By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation requiring plates on the front and back of all motor vehicles died when the legislature adjourned.

Legislation requiring plates on the front and back of all motor vehicles died when the legislature adjourned. The bill had already been approved by the New Mexico House of Representatives and was awaiting consideration by the Senate. The bill may be reintroduced in the 2019 session.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Daniel Ingber at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation requiring plates on the front and back of all motor vehicles died when the legislature adjourned.

Legislation requiring plates on the front and back of all motor vehicles died when the legislature adjourned. The bill had already been approved by the New Mexico House of Representatives and was awaiting consideration by the Senate. The bill may be reintroduced in the 2019 session.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Daniel Ingber at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation requiring plates on the front and back of all motor vehicles died when the legislature adjourned.

Legislation requiring plates on the front and back of all motor vehicles died when the legislature adjourned. The bill had already been approved by the New Mexico House of Representatives and was awaiting consideration by the Senate. The bill may be reintroduced in the 2019 session.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Daniel Ingber at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Department of Commerce recommended that President Trump impose tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum, citing a potential dependence on foreign sources for these critical materials poses a threat to national security. The Commerce Department cited excess global production, which has reduced prices and resulted in the closure of many U.S. factories. According to the Commerce Department, U.S. steel mills are operating at 73% of capacity and more than half of U.S. aluminum capacity now lies dormant. Six aluminum smelters have closed in recent years, and imports now account for 90% of U.S. aluminum consumption, up from 66% in 2012. The Commerce Department recommended several options with the goal of boosting U.S. steel and aluminum production to 80% of current domestic capacity.

For steel:

• Global Tariff: A tariff of 24% or more on all covered steel imports from all countries.
• Targeted Tariff and Global Quota: A tariff of 53% or higher on covered steel imports from 12 countries (Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, India, Malaysia, Korea, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam). All other countries would have quota limits based on their 2017 exports to the United States.
• Global Quota: A global quota that would limit imports from all countries to 63% of their total 2017 exports into the United States (on a country-by-country basis).

For aluminum:

• Global Tariff: A tariff of at least 7.7% on all covered aluminum imports from all countries.
• Targeted Tariff and Global Quota: A tariff of 23.5% or more on all covered aluminum imports from China, Russia, Hong Kong, Venezuela and Vietnam. All other countries would have quota limits based on their 2017 exports to the United States.
• Global Quota: A global quota that would limit imports from all countries to 86.7% of their total 2017 exports to the United States (on a country-by-country basis).

President Trump has until April 11 to act on the steel import recommendations and April 19 for aluminum sanctions. If imposed, the tariffs could be challenged by other countries within the World Trade Organization and potentially lead to retaliation moves by U.S. trading partners.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Department of Commerce recommended that President Trump impose tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum, citing a potential dependence on foreign sources for these critical materials poses a threat to national security. The Commerce Department cited excess global production, which has reduced prices and resulted in the closure of many U.S. factories. According to the Commerce Department, U.S. steel mills are operating at 73% of capacity and more than half of U.S. aluminum capacity now lies dormant. Six aluminum smelters have closed in recent years, and imports now account for 90% of U.S. aluminum consumption, up from 66% in 2012. The Commerce Department recommended several options with the goal of boosting U.S. steel and aluminum production to 80% of current domestic capacity.

For steel:

• Global Tariff: A tariff of 24% or more on all covered steel imports from all countries.
• Targeted Tariff and Global Quota: A tariff of 53% or higher on covered steel imports from 12 countries (Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, India, Malaysia, Korea, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam). All other countries would have quota limits based on their 2017 exports to the United States.
• Global Quota: A global quota that would limit imports from all countries to 63% of their total 2017 exports into the United States (on a country-by-country basis).

For aluminum:

• Global Tariff: A tariff of at least 7.7% on all covered aluminum imports from all countries.
• Targeted Tariff and Global Quota: A tariff of 23.5% or more on all covered aluminum imports from China, Russia, Hong Kong, Venezuela and Vietnam. All other countries would have quota limits based on their 2017 exports to the United States.
• Global Quota: A global quota that would limit imports from all countries to 86.7% of their total 2017 exports to the United States (on a country-by-country basis).

President Trump has until April 11 to act on the steel import recommendations and April 19 for aluminum sanctions. If imposed, the tariffs could be challenged by other countries within the World Trade Organization and potentially lead to retaliation moves by U.S. trading partners.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Department of Commerce recommended that President Trump impose tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum, citing a potential dependence on foreign sources for these critical materials poses a threat to national security. The Commerce Department cited excess global production, which has reduced prices and resulted in the closure of many U.S. factories. According to the Commerce Department, U.S. steel mills are operating at 73% of capacity and more than half of U.S. aluminum capacity now lies dormant. Six aluminum smelters have closed in recent years, and imports now account for 90% of U.S. aluminum consumption, up from 66% in 2012. The Commerce Department recommended several options with the goal of boosting U.S. steel and aluminum production to 80% of current domestic capacity.

For steel:

• Global Tariff: A tariff of 24% or more on all covered steel imports from all countries.
• Targeted Tariff and Global Quota: A tariff of 53% or higher on covered steel imports from 12 countries (Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, India, Malaysia, Korea, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam). All other countries would have quota limits based on their 2017 exports to the United States.
• Global Quota: A global quota that would limit imports from all countries to 63% of their total 2017 exports into the United States (on a country-by-country basis).

For aluminum:

• Global Tariff: A tariff of at least 7.7% on all covered aluminum imports from all countries.
• Targeted Tariff and Global Quota: A tariff of 23.5% or more on all covered aluminum imports from China, Russia, Hong Kong, Venezuela and Vietnam. All other countries would have quota limits based on their 2017 exports to the United States.
• Global Quota: A global quota that would limit imports from all countries to 86.7% of their total 2017 exports to the United States (on a country-by-country basis).

President Trump has until April 11 to act on the steel import recommendations and April 19 for aluminum sanctions. If imposed, the tariffs could be challenged by other countries within the World Trade Organization and potentially lead to retaliation moves by U.S. trading partners.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Kahn Media has promoted Franco Gutierrez (left) to vice president of creative and Cory Burns (right) to vice president of accounts.

Kahn Media Appoints Two Vice Presidents, Adds to Staff and Client Roster

Kahn Media has announced expansions to its staff and client roster, as well as several key promotions. Cory Burns has been promoted to vice president of accounts after nine years of employment at Kahn Media. Burns is responsible for overseeing most of Kahn Media’s accounts and leading overall PR and marketing strategy for brands, including MagnaFlow, Rolex Watch U.S.A., Dinan Engineering and more. Franco Gutierrez has been promoted to vice president of creative after leading Kahn Media’s art department and creative efforts, including video production, graphic design and photography for the last five years. Kahn Media has also added several new hires. Andrew Gessler, a photographer and videographer who started his career in the off-road and motorsports space, brings a motorsports content focus to the staff. Ben Roget joins Kahn Media as an account executive, coming to Kahn from Lexus USA, where he worked as a district manager. Recent client additions include two shows: The Quail Motorcycle Gathering and The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. Kahn is also working with Classic Car Studio, the custom shop featured on Velocity’s “Speed Is the New Black” television program. Also new to the roster is Niteo Products and Karges Fine Art.

Mark Mojica

R&R Marketing welcomes Mark Mojica as Sales and Marketing Representative

R&R Marketing Consultants Inc. (RRMCI) has announced the addition of Mark Mojica as sales and marketing representative. Mojica will join the RRMCI Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma team. Mojica joins RRMCI with more than 30 years of experience from all channels within the automotive aftermarket. His career began with Rancho Suspension as a parts assembler, where he would eventually become Tenneco’s (Rancho Suspension) director of sales, special markets. Mojica has held various sales roles within ReadyLIFT, N-FAB and Earl Owen Co. From manufacturing to distributing, he has called on many major distributors and retailers in the North American aftermarket.

The 13th Annual Edelbrock Car Show to Be Held May 5

Edelbrock has announced that its 13th Annual Car Show will be held Saturday, May 5. On Friday, May 4, Edelbrock will open the doors of its corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility in Torrance, California, to the public for free shop tours. Participants will get the opportunity to take a guided tour of Edelbrock's Research & Development, Manufacturing and Quality Control departments. Shop tours begin at 10:00 a.m., and will end at 1:00 p.m. Limited spots are available. Interested parties can register online at www.edelbrockcarshow.com. On Saturday, May 5, more than 400 cars will fill the streets around Edelbrock’s Distribution Center for the 13th Annual Edelbrock Car Show. Automotive enthusiasts are invited to enjoy a day of hot rods, food and live entertainment. The show will also host the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge and Kids’ Corners. Many aftermarket manufacturers will be in attendance to exhibit their products. Show hours are from 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Spectator entry is free. Car show participants can register online at www.edelbrockcarshow.com. Standard registration is available from now until April 29 at $35 per vehicle. 

ididit’s latest marketing efforts highlight the 2017 Tri-Five of the Year, built by Matt Martinez from his garage in Thornton, Colorado.

ididit announces 2018 “I Did It With ididit" Tour

The inaugural “I Did It With ididit” tour stops at grassroots races and car events across the country in search of not only the best vehicles, but also the up-and-coming builders behind the scenes who are the backbone of the aftermarket industry. ididit team members will award three builders per event with a custom gift as recognition of their talent and tenacity. At the end of the tour, a final winner will be named and receive a grand-prize package from ididit. Builders and fans can follow the tour at @ididitsteering on Instagram and track the #ididitwithididit hashtag across social media for updates, photos and videos as ididit showcases the best grassroots builds in the country. ididit’s latest marketing efforts highlight the 2017 Tri-Five of the Year, built by Matt Martinez from his garage in Thornton, Colorado.

MARTIN Technologies Announces Expansion to Include Facility in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee

MARTIN Technologies has announced its new facility located at 100 Hicks Dr., Lawrenceburg, TN 38464. The MARTIN facility supports the company’s expansion of its engineering and manufacturing segments. The company has partnered with the Economic Development, Chamber of Commerce, and Technical Education Groups to facilitate a faster onboarding process for new hires. MARTIN’s initial space is approximately 60,000 sq. ft. Phase I will immediately support engineering and testing services for automotive, aerospace and defense customers. Phase II will provide additional services for OEM and tier suppliers.

Jon Pestinger

Aeromotive Promotes Jon Pestinger to Vice President of Sales

Aeromotive has announced the promotion of Jon Pestinger to vice president of sales. Formerly the company’s national sales manager, the new position became effective January 1. Pestinger joined Aeromotive in 2012, soon after graduating from Kansas State University with a B.B.A. in business administration and management. Immediately prior to employment at Aeromotive, he was the top-selling Camaro salesman in the state of Kansas at Hendrick Automotive Group. During Pestinger’s five-year tenure with Aeromotive, he was responsible for building a strong relationship with the SEMA Data Co-op and coordinating the company’s product data information to ensure accurate and standardization of all information for distributors, retailers and e-commerce. As national sales manager, he was also responsible for finding new markets to grow sales and to increase sales with companies that could benefit from Aeromotive’s superior technical expertise.

Champion Oil Adds Airheart Sales Rep Agency

Champion Oil has announced that Airheart Sales is its newest rep agency covering the Western United States and Canada. 

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

Wade Kawasaki, Chris Kersting and John Waraniak gather to discuss ADAS at the 2017 SEMA Show.

Wade Kawasaki, Chris Kersting and John Waraniak gather to discuss ADAS at the 2017 SEMA Show.

Wade Kawasaki, Chris Kersting and John Waraniak gather to discuss ADAS at the 2017 SEMA Show.