By Linda Spencer

SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference attendees will have the opportunity to network with pre-vetted buyers from nearly a dozen countries.

There are only a few remaining slots left for exhibiting at the 2016 SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference, March 29–April 2, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The event provides SEMA-member manufacturers the opportunity to explore the potential for their products in the UAE and neighboring countries, where consumers seek out the latest and greatest products to personalize their rides. Buyers from throughout the Middle East are eager for the newest American products for classic-car restoration, off-roading and street performance.

The program includes a turnkey booth at the Abu-Dhabi-based Custom Show Emirates, networking events with pre-vetted buyers from nearly a dozen countries, access to vehicles popularly customized overseas but not sold in the United States, visits to UAE-based vehicle modification retailers and installers and a briefing with U.S. Government officials and seasoned exporters on the “do’s and don’ts” of setting up successful distribution in the region. Meals and hotel are included.

Awards to off-set the cost of participating are available from the federal government and several state governments.

Register now! For more information, visit the SEMA website or contact lindas@sema.org.

By Linda Spencer

SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference attendees will have the opportunity to network with pre-vetted buyers from nearly a dozen countries.

There are only a few remaining slots left for exhibiting at the 2016 SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference, March 29–April 2, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The event provides SEMA-member manufacturers the opportunity to explore the potential for their products in the UAE and neighboring countries, where consumers seek out the latest and greatest products to personalize their rides. Buyers from throughout the Middle East are eager for the newest American products for classic-car restoration, off-roading and street performance.

The program includes a turnkey booth at the Abu-Dhabi-based Custom Show Emirates, networking events with pre-vetted buyers from nearly a dozen countries, access to vehicles popularly customized overseas but not sold in the United States, visits to UAE-based vehicle modification retailers and installers and a briefing with U.S. Government officials and seasoned exporters on the “do’s and don’ts” of setting up successful distribution in the region. Meals and hotel are included.

Awards to off-set the cost of participating are available from the federal government and several state governments.

Register now! For more information, visit the SEMA website or contact lindas@sema.org.

Replacing wheels can create an enormous change in the appearance of any vehicle, and properly selected wheels are also performance parts that reduce unsprung weight and improve handling.

That’s why the wheel segment continues to be among the most robust in the automotive specialty-equipment industry. Wheel builders continue to refine manufacturing techniques such as laser cutting for high-quality surface finishes and evolving designs that include deep concaves, mesh spokes and revolving caps. The following pages highlight some of the innovations that were on display in the Wheels & Accessories section of the New Products Showcase at 2015 SEMA Show.

Replacing wheels can create an enormous change in the appearance of any vehicle, and properly selected wheels are also performance parts that reduce unsprung weight and improve handling.

That’s why the wheel segment continues to be among the most robust in the automotive specialty-equipment industry. Wheel builders continue to refine manufacturing techniques such as laser cutting for high-quality surface finishes and evolving designs that include deep concaves, mesh spokes and revolving caps. The following pages highlight some of the innovations that were on display in the Wheels & Accessories section of the New Products Showcase at 2015 SEMA Show.

Replacing wheels can create an enormous change in the appearance of any vehicle, and properly selected wheels are also performance parts that reduce unsprung weight and improve handling.

That’s why the wheel segment continues to be among the most robust in the automotive specialty-equipment industry. Wheel builders continue to refine manufacturing techniques such as laser cutting for high-quality surface finishes and evolving designs that include deep concaves, mesh spokes and revolving caps. The following pages highlight some of the innovations that were on display in the Wheels & Accessories section of the New Products Showcase at 2015 SEMA Show.

Replacing wheels can create an enormous change in the appearance of any vehicle, and properly selected wheels are also performance parts that reduce unsprung weight and improve handling.

That’s why the wheel segment continues to be among the most robust in the automotive specialty-equipment industry. Wheel builders continue to refine manufacturing techniques such as laser cutting for high-quality surface finishes and evolving designs that include deep concaves, mesh spokes and revolving caps. The following pages highlight some of the innovations that were on display in the Wheels & Accessories section of the New Products Showcase at 2015 SEMA Show.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has proposed revisions to its portable fuel container (PFC) rules. The rules seek to reduce reactive organic gas (ROG) emissions as fuel vapor or in spillage events. The primary change is to require that PFCs be certified to fuel containing 10% ethanol (E10), as is the case with current rules issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). CARB is also seeking to more closely mesh its rules with existing EPA regulations so that PRC manufacturers can compile one set of certification data that satisfies both EPA and CARB rules.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has proposed revisions to its portable fuel container (PFC) rules. The rules seek to reduce reactive organic gas (ROG) emissions as fuel vapor or in spillage events. The primary change is to require that PFCs be certified to fuel containing 10% ethanol (E10), as is the case with current rules issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). CARB is also seeking to more closely mesh its rules with existing EPA regulations so that PRC manufacturers can compile one set of certification data that satisfies both EPA and CARB rules.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has proposed revisions to its portable fuel container (PFC) rules. The rules seek to reduce reactive organic gas (ROG) emissions as fuel vapor or in spillage events. The primary change is to require that PFCs be certified to fuel containing 10% ethanol (E10), as is the case with current rules issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). CARB is also seeking to more closely mesh its rules with existing EPA regulations so that PRC manufacturers can compile one set of certification data that satisfies both EPA and CARB rules.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

In an effort to protect U.S. companies against intellectual property theft, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee passed a bill that enables companies to protect their trade secrets in federal court. The absence of a uniform federal standard has forced companies to navigate a patchwork of different laws when bringing trade secret cases in state court.

While the U.S. Department of Justice has the power to pursue criminal penalties against companies and individuals that illegally obtain trade secrets, the Department’s backlog of cases have not provided companies with sufficient protection. The SEMA-supported “Defend Trade Secrets Act” remedies this problem, providing a uniform standard for companies looking to defend their intellectual property rights in federal court. 

The bill proceeds to the Senate floor. There has been no action to date on a similar bill in the House of Representatives. 

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.