By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The federal government wants to help companies keep their workers on the payroll. Under a recently enacted federal law, small businesses may file a “Paycheck Protection Loan” application with their local participating bank starting on April 3. These are forgivable loans. The interest rate is 1.0% on a two-year loan backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and U.S. Department of the Treasury. Companies may borrow 250% of their business’ monthly payroll up to $10 million to cover payroll, rent and other expenses. In turn, the SBA will forgive that portion of the loan used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest and utilities for a period of eight weeks if a small business retains its employees and payroll levels.

Don’t wait—there is a program funding cap. Members are encouraged to contact their banks, get their paperwork in order and file an application. 

Visit the SBA website for more information.

For more resources to help you address Coronavirus, visit www.sema.org/coronavirus. 

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The federal government wants to help companies keep their workers on the payroll. Under a recently enacted federal law, small businesses may file a “Paycheck Protection Loan” application with their local participating bank starting on April 3. These are forgivable loans. The interest rate is 1.0% on a two-year loan backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and U.S. Department of the Treasury. Companies may borrow 250% of their business’ monthly payroll up to $10 million to cover payroll, rent and other expenses. In turn, the SBA will forgive that portion of the loan used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest and utilities for a period of eight weeks if a small business retains its employees and payroll levels.

Don’t wait—there is a program funding cap. Members are encouraged to contact their banks, get their paperwork in order and file an application. 

Visit the SBA website for more information.

For more resources to help you address Coronavirus, visit www.sema.org/coronavirus. 

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The federal government wants to help companies keep their workers on the payroll. Under a recently enacted federal law, small businesses may file a “Paycheck Protection Loan” application with their local participating bank starting on April 3. These are forgivable loans. The interest rate is 1.0% on a two-year loan backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and U.S. Department of the Treasury. Companies may borrow 250% of their business’ monthly payroll up to $10 million to cover payroll, rent and other expenses. In turn, the SBA will forgive that portion of the loan used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest and utilities for a period of eight weeks if a small business retains its employees and payroll levels.

Don’t wait—there is a program funding cap. Members are encouraged to contact their banks, get their paperwork in order and file an application. 

Visit the SBA website for more information.

For more resources to help you address Coronavirus, visit www.sema.org/coronavirus. 

By SEMA Editors

SEMA, in partnership with eight other automotive trade associations, urged the National Governors Association and Governors of all 50 states to standardize the definition of essential businesses and workers. The groups recommend adoption of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) March 28 directive, “Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce: Ensuring Community and National Resilience in COVID-19 Response,” which identifies essential workers and business operations throughout the economy. DHS guidance clarifies that automotive repair, maintenance and transportation equipment manufacturing and distribution facilities are “essential services” that are critical to ensuring the safe and ongoing operations of our nation’s transportation and logistics sector.

The organizations sending the letter represent companies that manufacture parts and supply services to help maintain the nation’s fleet of public and private vehicles during COVID-19—from cars, trucks and buses to police and emergency vehicles. The letter notes that Governors and local authorities have been making difficult decisions balancing “essential” commercial activities with “Shelter in Place” directives. It is important that states adopt the DHS Guidance, which provides a uniform national approach for protecting the country’s critical transportation and manufacturing needs.

The letter was signed by the Auto Care Association, Automotive Oil Change Association, Automotive Service Association, California Automotive Business Coalition, Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association, Specialty Equipment Market Association, Tire Industry Association, Service Station Dealers of America and Allied Trades, U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association.

A copy of the letter can be found here.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA, in partnership with eight other automotive trade associations, urged the National Governors Association and Governors of all 50 states to standardize the definition of essential businesses and workers. The groups recommend adoption of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) March 28 directive, “Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce: Ensuring Community and National Resilience in COVID-19 Response,” which identifies essential workers and business operations throughout the economy. DHS guidance clarifies that automotive repair, maintenance and transportation equipment manufacturing and distribution facilities are “essential services” that are critical to ensuring the safe and ongoing operations of our nation’s transportation and logistics sector.

The organizations sending the letter represent companies that manufacture parts and supply services to help maintain the nation’s fleet of public and private vehicles during COVID-19—from cars, trucks and buses to police and emergency vehicles. The letter notes that Governors and local authorities have been making difficult decisions balancing “essential” commercial activities with “Shelter in Place” directives. It is important that states adopt the DHS Guidance, which provides a uniform national approach for protecting the country’s critical transportation and manufacturing needs.

The letter was signed by the Auto Care Association, Automotive Oil Change Association, Automotive Service Association, California Automotive Business Coalition, Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association, Specialty Equipment Market Association, Tire Industry Association, Service Station Dealers of America and Allied Trades, U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association.

A copy of the letter can be found here.

By SEMA Editors

SEMA, in partnership with eight other automotive trade associations, urged the National Governors Association and Governors of all 50 states to standardize the definition of essential businesses and workers. The groups recommend adoption of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) March 28 directive, “Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce: Ensuring Community and National Resilience in COVID-19 Response,” which identifies essential workers and business operations throughout the economy. DHS guidance clarifies that automotive repair, maintenance and transportation equipment manufacturing and distribution facilities are “essential services” that are critical to ensuring the safe and ongoing operations of our nation’s transportation and logistics sector.

The organizations sending the letter represent companies that manufacture parts and supply services to help maintain the nation’s fleet of public and private vehicles during COVID-19—from cars, trucks and buses to police and emergency vehicles. The letter notes that Governors and local authorities have been making difficult decisions balancing “essential” commercial activities with “Shelter in Place” directives. It is important that states adopt the DHS Guidance, which provides a uniform national approach for protecting the country’s critical transportation and manufacturing needs.

The letter was signed by the Auto Care Association, Automotive Oil Change Association, Automotive Service Association, California Automotive Business Coalition, Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association, Specialty Equipment Market Association, Tire Industry Association, Service Station Dealers of America and Allied Trades, U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association.

A copy of the letter can be found here.

SEMA News—April 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS

Photos courtesy SpiedBilde, Brian Williams. Reuse or reproduction without the copyright holder’s consent is prohibited.

Panamera Sport Turismo Porsche will update the Panamera Sport Turismo for its ’20 model year, and this prototype was spotted hitting German roads. The Mercedes AMG GT rival will receive subtle revisions, including an altered taillight design with an LED strip linking both units. The changes will bring it in line with the Cayenne and 992-generation 911. Porsche is also planning to introduce its first mild hybrid powertrains for the Panamera Sport Turismo. The S and 4S models will make use of the same 2.9L twin-turbo V6. However, like U.S. market versions of the Audi S6 and S7, the two variants are likely to adopt a 48-volt electrical architecture, which will enable fitment of a mild hybrid system.
’21 Maybach S-Class Spies in northern Sweden caught another look at the Mercedes Maybach S-Class. Maybach is the top-range Mercedes model these days, with an add-on in exclusivity and style, and the next-generation S-Class will be the best example of that. Equipped with a new front grille and modified exhaust pipes, painted in two-tone color and with the added space of nearly one meter, the Maybach will become the crown jewel of Mercedes-Benz and will try to rival the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley. The Maybach S-Class will remain available as S560 and S650. An automatic transmission will be standard, and four-wheel drive will be available as an option.
Corvette C8 Plug-In Hybrid This upcoming Corvette C8 plug-in hybrid contains an orange charging harness protruding from beneath the front cargo cover. Other than those cables, the exterior does not seem to contain any other visible differences from the Corvette C8 with the Z51 package. The C8 PHEV is expected to be analogous to the current Stingray model but with hybridized power. It’s currently unclear what the powertrain will look like (it sounded like a V6), though the electrified hardware is expected to aid in performance rather than fuel economy. It will launch either in late 2020 or early 2021.

’21 Bronco Four-Door Here’s a look at the upcoming Ford Bronco while cold-weather testing. Upright front and rear ends along with upright pillars give way to short overhangs—elements that suggest an off-road-oriented nature. The prototype also has a solid amount of ground clearance. Much like the Jeep Wrangler, the Bronco will be available in both two- and four-door configurations. Powertrain details are a bit scarce at the moment, but a likely option will be the 2.3L EcoBoost mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission from the Ford Ranger. The Bronco is expected to be unveiled this spring and go on sale several months thereafter.

SEMA News—April 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS

Photos courtesy SpiedBilde, Brian Williams. Reuse or reproduction without the copyright holder’s consent is prohibited.

Panamera Sport Turismo Porsche will update the Panamera Sport Turismo for its ’20 model year, and this prototype was spotted hitting German roads. The Mercedes AMG GT rival will receive subtle revisions, including an altered taillight design with an LED strip linking both units. The changes will bring it in line with the Cayenne and 992-generation 911. Porsche is also planning to introduce its first mild hybrid powertrains for the Panamera Sport Turismo. The S and 4S models will make use of the same 2.9L twin-turbo V6. However, like U.S. market versions of the Audi S6 and S7, the two variants are likely to adopt a 48-volt electrical architecture, which will enable fitment of a mild hybrid system.
’21 Maybach S-Class Spies in northern Sweden caught another look at the Mercedes Maybach S-Class. Maybach is the top-range Mercedes model these days, with an add-on in exclusivity and style, and the next-generation S-Class will be the best example of that. Equipped with a new front grille and modified exhaust pipes, painted in two-tone color and with the added space of nearly one meter, the Maybach will become the crown jewel of Mercedes-Benz and will try to rival the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley. The Maybach S-Class will remain available as S560 and S650. An automatic transmission will be standard, and four-wheel drive will be available as an option.
Corvette C8 Plug-In Hybrid This upcoming Corvette C8 plug-in hybrid contains an orange charging harness protruding from beneath the front cargo cover. Other than those cables, the exterior does not seem to contain any other visible differences from the Corvette C8 with the Z51 package. The C8 PHEV is expected to be analogous to the current Stingray model but with hybridized power. It’s currently unclear what the powertrain will look like (it sounded like a V6), though the electrified hardware is expected to aid in performance rather than fuel economy. It will launch either in late 2020 or early 2021.

’21 Bronco Four-Door Here’s a look at the upcoming Ford Bronco while cold-weather testing. Upright front and rear ends along with upright pillars give way to short overhangs—elements that suggest an off-road-oriented nature. The prototype also has a solid amount of ground clearance. Much like the Jeep Wrangler, the Bronco will be available in both two- and four-door configurations. Powertrain details are a bit scarce at the moment, but a likely option will be the 2.3L EcoBoost mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission from the Ford Ranger. The Bronco is expected to be unveiled this spring and go on sale several months thereafter.

SEMA News—April 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS

Photos courtesy SpiedBilde, Brian Williams. Reuse or reproduction without the copyright holder’s consent is prohibited.

Panamera Sport Turismo Porsche will update the Panamera Sport Turismo for its ’20 model year, and this prototype was spotted hitting German roads. The Mercedes AMG GT rival will receive subtle revisions, including an altered taillight design with an LED strip linking both units. The changes will bring it in line with the Cayenne and 992-generation 911. Porsche is also planning to introduce its first mild hybrid powertrains for the Panamera Sport Turismo. The S and 4S models will make use of the same 2.9L twin-turbo V6. However, like U.S. market versions of the Audi S6 and S7, the two variants are likely to adopt a 48-volt electrical architecture, which will enable fitment of a mild hybrid system.
’21 Maybach S-Class Spies in northern Sweden caught another look at the Mercedes Maybach S-Class. Maybach is the top-range Mercedes model these days, with an add-on in exclusivity and style, and the next-generation S-Class will be the best example of that. Equipped with a new front grille and modified exhaust pipes, painted in two-tone color and with the added space of nearly one meter, the Maybach will become the crown jewel of Mercedes-Benz and will try to rival the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley. The Maybach S-Class will remain available as S560 and S650. An automatic transmission will be standard, and four-wheel drive will be available as an option.
Corvette C8 Plug-In Hybrid This upcoming Corvette C8 plug-in hybrid contains an orange charging harness protruding from beneath the front cargo cover. Other than those cables, the exterior does not seem to contain any other visible differences from the Corvette C8 with the Z51 package. The C8 PHEV is expected to be analogous to the current Stingray model but with hybridized power. It’s currently unclear what the powertrain will look like (it sounded like a V6), though the electrified hardware is expected to aid in performance rather than fuel economy. It will launch either in late 2020 or early 2021.

’21 Bronco Four-Door Here’s a look at the upcoming Ford Bronco while cold-weather testing. Upright front and rear ends along with upright pillars give way to short overhangs—elements that suggest an off-road-oriented nature. The prototype also has a solid amount of ground clearance. Much like the Jeep Wrangler, the Bronco will be available in both two- and four-door configurations. Powertrain details are a bit scarce at the moment, but a likely option will be the 2.3L EcoBoost mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission from the Ford Ranger. The Bronco is expected to be unveiled this spring and go on sale several months thereafter.

SEMA News—April 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS

Photos courtesy SpiedBilde, Brian Williams. Reuse or reproduction without the copyright holder’s consent is prohibited.

Panamera Sport Turismo Porsche will update the Panamera Sport Turismo for its ’20 model year, and this prototype was spotted hitting German roads. The Mercedes AMG GT rival will receive subtle revisions, including an altered taillight design with an LED strip linking both units. The changes will bring it in line with the Cayenne and 992-generation 911. Porsche is also planning to introduce its first mild hybrid powertrains for the Panamera Sport Turismo. The S and 4S models will make use of the same 2.9L twin-turbo V6. However, like U.S. market versions of the Audi S6 and S7, the two variants are likely to adopt a 48-volt electrical architecture, which will enable fitment of a mild hybrid system.
’21 Maybach S-Class Spies in northern Sweden caught another look at the Mercedes Maybach S-Class. Maybach is the top-range Mercedes model these days, with an add-on in exclusivity and style, and the next-generation S-Class will be the best example of that. Equipped with a new front grille and modified exhaust pipes, painted in two-tone color and with the added space of nearly one meter, the Maybach will become the crown jewel of Mercedes-Benz and will try to rival the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley. The Maybach S-Class will remain available as S560 and S650. An automatic transmission will be standard, and four-wheel drive will be available as an option.
Corvette C8 Plug-In Hybrid This upcoming Corvette C8 plug-in hybrid contains an orange charging harness protruding from beneath the front cargo cover. Other than those cables, the exterior does not seem to contain any other visible differences from the Corvette C8 with the Z51 package. The C8 PHEV is expected to be analogous to the current Stingray model but with hybridized power. It’s currently unclear what the powertrain will look like (it sounded like a V6), though the electrified hardware is expected to aid in performance rather than fuel economy. It will launch either in late 2020 or early 2021.

’21 Bronco Four-Door Here’s a look at the upcoming Ford Bronco while cold-weather testing. Upright front and rear ends along with upright pillars give way to short overhangs—elements that suggest an off-road-oriented nature. The prototype also has a solid amount of ground clearance. Much like the Jeep Wrangler, the Bronco will be available in both two- and four-door configurations. Powertrain details are a bit scarce at the moment, but a likely option will be the 2.3L EcoBoost mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission from the Ford Ranger. The Bronco is expected to be unveiled this spring and go on sale several months thereafter.