By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff 

Working with state lawmakers, SEMA helped amend legislation that originally threatened to ban any covering that reduced the visibility of required motor-vehicle lighting. Under the amendment, which was approved by the Arkansas Legislature and signed into law by Governor Mike Beebe, these coverings would be prohibited only when required lamps are in use. SEMA expressed its concern that the original bill could be misinterpreted to include such items as removable ornamental lamp covers, which are often used for shows, exhibitions and street use during daylight hours.  

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C. Staff

Following years of debate, legislation to give states the ability to collect sales tax from out-of-state Internet and mail-order retailers passed the U.S. Senate. President Obama has signaled his support of the “Marketplace Fairness Act” (S. 743). However, the bill must still be approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. Given that SEMA represents both Internet retailers and brick-and-mortar stores, SEMA is neutral on the legislation.

Under a 1992 U.S. Supreme Court decision, states cannot force retailers to collect state sales/use taxes unless the company has a physical presence in the state (“nexus”). The legislation would provide states with this authority. It would also exempt sellers that make less than $1 million in total remote sales in the year preceding the sale from the requirement to collect the tax. 

The bill is constructed around acceptance of the Streamlined Sales Tax Project (SSTP)—a multi-state agreement to establish one uniform system to administer and collect sales taxes. Twenty-four states have adopted the simplification measures to date, thereby making them eligible to require sales tax collection if Congress enacts the legislation into law. Those states are: Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

By SEMA Washington, D.C. Staff

Following years of debate, legislation to give states the ability to collect sales tax from out-of-state Internet and mail-order retailers passed the U.S. Senate. President Obama has signaled his support of the “Marketplace Fairness Act” (S. 743). However, the bill must still be approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. Given that SEMA represents both Internet retailers and brick-and-mortar stores, SEMA is neutral on the legislation.

Under a 1992 U.S. Supreme Court decision, states cannot force retailers to collect state sales/use taxes unless the company has a physical presence in the state (“nexus”). The legislation would provide states with this authority. It would also exempt sellers that make less than $1 million in total remote sales in the year preceding the sale from the requirement to collect the tax. 

The bill is constructed around acceptance of the Streamlined Sales Tax Project (SSTP)—a multi-state agreement to establish one uniform system to administer and collect sales taxes. Twenty-four states have adopted the simplification measures to date, thereby making them eligible to require sales tax collection if Congress enacts the legislation into law. Those states are: Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

	SEMA-member companies are invited to measure and preview a ’13 Ford Ranger T6 at Dearborn, Michigan-based, Link Engineering, Tuesday, May 14.

SEMA, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, has brought a ’13 Ford Ranger T6 to the United States. The one-ton pickup is being sold throughout the world but not in the United States or Canada.   

SEMA-member companies are invited to measure and preview the truck at Dearborn, Michigan-based, Link Engineering, Tuesday, May 14. Additional sessions will be added at the SEMA headquarters. There is no charge for these sessions. To sign up, register online to measure in the Midwest or California.

The truck is also available for members to measure in their shops on a cost-reimbursable basis.  

The new Ford Ranger—a body-on-frame, Australian-design, midsize truck—is offered in Double, Super and Regular cab body styles. The vehicle being made available to SEMA members is a 4x4 double cab with a 2.5L, five-speed gasoline engine. The vehicle, which SEMA imported from the Middle East, was assembled in South Africa.

Ford Ranger T6 Detroit Measuring Session

Date: May 14, 2013
Time: 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Location: Link Engineering, Dearborn, Michigan
Registration: Sign up online

For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or call 202-415-8008.

	SEMA-member companies are invited to measure and preview a ’13 Ford Ranger T6 at Dearborn, Michigan-based, Link Engineering, Tuesday, May 14.

SEMA, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, has brought a ’13 Ford Ranger T6 to the United States. The one-ton pickup is being sold throughout the world but not in the United States or Canada.   

SEMA-member companies are invited to measure and preview the truck at Dearborn, Michigan-based, Link Engineering, Tuesday, May 14. Additional sessions will be added at the SEMA headquarters. There is no charge for these sessions. To sign up, register online to measure in the Midwest or California.

The truck is also available for members to measure in their shops on a cost-reimbursable basis.  

The new Ford Ranger—a body-on-frame, Australian-design, midsize truck—is offered in Double, Super and Regular cab body styles. The vehicle being made available to SEMA members is a 4x4 double cab with a 2.5L, five-speed gasoline engine. The vehicle, which SEMA imported from the Middle East, was assembled in South Africa.

Ford Ranger T6 Detroit Measuring Session

Date: May 14, 2013
Time: 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Location: Link Engineering, Dearborn, Michigan
Registration: Sign up online

For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or call 202-415-8008.

	SEMA participants at a previous SEMA China program visit the China International Auto Parts Expo. This year, SEMA members—for the first time—will have a chance to exhibit at this show, which is now in its seventh year.

SEMA members are invited to participate in an upcoming trip to explore the market in China and showcase products at one of the largest trade shows in that country—the China International Auto Parts Expo (CIAPE). The expo is the official trade show of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.

Participants of the 2013 SEMA China Trip will visit off-road and street-performance shops in China, as well as meet with high-ranking U.S. officials in the country. As an additional part of the program, SEMA members can opt to exhibit at the CIAPE. Now in its seventh year, the show is held in the China International Exhibition Center in central Beijing. 

Benefits for participating SEMA members include:

• A private interpreter for each company.
• The opportunity to meet with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China.
• The opportunity to showcase products at the CIAPE show.
• An upscale, centrally located hotel.
• Qualified exhibitors will receive a U.S. grant of $1,000 to defray the costs of participation.
• Promote brands to Chinese buyers now through China eNews—a periodic Chinese-language electronic newsletter sent to buyers throughout China.

This popular trip to China sells out each year, so SEMA members are encouraged to register now for one of the remaining slots. For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

	SEMA participants at a previous SEMA China program visit the China International Auto Parts Expo. This year, SEMA members—for the first time—will have a chance to exhibit at this show, which is now in its seventh year.

SEMA members are invited to participate in an upcoming trip to explore the market in China and showcase products at one of the largest trade shows in that country—the China International Auto Parts Expo (CIAPE). The expo is the official trade show of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.

Participants of the 2013 SEMA China Trip will visit off-road and street-performance shops in China, as well as meet with high-ranking U.S. officials in the country. As an additional part of the program, SEMA members can opt to exhibit at the CIAPE. Now in its seventh year, the show is held in the China International Exhibition Center in central Beijing. 

Benefits for participating SEMA members include:

• A private interpreter for each company.
• The opportunity to meet with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China.
• The opportunity to showcase products at the CIAPE show.
• An upscale, centrally located hotel.
• Qualified exhibitors will receive a U.S. grant of $1,000 to defray the costs of participation.
• Promote brands to Chinese buyers now through China eNews—a periodic Chinese-language electronic newsletter sent to buyers throughout China.

This popular trip to China sells out each year, so SEMA members are encouraged to register now for one of the remaining slots. For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

	SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry who are under the age of 35 through its 35 Under 35 program.

For the second consecutive year, SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry who are under the age of 35. We need your input. If you know of a leader who is under 35—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media or distribution—we would like to hear from you.

Nominate now for the 2013 SEMA News 35 Under 35. Nominations are due May 10, 2013.

It is very likely that SEMA members are currently working with creative and talented young professionals who are already moving the industry in new and different directions. They are also the ones who have played major roles in leveraging new and emerging technologies—in areas including marketing and product development—with a traditional automotive aftermarket business to expand company reach and customer interaction.

They could be budding superstars at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands, or innovators who have launched companies that are sure to become big names in the future. What they all will have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed. These are people who know what’s going on at ground level, who see opportunities that are now forming and who travel in circles that might be very different from those of our “old-school” industry leaders.

Winners will be chosen based on their business success, contribution to their organization, industry knowledge and community involvement. We'll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

	SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry who are under the age of 35 through its 35 Under 35 program.

For the second consecutive year, SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry who are under the age of 35. We need your input. If you know of a leader who is under 35—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media or distribution—we would like to hear from you.

Nominate now for the 2013 SEMA News 35 Under 35. Nominations are due May 10, 2013.

It is very likely that SEMA members are currently working with creative and talented young professionals who are already moving the industry in new and different directions. They are also the ones who have played major roles in leveraging new and emerging technologies—in areas including marketing and product development—with a traditional automotive aftermarket business to expand company reach and customer interaction.

They could be budding superstars at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands, or innovators who have launched companies that are sure to become big names in the future. What they all will have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed. These are people who know what’s going on at ground level, who see opportunities that are now forming and who travel in circles that might be very different from those of our “old-school” industry leaders.

Winners will be chosen based on their business success, contribution to their organization, industry knowledge and community involvement. We'll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

	The SEMA Show Exhibitor Manual is the go-to resource for exhibitors to locate key information and regulations, important forms, ordering procedures and early-bird deadlines.

By SEMA Editors

The Exhibitor Manual for the 2013 SEMA Show is now available online at www.SEMAShow.com/esm. Shaping a successful experience at the SEMA Show begins with proper planning, and the Exhibitor Manual (ESM) is the go-to resource for key information and regulations, important forms, ordering procedures and early-bird deadlines. The ESM can be accessed at any time for exhibitors to find what they need and help ensure that their Show plan is on track.

Not only is the ESM the main resource to plan and execute booth furnishings and product displays, the ESM is also vital for participating in SEMA Show programs designed to help companies promote their booths and drive buyer traffic. Registering a product for the Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Product Showcase is one of the strongest ways for exhibitors to highlight both their latest inventions as well as their hottest selling merchandise.

In addition, a booth display vehicle or feature vehicle parked throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center is an extremely effective way for exhibitors to demonstrate their latest innovations in a real-world display. To get started, simply click on the appropriate link from the ESM homepage. The SEMA Show Exhibitor Manual is available at www.SEMAShow.com/esm.       

There are more than 2,000 exhibitors currently participating in the Priority Space Selection process for the 2013 SEMA Show. The Priority Space Selection process runs through May 15. Companies that would like to exhibit can still secure booth space through the "Buy A Booth" link located at www.SEMAShow.com.