By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Late last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will withdraw a proposed rule that threatened the future of racing and modification equipment. However, the agency continues to assert newfound authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate street cars modified exclusively for the track. The future of the industry remains under a cloud of risk—the risk of future enforcement.

“The agency continues to assert a new interpretation of the Clean Air Act conveying authority to regulate vehicles modified for use in competition,” said SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting. “This means that those converting and racing competition vehicles, and the parts and services industries that support them, do so under new EPA policy that considers the activity illegal. Only clarifying legislation, provided under the RPM Act, will confirm that such activity is legal and beyond the reach of future EPA regulations. The racing industry and public need a long-term solution to eliminate any uncertainty regarding how the Clean Air Act is interpreted."

The bipartisan Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act makes clear that the Clean Air Act does not ban the modification of street vehicles for use in automotive competition. The bill addresses any doubts regarding regulation of racecars and equipment, and gives the public and racing industry much-needed certainty regarding how the Clean Air Act is applied.

SEMA urges you to contact your representatives in Congress to pass the RPM Act. Visit www.sema.org/rpm and give 30 seconds to send your letter today!

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Late last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will withdraw a proposed rule that threatened the future of racing and modification equipment. However, the agency continues to assert newfound authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate street cars modified exclusively for the track. The future of the industry remains under a cloud of risk—the risk of future enforcement.

“The agency continues to assert a new interpretation of the Clean Air Act conveying authority to regulate vehicles modified for use in competition,” said SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting. “This means that those converting and racing competition vehicles, and the parts and services industries that support them, do so under new EPA policy that considers the activity illegal. Only clarifying legislation, provided under the RPM Act, will confirm that such activity is legal and beyond the reach of future EPA regulations. The racing industry and public need a long-term solution to eliminate any uncertainty regarding how the Clean Air Act is interpreted."

The bipartisan Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act makes clear that the Clean Air Act does not ban the modification of street vehicles for use in automotive competition. The bill addresses any doubts regarding regulation of racecars and equipment, and gives the public and racing industry much-needed certainty regarding how the Clean Air Act is applied.

SEMA urges you to contact your representatives in Congress to pass the RPM Act. Visit www.sema.org/rpm and give 30 seconds to send your letter today!

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Late last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will withdraw a proposed rule that threatened the future of racing and modification equipment. However, the agency continues to assert newfound authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate street cars modified exclusively for the track. The future of the industry remains under a cloud of risk—the risk of future enforcement.

“The agency continues to assert a new interpretation of the Clean Air Act conveying authority to regulate vehicles modified for use in competition,” said SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting. “This means that those converting and racing competition vehicles, and the parts and services industries that support them, do so under new EPA policy that considers the activity illegal. Only clarifying legislation, provided under the RPM Act, will confirm that such activity is legal and beyond the reach of future EPA regulations. The racing industry and public need a long-term solution to eliminate any uncertainty regarding how the Clean Air Act is interpreted."

The bipartisan Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act makes clear that the Clean Air Act does not ban the modification of street vehicles for use in automotive competition. The bill addresses any doubts regarding regulation of racecars and equipment, and gives the public and racing industry much-needed certainty regarding how the Clean Air Act is applied.

SEMA urges you to contact your representatives in Congress to pass the RPM Act. Visit www.sema.org/rpm and give 30 seconds to send your letter today!

Here’s a look at the products entered in the Truck, SUV and Off-Road category of the 2015 New Products Showcase.

The trucks, SUVs and off-road section at the 2015 SEMA Show stretched more than 180,000 net square feet, and 42% of all display vehicles at the Show were trucks, Jeeps or SUVs. Those indicators are consistent with the fact that Ford F-Series, Chevy Silverado and Jeep’s Cherokee and Wrangler models have seen significant sales growth over the past several years, according to the “2015 SEMA Market Report.” It was no surprise, then, that the 2015 SEMA Awards for Hottest Truck and Hottest 4x4-SUV (presented annually to the most-featured vehicles around the Show) went to the Ford F-Series and the Jeep Wrangler, respectively.

Here’s a look at the products entered in the Truck, SUV and Off-Road category of the 2015 New Products Showcase.

The trucks, SUVs and off-road section at the 2015 SEMA Show stretched more than 180,000 net square feet, and 42% of all display vehicles at the Show were trucks, Jeeps or SUVs. Those indicators are consistent with the fact that Ford F-Series, Chevy Silverado and Jeep’s Cherokee and Wrangler models have seen significant sales growth over the past several years, according to the “2015 SEMA Market Report.” It was no surprise, then, that the 2015 SEMA Awards for Hottest Truck and Hottest 4x4-SUV (presented annually to the most-featured vehicles around the Show) went to the Ford F-Series and the Jeep Wrangler, respectively.

Here’s a look at the products entered in the Truck, SUV and Off-Road category of the 2015 New Products Showcase.

The trucks, SUVs and off-road section at the 2015 SEMA Show stretched more than 180,000 net square feet, and 42% of all display vehicles at the Show were trucks, Jeeps or SUVs. Those indicators are consistent with the fact that Ford F-Series, Chevy Silverado and Jeep’s Cherokee and Wrangler models have seen significant sales growth over the past several years, according to the “2015 SEMA Market Report.” It was no surprise, then, that the 2015 SEMA Awards for Hottest Truck and Hottest 4x4-SUV (presented annually to the most-featured vehicles around the Show) went to the Ford F-Series and the Jeep Wrangler, respectively.

Here’s a look at the products entered in the Truck, SUV and Off-Road category of the 2015 New Products Showcase.

The trucks, SUVs and off-road section at the 2015 SEMA Show stretched more than 180,000 net square feet, and 42% of all display vehicles at the Show were trucks, Jeeps or SUVs. Those indicators are consistent with the fact that Ford F-Series, Chevy Silverado and Jeep’s Cherokee and Wrangler models have seen significant sales growth over the past several years, according to the “2015 SEMA Market Report.” It was no surprise, then, that the 2015 SEMA Awards for Hottest Truck and Hottest 4x4-SUV (presented annually to the most-featured vehicles around the Show) went to the Ford F-Series and the Jeep Wrangler, respectively.

Participating in SEMA’s international trips has helped SEMA members open new markets and grow business in existing markets. But participants have also learned that preparation and follow-up are key to getting the most out of the investment.

SEMA-member company Hellwig Products, based in Visalia, California, participated in the 2015 SEMA Middle Eastern Program last March, looking for partners in the region who would invest in the company’s product line, including helping manage warranties. The trip was fruitful; Hellwig is now working with a company in the Middle East on some specialized products. Nonetheless, Melanie White, vice president of Hellwig Products, said that she wishes she had adapted Hellwig’s marketing message to the Middle East before taking the trip.

Participating in SEMA’s international trips has helped SEMA members open new markets and grow business in existing markets. But participants have also learned that preparation and follow-up are key to getting the most out of the investment.

SEMA-member company Hellwig Products, based in Visalia, California, participated in the 2015 SEMA Middle Eastern Program last March, looking for partners in the region who would invest in the company’s product line, including helping manage warranties. The trip was fruitful; Hellwig is now working with a company in the Middle East on some specialized products. Nonetheless, Melanie White, vice president of Hellwig Products, said that she wishes she had adapted Hellwig’s marketing message to the Middle East before taking the trip.

Participating in SEMA’s international trips has helped SEMA members open new markets and grow business in existing markets. But participants have also learned that preparation and follow-up are key to getting the most out of the investment.

SEMA-member company Hellwig Products, based in Visalia, California, participated in the 2015 SEMA Middle Eastern Program last March, looking for partners in the region who would invest in the company’s product line, including helping manage warranties. The trip was fruitful; Hellwig is now working with a company in the Middle East on some specialized products. Nonetheless, Melanie White, vice president of Hellwig Products, said that she wishes she had adapted Hellwig’s marketing message to the Middle East before taking the trip.