News | Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)

Federal Trade Commission Strengthens Labeling Rules for Ethanol

Thu, 01/21/2016 - 11:01

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) amended its fuel regulations to require more specific information be posted at the pump regarding the amount of ethanol that has been added to gasoline at levels above 10% (E10).

First established in 1979, the FTC’s “Fuel Rating Rule” specifies methods for rating and certifying fuel along with labeling requirements. As of July 14, 2016, ethanol contents ranging from 11% to 83% will be called “Ethanol Flex Fuels” and retailers must post labels with either the exact ethanol concentrations or an amount rounded to the nearest multiple of 10 for mid-level blends (11% to 50%). For high-level blends, the label may reference the exact amount, round to the nearest multiple of 10, or label the fuel as “51% to 83% Ethanol.” The ethanol flex fuel labels must include the text “Use Only in Flex-Fuel Vehicles/May Harm Other Engines.”

SEMA supports the FTC’s amended rule as a way to raise consumer awareness at the pump, since ethanol causes metal corrosion and dissolves certain plastics and rubbers, posing harm to older vehicles that were not constructed with ethanol-compatible materials.

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

Job-Hunting? Top Automotive Jobs Here

Thu, 01/21/2016 - 10:59

By SEMA Editors

Are you hunting for a new job? The “Positions Available” section in the SEMA Member Classifieds lists more than 50 job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest classifieds posted to the website.

Sales Manager

Covercraft Industries is hiring a sales manager to represent the Western region. The successful candidate will supervise and develop reps on Covercraft product lines. There will be scheduled trips into territories, seeing existing accounts and maximizing potential with them while looking for new business opportunities, tracking sales trends, finding new avenues of distribution and setting goals to increase sales in territory. Good communication and interpersonal skills are required.

Catalog Data Specialist

AAM USA Inc. is hiring a catalog data specialist to categorize PIES file data into its taxonomy using a provided template and recommend changes/additions to taxonomy due to missing sub-categories. The successful candidate must have a strong understanding of automotive products, be highly capable in Microsoft Excel and deliver accurate data inputs.

Outside Salesperson

Engine Parts Warehouse has an immediate opening for an outside sales representative. This territory will include Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Northern Virginia. Applicants should have good communication skills and knowledge of internal engine parts.

Phone Salesperson

Erson Cams has an immediate opening for an experienced phone salesperson. This person will be responsible for helping customers select camshaft profiles to match their needs. Applicants should have engine-building or camshaft technical experience.

Social & Online Community Coordinator

Rigid Industries is hiring a social and online community coordinator responsible for creating, editing, distributing and optimizing relevant, contextual and personalized content across social media, online blogs and communities to attract, engage and retain consumers. This role requires excellent strategy and creative and communications skills—both written and visual. Responsibilities also include constructing and executing email marketing campaigns.

Missouri Introduces Bill to Exempt Older Cars From State and Local Sales Tax

Thu, 01/21/2016 - 10:59

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to exempt motor vehicles that are at least 10 years old from the state and local sales tax on the titling of motor vehicles has been introduced. The measure does not apply to motor vehicles with a sales price of more than $15,000. The bill will be considered by the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee.

For more information, visit the SEMA SAN Website.

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

Missouri Introduces Bill to Exempt Older Cars From State and Local Sales Tax

Thu, 01/21/2016 - 10:59

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to exempt motor vehicles that are at least 10 years old from the state and local sales tax on the titling of motor vehicles has been introduced. The measure does not apply to motor vehicles with a sales price of more than $15,000. The bill will be considered by the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee.

For more information, visit the SEMA SAN Website.

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

Council & Committee News: Next Week’s Media Trade Conference to Feature Three Full Days of Meetings and Events

Thu, 01/21/2016 - 10:58

Strengthen Your Company Through Community

No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, reps, trucks or wheels and tires—there's a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of market-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular industry segment.

Visit MPMC's website

MPMC Chair Rich Barsamian (right) with 2014 Robert E. Peterson award winner, John DiBartolomeo, editor of Drag Racing Scene.

Media Trade Conference Events

The annual Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference (MTC) is January 26–28—three days in which manufacturers will have the opportunity to have private, one-on-one meetings with media to showcase their new, innovative products. In addition to full days of scheduled meetings, the council is hosting evening events for further networking opportunities.

MPMC Open Meeting

January 25, the MPMC invites you to its open meeting to meet with the select committee, hear about the council’s initiatives for 2016 and to network with fellow motorsports parts manufacturers. The event will take place in the La Jolla room in the Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North at 2:00 p.m. You do not have to be attending the Media Trade Conference to attend this meeting. Be sure to stick around for the ETTN Motorsports Tech Roundtable event taking place directly after the meeting.

MPMC Awards Reception

Tuesday evening of MTC, January 26, is the MPMC Awards Reception. The reception provides an added opportunity for exhibitors and media to mingle and network over drinks and hot hors d'oeurves. One influential individual from the media will be honored and awarded with the Robert E. Petersen award for their outstanding contribution to the motorsports industry and MPMC throughout the year of 2015. The following individuals of the media have been nominated:

Evan Smith, Source Interlink
Rob Fisher, Circle Track/TEN
Chad Reynolds, Bang Shift
Darr Harthorne, Freelance
Wes Buck, Drag Illustrated
Jeff Huneycutt, Xceleration Media
Mike Galimi, Promedia

Exclusive VIP TV Preview

January 28, Thursday evening of the Media Trade Conference, MPMC conference participants will be treated to an exclusive VIP Preview Screening of the SEMA Battle of the Builders TV Show. Premiering nationwide on the Velocity Network February 1, the one-hour program features top vehicle builders and footage from the 2015 trade-only SEMA Show.

ETTN Motorsports Tech Roundtable

The Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) Motorsports Tech Roundtable is the must-attend event for staying current with motorsports technology through six small roundtable discussions.

Discussion Topics:

Motorsports Vehicle Emissions and Compliance
The Future of Motorsports and Performance Technology
Advancements in Product Design, From Idea to Prototype
Becoming an OEM Motorsports Accessory Supplier
MPMC Membership Table
The Use of Technology in Competition

RSVP: Must RSVP, free for SEMA members

When: Monday, January 25, 2:00–4:30 p.m.

Where: Embassy Suites Orange County Airport North, La Jolla Room