Make plans to take the tape to the 2012 Fiat 500 Coupe and Cabriolet during the SEMA Measuring Session on Tuesday, May 24. Marking Fiat's return to the United States in more than 28 years, the 500 subcompact has a combined city/highway gas mileage of 33mpg. In terms of size, according to the Associated Press, the Fiat 500 fits between the 2011 Mini Cooper hatchback and the 2011 Smart fortwo.

Sign up for your personal preview of the Fiat 500 by sending your name, company name, address, phone number and e-mail address to measuringsession@sema.org. The deadline to register is Friday, May 20. For more information, contact Bill Wolf (909/978-6739) or Kelly Clancy (909/978-6735).

Back in early March, during an interview about the Chevy Volt powertrain, a GM engineer let slip that work was under way on a plug-in version of the Cadillac SRX. While a spokesman for GM was quick to deny that such a program existed, the shooters at Brenda Priddy & Co. provide proof of the plug-in's existence as an early prototype has just hit the streets.

Priddy points to a few things on this mule that indicate this is no ordinary Cadillac. The first is the new fuel door that's been crudely installed, with spot welds, on the driver's side. Normally, the fuel door is on the passenger side of the SRX, and the prototype in these photos has a door on both sides. Priddy speculates that one is for fuel and the other is a temporary door for the charging port.

A look inside shows a significantly updated interior featuring a new center stack—similar to the one Priddy's team spied in the ’12 XTS—along with what appears to be a large touchscreen. Priddy also reports that a new steering wheel, shifter and gauge pod are also easy to see.

Priddy also said it was worth noting that the engineer's laptop present in the car had one of GM's Hybrid badges on it, a finding she feels was probably not a coincidence.

On the outside of the SRX, a new grille insert is visible—a feature that Priddy says will likely spread to the entire SRX line once it's refreshed.

The technical details are slim at this point, however, the SRX should be sporting some adaptation of the Chevy Volt powertrain, according to Priddy and her team. When speaking about the Volt powertain during the March interview, the GM engineer was quoted as saying, "We've got another plug-in coming, the SRX, which is the same basic technology."

Look for more details to surface as the Los Angeles Auto Show approaches in November.

Photo Credit: Brian Williams/Brenda Priddy & Company

Back in early March, during an interview about the Chevy Volt powertrain, a GM engineer let slip that work was under way on a plug-in version of the Cadillac SRX. While a spokesman for GM was quick to deny that such a program existed, the shooters at Brenda Priddy & Co. provide proof of the plug-in's existence as an early prototype has just hit the streets.

Priddy points to a few things on this mule that indicate this is no ordinary Cadillac. The first is the new fuel door that's been crudely installed, with spot welds, on the driver's side. Normally, the fuel door is on the passenger side of the SRX, and the prototype in these photos has a door on both sides. Priddy speculates that one is for fuel and the other is a temporary door for the charging port.

A look inside shows a significantly updated interior featuring a new center stack—similar to the one Priddy's team spied in the ’12 XTS—along with what appears to be a large touchscreen. Priddy also reports that a new steering wheel, shifter and gauge pod are also easy to see.

Priddy also said it was worth noting that the engineer's laptop present in the car had one of GM's Hybrid badges on it, a finding she feels was probably not a coincidence.

On the outside of the SRX, a new grille insert is visible—a feature that Priddy says will likely spread to the entire SRX line once it's refreshed.

The technical details are slim at this point, however, the SRX should be sporting some adaptation of the Chevy Volt powertrain, according to Priddy and her team. When speaking about the Volt powertain during the March interview, the GM engineer was quoted as saying, "We've got another plug-in coming, the SRX, which is the same basic technology."

Look for more details to surface as the Los Angeles Auto Show approaches in November.

Photo Credit: Brian Williams/Brenda Priddy & Company

Now more than ever, online video content is becoming a key element to every company’s marketing and communications strategy. YouTube alone gets more than 2 billion views a day. Whether your goal is to educate, entertain or market, video has growing implications for every company. But are you prepared to produce good-quality video content that is representative of your company and your brand? Where do you start? What equipment is essential?

The SEMA Education Institute (SEI) has assembled a panel of video production experts who will share their insight in a webinar on Thursday, May 12, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT). Join DC Chavez, Matt Martelli (Mad Media), Josh Martelli (Mad Media) and Eric Schumacher (powerTV Media) as they discuss:

• The growing importance of video
• In-house production vs. third-party vendors
• Equipment essentials
• Video production software and platforms
• Key resources and more!

With years of automotive video experience, this panel will provide an incredible learning opportunity. Join us as we learn the essential components for online video production, Thursday, May 12, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEI webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

SEMA members: click here for more information and to register.

Non-members: click here for more information and to register.

Now more than ever, online video content is becoming a key element to every company’s marketing and communications strategy. YouTube alone gets more than 2 billion views a day. Whether your goal is to educate, entertain or market, video has growing implications for every company. But are you prepared to produce good-quality video content that is representative of your company and your brand? Where do you start? What equipment is essential?

The SEMA Education Institute (SEI) has assembled a panel of video production experts who will share their insight in a webinar on Thursday, May 12, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT). Join DC Chavez, Matt Martelli (Mad Media), Josh Martelli (Mad Media) and Eric Schumacher (powerTV Media) as they discuss:

• The growing importance of video
• In-house production vs. third-party vendors
• Equipment essentials
• Video production software and platforms
• Key resources and more!

With years of automotive video experience, this panel will provide an incredible learning opportunity. Join us as we learn the essential components for online video production, Thursday, May 12, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEI webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

SEMA members: click here for more information and to register.

Non-members: click here for more information and to register.

Legislation to extend the emissions inspection waiver for new vehicles has been approved by the Nevada Senate Natural Resources Committee. Under the bill, new cars will be exempt for the first three years after their initial registration. The bill also changes the state’s emissions inspection program so that vehicles will only be required to undergo testing every two years. Current law requires annual emissions inspections for passenger vehicles and exempts new vehicles only for the first two years after initial registration. The bill will next be considered by the Senate Finance Committee. 

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Legislation to extend the emissions inspection waiver for new vehicles has been approved by the Nevada Senate Natural Resources Committee. Under the bill, new cars will be exempt for the first three years after their initial registration. The bill also changes the state’s emissions inspection program so that vehicles will only be required to undergo testing every two years. Current law requires annual emissions inspections for passenger vehicles and exempts new vehicles only for the first two years after initial registration. The bill will next be considered by the Senate Finance Committee. 

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Legislation to provide for an expanded-use antique vehicle registration class that would allow antique vehicles and replicas to be driven without limitation during the warmer part of the year (April 1 through October 31) has been approved by the full Illinois House of Representatives. Under the bill, expanded-use antiques are limited to traveling to and from car shows, exhibitions, servicing or demonstration during the colder months (November 1 through March 31). Regular antique vehicle registration would still be available for a lower fee to hobbyists who would prefer only operating their vehicle on a limited-use basis throughout the year. The bill will next be considered by the Senate Transportation Committee.  

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Legislation to provide for an expanded-use antique vehicle registration class that would allow antique vehicles and replicas to be driven without limitation during the warmer part of the year (April 1 through October 31) has been approved by the full Illinois House of Representatives. Under the bill, expanded-use antiques are limited to traveling to and from car shows, exhibitions, servicing or demonstration during the colder months (November 1 through March 31). Regular antique vehicle registration would still be available for a lower fee to hobbyists who would prefer only operating their vehicle on a limited-use basis throughout the year. The bill will next be considered by the Senate Transportation Committee.  

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-supported legislation to exempt vehicles more than 25 years old from the state’s annual emissions inspection and maintenance program was signed into law by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. To qualify for the exemption, these vehicles must be registered as “antique motor vehicles.” Antique vehicles are defined as more than 25 years old with a non-modified engine and body that is used for club activities, exhibits, tours, parades and similar uses as a collector's item; on the highways for the purpose of selling, testing the operation of or obtaining repairs or maintenance; and for general transportation on Saturday and Sunday.

Previous law in Tennessee only exempted vehicles manufactured before the ’75 model year from emissions inspection. The new law provides for a rolling emissions inspection exemption that would exempt qualifying antique vehicles upon enactment and would pick up an additional model year for each year the law is in effect. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.