In the last step of the legislative process, SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle titling and registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles has been sent to Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire for her signature and enactment into law. The bill defines a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom as an altered vehicle at least 30 years old and manufactured after 1948. Kit cars and replica vehicles will be assigned a certificate of title bearing the same model-year designation as the production vehicle they most closely resemble. 

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

In the last step of the legislative process, SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle titling and registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles has been sent to Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire for her signature and enactment into law. The bill defines a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom as an altered vehicle at least 30 years old and manufactured after 1948. Kit cars and replica vehicles will be assigned a certificate of title bearing the same model-year designation as the production vehicle they most closely resemble. 

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

Having passed the House Environment and Rules Committees, legislation to exempt all vehicles more than 25 years old from the state’s mandatory biennial emissions-inspection program will now be considered by the full Arizona House of Representatives. The bill was already passed by the Arizona Senate. Existing law in Arizona only exempts pre-’67 model-year vehicles and those vehicles designated as “collectible.” For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Having passed the House Environment and Rules Committees, legislation to exempt all vehicles more than 25 years old from the state’s mandatory biennial emissions-inspection program will now be considered by the full Arizona House of Representatives. The bill was already passed by the Arizona Senate. Existing law in Arizona only exempts pre-’67 model-year vehicles and those vehicles designated as “collectible.” For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

 

	Andy Barbieri, vice president of business development at Truckmaster, signed up several distributors at the first Beijing-based SEMA CIAPE China Business Development Conference last fall. He is one of a growing number of U.S. companies already registered for the 2011 event where he hopes to sign up additional customers.

Sellers of accessories and performance products hailing from every corner of the Chinese mainland who have registered for the upcoming SEMA CIAPE China Business Development Conference—taking place September 7–10, 2011, in Beijing—have identified the products they wish to source from American manufacturers on their growing wish list. They include: suspension upgrades, exhaust systems, bull bars and other products for off-road enthusiasts, U.S.-brand wheels and more generally “performance and engine upgrades.”

This intensive, low-cost familiarization and sales program is the largest annual China-based gathering of American and Chinese specialty-equipment companies. The Chinese street-tuning and off-road modification shops show the diversity already available in China. As Chinese consumers become more brand aware when making purchase decisions, increasingly, they find that they can afford to buy.

 The quality and aspirational value of imported products made by well-known international brands resonates with consumers in both street and off-road circles. When these products are available, they sell well. 



More information on this turn-key set of networking one-on-one meetings with pre-vetted Chinese buyers, as well as networking events and VIP admittance to the China International Auto Parts Expo (CIAPE), is available at www.sema.org/china or by contacting Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

 

	Andy Barbieri, vice president of business development at Truckmaster, signed up several distributors at the first Beijing-based SEMA CIAPE China Business Development Conference last fall. He is one of a growing number of U.S. companies already registered for the 2011 event where he hopes to sign up additional customers.

Sellers of accessories and performance products hailing from every corner of the Chinese mainland who have registered for the upcoming SEMA CIAPE China Business Development Conference—taking place September 7–10, 2011, in Beijing—have identified the products they wish to source from American manufacturers on their growing wish list. They include: suspension upgrades, exhaust systems, bull bars and other products for off-road enthusiasts, U.S.-brand wheels and more generally “performance and engine upgrades.”

This intensive, low-cost familiarization and sales program is the largest annual China-based gathering of American and Chinese specialty-equipment companies. The Chinese street-tuning and off-road modification shops show the diversity already available in China. As Chinese consumers become more brand aware when making purchase decisions, increasingly, they find that they can afford to buy.

 The quality and aspirational value of imported products made by well-known international brands resonates with consumers in both street and off-road circles. When these products are available, they sell well. 



More information on this turn-key set of networking one-on-one meetings with pre-vetted Chinese buyers, as well as networking events and VIP admittance to the China International Auto Parts Expo (CIAPE), is available at www.sema.org/china or by contacting Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

 

	Andy Barbieri, vice president of business development at Truckmaster, signed up several distributors at the first Beijing-based SEMA CIAPE China Business Development Conference last fall. He is one of a growing number of U.S. companies already registered for the 2011 event where he hopes to sign up additional customers.

Sellers of accessories and performance products hailing from every corner of the Chinese mainland who have registered for the upcoming SEMA CIAPE China Business Development Conference—taking place September 7–10, 2011, in Beijing—have identified the products they wish to source from American manufacturers on their growing wish list. They include: suspension upgrades, exhaust systems, bull bars and other products for off-road enthusiasts, U.S.-brand wheels and more generally “performance and engine upgrades.”

This intensive, low-cost familiarization and sales program is the largest annual China-based gathering of American and Chinese specialty-equipment companies. The Chinese street-tuning and off-road modification shops show the diversity already available in China. As Chinese consumers become more brand aware when making purchase decisions, increasingly, they find that they can afford to buy.

 The quality and aspirational value of imported products made by well-known international brands resonates with consumers in both street and off-road circles. When these products are available, they sell well. 



More information on this turn-key set of networking one-on-one meetings with pre-vetted Chinese buyers, as well as networking events and VIP admittance to the China International Auto Parts Expo (CIAPE), is available at www.sema.org/china or by contacting Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

The all-new ’12 Hyundai Veloster three-door compact coupe will be featured at SEMA's next measuring session April 12, 2011, from 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. at Hyundai Motor America – Service Center in Fountain Valley, California.

Attendance is by pre-registration only. Sessions will be limited to 60 minutes, no more than three companies at one time and two persons per company. Registration deadline is Friday, April 8. E-mail response with name(s), company name, address, phone number with reference to Hyundai at: measuringsession@sema.org.

Send questions to Bill Wolf, 909/978-6739 or Kelly Clancy, 909/978-6735.

The all-new ’12 Hyundai Veloster three-door compact coupe will be featured at SEMA's next measuring session April 12, 2011, from 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. at Hyundai Motor America – Service Center in Fountain Valley, California.

Attendance is by pre-registration only. Sessions will be limited to 60 minutes, no more than three companies at one time and two persons per company. Registration deadline is Friday, April 8. E-mail response with name(s), company name, address, phone number with reference to Hyundai at: measuringsession@sema.org.

Send questions to Bill Wolf, 909/978-6739 or Kelly Clancy, 909/978-6735.

 

Brian Akkashian	Rich Apkarian

What is the best litigation-avoidance strategy? It’s not to litigate. Your job is to focus on closing deals, customer retention and increasing ROI—not lawsuits with your suppliers. So what is the best strategy? Develop well-drafted supplier contracts, terms, agreements and related documents.

Join Brian Akkashian and Rich Apkarian, of Dickinson Wright PLLC, on Thursday, April 14, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT)/1:00 p.m. (EDT), as they discuss best practices for developing contracts with suppliers. Akkashian and Apkarian are partners at Dickinson Wright, a full-service law firm with more than 285 attorneys practicing in Detroit, Las Vegas, Nashville, Phoenix, Toronto, Washington, D.C. and throughout Michigan. Akkashian and Apkarian have a general commercial litigation and business-law practice, with considerable experience litigating contract disputes between automotive suppliers and customers, counseling clients on a wide range of contract issues and drafting contracts, terms and conditions and related documents. They represent clients of all sizes, from individuals and small businesses to Fortune 500 companies.

During this session, they will discuss practical advice on:

• How to avoid legal issues and problems during contract formation with suppliers.
• How to deal with unexpected problems during the life of a contract, including increased raw material costs.
• How to properly terminate supply contracts and business relationships.

Join Akkashian and Apkarian for this instructive session on litigation avoidance, Thursday, April 14, 10:00 a.m. (PDT)/1:00 p.m. (EDT).

Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

SEMA members: click here for more information and to register.

Non-members: click here for more information and to register.