The laws and regulations that govern how SEMA members do business have an increased and growing impact on how specialty-equipment products are made, distributed and marketed. As the nation and our industry struggle with a still-balky economy, SEMA's charge is to stay on top of every revenant state and federal matter of consequence to its membership to ensure the best possible outcome. The following are just a few examples of critical legislative/regulatory issues the SEMA Government Affairs office was involved with this year.

The laws and regulations that govern how SEMA members do business have an increased and growing impact on how specialty-equipment products are made, distributed and marketed. As the nation and our industry struggle with a still-balky economy, SEMA's charge is to stay on top of every revenant state and federal matter of consequence to its membership to ensure the best possible outcome. The following are just a few examples of critical legislative/regulatory issues the SEMA Government Affairs office was involved with this year.

See all of the Nissan vehicles on display at the 2010 SEMA Show through this gallery located on www.enjoythedrive.com.

The collection of photos is part of the vehicle gallery on enjoythedrive.com. There are more than 1,700 vehicle photos and the gallery is searchable by several key words, including, vehicle make, vehicle model and exhibiting company name.

Audi unveiled its high-riding A4 Allroad at the 2009 Geneva Motor show, and at that time, it was thought the vehicle's future was for European roads only. However, judging from some recent photos supplied by Brenda Priddy and her team of shooters, that may be about to change.

While this looks like the standard A4 Allroad, with its matte gray wheel arches and increased ride height, Priddy points out that this test car has a few subtle differences. One is the headlights, which have amber side-markers—something required by U.S. regulations. The second is the holder for a U.S.-size license plate on the front. The third indicator, and most importantly, a peek inside revealed a speedometer in miles per hour.

With this year's American auto show circuit ready to kick off in Detroit in January, Priddy says not to be surprised if official word comes from Audi within the next few months.

Photo Credit: Brenda Priddy & Company

Audi unveiled its high-riding A4 Allroad at the 2009 Geneva Motor show, and at that time, it was thought the vehicle's future was for European roads only. However, judging from some recent photos supplied by Brenda Priddy and her team of shooters, that may be about to change.

While this looks like the standard A4 Allroad, with its matte gray wheel arches and increased ride height, Priddy points out that this test car has a few subtle differences. One is the headlights, which have amber side-markers—something required by U.S. regulations. The second is the holder for a U.S.-size license plate on the front. The third indicator, and most importantly, a peek inside revealed a speedometer in miles per hour.

With this year's American auto show circuit ready to kick off in Detroit in January, Priddy says not to be surprised if official word comes from Audi within the next few months.

Photo Credit: Brenda Priddy & Company

Federated Auto Parts announced that Gene Jeffries, a 50-year veteran of the automotive aftermarket, would begin his retirement at the end of December after having worked for Federated Auto Parts distributors for the past 13 years. Jeffries began his career in the automotive aftermarket 50 years ago working as a technician and shop owner in Indianapolis. His career also includes stints with Monroe Equipment Co., Unit Parts Company and Raybestos. In 1997, Jeffries joined Federated as president, a position he held for 10 years before transitioning into a reduced schedule as director of membership development, the position he currently holds.

Vantage Mobility International (VMI) announced that it was awarded a patent for an innovative rear suspension on a wheelchair minivan from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This invention, when applied to a lowered-floor Honda Odyssey or Chrysler Town & Country minivan, is helping physically challenged consumers gain additional freedom and independence. According to the company, the suspension helps provide a wheelchair van that maintains OEM suspension kinematics, has similar ride and handling characteristics of an unconverted Odyssey and has maximum wheelchair maneuvering room. The invention has since been applied to the Chrysler Town & Country.

Shell Racing Solutions named Hyperfuels as a direct distributor for Shell Racing Fuels new line of Unleaded Racing Technology (URT) fuels. Shell Racing Solutions is now offering Shell URT fuels in the United States, and Hyperfuels will carry the entire line of URT Fuels and distribute in Illinois, Texas and Indiana. The Shell Racing Solutions URT portfolio consists of fuels for all racing applications in the United States.

Federated Auto Parts announced that Gene Jeffries, a 50-year veteran of the automotive aftermarket, would begin his retirement at the end of December after having worked for Federated Auto Parts distributors for the past 13 years. Jeffries began his career in the automotive aftermarket 50 years ago working as a technician and shop owner in Indianapolis. His career also includes stints with Monroe Equipment Co., Unit Parts Company and Raybestos. In 1997, Jeffries joined Federated as president, a position he held for 10 years before transitioning into a reduced schedule as director of membership development, the position he currently holds.

Vantage Mobility International (VMI) announced that it was awarded a patent for an innovative rear suspension on a wheelchair minivan from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This invention, when applied to a lowered-floor Honda Odyssey or Chrysler Town & Country minivan, is helping physically challenged consumers gain additional freedom and independence. According to the company, the suspension helps provide a wheelchair van that maintains OEM suspension kinematics, has similar ride and handling characteristics of an unconverted Odyssey and has maximum wheelchair maneuvering room. The invention has since been applied to the Chrysler Town & Country.

Shell Racing Solutions named Hyperfuels as a direct distributor for Shell Racing Fuels new line of Unleaded Racing Technology (URT) fuels. Shell Racing Solutions is now offering Shell URT fuels in the United States, and Hyperfuels will carry the entire line of URT Fuels and distribute in Illinois, Texas and Indiana. The Shell Racing Solutions URT portfolio consists of fuels for all racing applications in the United States.

Federated Auto Parts announced that Gene Jeffries, a 50-year veteran of the automotive aftermarket, would begin his retirement at the end of December after having worked for Federated Auto Parts distributors for the past 13 years. Jeffries began his career in the automotive aftermarket 50 years ago working as a technician and shop owner in Indianapolis. His career also includes stints with Monroe Equipment Co., Unit Parts Company and Raybestos. In 1997, Jeffries joined Federated as president, a position he held for 10 years before transitioning into a reduced schedule as director of membership development, the position he currently holds.

Vantage Mobility International (VMI) announced that it was awarded a patent for an innovative rear suspension on a wheelchair minivan from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This invention, when applied to a lowered-floor Honda Odyssey or Chrysler Town & Country minivan, is helping physically challenged consumers gain additional freedom and independence. According to the company, the suspension helps provide a wheelchair van that maintains OEM suspension kinematics, has similar ride and handling characteristics of an unconverted Odyssey and has maximum wheelchair maneuvering room. The invention has since been applied to the Chrysler Town & Country.

Shell Racing Solutions named Hyperfuels as a direct distributor for Shell Racing Fuels new line of Unleaded Racing Technology (URT) fuels. Shell Racing Solutions is now offering Shell URT fuels in the United States, and Hyperfuels will carry the entire line of URT Fuels and distribute in Illinois, Texas and Indiana. The Shell Racing Solutions URT portfolio consists of fuels for all racing applications in the United States.

	Nominations for the 2011 SEMA Chairman-Elect and Board of Directors are due Thursday, January 6, 2011.

Dear SEMA Member:

As a member of the Association, we need your recommendation of industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors. Our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the SEMA Board, but oftentimes those individuals aren’t immediately apparent to the committee that is responsible for selecting the final candidates.

This year, the SEMA elections have the additional importance in selecting our future Chairman of the Board. Please take a moment to tell us about whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for the Chairman-Elect position, and/or for a Board member position. Please include information to help the Nominating Committee know more about the qualifications of the nominees, such as background, experience and achievements from a leadership standpoint.

Nominations for the 2011 SEMA Chairman-Elect and Board of Directors are due Thursday, January 6, 2011. Please complete and submit the nomination form, and be sure to include the qualification information noted above.

Your Association is vitally important to the industry and your company. Your participation in helping to ensure strong leadership for the SEMA Board of Directors is essential.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President and CEO

	Nominations for the 2011 SEMA Chairman-Elect and Board of Directors are due Thursday, January 6, 2011.

Dear SEMA Member:

As a member of the Association, we need your recommendation of industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors. Our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the SEMA Board, but oftentimes those individuals aren’t immediately apparent to the committee that is responsible for selecting the final candidates.

This year, the SEMA elections have the additional importance in selecting our future Chairman of the Board. Please take a moment to tell us about whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for the Chairman-Elect position, and/or for a Board member position. Please include information to help the Nominating Committee know more about the qualifications of the nominees, such as background, experience and achievements from a leadership standpoint.

Nominations for the 2011 SEMA Chairman-Elect and Board of Directors are due Thursday, January 6, 2011. Please complete and submit the nomination form, and be sure to include the qualification information noted above.

Your Association is vitally important to the industry and your company. Your participation in helping to ensure strong leadership for the SEMA Board of Directors is essential.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE
SEMA President and CEO