By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The California Assembly and Senate have approved legislation to establish an advisory committee to study a road-usage fee.

Legislation to establish an advisory committee to study a road-usage fee was approved by the California Assembly and Senate. The bill now goes to the governor for his approval or veto. 

Under the bill, the group would propose the fee as an alternative to the gas tax and make recommendations on the design of a pilot program. According to supporters, a road-usage fee has the potential to distribute the gas tax burden across all vehicles regardless of fuel source and to minimize the impact of the current regressive gas tax structure.

According to opponents, the bill seeks to penalize national efforts to create a more fuel-efficient vehicle fleet by taxing drivers based on vehicle mileage. As gas tax revenues decrease due to hybrid and electric vehicle ownership, states are looking for new sources of funding for pet projects. 

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

The Hyundai Genesis coupe mule shows signs of some significant repackaging, with a longer rear section highlighted by a protruding addition tacked on to the mule's rear bumper. The exhaust now reaches farther back for increased overall length, which will yield much more trunk space. The extra length out back would also allow a longer roofline, allowing the rear seats to be pushed rearward for more passenger space. The evidence on the ground supports recent reports that have suggested that the current coupe's recipe will change, moving upscale to become more of a true two-door version of the luxury-minded Genesis sedan. This move would mean that the Genesis Coupe might be cross-shopped against cars such as the BMW 6-series and Mercedes E-class Coupe instead of against the Ford Mustang.

Judging from this mule, it appears that the Genesis Coupe's wheelbase will remain largely unchanged, suggesting that some key hard points of the current model will remain, likely keeping costs in check. Alterations are applied to the mule's front fascia, but it's difficult to draw many conclusions from the changes, except to say there are likely different grille apertures to get to something similar to the current Genesis sedan or Hyundai's HND-9 concept coupe.

With a move to something more upscale and Genesis-worthy, there would be a real chance of a V8 joining a version of the 3.8L V6 that currently serves as the sole engine offered in the Genesis Coupe.

There are reports that the Genesis Coupe was due sometime in early-to-mid ’15, but the timing of this mule suggests something later. Perhaps ’16 as a ’17 model?

Photo credit: KGP Photography

The Hyundai Genesis coupe mule shows signs of some significant repackaging, with a longer rear section highlighted by a protruding addition tacked on to the mule's rear bumper. The exhaust now reaches farther back for increased overall length, which will yield much more trunk space. The extra length out back would also allow a longer roofline, allowing the rear seats to be pushed rearward for more passenger space. The evidence on the ground supports recent reports that have suggested that the current coupe's recipe will change, moving upscale to become more of a true two-door version of the luxury-minded Genesis sedan. This move would mean that the Genesis Coupe might be cross-shopped against cars such as the BMW 6-series and Mercedes E-class Coupe instead of against the Ford Mustang.

Judging from this mule, it appears that the Genesis Coupe's wheelbase will remain largely unchanged, suggesting that some key hard points of the current model will remain, likely keeping costs in check. Alterations are applied to the mule's front fascia, but it's difficult to draw many conclusions from the changes, except to say there are likely different grille apertures to get to something similar to the current Genesis sedan or Hyundai's HND-9 concept coupe.

With a move to something more upscale and Genesis-worthy, there would be a real chance of a V8 joining a version of the 3.8L V6 that currently serves as the sole engine offered in the Genesis Coupe.

There are reports that the Genesis Coupe was due sometime in early-to-mid ’15, but the timing of this mule suggests something later. Perhaps ’16 as a ’17 model?

Photo credit: KGP Photography

The Hyundai Genesis coupe mule shows signs of some significant repackaging, with a longer rear section highlighted by a protruding addition tacked on to the mule's rear bumper. The exhaust now reaches farther back for increased overall length, which will yield much more trunk space. The extra length out back would also allow a longer roofline, allowing the rear seats to be pushed rearward for more passenger space. The evidence on the ground supports recent reports that have suggested that the current coupe's recipe will change, moving upscale to become more of a true two-door version of the luxury-minded Genesis sedan. This move would mean that the Genesis Coupe might be cross-shopped against cars such as the BMW 6-series and Mercedes E-class Coupe instead of against the Ford Mustang.

Judging from this mule, it appears that the Genesis Coupe's wheelbase will remain largely unchanged, suggesting that some key hard points of the current model will remain, likely keeping costs in check. Alterations are applied to the mule's front fascia, but it's difficult to draw many conclusions from the changes, except to say there are likely different grille apertures to get to something similar to the current Genesis sedan or Hyundai's HND-9 concept coupe.

With a move to something more upscale and Genesis-worthy, there would be a real chance of a V8 joining a version of the 3.8L V6 that currently serves as the sole engine offered in the Genesis Coupe.

There are reports that the Genesis Coupe was due sometime in early-to-mid ’15, but the timing of this mule suggests something later. Perhaps ’16 as a ’17 model?

Photo credit: KGP Photography

By SEMA Editors

	UPS is offering to be the single point of contact for all vehicle-shipment needs for exhibitors before, during and after the 2014 SEMA Show.

UPS is offering to be the single point of contact for all vehicle-shipment needs for exhibitors before, during and after the 2014 SEMA Show. Through the UPS Autogistics Finished Vehicle Transportation, exhibitors will benefit from the service that will request quotes, negotiate rates and manage exhibitor’s vehicle shipments from origin to destination.

To participate in the program, find out more information or request a quote, contact Dave Sprock at 702-283-0438.

By SEMA Editors

	UPS is offering to be the single point of contact for all vehicle-shipment needs for exhibitors before, during and after the 2014 SEMA Show.

UPS is offering to be the single point of contact for all vehicle-shipment needs for exhibitors before, during and after the 2014 SEMA Show. Through the UPS Autogistics Finished Vehicle Transportation, exhibitors will benefit from the service that will request quotes, negotiate rates and manage exhibitor’s vehicle shipments from origin to destination.

To participate in the program, find out more information or request a quote, contact Dave Sprock at 702-283-0438.

By SEMA Editors

	UPS is offering to be the single point of contact for all vehicle-shipment needs for exhibitors before, during and after the 2014 SEMA Show.

UPS is offering to be the single point of contact for all vehicle-shipment needs for exhibitors before, during and after the 2014 SEMA Show. Through the UPS Autogistics Finished Vehicle Transportation, exhibitors will benefit from the service that will request quotes, negotiate rates and manage exhibitor’s vehicle shipments from origin to destination.

To participate in the program, find out more information or request a quote, contact Dave Sprock at 702-283-0438.

By SEMA Editors

	David Nelms

Longtime industry veteran and SEMA member David Allison Nelms, 71, of Tunnel Hill, Georgia, passed away, Saturday, August 2, 2014. A lifelong resident of the Ringgold, Tunnel Hill areas, he was a former employee of Honest Charley's, where he worked for 29 years, and P&E Distributors, where he worked for 21 years.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Francis Allison Nelms and Laura Mary Bell Cox Nelms; sister Doris Pitts and brother Gene Nelms. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Linda Caylor Nelms of Tunnel Hill; two sons and daughters-in-law Danny and Dana Nelms of Franklin, Tennessee, and Michael and Marla Nelms of Dalton, Georgia; as well as several other family members.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the New Hope Baptist Church David Nelms Nursery Fund at 2105 Tunnel Hill Varnell Rd., Tunnel Hill, GA 30755.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has taken the first step toward requiring vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications in all new light-duty cars. The agency issued a research report and an advance proposed rule to mandate the installation of wireless equipment warning drivers of potential danger. The NHTSA has identified the year 2020 as its target to begin implementing the rule. 

The NHTSA intends to create a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS), FMVSS No. 150, establishing minimum performance requirements for V2V devices and messages. Examples for which the technology could provide safety benefits include warning the driver of stopped vehicles and vehicles in the blind spot. The NHTSA estimates that the equipment and software could cost around $350 per vehicle. The NHTSA contends that a safety standard is necessary in order to equip a significant number of new vehicles with the technology. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has taken the first step toward requiring vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications in all new light-duty cars. The agency issued a research report and an advance proposed rule to mandate the installation of wireless equipment warning drivers of potential danger. The NHTSA has identified the year 2020 as its target to begin implementing the rule. 

The NHTSA intends to create a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS), FMVSS No. 150, establishing minimum performance requirements for V2V devices and messages. Examples for which the technology could provide safety benefits include warning the driver of stopped vehicles and vehicles in the blind spot. The NHTSA estimates that the equipment and software could cost around $350 per vehicle. The NHTSA contends that a safety standard is necessary in order to equip a significant number of new vehicles with the technology. 

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