that pays tribute to America's ever-growing love affair with cars and motorsports. Click here to see if your lawmakers are members of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus, which includes 14 U.S. Senators and 45 U.S. House members.

Automotive enthusiasts are encouraged to participate in this year's CCAD celebration by planning or attending events in their community. The SEMA Action Network (SAN) maintains the official list of events to celebrate the day, which includes car shows, cruise-ins and parades nationwide. If you or someone you know is hosting a vehicle-related gathering in July--public or private--submit the details on the SAN website. Those planning to celebrate with a virtual session (online event, live stream, digital gallery, etc.) are also welcome to provide details for official inclusion.

For more information, visit semaSAN.com/CCAD.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) has named Michael Lavelle, vice president of expeditor sales at Voxx Electronics, as the council's newest spotlight volunteer. 

Get to know Lavelle in his interview with SEMA News below. 

SEMA News: What inspired you to pursue a career in restyling?

Michael Lavelle: My interest in vehicles of all types and sizes combined with the positive experiences that family members have had working in the industry.  

SN: Why did you decide to volunteer for PRO?

ML: I believe that I can help bring a unique perspective to PRO, having been in the industry with a dynamic company for more than 20 years and personally experiencing the changes that the industry has gone through.

SN: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?

ML: Be adaptable. The industry is constantly evolving.

SN: What is your dream vehicle? Where would we find you in it on any weekend?

ML: A Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS. You would find me anywhere near the water.

SN: What is the best advice you have ever received?

ML: Learn from your mistakes. 

SN: What keeps you in the industry?

ML: The anticipation of the next big thing.

SN: Where can you be found on a Saturday?

ML: On my boat or at one of my daughter's many sporting events.

Fill out a PRO member spotlight form to highlight how you or your company are contributing to the automotive restyling industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on PRO's social media, SEMA News and future PRO-member updates.