By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill to provide federal oversight for highly automated vehicles (HAVs). The legislation directs the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to complete research on the most cost-effective methods for informing consumers about the capabilities and limitations for self-driving vehicles, and make such terminology consistent with industry standards, such as the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International Recommended Practice Report J3016. The legislation is intended to create a national approach, rather than a patchwork of state rules governing the safety of HAVs as it relates to design, performance, testing and deployment of such vehicles.

In a separate action, the DOT announced that it will pursue voluntary guidelines for HAVs, rather than enforceable rules to provide a flexible approach while driverless technology evolves. The DOT would still retain authority to recall any HAVs found to be unsafe. The automakers are incorporating sensors, software and other mechanisms to facilitate vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill to provide federal oversight for highly automated vehicles (HAVs). The legislation directs the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to complete research on the most cost-effective methods for informing consumers about the capabilities and limitations for self-driving vehicles, and make such terminology consistent with industry standards, such as the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International Recommended Practice Report J3016. The legislation is intended to create a national approach, rather than a patchwork of state rules governing the safety of HAVs as it relates to design, performance, testing and deployment of such vehicles.

In a separate action, the DOT announced that it will pursue voluntary guidelines for HAVs, rather than enforceable rules to provide a flexible approach while driverless technology evolves. The DOT would still retain authority to recall any HAVs found to be unsafe. The automakers are incorporating sensors, software and other mechanisms to facilitate vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill to provide federal oversight for highly automated vehicles (HAVs). The legislation directs the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to complete research on the most cost-effective methods for informing consumers about the capabilities and limitations for self-driving vehicles, and make such terminology consistent with industry standards, such as the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International Recommended Practice Report J3016. The legislation is intended to create a national approach, rather than a patchwork of state rules governing the safety of HAVs as it relates to design, performance, testing and deployment of such vehicles.

In a separate action, the DOT announced that it will pursue voluntary guidelines for HAVs, rather than enforceable rules to provide a flexible approach while driverless technology evolves. The DOT would still retain authority to recall any HAVs found to be unsafe. The automakers are incorporating sensors, software and other mechanisms to facilitate vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications. 

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

By SEMA Editors

Pietro Gorlier (center left), head of parts and service for MOPAR FCA-Global, and Judy Curran (center right), Ford director for engineering, planning and strategy, accept their SEMA Awards from SEMA executive leadership for the 2016 SEMA Show’s hottest-trending vehicles across several categories. Awards went to the Ford Mustang as the Hottest Coupe, the Dodge Charger as the Hottest Sedan, the Ford Focus as the Hottest Hatch, the Jeep Wrangler as the hottest 4x4-SUV, and the Ford F-Series as the Hottest Truck.

Voting for the SEMA Award is now underway. SEMA manufacturing members exhibiting at the 2017 SEMA Show were sent an email earlier this week with an invitation and details to vote for the SEMA Award. As industry experts, SEMA Show exhibitors are encouraged to vote for the vehicles that best showcase their products. SEMA Award winners are today’s most popular vehicles upgraded with the best product offerings from all segments of the specialty-equipment market. The collaboration between specialty-equipment manufacturers and OEMs is a powerful combination that results in vehicles that showcase the latest in driving technology, performance and style.

Introduced in 2010, the SEMA Award recognizes the Show’s hottest vehicles in five categories:

• Coupe
• 4x4-SUV
• Hatch
• Sedan
• Truck

The top three finalists in each of the five SEMA Award categories will be announced in October. The award will be presented during the SEMA Show’s New Products Breakfast, taking place on the 2017 Show's opening day, Tuesday, October 31.

The SEMA Award is open to all participating OEMs at the SEMA Show. Eligible vehicles must be current or next model year to be considered. This award is for new vehicles only. Understanding that certain vehicles capture our hearts more than others, a panel of aftermarket industry experts narrows the wide selection of vehicles down to a defined group of popularly accessorized “SEMA Award Nominees.”

Complete information is available at www.sema.org/semaaward.

By SEMA Editors

Pietro Gorlier (center left), head of parts and service for MOPAR FCA-Global, and Judy Curran (center right), Ford director for engineering, planning and strategy, accept their SEMA Awards from SEMA executive leadership for the 2016 SEMA Show’s hottest-trending vehicles across several categories. Awards went to the Ford Mustang as the Hottest Coupe, the Dodge Charger as the Hottest Sedan, the Ford Focus as the Hottest Hatch, the Jeep Wrangler as the hottest 4x4-SUV, and the Ford F-Series as the Hottest Truck.

Voting for the SEMA Award is now underway. SEMA manufacturing members exhibiting at the 2017 SEMA Show were sent an email earlier this week with an invitation and details to vote for the SEMA Award. As industry experts, SEMA Show exhibitors are encouraged to vote for the vehicles that best showcase their products. SEMA Award winners are today’s most popular vehicles upgraded with the best product offerings from all segments of the specialty-equipment market. The collaboration between specialty-equipment manufacturers and OEMs is a powerful combination that results in vehicles that showcase the latest in driving technology, performance and style.

Introduced in 2010, the SEMA Award recognizes the Show’s hottest vehicles in five categories:

• Coupe
• 4x4-SUV
• Hatch
• Sedan
• Truck

The top three finalists in each of the five SEMA Award categories will be announced in October. The award will be presented during the SEMA Show’s New Products Breakfast, taking place on the 2017 Show's opening day, Tuesday, October 31.

The SEMA Award is open to all participating OEMs at the SEMA Show. Eligible vehicles must be current or next model year to be considered. This award is for new vehicles only. Understanding that certain vehicles capture our hearts more than others, a panel of aftermarket industry experts narrows the wide selection of vehicles down to a defined group of popularly accessorized “SEMA Award Nominees.”

Complete information is available at www.sema.org/semaaward.

By SEMA Editors

Pietro Gorlier (center left), head of parts and service for MOPAR FCA-Global, and Judy Curran (center right), Ford director for engineering, planning and strategy, accept their SEMA Awards from SEMA executive leadership for the 2016 SEMA Show’s hottest-trending vehicles across several categories. Awards went to the Ford Mustang as the Hottest Coupe, the Dodge Charger as the Hottest Sedan, the Ford Focus as the Hottest Hatch, the Jeep Wrangler as the hottest 4x4-SUV, and the Ford F-Series as the Hottest Truck.

Voting for the SEMA Award is now underway. SEMA manufacturing members exhibiting at the 2017 SEMA Show were sent an email earlier this week with an invitation and details to vote for the SEMA Award. As industry experts, SEMA Show exhibitors are encouraged to vote for the vehicles that best showcase their products. SEMA Award winners are today’s most popular vehicles upgraded with the best product offerings from all segments of the specialty-equipment market. The collaboration between specialty-equipment manufacturers and OEMs is a powerful combination that results in vehicles that showcase the latest in driving technology, performance and style.

Introduced in 2010, the SEMA Award recognizes the Show’s hottest vehicles in five categories:

• Coupe
• 4x4-SUV
• Hatch
• Sedan
• Truck

The top three finalists in each of the five SEMA Award categories will be announced in October. The award will be presented during the SEMA Show’s New Products Breakfast, taking place on the 2017 Show's opening day, Tuesday, October 31.

The SEMA Award is open to all participating OEMs at the SEMA Show. Eligible vehicles must be current or next model year to be considered. This award is for new vehicles only. Understanding that certain vehicles capture our hearts more than others, a panel of aftermarket industry experts narrows the wide selection of vehicles down to a defined group of popularly accessorized “SEMA Award Nominees.”

Complete information is available at www.sema.org/semaaward.

By SEMA Editors

Latest Jobs Added to SEMA Career Center

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest classifieds posted to the website.

Sales Associate: XS Power Batteries is hiring a sales associate to manage and grow current assigned accounts while also providing leads to bring in new business. Additional responsibilities include providing unmatched customer service, training to assigned accounts and at industry trade shows as needed. This position requires daily customer interaction and occasional travel.

Account Manager: SpillVak is hiring an account manager responsible for developing new business relationships and serving as the first level of support to existing clients, researching prospective clients, managing and leading regional business development activities to drive new revenue and educating prospective and existing clients regarding the product and application. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree, 2–4 years of sales experience, proven sales lifecycle experience and a track record of achieving sales targets.

Sponsor and Ad Salesperson: ProMedia Events & Publishing is hiring a sponsor and ad salesperson for NMRA Ford Nationals, NMCA Muscle Car Nationals, Fastest Street Car magazine and Race Pages Digital. The ideal candidate must be an automotive enthusiast who lives in Tampa, Florida. Some sales experience is required; a college degree is a plus.

Customer Service Specialist: Allied Wheel Components Inc. is hiring a customer-service specialist for its Garden Grove, California, distribution warehouse. Candidates must thrive in a fast-paced environment and communicate positively with customers and the sales team. Primary responsibilities include accepting and processing customer orders; responding to customer questions; providing product information, product availability and shipping information; and helping to ensure on-time deliveries and customer satisfaction. The ideal candidate must have two years’ customer-service experience, preferably in the automotive aftermarket, and strong computer skills.

Director of Marketing: Lubrication Specialties Inc. is hiring a director of marketing responsible for managing the marketing department for all LSI products, laying out the lead times for each project stage, allocating time for each division within the organization to complete projects, monitoring progress against critical dates and making adjustments to keep projects on track. The director will also ensure print ads and bottle labels are represented well, manage e-commerce and monitor the conversion rates, prepare estimated budgets and manage all trade-show events.

By Douglas McColloch

Jim Cozzie (left), Brenton Productions, and Doug Herbert (right), BRAKES, were presenters in one of last year’s sessions.

In an ever-changing business climate, staying abreast of the latest advances in online technology and leveraging that knowledge to drive sales are keys to future growth. Whether you’re looking to adopt some best practices for your online sales, adapt mobility to your current business model or “build your brand” to expand consumer outreach, SEMA Show Education Days has a program to help you achieve your objectives for 2018 and beyond.

One key to success, as always, is having the right “tools” for the job.

“Making the decision to simplify processes through implementing good-quality applications is one of the best ways to increase profits, become more efficient and work from anywhere,” notes Dawn Brolin, one of the featured presenters at this year’s SEMA Show Education Days. But which work processes should you focus on, and which apps and software work best for you? These questions and more will be answered during SEMA Show Education Days. Be sure not miss these upcoming sessions:

Run Your Business Like a Mobile Monster (BT1)

In today’s increasingly digitized business world, mobility is a crucial sales tool. Mobility adds efficiency, security and profitability because it can save your business both time and money. In this session, attendees will learn how to maximize the benefits of mobility to best position their businesses for future success, minimize time-consuming manual tasks and discover the mobile solutions that are the keys for growth in the digital age.

Presented by: Dawn Brolin, Powerful Accounting LLC
Time: Tuesday October 31, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Where: Upper North Hall, N2558

HR Hacks: Demystify HR in Your Small Business (HR1)

This workshop provides attendees with an in-depth understanding of modern human resources (HR) practices. The session will review compliance, recruiting and employee-compensation issues—the three most important HR tasks for most business owners. Using a proprietary toolkit, presenters will suggest methods to improve the recruiting and compensation functions for small- to medium-sized businesses.

Presented by: Lori Kleiman, HR Topics
When: Monday October 30, 10:15 a.m.–11:15 a.m.
Where: Upper North Hall, N254

Legal Round Tables for Small Business Protection (LR2)

For this session, SEMA’s Government Affairs office convenes a panel of subject-matter experts to help guide attendees through today’s legal and regulatory landscape. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss topics, such as California Prop 65, copyright and intellectual property rights, minimum advertised price (MAP) policies, the growing global export market and product liability issues, among other subjects.

Presented by: Daniel Ingber, SEMA; Steve Lustig, Dickson Wright; Eugene Zelek & Hollister LLP; Rich Barsamian, Advanced Clutch Technology; Whitt Steineker, Bradley
When: Thursday November 2, 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Where: Upper North Hall, N263C

Tune Your Brand—Rev Your Brand’s Growth Potential (MS7)

Your company’s “brand identity” extends far beyond a simple logo, and knowing how to “tune” your brand to maximize consumer awareness can unleash your company’s performance potential. In this session, attendees will learn how to enhance their brands’ market presence, clarify their brands’ benefits with one basic statement and find that competitive “sweet spot” in the marketplace.

Presented by: Mike Brown, The Brainzooming Group
When: Thursday November 2, 2:15 p.m.–3:15 p.m.
Where: Upper North Hall, N254

Retail Trends … And How They Affect Your Business (TR3)

Modern-day buyers expect you and your sales crew to be as smart and savvy as Amazon. This session will provide useful tips and best practices to help make it happen. Attendees will review key retail performance indicators, and look for clues as to how these trends and projections can affect their businesses for 2018 and beyond, with scalable results that can apply to any enterprise.

Presented by: Larry Mersereau, PromoPower LLC
When: Tuesday October 31, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Where: Upper North Hall, N252

View the complete lineup of education sessions.

By Douglas McColloch

Jim Cozzie (left), Brenton Productions, and Doug Herbert (right), BRAKES, were presenters in one of last year’s sessions.

In an ever-changing business climate, staying abreast of the latest advances in online technology and leveraging that knowledge to drive sales are keys to future growth. Whether you’re looking to adopt some best practices for your online sales, adapt mobility to your current business model or “build your brand” to expand consumer outreach, SEMA Show Education Days has a program to help you achieve your objectives for 2018 and beyond.

One key to success, as always, is having the right “tools” for the job.

“Making the decision to simplify processes through implementing good-quality applications is one of the best ways to increase profits, become more efficient and work from anywhere,” notes Dawn Brolin, one of the featured presenters at this year’s SEMA Show Education Days. But which work processes should you focus on, and which apps and software work best for you? These questions and more will be answered during SEMA Show Education Days. Be sure not miss these upcoming sessions:

Run Your Business Like a Mobile Monster (BT1)

In today’s increasingly digitized business world, mobility is a crucial sales tool. Mobility adds efficiency, security and profitability because it can save your business both time and money. In this session, attendees will learn how to maximize the benefits of mobility to best position their businesses for future success, minimize time-consuming manual tasks and discover the mobile solutions that are the keys for growth in the digital age.

Presented by: Dawn Brolin, Powerful Accounting LLC
Time: Tuesday October 31, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Where: Upper North Hall, N2558

HR Hacks: Demystify HR in Your Small Business (HR1)

This workshop provides attendees with an in-depth understanding of modern human resources (HR) practices. The session will review compliance, recruiting and employee-compensation issues—the three most important HR tasks for most business owners. Using a proprietary toolkit, presenters will suggest methods to improve the recruiting and compensation functions for small- to medium-sized businesses.

Presented by: Lori Kleiman, HR Topics
When: Monday October 30, 10:15 a.m.–11:15 a.m.
Where: Upper North Hall, N254

Legal Round Tables for Small Business Protection (LR2)

For this session, SEMA’s Government Affairs office convenes a panel of subject-matter experts to help guide attendees through today’s legal and regulatory landscape. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss topics, such as California Prop 65, copyright and intellectual property rights, minimum advertised price (MAP) policies, the growing global export market and product liability issues, among other subjects.

Presented by: Daniel Ingber, SEMA; Steve Lustig, Dickson Wright; Eugene Zelek & Hollister LLP; Rich Barsamian, Advanced Clutch Technology; Whitt Steineker, Bradley
When: Thursday November 2, 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Where: Upper North Hall, N263C

Tune Your Brand—Rev Your Brand’s Growth Potential (MS7)

Your company’s “brand identity” extends far beyond a simple logo, and knowing how to “tune” your brand to maximize consumer awareness can unleash your company’s performance potential. In this session, attendees will learn how to enhance their brands’ market presence, clarify their brands’ benefits with one basic statement and find that competitive “sweet spot” in the marketplace.

Presented by: Mike Brown, The Brainzooming Group
When: Thursday November 2, 2:15 p.m.–3:15 p.m.
Where: Upper North Hall, N254

Retail Trends … And How They Affect Your Business (TR3)

Modern-day buyers expect you and your sales crew to be as smart and savvy as Amazon. This session will provide useful tips and best practices to help make it happen. Attendees will review key retail performance indicators, and look for clues as to how these trends and projections can affect their businesses for 2018 and beyond, with scalable results that can apply to any enterprise.

Presented by: Larry Mersereau, PromoPower LLC
When: Tuesday October 31, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Where: Upper North Hall, N252

View the complete lineup of education sessions.

By Douglas McColloch

Jim Cozzie (left), Brenton Productions, and Doug Herbert (right), BRAKES, were presenters in one of last year’s sessions.

In an ever-changing business climate, staying abreast of the latest advances in online technology and leveraging that knowledge to drive sales are keys to future growth. Whether you’re looking to adopt some best practices for your online sales, adapt mobility to your current business model or “build your brand” to expand consumer outreach, SEMA Show Education Days has a program to help you achieve your objectives for 2018 and beyond.

One key to success, as always, is having the right “tools” for the job.

“Making the decision to simplify processes through implementing good-quality applications is one of the best ways to increase profits, become more efficient and work from anywhere,” notes Dawn Brolin, one of the featured presenters at this year’s SEMA Show Education Days. But which work processes should you focus on, and which apps and software work best for you? These questions and more will be answered during SEMA Show Education Days. Be sure not miss these upcoming sessions:

Run Your Business Like a Mobile Monster (BT1)

In today’s increasingly digitized business world, mobility is a crucial sales tool. Mobility adds efficiency, security and profitability because it can save your business both time and money. In this session, attendees will learn how to maximize the benefits of mobility to best position their businesses for future success, minimize time-consuming manual tasks and discover the mobile solutions that are the keys for growth in the digital age.

Presented by: Dawn Brolin, Powerful Accounting LLC
Time: Tuesday October 31, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Where: Upper North Hall, N2558

HR Hacks: Demystify HR in Your Small Business (HR1)

This workshop provides attendees with an in-depth understanding of modern human resources (HR) practices. The session will review compliance, recruiting and employee-compensation issues—the three most important HR tasks for most business owners. Using a proprietary toolkit, presenters will suggest methods to improve the recruiting and compensation functions for small- to medium-sized businesses.

Presented by: Lori Kleiman, HR Topics
When: Monday October 30, 10:15 a.m.–11:15 a.m.
Where: Upper North Hall, N254

Legal Round Tables for Small Business Protection (LR2)

For this session, SEMA’s Government Affairs office convenes a panel of subject-matter experts to help guide attendees through today’s legal and regulatory landscape. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss topics, such as California Prop 65, copyright and intellectual property rights, minimum advertised price (MAP) policies, the growing global export market and product liability issues, among other subjects.

Presented by: Daniel Ingber, SEMA; Steve Lustig, Dickson Wright; Eugene Zelek & Hollister LLP; Rich Barsamian, Advanced Clutch Technology; Whitt Steineker, Bradley
When: Thursday November 2, 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Where: Upper North Hall, N263C

Tune Your Brand—Rev Your Brand’s Growth Potential (MS7)

Your company’s “brand identity” extends far beyond a simple logo, and knowing how to “tune” your brand to maximize consumer awareness can unleash your company’s performance potential. In this session, attendees will learn how to enhance their brands’ market presence, clarify their brands’ benefits with one basic statement and find that competitive “sweet spot” in the marketplace.

Presented by: Mike Brown, The Brainzooming Group
When: Thursday November 2, 2:15 p.m.–3:15 p.m.
Where: Upper North Hall, N254

Retail Trends … And How They Affect Your Business (TR3)

Modern-day buyers expect you and your sales crew to be as smart and savvy as Amazon. This session will provide useful tips and best practices to help make it happen. Attendees will review key retail performance indicators, and look for clues as to how these trends and projections can affect their businesses for 2018 and beyond, with scalable results that can apply to any enterprise.

Presented by: Larry Mersereau, PromoPower LLC
When: Tuesday October 31, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Where: Upper North Hall, N252

View the complete lineup of education sessions.