By SEMA Editors

Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

• YEN Power Tour, June 10–17, 2016

• PRO Long-Range Planning Meeting, June 15–16, Detroit

• SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit, June 20–21, 2016, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas

• SEMA Measuring Session: ’17 Ford Super Duty, June 21–22, 2016, SEMA Garage, Diamond Bar, California

• SEMA Town Hall Meeting, June 23, 2016, Yakima Products Inc., Lake Oswego, Oregon

• Collector Car Appreciation Day, July 8, 2016

• SEMA Town Hall Meeting, July 13, 2016, Roush Retail and Automotive Museum, Livonia, Michigan

• SEMA Export Fair, July 27, 2016, SEMA Garage, Diamond Bar, California

• 2016 SEMA Installation Gala, July 29, 2016, Fairplex Conference Center, Pomona, California

• SEMA China Business Development Program, September 7–11, 2016, Beijing, China

• 2016 SEMA Show, November 1–4, 2016, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas

• 2016 PRI Show, December 8–10, 2016, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstoreusa.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to raise gas taxes and require a study of a road-usage tax died when the legislature adjourned for the year.

Legislation to raise gas taxes and require a study of a road-usage tax died when the legislature adjourned for the year. The bill had been assigned to both the Transportation and Finance Committees, but received no committee consideration. The measure would have required a study of a road-usage tax and potential pilot program. In addition to creating privacy concerns, the bill sought to penalize national efforts to create a more fuel-efficient vehicle fleet by taxing drivers based on vehicle mileage. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to raise gas taxes and require a study of a road-usage tax died when the legislature adjourned for the year.

Legislation to raise gas taxes and require a study of a road-usage tax died when the legislature adjourned for the year. The bill had been assigned to both the Transportation and Finance Committees, but received no committee consideration. The measure would have required a study of a road-usage tax and potential pilot program. In addition to creating privacy concerns, the bill sought to penalize national efforts to create a more fuel-efficient vehicle fleet by taxing drivers based on vehicle mileage. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to raise gas taxes and require a study of a road-usage tax died when the legislature adjourned for the year.

Legislation to raise gas taxes and require a study of a road-usage tax died when the legislature adjourned for the year. The bill had been assigned to both the Transportation and Finance Committees, but received no committee consideration. The measure would have required a study of a road-usage tax and potential pilot program. In addition to creating privacy concerns, the bill sought to penalize national efforts to create a more fuel-efficient vehicle fleet by taxing drivers based on vehicle mileage. 

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

Industry stalwarts unanimously agree that the hot-rod market is as healthy as it’s ever been. The economy is stronger than it was at this time last year, and consumers have more discretionary income to spend on their toys, partially due to low fuel prices. Although hot rodding—in the most traditional sense—is predominately embraced by aging enthusiasts, the options are diverse, and getting broader.

“Last year’s Battle of the Builders competition at the SEMA Show represents how healthy the market is,” said Rick Love, Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) past chairman and executive vice president of Vintage Air. “There were excellent examples of all the different vehicle genres to pick from. Everybody in the hot-rod industry is busy; they have more work than they can do and would like to hire more qualified people.”

https://www.sema.org/sema-news/2016/06/hot-rod-market-trends

Industry stalwarts unanimously agree that the hot-rod market is as healthy as it’s ever been. The economy is stronger than it was at this time last year, and consumers have more discretionary income to spend on their toys, partially due to low fuel prices. Although hot rodding—in the most traditional sense—is predominately embraced by aging enthusiasts, the options are diverse, and getting broader.

“Last year’s Battle of the Builders competition at the SEMA Show represents how healthy the market is,” said Rick Love, Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) past chairman and executive vice president of Vintage Air. “There were excellent examples of all the different vehicle genres to pick from. Everybody in the hot-rod industry is busy; they have more work than they can do and would like to hire more qualified people.”

https://www.sema.org/sema-news/2016/06/hot-rod-market-trends

Industry stalwarts unanimously agree that the hot-rod market is as healthy as it’s ever been. The economy is stronger than it was at this time last year, and consumers have more discretionary income to spend on their toys, partially due to low fuel prices. Although hot rodding—in the most traditional sense—is predominately embraced by aging enthusiasts, the options are diverse, and getting broader.

“Last year’s Battle of the Builders competition at the SEMA Show represents how healthy the market is,” said Rick Love, Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) past chairman and executive vice president of Vintage Air. “There were excellent examples of all the different vehicle genres to pick from. Everybody in the hot-rod industry is busy; they have more work than they can do and would like to hire more qualified people.”

https://www.sema.org/sema-news/2016/06/hot-rod-market-trends

Industry stalwarts unanimously agree that the hot-rod market is as healthy as it’s ever been. The economy is stronger than it was at this time last year, and consumers have more discretionary income to spend on their toys, partially due to low fuel prices. Although hot rodding—in the most traditional sense—is predominately embraced by aging enthusiasts, the options are diverse, and getting broader.

“Last year’s Battle of the Builders competition at the SEMA Show represents how healthy the market is,” said Rick Love, Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) past chairman and executive vice president of Vintage Air. “There were excellent examples of all the different vehicle genres to pick from. Everybody in the hot-rod industry is busy; they have more work than they can do and would like to hire more qualified people.”

https://www.sema.org/sema-news/2016/06/hot-rod-market-trends

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to establish a road usage fee for motor vehicles registered to travel on state roads died when the legislature failed to act.

Legislation to establish a road usage fee for motor vehicles registered to travel on state roads died when the legislature failed to act. The bill had been held for interim study and may be reintroduced in a future legislative session. Under the bill, the fee would have been based on the equivalent miles per gallon of the vehicle and collected at the time of the vehicle’s annual registration.

The measure would have imposed its harshest penalties on those vehicles that have the highest miles per gallon rating, with a maximum tax of $149.85. Legislation like this penalizes national efforts to create a more fuel-efficient vehicle fleet. As gas tax revenues decrease due to hybrid and electric vehicle ownership, states are looking for new sources of funding for pet projects. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to establish a road usage fee for motor vehicles registered to travel on state roads died when the legislature failed to act.

Legislation to establish a road usage fee for motor vehicles registered to travel on state roads died when the legislature failed to act. The bill had been held for interim study and may be reintroduced in a future legislative session. Under the bill, the fee would have been based on the equivalent miles per gallon of the vehicle and collected at the time of the vehicle’s annual registration.

The measure would have imposed its harshest penalties on those vehicles that have the highest miles per gallon rating, with a maximum tax of $149.85. Legislation like this penalizes national efforts to create a more fuel-efficient vehicle fleet. As gas tax revenues decrease due to hybrid and electric vehicle ownership, states are looking for new sources of funding for pet projects. 

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