By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A bill to amend the California law governing “Made in U.S.A.” labeling was approved by an assembly committee and is now on the floor of the assembly for a vote by all members. Under current law, the standard in California for designating products as “Made in U.S.A.” is different and more onerous than the standard established by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). 

The FTC allows manufacturers to display the “Made in U.S.A.” designation on products that are “all or virtually all” made in the United States. California has put in place a different standard requiring the product and all its subcomponents be entirely or substantially produced in the U.S. in order to be labeled as “Made in U.S.A.” This bill would resolve this discrepancy. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A bill to amend the California law governing “Made in U.S.A.” labeling was approved by an assembly committee and is now on the floor of the assembly for a vote by all members. Under current law, the standard in California for designating products as “Made in U.S.A.” is different and more onerous than the standard established by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). 

The FTC allows manufacturers to display the “Made in U.S.A.” designation on products that are “all or virtually all” made in the United States. California has put in place a different standard requiring the product and all its subcomponents be entirely or substantially produced in the U.S. in order to be labeled as “Made in U.S.A.” This bill would resolve this discrepancy. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Valuable government resources to help your business prosper are now at your fingertips. SEMA has assembled links to dozens of federal and state government websites that address a wide variety of small-businesses issues. Topics include business formation, taxes, antitrust enforcement, warranties, employment issues, government procurement, environment and small-business financing mechanisms. The SEMA Small Business Issues webpage is listed under the "Government Affairs" section on SEMA's homepage. 

For details, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Valuable government resources to help your business prosper are now at your fingertips. SEMA has assembled links to dozens of federal and state government websites that address a wide variety of small-businesses issues. Topics include business formation, taxes, antitrust enforcement, warranties, employment issues, government procurement, environment and small-business financing mechanisms. The SEMA Small Business Issues webpage is listed under the "Government Affairs" section on SEMA's homepage. 

For details, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

The shooters at KGP Photography just caught a less-disguised prototype for the facelifted ’16 Ford Fusion. The latest prototype has dropped the heavy front-end bra, in favor of lighter camo and a graphic wrap, providing the best look yet at the changes in store for the front fascia. The rear end also shows changes obscured primarily by some graphic camo and a little mesh over the taillights.

The Fusion gets a new grille design, which, at least on this prototype, gets a new mesh treatment instead of the horizontal bars on the current Fusion's grille. The headlights appear to show some changes compared to the current model, with new internal jewelry, and perhaps a subtly reshaped cluster. The front bumper gets redesigned with a new lower intake, and new outer fog lights that utilize a thin, angular light strip compared to the circular fog lamp on the current model.

At the rear, new taillights mark the biggest change. Today's white lamps ringed by red surrounding lens work goes away, in favor of a smoother, red-biased lens with a thin white strip extending from the center of the rear deck. The look appears to aim for a little more upscale elegance compared to the sportiness of the current Fusion's taillights. There are also signs of a redesigned rear valance with a new exhaust treatment.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

The shooters at KGP Photography just caught a less-disguised prototype for the facelifted ’16 Ford Fusion. The latest prototype has dropped the heavy front-end bra, in favor of lighter camo and a graphic wrap, providing the best look yet at the changes in store for the front fascia. The rear end also shows changes obscured primarily by some graphic camo and a little mesh over the taillights.

The Fusion gets a new grille design, which, at least on this prototype, gets a new mesh treatment instead of the horizontal bars on the current Fusion's grille. The headlights appear to show some changes compared to the current model, with new internal jewelry, and perhaps a subtly reshaped cluster. The front bumper gets redesigned with a new lower intake, and new outer fog lights that utilize a thin, angular light strip compared to the circular fog lamp on the current model.

At the rear, new taillights mark the biggest change. Today's white lamps ringed by red surrounding lens work goes away, in favor of a smoother, red-biased lens with a thin white strip extending from the center of the rear deck. The look appears to aim for a little more upscale elegance compared to the sportiness of the current Fusion's taillights. There are also signs of a redesigned rear valance with a new exhaust treatment.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

The shooters at KGP Photography just caught a less-disguised prototype for the facelifted ’16 Ford Fusion. The latest prototype has dropped the heavy front-end bra, in favor of lighter camo and a graphic wrap, providing the best look yet at the changes in store for the front fascia. The rear end also shows changes obscured primarily by some graphic camo and a little mesh over the taillights.

The Fusion gets a new grille design, which, at least on this prototype, gets a new mesh treatment instead of the horizontal bars on the current Fusion's grille. The headlights appear to show some changes compared to the current model, with new internal jewelry, and perhaps a subtly reshaped cluster. The front bumper gets redesigned with a new lower intake, and new outer fog lights that utilize a thin, angular light strip compared to the circular fog lamp on the current model.

At the rear, new taillights mark the biggest change. Today's white lamps ringed by red surrounding lens work goes away, in favor of a smoother, red-biased lens with a thin white strip extending from the center of the rear deck. The look appears to aim for a little more upscale elegance compared to the sportiness of the current Fusion's taillights. There are also signs of a redesigned rear valance with a new exhaust treatment.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

By SEMA Editors

	The Silverado HD is one of six vehicles available under Chevrolet's SEMA Show project vehicle program.

The Chevrolet SEMA Vehicle Program for 2015 will focus on designers and manufacturers dedicated to creating new and exciting vehicle designs, incorporating new accessories and vehicle personalization items for new Chevrolet vehicles.

Vehicles available:

• Colorado
• Tahoe
• Traverse
• Equinox
• Trax
• Silverado HD (non dually)

Requirements:

• Preservation of Chevrolet bowtie on front and rear of vehicle, not to be painted.
• High level of paint and build quality; no wraps.
• Sponsorship decals to be limited to the lower 1/3 of the vehicle side.
• Commit to periodic design and build check-ins.
• Promote vehicle through November 2, 2016.
• Retain vehicle insurance totaling at least $3 million until the completion of the one-year contract.
• Current SEMA member.
• Submit proposal by April 17, 2015.

Proposals must include:

• An introductory letter defining the vehicle theme, content and 2015 SEMA Show display location.
• A realistic exterior rendering with the intended colors and modifications accurately defined.
• A build timeline with start and completion dates.
• A detailed list of upgrades and modifications, including new products developed with the use of the vehicle.
• A promotional plan beyond the 2015 SEMA Show.
• Three printed copies mailed to the address listed below.
• An additional digital copy sent to the e-mail below.

Builders are urged to contact Tom Gardner at thomas.gardner@gm.com before submitting a formal proposal to discuss the vehicle theme and modifications.

Send proposals to:

Tom Gardner
Mail Code: 480-717-004
GM Technical Center – AEC Building
30003 Van Dyke Ave.
Office 168-04
Warren, MI 48090-9060

By SEMA Editors

	The Silverado HD is one of six vehicles available under Chevrolet's SEMA Show project vehicle program.

The Chevrolet SEMA Vehicle Program for 2015 will focus on designers and manufacturers dedicated to creating new and exciting vehicle designs, incorporating new accessories and vehicle personalization items for new Chevrolet vehicles.

Vehicles available:

• Colorado
• Tahoe
• Traverse
• Equinox
• Trax
• Silverado HD (non dually)

Requirements:

• Preservation of Chevrolet bowtie on front and rear of vehicle, not to be painted.
• High level of paint and build quality; no wraps.
• Sponsorship decals to be limited to the lower 1/3 of the vehicle side.
• Commit to periodic design and build check-ins.
• Promote vehicle through November 2, 2016.
• Retain vehicle insurance totaling at least $3 million until the completion of the one-year contract.
• Current SEMA member.
• Submit proposal by April 17, 2015.

Proposals must include:

• An introductory letter defining the vehicle theme, content and 2015 SEMA Show display location.
• A realistic exterior rendering with the intended colors and modifications accurately defined.
• A build timeline with start and completion dates.
• A detailed list of upgrades and modifications, including new products developed with the use of the vehicle.
• A promotional plan beyond the 2015 SEMA Show.
• Three printed copies mailed to the address listed below.
• An additional digital copy sent to the e-mail below.

Builders are urged to contact Tom Gardner at thomas.gardner@gm.com before submitting a formal proposal to discuss the vehicle theme and modifications.

Send proposals to:

Tom Gardner
Mail Code: 480-717-004
GM Technical Center – AEC Building
30003 Van Dyke Ave.
Office 168-04
Warren, MI 48090-9060

Are you hunting for a new job? The “Positions Available” section in the SEMA Member Classifieds lists more than 50 job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest classifieds posted to the website.

• Howards Cams, located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is hiring a marketing director responsible for web development, social media, print and digital media, catalog development, e-mail blasts and data acquisition. The successful candidate must be familiar with ACES and PIES. Working knowledge of Quark, Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator are a plus.

• OK Auto 4WD & Tire Inc. is hiring a marketing manager to market the company through all aspects, such as Internet, social media, print and signage. A marketing degree or at least three years’ experience in marketing is required. Experience with Adobe Photoshop is necessary. Photography and videography skills preferred. You must have a passion for cars or trucks and a desire to make a career in this industry.

• Mishimoto Automotive, located in New Castle, Delaware, is hiring a director of sales responsible for developing strategies to maximize worldwide sales by managing the development of new wholesale distributor and jobber shop relationships and the growth of existing customer relationships. The successful candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field and more than five years of account management, sales and business development experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience in the aftermarket auto industry.

• USA Performance Parts, located in Mooresville, North Carolina, is hiring a salesperson with extensive experience in performance engine building to provide customer sales support of custom performance engine-assembly kits. Experience with custom racing engines is required. Knowledge of NO2, blown and turbo race engines is a plus.

View more listings from SEMA's Automotive Classifieds listings.