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.

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.

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.

By Jason Catullo

	Personalized with Rugged Ridge products and built by DUB Garage, the Omix-ADA SEMA Cares Jeep JK sold for $100,000 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited donated by Omix-ADA to SEMA Cares was sold during last week’s Barrett-Jackson auction for $100,000. Watch the video of the Jeep from the Barrett-Jackson Auction. 

The custom Jeep marks Omix-ADA’s third partnership with SEMA Cares over the past three years.

Personalized with Rugged Ridge products and built by DUB Garage, the Jeep was designed by Arianny Celeste, LFTD & LVLD magazine, Rugged Ridge and SEMA Cares. The Jeep was displayed at the 2015 SEMA Show and was recently featured on the cover of DUB magazine’s issue 96 along with Celeste.

Best known for her work as a ring girl for the UFC, Celeste also co-hosts the automotive reality TV show “Overhaulin’,” where a team of mechanics and designers complete a custom car or truck build in just a matter of days.

The SEMA Cares Committee was established by SEMA’s Board of Directors in 2007 and strives to make a positive difference through outreach programs and various fundraising efforts. SEMA Cares makes its mission to foster industry leadership by supporting the education of students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket.

For more information on SEMA Cares and its work with local communities, visit www.SEMA.org/sema-cares.

By Jason Catullo

	Personalized with Rugged Ridge products and built by DUB Garage, the Omix-ADA SEMA Cares Jeep JK sold for $100,000 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited donated by Omix-ADA to SEMA Cares was sold during last week’s Barrett-Jackson auction for $100,000. Watch the video of the Jeep from the Barrett-Jackson Auction. 

The custom Jeep marks Omix-ADA’s third partnership with SEMA Cares over the past three years.

Personalized with Rugged Ridge products and built by DUB Garage, the Jeep was designed by Arianny Celeste, LFTD & LVLD magazine, Rugged Ridge and SEMA Cares. The Jeep was displayed at the 2015 SEMA Show and was recently featured on the cover of DUB magazine’s issue 96 along with Celeste.

Best known for her work as a ring girl for the UFC, Celeste also co-hosts the automotive reality TV show “Overhaulin’,” where a team of mechanics and designers complete a custom car or truck build in just a matter of days.

The SEMA Cares Committee was established by SEMA’s Board of Directors in 2007 and strives to make a positive difference through outreach programs and various fundraising efforts. SEMA Cares makes its mission to foster industry leadership by supporting the education of students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket.

For more information on SEMA Cares and its work with local communities, visit www.SEMA.org/sema-cares.