By SEMA Editors

With his ’29 Ford Model A Tudor sedan, Troy Trepanier was named the winner of the 2017 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition during SEMA Ignited.

A new episode of the TV special “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” will premiere on the Velocity Channel, Tuesday, January 2, 2018. The one-hour program has aired on the network since 2015, giving viewers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the SEMA Show, up-close footage of the vehicles and exclusive interviews with builders as they share their personal stories and journey to the SEMA Show. For many of the builders, SEMA Battle of the Builders is their chance to prove that they are among the elite.

“As a trade-only event that is not open to the general public, the SEMA Show is where every car fanatic dreams of going,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party—has made it possible for consumers to participate in the excitement. The Battle of the Builders TV special also gives viewers who have never experienced the SEMA Show an opportunity to see what actually happens, while those who attended the Show get to relive the experience.”

In addition to all the customized cars and trucks entered into Battle of the Builders, this year's competition featured expanded recognition for the Young Guns category, which shines the light on young, up-and-coming builders in the automotive industry. Automotive YouTubers Michael Nguyen (Smurfinwrx) and David Patterson (Thatdudeinblue) served as Young Guns judges, joining returning judges RJ DeVera of Meguiar’s, David Freiburger from TEN: The Enthusiast Network and Fred Williams from Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off Road.

For more details about SEMA Battle of the Builders and the TV special airing January 2, 2018, at 10:00 p.m. (PST/EST), visit www.semashow.com/botb.

By Jenny Galvan

The “SEMA Advanced Vehicle Technology Opportunity Study” details the retrofit opportunities for Advanced Vehicle Technologies (AVT), which include Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Connected Vehicle Technologies (CVT).

The “SEMA Advanced Vehicle Technology Opportunity Study” details the retrofit opportunities for Advanced Vehicle Technologies (AVT), which include Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Connected Vehicle Technologies (CVT). While these technologies are becoming common on new vehicles, SEMA researchers developed this analysis to help SEMA members understand a new path of opportunity to develop and sell these products for vehicles not originally equipped with this technology. This study can be used as a resource to guide product and service planning and entry strategies into a burgeoning market.

The developing growth potential for this market is predicted to increase from $977 million to $1.5 billion between now and 2021—a 9.1% annual compound growth rate. With the technological changes happening in the automotive market, these systems represent a significant new opportunity developing in the marketplace.

For more detailed information about these findings, download the “SEMA Advanced Vehicle Technology Opportunity Study.” It is available, along with other reports, for free to SEMA members.

By Jenny Galvan

The “SEMA Advanced Vehicle Technology Opportunity Study” details the retrofit opportunities for Advanced Vehicle Technologies (AVT), which include Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Connected Vehicle Technologies (CVT).

The “SEMA Advanced Vehicle Technology Opportunity Study” details the retrofit opportunities for Advanced Vehicle Technologies (AVT), which include Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Connected Vehicle Technologies (CVT). While these technologies are becoming common on new vehicles, SEMA researchers developed this analysis to help SEMA members understand a new path of opportunity to develop and sell these products for vehicles not originally equipped with this technology. This study can be used as a resource to guide product and service planning and entry strategies into a burgeoning market.

The developing growth potential for this market is predicted to increase from $977 million to $1.5 billion between now and 2021—a 9.1% annual compound growth rate. With the technological changes happening in the automotive market, these systems represent a significant new opportunity developing in the marketplace.

For more detailed information about these findings, download the “SEMA Advanced Vehicle Technology Opportunity Study.” It is available, along with other reports, for free to SEMA members.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting testified before the U.S. Senate Clean Air Subcommittee on November 14 in support of S. 203, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act.

SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting testified before the U.S. Senate Clean Air Subcommittee on November 14 in support of S. 203, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. The RPM Act clarifies that it is legal under federal law to manufacture, sell, distribute and install race parts that modify the emissions system of a motor vehicle that is used solely for racing.

In a separate action, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Environment Subcommittee approved a nearly identical version of the RPM Act (H.R. 350) on November 15, and sent it to the House Energy & Commerce Committee for further action.

“The RPM Act is common-sense, bi-partisan legislation that would provide much-needed certainty to the motorsports community,” Kersting said.

Congress never intended for race vehicles, which have minimal environmental impact, to be regulated under the Clean Air Act (CAA). However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed rule in 2015 stating it is illegal to convert a motor vehicle into a racecar if the vehicle’s emissions system no longer remains in its certified configuration. The EPA also asserted that marketing race parts was illegal if such products were capable of being installed on street vehicles. Although the EPA removed the proposal from the final rulemaking, the agency still asserts it has authority under the CAA to regulate emissions modifications to converted vehicles used solely for competition.  

“The EPA’s interpretation of the Clean Air Act would have a devastating impact on motorsports since most racecars start life as street vehicles,” Kersting said. “It would also decimate small businesses that supply the products used in motorsports, resulting in the loss of thousands of jobs and billions in local revenue for communities.”

The RPM Act would simply clarify the original intent of the CAA, which was never meant to apply to race vehicles. For more information, visit www.sema.org/epa-news.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting testified before the U.S. Senate Clean Air Subcommittee on November 14 in support of S. 203, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act.

SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting testified before the U.S. Senate Clean Air Subcommittee on November 14 in support of S. 203, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. The RPM Act clarifies that it is legal under federal law to manufacture, sell, distribute and install race parts that modify the emissions system of a motor vehicle that is used solely for racing.

In a separate action, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Environment Subcommittee approved a nearly identical version of the RPM Act (H.R. 350) on November 15, and sent it to the House Energy & Commerce Committee for further action.

“The RPM Act is common-sense, bi-partisan legislation that would provide much-needed certainty to the motorsports community,” Kersting said.

Congress never intended for race vehicles, which have minimal environmental impact, to be regulated under the Clean Air Act (CAA). However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed rule in 2015 stating it is illegal to convert a motor vehicle into a racecar if the vehicle’s emissions system no longer remains in its certified configuration. The EPA also asserted that marketing race parts was illegal if such products were capable of being installed on street vehicles. Although the EPA removed the proposal from the final rulemaking, the agency still asserts it has authority under the CAA to regulate emissions modifications to converted vehicles used solely for competition.  

“The EPA’s interpretation of the Clean Air Act would have a devastating impact on motorsports since most racecars start life as street vehicles,” Kersting said. “It would also decimate small businesses that supply the products used in motorsports, resulting in the loss of thousands of jobs and billions in local revenue for communities.”

The RPM Act would simply clarify the original intent of the CAA, which was never meant to apply to race vehicles. For more information, visit www.sema.org/epa-news.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting testified before the U.S. Senate Clean Air Subcommittee on November 14 in support of S. 203, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act.

SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting testified before the U.S. Senate Clean Air Subcommittee on November 14 in support of S. 203, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. The RPM Act clarifies that it is legal under federal law to manufacture, sell, distribute and install race parts that modify the emissions system of a motor vehicle that is used solely for racing.

In a separate action, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Environment Subcommittee approved a nearly identical version of the RPM Act (H.R. 350) on November 15, and sent it to the House Energy & Commerce Committee for further action.

“The RPM Act is common-sense, bi-partisan legislation that would provide much-needed certainty to the motorsports community,” Kersting said.

Congress never intended for race vehicles, which have minimal environmental impact, to be regulated under the Clean Air Act (CAA). However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed rule in 2015 stating it is illegal to convert a motor vehicle into a racecar if the vehicle’s emissions system no longer remains in its certified configuration. The EPA also asserted that marketing race parts was illegal if such products were capable of being installed on street vehicles. Although the EPA removed the proposal from the final rulemaking, the agency still asserts it has authority under the CAA to regulate emissions modifications to converted vehicles used solely for competition.  

“The EPA’s interpretation of the Clean Air Act would have a devastating impact on motorsports since most racecars start life as street vehicles,” Kersting said. “It would also decimate small businesses that supply the products used in motorsports, resulting in the loss of thousands of jobs and billions in local revenue for communities.”

The RPM Act would simply clarify the original intent of the CAA, which was never meant to apply to race vehicles. For more information, visit www.sema.org/epa-news.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting testified before the U.S. Senate Clean Air Subcommittee on November 14 in support of S. 203, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act.

SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting testified before the U.S. Senate Clean Air Subcommittee on November 14 in support of S. 203, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. The RPM Act clarifies that it is legal under federal law to manufacture, sell, distribute and install race parts that modify the emissions system of a motor vehicle that is used solely for racing.

In a separate action, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Environment Subcommittee approved a nearly identical version of the RPM Act (H.R. 350) on November 15, and sent it to the House Energy & Commerce Committee for further action.

“The RPM Act is common-sense, bi-partisan legislation that would provide much-needed certainty to the motorsports community,” Kersting said.

Congress never intended for race vehicles, which have minimal environmental impact, to be regulated under the Clean Air Act (CAA). However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed rule in 2015 stating it is illegal to convert a motor vehicle into a racecar if the vehicle’s emissions system no longer remains in its certified configuration. The EPA also asserted that marketing race parts was illegal if such products were capable of being installed on street vehicles. Although the EPA removed the proposal from the final rulemaking, the agency still asserts it has authority under the CAA to regulate emissions modifications to converted vehicles used solely for competition.  

“The EPA’s interpretation of the Clean Air Act would have a devastating impact on motorsports since most racecars start life as street vehicles,” Kersting said. “It would also decimate small businesses that supply the products used in motorsports, resulting in the loss of thousands of jobs and billions in local revenue for communities.”

The RPM Act would simply clarify the original intent of the CAA, which was never meant to apply to race vehicles. For more information, visit www.sema.org/epa-news.

By Stephanie Martinez

The SEMA Garage’s Tech Transfer program now has access to the new ’18 Ford OEM CAD data, which includes the newly redesigned Mustang, F-150 and Expedition.

For those who are already Tech Transfer members, browse through the website’s OEM CAD Repository to view all of the available files. If your desired files are not listed, place an OEM CAD request and SEMA will help you obtain the required data.

Interested in becoming a Tech Transfer member? Contact techtransfer@sema.org.    

By Stephanie Martinez

The SEMA Garage’s Tech Transfer program now has access to the new ’18 Ford OEM CAD data, which includes the newly redesigned Mustang, F-150 and Expedition.

For those who are already Tech Transfer members, browse through the website’s OEM CAD Repository to view all of the available files. If your desired files are not listed, place an OEM CAD request and SEMA will help you obtain the required data.

Interested in becoming a Tech Transfer member? Contact techtransfer@sema.org.    

By Stephanie Martinez

The SEMA Garage’s Tech Transfer program now has access to the new ’18 Ford OEM CAD data, which includes the newly redesigned Mustang, F-150 and Expedition.

For those who are already Tech Transfer members, browse through the website’s OEM CAD Repository to view all of the available files. If your desired files are not listed, place an OEM CAD request and SEMA will help you obtain the required data.

Interested in becoming a Tech Transfer member? Contact techtransfer@sema.org.