SEMA is working with Wyoming lawmakers to oppose legislation pre-filed for consideration in 2013 that would increase vehicle registration fees by $10 for passenger vehicles and would double registration fees based on unladen vehicle weight for non-commercial trucks. For example, the registration fee for a vehicle weighing 6,001 lbs. or more would rise from $60 to $120. In addition, the bill increases the gasoline and diesel fuel taxes by $.10 per gallon. 

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

California Senator Ted Lieu is dropping a plan to ask voters to triple the state’s vehicle license fee rates through a constitutional amendment. Under the plan, Lieu indicated that the 1.35% transportation system user fee increase would generate an estimated $3.5 to $4 billion annually for roads and public transit.

In scrapping the plan, he said in a statement that “over the last few weeks California’s political landscape has changed. I have listened carefully to those who have contacted my office or me. Additionally, more stakeholders weighed in on this important issue. As a result, I will not be introducing the proposal. Instead, I will work with transportation stakeholders and the public next year on alternative ways to mitigate the transportation infrastructure problem.” 

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

California Senator Ted Lieu is dropping a plan to ask voters to triple the state’s vehicle license fee rates through a constitutional amendment. Under the plan, Lieu indicated that the 1.35% transportation system user fee increase would generate an estimated $3.5 to $4 billion annually for roads and public transit.

In scrapping the plan, he said in a statement that “over the last few weeks California’s political landscape has changed. I have listened carefully to those who have contacted my office or me. Additionally, more stakeholders weighed in on this important issue. As a result, I will not be introducing the proposal. Instead, I will work with transportation stakeholders and the public next year on alternative ways to mitigate the transportation infrastructure problem.” 

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

While most of the national attention during last November’s election was devoted to the presidential race, an event critical to the state of California also created news. With all the votes counted, one party has garnered enough seats in both houses of California’s legislature to now govern the state with a supermajority that can overturn a governor’s veto.

Democrats now hold 54 seats of California’s 80-seat assembly and 25 of the 40 state senate seats. With a supermajority, Democrats will no longer need Republican support to pass tax increases. Article 13A of California’s constitution notes that “any change in state statute which results in any taxpayer paying a higher tax must be imposed by an act passed by not less than two-thirds of all members elected to each of the two houses of the Legislature.” 

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

While most of the national attention during last November’s election was devoted to the presidential race, an event critical to the state of California also created news. With all the votes counted, one party has garnered enough seats in both houses of California’s legislature to now govern the state with a supermajority that can overturn a governor’s veto.

Democrats now hold 54 seats of California’s 80-seat assembly and 25 of the 40 state senate seats. With a supermajority, Democrats will no longer need Republican support to pass tax increases. Article 13A of California’s constitution notes that “any change in state statute which results in any taxpayer paying a higher tax must be imposed by an act passed by not less than two-thirds of all members elected to each of the two houses of the Legislature.” 

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

The American Automobile Association (AAA) is opposing the sale of gasoline with 15% ethanol content (E15). A recent survey found that 95% of AAA members were not aware of E15 or that the fuel could damage their vehicles and void their warranties. With only 5% of vehicles currently approved by automakers to use the fuel, AAA has called for a suspension of E15 sales until motorists are better protected. AAA joins a growing list of opponents that includes SEMA and many other trade associations and businesses.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the sale of E15 for use in ’01 and newer vehicles. The EPA also made it illegal to fuel pre-’01 vehicles with E15. SEMA opposes E15 based on scientific evidence that it causes corrosion with incompatible parts. Ethanol increases water formation which can then create formic acid and corrode metals, plastics, and rubber. E15 can also burn hotter than E10 gasoline and cause damage to certain high-performance specialty parts.

SEMA continues to support federal legislation that would prevent E15 sales until the National Academies has issued a study on how the fuel impacts gas-powered vehicles. To date, only a handful of stations are selling E15. For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) is opposing the sale of gasoline with 15% ethanol content (E15). A recent survey found that 95% of AAA members were not aware of E15 or that the fuel could damage their vehicles and void their warranties. With only 5% of vehicles currently approved by automakers to use the fuel, AAA has called for a suspension of E15 sales until motorists are better protected. AAA joins a growing list of opponents that includes SEMA and many other trade associations and businesses.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the sale of E15 for use in ’01 and newer vehicles. The EPA also made it illegal to fuel pre-’01 vehicles with E15. SEMA opposes E15 based on scientific evidence that it causes corrosion with incompatible parts. Ethanol increases water formation which can then create formic acid and corrode metals, plastics, and rubber. E15 can also burn hotter than E10 gasoline and cause damage to certain high-performance specialty parts.

SEMA continues to support federal legislation that would prevent E15 sales until the National Academies has issued a study on how the fuel impacts gas-powered vehicles. To date, only a handful of stations are selling E15. For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

SEMA News—December 2012

INTERNET
By Joe Dysart

How to Optimize YouTube Videos for Search Engines

Google employees like this one will reward businesses that follow some basic, YouTube optimization best practices.

While search-engine optimization on YouTube often comes off as modern-day mysticism best reserved for the high priests of the digerati, it’s actually fairly straightforward if you know what you’re doing. Essentially, you’ll be able to ensure that your YouTube videos pop up higher in search-engine returns if you follow the guidelines below, as recommended by Bobbi Dempsey, author of the MarketingSherpa Report, “30 Minute Marketer: How to Create SEO-Friendly YouTube Content”.

Get Comfortable With the Terrain: If you’ve never uploaded a video to YouTube before, you’re in luck. YouTube offers a Creators’ Corner on its site that is designed to bring the novice quickly up to speed. You’ll learn the basics of how to create and set up a YouTube account as well as get inspiration on how to shoot your first video. You’ll also find editing tools at Creators’ Corner, which will help you polish the raw video footage you shoot. Plus, Creators’ Corner has a free users’ forum where you can get advice from seasoned YouTube veterans.

Embed Keywords in Every Facet of Your Video: Once you’ve created your video, you’ll want to seed it with keywords that intimately describe its content so that it will be easy to find for the search engines, which look for keywords describing YouTube videos in a number of ways. Most experienced YouTubers realize that the title of a video should include a keyword or keywords that vividly describe the video. But search engines also respond very favorably to keywords that are embedded in the text description of your video as well as keywords that are in the actual file name of your video.

Get Help From a Keyword Research Tool: You can discover some of the best keywords for your video by using keyword research tools such as Wordtracker and Keyword Discovery. By inputting a general theme in these tools, you’ll be able to identify popular terms associated with the theme, highly competitive terms and related synonyms. In addition to the keywords that you believe are a natural for your videos, the keywords you glean from these tools will serve as an excellent baseline in your ongoing quest for the best keywords for your videos.

Avoid Keyword “Stuffing”: Search engines penalize YouTubers who “stuff” an onslaught of keywords into video title names, video file names and the like. Rule of thumb: If a title or description you come up with sounds awkward or unintelligible, you could be penalized by the search engines. If in doubt, trash it.

Read the complete article featured in the December 2012 issue of SEMA News.

Joe Dysart is an Internet speaker and business consultant based in Manhattan.
646-233-4089
joe@joedysart.com
www.joedysart.com

SEMA News—December 2012

INTERNET
By Joe Dysart

How to Optimize YouTube Videos for Search Engines

Google employees like this one will reward businesses that follow some basic, YouTube optimization best practices.

While search-engine optimization on YouTube often comes off as modern-day mysticism best reserved for the high priests of the digerati, it’s actually fairly straightforward if you know what you’re doing. Essentially, you’ll be able to ensure that your YouTube videos pop up higher in search-engine returns if you follow the guidelines below, as recommended by Bobbi Dempsey, author of the MarketingSherpa Report, “30 Minute Marketer: How to Create SEO-Friendly YouTube Content”.

Get Comfortable With the Terrain: If you’ve never uploaded a video to YouTube before, you’re in luck. YouTube offers a Creators’ Corner on its site that is designed to bring the novice quickly up to speed. You’ll learn the basics of how to create and set up a YouTube account as well as get inspiration on how to shoot your first video. You’ll also find editing tools at Creators’ Corner, which will help you polish the raw video footage you shoot. Plus, Creators’ Corner has a free users’ forum where you can get advice from seasoned YouTube veterans.

Embed Keywords in Every Facet of Your Video: Once you’ve created your video, you’ll want to seed it with keywords that intimately describe its content so that it will be easy to find for the search engines, which look for keywords describing YouTube videos in a number of ways. Most experienced YouTubers realize that the title of a video should include a keyword or keywords that vividly describe the video. But search engines also respond very favorably to keywords that are embedded in the text description of your video as well as keywords that are in the actual file name of your video.

Get Help From a Keyword Research Tool: You can discover some of the best keywords for your video by using keyword research tools such as Wordtracker and Keyword Discovery. By inputting a general theme in these tools, you’ll be able to identify popular terms associated with the theme, highly competitive terms and related synonyms. In addition to the keywords that you believe are a natural for your videos, the keywords you glean from these tools will serve as an excellent baseline in your ongoing quest for the best keywords for your videos.

Avoid Keyword “Stuffing”: Search engines penalize YouTubers who “stuff” an onslaught of keywords into video title names, video file names and the like. Rule of thumb: If a title or description you come up with sounds awkward or unintelligible, you could be penalized by the search engines. If in doubt, trash it.

Read the complete article featured in the December 2012 issue of SEMA News.

Joe Dysart is an Internet speaker and business consultant based in Manhattan.
646-233-4089
joe@joedysart.com
www.joedysart.com

	This 2013 Ford Mustang, designed by 3dCarbon and displayed in the Ford booth at the 2012 SEMA Show, was recognized with a Ford Design Award for Outstanding Achievement in Design.

Ford Motor Co. recognized the most significant design achievements at the 2012 SEMA Show with its Corporate Design Awards. The awards are presented annually by the automaker to the Ford vehicles that make a significant contribution to vehicle design and stand apart from all others at the Show.

Awards were presented for the most significant accomplishments in the categories of Best of Show; Best of Show on Ford Corporate Display Stand; Best Ford Heritage Vehicle; and Outstanding Achievement(s).


Ford Design Awards

• Best of Show: Steve Strope – ’65 Mustang
• Best of Ford Show Stand: DSO Eyewear ­ ’13 Mustang
• Best Heritage Vehicle: Bill Lindig ’27 Roadster

Special Recognition for Outstanding Achievement in Design

• Bojix Design – ’13 Focus ST
• Tanner Foust ­ ’13 Focus ST
• Galpin Auto Sport (GAS) ­ ’13 Focus ST
• 3dCarbon ­ ’13 Mustang
• Ring Bros. ­ ’13 Mustang
• Classic Design Concepts ­ ’13 Fusion
• MRT – ’13 Fusion
• K-Daddyz Kustomz ­ ’13 F-150
• SoCal Speed Shop ­ ’32 Ford Roadster

Outstanding Product Excellence Awards

• M & J Enterprise – ’13 Focus ST
• CGS ­ ’13 Taurus SHO
• Full Race – ’13 F-150
• Kelderman Suspension – ’12 Super Duty
• Ice Nine Group ­ ’13 Fusion