Industry stalwarts unanimously agree that the hot-rod market is as healthy as it’s ever been. The economy is stronger than it was at this time last year, and consumers have more discretionary income to spend on their toys, partially due to low fuel prices. Although hot rodding—in the most traditional sense—is predominately embraced by aging enthusiasts, the options are diverse, and getting broader.

“Last year’s Battle of the Builders competition at the SEMA Show represents how healthy the market is,” said Rick Love, Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) past chairman and executive vice president of Vintage Air. “There were excellent examples of all the different vehicle genres to pick from. Everybody in the hot-rod industry is busy; they have more work than they can do and would like to hire more qualified people.”

https://www.sema.org/sema-news/2016/06/hot-rod-market-trends

Industry stalwarts unanimously agree that the hot-rod market is as healthy as it’s ever been. The economy is stronger than it was at this time last year, and consumers have more discretionary income to spend on their toys, partially due to low fuel prices. Although hot rodding—in the most traditional sense—is predominately embraced by aging enthusiasts, the options are diverse, and getting broader.

“Last year’s Battle of the Builders competition at the SEMA Show represents how healthy the market is,” said Rick Love, Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) past chairman and executive vice president of Vintage Air. “There were excellent examples of all the different vehicle genres to pick from. Everybody in the hot-rod industry is busy; they have more work than they can do and would like to hire more qualified people.”

https://www.sema.org/sema-news/2016/06/hot-rod-market-trends

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to establish a road usage fee for motor vehicles registered to travel on state roads died when the legislature failed to act.

Legislation to establish a road usage fee for motor vehicles registered to travel on state roads died when the legislature failed to act. The bill had been held for interim study and may be reintroduced in a future legislative session. Under the bill, the fee would have been based on the equivalent miles per gallon of the vehicle and collected at the time of the vehicle’s annual registration.

The measure would have imposed its harshest penalties on those vehicles that have the highest miles per gallon rating, with a maximum tax of $149.85. Legislation like this penalizes national efforts to create a more fuel-efficient vehicle fleet. As gas tax revenues decrease due to hybrid and electric vehicle ownership, states are looking for new sources of funding for pet projects. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to establish a road usage fee for motor vehicles registered to travel on state roads died when the legislature failed to act.

Legislation to establish a road usage fee for motor vehicles registered to travel on state roads died when the legislature failed to act. The bill had been held for interim study and may be reintroduced in a future legislative session. Under the bill, the fee would have been based on the equivalent miles per gallon of the vehicle and collected at the time of the vehicle’s annual registration.

The measure would have imposed its harshest penalties on those vehicles that have the highest miles per gallon rating, with a maximum tax of $149.85. Legislation like this penalizes national efforts to create a more fuel-efficient vehicle fleet. As gas tax revenues decrease due to hybrid and electric vehicle ownership, states are looking for new sources of funding for pet projects. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to establish a road usage fee for motor vehicles registered to travel on state roads died when the legislature failed to act.

Legislation to establish a road usage fee for motor vehicles registered to travel on state roads died when the legislature failed to act. The bill had been held for interim study and may be reintroduced in a future legislative session. Under the bill, the fee would have been based on the equivalent miles per gallon of the vehicle and collected at the time of the vehicle’s annual registration.

The measure would have imposed its harshest penalties on those vehicles that have the highest miles per gallon rating, with a maximum tax of $149.85. Legislation like this penalizes national efforts to create a more fuel-efficient vehicle fleet. As gas tax revenues decrease due to hybrid and electric vehicle ownership, states are looking for new sources of funding for pet projects. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Assembly Appropriations Committee approved legislation to require the Air Resources Board to expand the state’s program for the retirement and replacement of older passenger vehicles and light- and medium-duty trucks.

Legislation to require the Air Resources Board to expand the state’s program for the retirement and replacement of older passenger vehicles and light- and medium-duty trucks was approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Having already been approved by the Transportation Committee, the bill will now be considered in a vote by all assembly members. Current law provides for “an enhanced fleet modernization program” to be administered by the Bureau of Automotive Repair based on guidelines adopted by the Air Resources Board. Beginning in the 2016–2017 fiscal year, the bill would require the agencies to set specific and measurable goals for the program’s expansion. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Assembly Appropriations Committee approved legislation to require the Air Resources Board to expand the state’s program for the retirement and replacement of older passenger vehicles and light- and medium-duty trucks.

Legislation to require the Air Resources Board to expand the state’s program for the retirement and replacement of older passenger vehicles and light- and medium-duty trucks was approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Having already been approved by the Transportation Committee, the bill will now be considered in a vote by all assembly members. Current law provides for “an enhanced fleet modernization program” to be administered by the Bureau of Automotive Repair based on guidelines adopted by the Air Resources Board. Beginning in the 2016–2017 fiscal year, the bill would require the agencies to set specific and measurable goals for the program’s expansion. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Assembly Appropriations Committee approved legislation to require the Air Resources Board to expand the state’s program for the retirement and replacement of older passenger vehicles and light- and medium-duty trucks.

Legislation to require the Air Resources Board to expand the state’s program for the retirement and replacement of older passenger vehicles and light- and medium-duty trucks was approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Having already been approved by the Transportation Committee, the bill will now be considered in a vote by all assembly members. Current law provides for “an enhanced fleet modernization program” to be administered by the Bureau of Automotive Repair based on guidelines adopted by the Air Resources Board. Beginning in the 2016–2017 fiscal year, the bill would require the agencies to set specific and measurable goals for the program’s expansion. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Assembly Appropriations Committee approved legislation to require the Air Resources Board to expand the state’s program for the retirement and replacement of older passenger vehicles and light- and medium-duty trucks.

Legislation to require the Air Resources Board to expand the state’s program for the retirement and replacement of older passenger vehicles and light- and medium-duty trucks was approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Having already been approved by the Transportation Committee, the bill will now be considered in a vote by all assembly members. Current law provides for “an enhanced fleet modernization program” to be administered by the Bureau of Automotive Repair based on guidelines adopted by the Air Resources Board. Beginning in the 2016–2017 fiscal year, the bill would require the agencies to set specific and measurable goals for the program’s expansion. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously approved amended legislation to exempt motor vehicles prior to the ’81 model year from emissions inspection requirements.

Amended legislation to exempt motor vehicles prior to the ’81 model year from emissions inspection requirements was unanimously approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Having already been approved by the Transportation Committee, the bill will now be sent to the full Senate for a vote by all members. Under the amended bill, vehicles manufactured after the ’76 model year but prior to the ’81 model year would be exempted if the owner submits proof that the vehicle is insured as a collector motor vehicle. This exemption would be a two-year trial that would need to be renewed by separate legislation in order to continue. Current law requires the lifetime testing of all ’76 and newer model-year vehicles. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.