The Obama Administration has requested that the World Trade Organization (WTO) resolve a trade dispute with China over at least $1 billion in alleged subsidies made available to Chinese auto and auto-parts exporters between 2009 and 2011. The U.S. government contends that the subsidies are unfair under WTO rules and threaten jobs in America’s $350 billion auto sector. China is accused of providing cash grants, tax preferences and interest-rate subsidies for both original equipment and aftermarket motor vehicle parts. 

The WTO action is the latest in a series of disputes by both countries over trade rules for autos, tires and several other commodities. Exports of Chinese-made auto parts have risen nearly tenfold in the last decade, from $7.4 billion in 2002 to nearly $70 billion in 2011. Although the trade dispute could result in the imposition of tariffs, a more likely result is that China would abandon the subsidies if its policy is found to be unfair. 

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

The Obama Administration has requested that the World Trade Organization (WTO) resolve a trade dispute with China over at least $1 billion in alleged subsidies made available to Chinese auto and auto-parts exporters between 2009 and 2011. The U.S. government contends that the subsidies are unfair under WTO rules and threaten jobs in America’s $350 billion auto sector. China is accused of providing cash grants, tax preferences and interest-rate subsidies for both original equipment and aftermarket motor vehicle parts. 

The WTO action is the latest in a series of disputes by both countries over trade rules for autos, tires and several other commodities. Exports of Chinese-made auto parts have risen nearly tenfold in the last decade, from $7.4 billion in 2002 to nearly $70 billion in 2011. Although the trade dispute could result in the imposition of tariffs, a more likely result is that China would abandon the subsidies if its policy is found to be unfair. 

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

	Reach a wide media audience by posting company news and new product information to the exhibitor press release section of the official SEMA Show website.

SEMA Show exhibitors are encouraged to post press releases on the official Show site for use by media.

Providing company information for the site is an easy way for exhibiting manufacturers to announce new product news, corporate updates and other business-related happenings in front of a wide media audience.  

Access the site now!

	Reach a wide media audience by posting company news and new product information to the exhibitor press release section of the official SEMA Show website.

SEMA Show exhibitors are encouraged to post press releases on the official Show site for use by media.

Providing company information for the site is an easy way for exhibiting manufacturers to announce new product news, corporate updates and other business-related happenings in front of a wide media audience.  

Access the site now!

	The concept.
	The build.
	Ready to race.

Some of the nation’s best custom-car and hot-rod builders recently took part in the third-annual Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Pinewood Builders Challenge. Fifteen well-known builders created one-of-a-kind miniature hot rods in the style of Pinewood derby cars. The cars were raced at the annual SEMA Pinewood Drag Races in Pomona, California, with the car built by Derek White of Street Vizions winning the race. All of these cars will be on display at the annual SEMA Show and then placed on eBay for auction from October 30–November 8. All proceeds from the auction will go to support SEMA Cares and its two children’s charities—Childhelp and Victory Junction.

Describe the inspirations behind the design of your pinewood car.

This year, I used one of the bodies from my new resin model car line—the ’69 Camaro Sport Wagon. The original design was something I had been playing around with one afternoon and ended up contributing the artwork to Camaro Performers magazine for use in their "Camaro Concepts" section. The concept was so well received that when I started my resin model company, it was the first car put into production and has been a great seller. The car's design is something that Chevrolet should've done. Who knows a how many more Camaros would've been sold had they offered the Camaro as a wagon?

Describe some of the materials and resources you used to build your car.

The chassis is the original piece of pinewood that SEMA provided me with. The wheels, just as last year’s car, are drawer knobs, and the body is cast resin.

Why is it important for you to participate in the Pinewood Challenge?

For me, it's exposure, the love of competition and the fact that the sale of the car helps kids and maybe inspires them to get involved in hot rodding as a hobbyist or a professional later in life. 

	The concept.
	The build.
	Ready to race.

Some of the nation’s best custom-car and hot-rod builders recently took part in the third-annual Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Pinewood Builders Challenge. Fifteen well-known builders created one-of-a-kind miniature hot rods in the style of Pinewood derby cars. The cars were raced at the annual SEMA Pinewood Drag Races in Pomona, California, with the car built by Derek White of Street Vizions winning the race. All of these cars will be on display at the annual SEMA Show and then placed on eBay for auction from October 30–November 8. All proceeds from the auction will go to support SEMA Cares and its two children’s charities—Childhelp and Victory Junction.

Describe the inspirations behind the design of your pinewood car.

This year, I used one of the bodies from my new resin model car line—the ’69 Camaro Sport Wagon. The original design was something I had been playing around with one afternoon and ended up contributing the artwork to Camaro Performers magazine for use in their "Camaro Concepts" section. The concept was so well received that when I started my resin model company, it was the first car put into production and has been a great seller. The car's design is something that Chevrolet should've done. Who knows a how many more Camaros would've been sold had they offered the Camaro as a wagon?

Describe some of the materials and resources you used to build your car.

The chassis is the original piece of pinewood that SEMA provided me with. The wheels, just as last year’s car, are drawer knobs, and the body is cast resin.

Why is it important for you to participate in the Pinewood Challenge?

For me, it's exposure, the love of competition and the fact that the sale of the car helps kids and maybe inspires them to get involved in hot rodding as a hobbyist or a professional later in life. 

	The concept.
	The build.
	Ready to race.

Some of the nation’s best custom-car and hot-rod builders recently took part in the third-annual Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Pinewood Builders Challenge. Fifteen well-known builders created one-of-a-kind miniature hot rods in the style of Pinewood derby cars. The cars were raced at the annual SEMA Pinewood Drag Races in Pomona, California, with the car built by Derek White of Street Vizions winning the race. All of these cars will be on display at the annual SEMA Show and then placed on eBay for auction from October 30–November 8. All proceeds from the auction will go to support SEMA Cares and its two children’s charities—Childhelp and Victory Junction.

Describe the inspirations behind the design of your pinewood car.

This year, I used one of the bodies from my new resin model car line—the ’69 Camaro Sport Wagon. The original design was something I had been playing around with one afternoon and ended up contributing the artwork to Camaro Performers magazine for use in their "Camaro Concepts" section. The concept was so well received that when I started my resin model company, it was the first car put into production and has been a great seller. The car's design is something that Chevrolet should've done. Who knows a how many more Camaros would've been sold had they offered the Camaro as a wagon?

Describe some of the materials and resources you used to build your car.

The chassis is the original piece of pinewood that SEMA provided me with. The wheels, just as last year’s car, are drawer knobs, and the body is cast resin.

Why is it important for you to participate in the Pinewood Challenge?

For me, it's exposure, the love of competition and the fact that the sale of the car helps kids and maybe inspires them to get involved in hot rodding as a hobbyist or a professional later in life. 

	The concept.
	The build.
	Ready to race.

Some of the nation’s best custom-car and hot-rod builders recently took part in the third-annual Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Pinewood Builders Challenge. Fifteen well-known builders created one-of-a-kind miniature hot rods in the style of Pinewood derby cars. The cars were raced at the annual SEMA Pinewood Drag Races in Pomona, California, with the car built by Derek White of Street Vizions winning the race. All of these cars will be on display at the annual SEMA Show and then placed on eBay for auction from October 30–November 8. All proceeds from the auction will go to support SEMA Cares and its two children’s charities—Childhelp and Victory Junction.

Describe the inspirations behind the design of your pinewood car.

This year, I used one of the bodies from my new resin model car line—the ’69 Camaro Sport Wagon. The original design was something I had been playing around with one afternoon and ended up contributing the artwork to Camaro Performers magazine for use in their "Camaro Concepts" section. The concept was so well received that when I started my resin model company, it was the first car put into production and has been a great seller. The car's design is something that Chevrolet should've done. Who knows a how many more Camaros would've been sold had they offered the Camaro as a wagon?

Describe some of the materials and resources you used to build your car.

The chassis is the original piece of pinewood that SEMA provided me with. The wheels, just as last year’s car, are drawer knobs, and the body is cast resin.

Why is it important for you to participate in the Pinewood Challenge?

For me, it's exposure, the love of competition and the fact that the sale of the car helps kids and maybe inspires them to get involved in hot rodding as a hobbyist or a professional later in life. 

	The concept.
	The build.
	Ready to race.

Some of the nation’s best custom-car and hot-rod builders recently took part in the third-annual Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Pinewood Builders Challenge. Fifteen well-known builders created one-of-a-kind miniature hot rods in the style of Pinewood derby cars. The cars were raced at the annual SEMA Pinewood Drag Races in Pomona, California, with the car built by Derek White of Street Vizions winning the race. All of these cars will be on display at the annual SEMA Show and then placed on eBay for auction from October 30–November 8. All proceeds from the auction will go to support SEMA Cares and its two children’s charities—Childhelp and Victory Junction.

Describe the inspirations behind the design of your pinewood car.

This year, I used one of the bodies from my new resin model car line—the ’69 Camaro Sport Wagon. The original design was something I had been playing around with one afternoon and ended up contributing the artwork to Camaro Performers magazine for use in their "Camaro Concepts" section. The concept was so well received that when I started my resin model company, it was the first car put into production and has been a great seller. The car's design is something that Chevrolet should've done. Who knows a how many more Camaros would've been sold had they offered the Camaro as a wagon?

Describe some of the materials and resources you used to build your car.

The chassis is the original piece of pinewood that SEMA provided me with. The wheels, just as last year’s car, are drawer knobs, and the body is cast resin.

Why is it important for you to participate in the Pinewood Challenge?

For me, it's exposure, the love of competition and the fact that the sale of the car helps kids and maybe inspires them to get involved in hot rodding as a hobbyist or a professional later in life. 

Petersen Museum to Honor Adam Corolla, John Lasseter
The Petersen Automotive Museum will honor John Lasseter and Adam Corolla at its "Comedy and Cars Gala" on Thursday, October 4. John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios and principle creative advisor for Walt Disney Imagineering, will be awarded the Petersen Automotive Museum 2012 Automotive Visionary Award. The award salutes Lasseter’s lifelong passion for the automobile and honors the laughter he has brought millions around the world by celebrating the many ways the automobile provides freedom, personal expression and adventure. Adam Carolla, comedian, best-selling author, radio, TV and podcast host will receive the Petersen Automotive Museum 2012 Automotive Enthusiast Award in recognition of his many contributions to the promotion of the car as entertainment through building, personalization and collecting. 

Tire Group International Appoints Bill Hirst VP of Program Sales
Tire Group International appointed Bill Hirst as the company's new vice president of program sales for its domestic division. According to the company, Hirst, a 33-year industry veteran and brings a vast amount of experience in the passenger, light-truck, truck, industrial, agricultural and OTR tire segments. Previously, Hirst spent eight years at TBC Corp. as executive vice president of sales for key brands, such as Sumitomo.

Pareto Point Industries Named Semifinalist National CleanTech Open Competition
Pareto Point Industries was selected as a semifinalist in the 2012 National CleanTech Open (CTO) Competition for the company's Parallel-Flow Oil Bypass Filtration System. Pareto is now eligible for regional and national awards totaling $1,000,000 in cash, products, services and international media recognition. "Being recognized by CleanTech Open, the world’s largest sustainable business accelerator, is a great honor," stated Pareto Point Industries Chief Executive Officer Dr. Bob Hammer. "The competition is helping us develop more effective ways to be even more responsive to our customers’ needs.  Through CTO we have been exposed to potential partners, funders, customers and mentors. We look forward to the future rounds."   

Chris Duke

Chris Duke to Host New eHow Auto Center Series
Chris Duke, host and executive producer of Motorz was selected to host a new 25-episode series in cooperation with eHow.com called the eHow Auto Center. The first four episodes are now live online at www.motorz.tv/autocenter. The eHow Center provides how-to tips and instructions for auto repair and maintenance. “Chris was a natural pick for the eHow Auto Center series because he has a great presentation style and he shares our passion for do-it-yourself automotive care using common tools and proven techniques,” stated William Deloney, producer and director, eHow Auto Center. “He has a great way of explaining how to complete each project with confidence, covering the tools and safety rules, while also making sure he identifies the projects that are better left to the professionals.” 

Behr Hella Service Adds 120 Part Numbers
Behr Hella Service—a join venture between Behr and Hella—announced that there are more than 120 part numbers in its heavy-duty truck thermal-management parts program, including new replacement listings for Dodge, Ford, Freightliner, International, Mack, Sterling and Volvo trucks. The program additions include blowers, blower regulators, condensers, evaporators, expansion valves, heater cores, HVAC actuators, radiators and resistors. More information is available in the Heavy Duty Range Supplement available in a print version and online at www.hellausa.com.

LeMay Museum Extends Hours
LeMay—America's Car Museum (ACM) will continue to operate 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., everyday, year-round. The museum opened a four-level, 165,000 sq.-ft. facility in early June and reports that change in operation hours is in reaction to increasing demand. “Demand for our museum continues unabated, and we welcome the opportunity to meet popular demand,” said Paul Miller, ACM chief operations officer.  “This change of plan is a reflection of the growing interest in our museum locally as well as outside the Pacific Northwest.” More information about the museum is available at www.lemaymuseum.org.