By Ashley Reyes

Sara Morosan

The SEMA Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) has recognized Sara Morosan of LGE-CTS Motorsports as this week’s TORA Volunteer Spotlight Member. Morosan is an accomplished industry advocate, business leader and previous select committee volunteer whose contributions have led to the success of many effective strategies, programs and builds that specifically address the needs of the truck and off-road segment.

In addition to TORA, Morosan is also an active volunteer for SEMA Cares and the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN), where she plays a vital role in advocating for women in the industry and helping unite the voice of the automotive aftermarket while making a difference in young lives.  

Get to know what inspires her about the industry in her Q&A with the SEMA Truck and Off-Road Alliance:

SEMA: What inspired you to pursue a career in the truck and off-road industry?

Sara Morosan: I grew up in the industry and have always had a love for truck and off-road, but a greater love for my industry friends and friends that I now call family. I grew up going off-roading and have always felt like the desert was my home.

SEMA: Why did you decide to volunteer for TORA? How has it or will it impact you?

SM: I was told by my mentor to volunteer for TORA eight years ago, so I signed up! It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I would have never met some of the most important people in my life today. I have learned so much from so many of them. I have a great rolodex of amazing people that help me every day with learning new things that I would have never learned.

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?

SM: I would definitely tell anyone that is pursuing a career in the automotive industry to go out and network, find events that are going on near you and get to know the people in the industry. SEMA has some great councils and networks to join or help volunteer on as well. Follow them on social media and find out where the next event is.

SEMA: What is your dream truck or off-road vehicle? Where would we find you in it on any weekend?

SM: Oooohhhh... I would say a trophy truck because who doesn't want a trophy truck, right?! But I love to go up the rock sections; It’s just fun! So it would have to be a super-rad Ultra 4 car, something that goes fast (even though I don’t, yet!) and something that I can take in the rocks section and act like I am one of the Campbells, lol! If it’s a relaxing weekend, then you’ll likely find me just driving around the desert and exploring, heading out to off-road races or going on trail runs with our favorite club.

By Gavin Knapp

Last week, SEMA and Directions Research conducted a nationally representative survey of more than 1,000 consumers to check in on how people are using their cars. While many people say they are driving less these days, more than a third (35%) say they are using this time to do some work on their car or truck.

When it comes to driving, most consumers, especially men, are still getting on the road regularly. During the last two weeks, nearly 60% of men and 46% of women have driven their car every day or every few days.

Consumers are also continuing to maintain, repair and upgrade their cars and trucks. This is especially true for auto enthusiasts. Over the last two weeks, 32% of enthusiasts have gone to an auto-parts store or searched for parts online. Nearly one-fourth of enthusiasts (22%) said they bought parts, accessories or made modifications to their vehicles.

Overall, most consumers (57%) believe that the changes they have made in their lives because of the virus will return to normal within the next three months. Despite some uncertainty right now, consumers remain optimistic and are looking forward to getting in their cars and out on the road again.

For the latest industry resources, visit www.sema.org/coronavirus.

By Gavin Knapp

Last week, SEMA and Directions Research conducted a nationally representative survey of more than 1,000 consumers to check in on how people are using their cars. While many people say they are driving less these days, more than a third (35%) say they are using this time to do some work on their car or truck.

When it comes to driving, most consumers, especially men, are still getting on the road regularly. During the last two weeks, nearly 60% of men and 46% of women have driven their car every day or every few days.

Consumers are also continuing to maintain, repair and upgrade their cars and trucks. This is especially true for auto enthusiasts. Over the last two weeks, 32% of enthusiasts have gone to an auto-parts store or searched for parts online. Nearly one-fourth of enthusiasts (22%) said they bought parts, accessories or made modifications to their vehicles.

Overall, most consumers (57%) believe that the changes they have made in their lives because of the virus will return to normal within the next three months. Despite some uncertainty right now, consumers remain optimistic and are looking forward to getting in their cars and out on the road again.

For the latest industry resources, visit www.sema.org/coronavirus.

By Jay Carpio

The SEMA Video Archives is about re-living special moments in our industry’s history. From interviews with industry legends to SEMA Show recaps and more, these videos offer viewers a chance to watch our SEMA Family doing what it does best—working hard, pushing the limits and having a little bit of fun, too.

This week’s videos feature interviews with former late night powerhouse and current host of “Leno’s Garage,” Jay Leno, 2017 Battle of the Builders Young Gun entry Brad DeBerti and the Kia Stinger unleashed at the SEMA Show.

By SEMA Editors

Taking place November 3-6, in Las Vegas, the SEMA Show is a yearly trend-spotting event for buyers, and serves as a reflection of what’s burgeoning in the industry, whether it’s new products, innovative tools to increase production or the latest in application and service techniques.

Nearly 2,000 companies are demonstrating confidence about the specialty-equipment market's future by investing in the 2020 SEMA Show, and will participate in the Priority Space Selection beginning May 4. The space selection provides exhibitors with the opportunity to choose the best locations for their Show display, based on seniority.

On May 4, SEMA Show staff will begin contacting each verified exhibitor one at a time. When it comes time to select a space, each exhibitor will speak to a Show representative who will guide them through the entire selection process, help locate a space that best suits the company's needs, and answer any exhibitor-related questions. About an hour prior to the time to select, exhibitors are encouraged to be prepared by viewing the 2020 SEMA Show’s online floorplan. Updated every 30 minutes, exhibitors can see the Show take shape and monitor their section for a general idea of where to display.

“The SEMA Show is a reflection of the industry it serves, and what we are seeing with these levels of participation in our space selection process is a resilient group of manufactures and service providers that want to meet in the 4th quarter and chart the course for business coming out of 2020 and transitioning into next year,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “We are committed to build the environment that will be the platform for people to connect in the most safe and productive manner possible.”

Earlier this month, each participating company was contacted via email with their booth selection date and time range. The email was sent to the person listed as the exhibitor’s primary SEMA Show contact. NOTE: Companies that have not received a correspondence or want to change the primary Show contact listed on the application should email sales@sema.org, or call 909-396-0289. If you are not available to receive a phone call at the time of your selection, you may also appoint a proxy representative by filling out the proxy form at www.semashow.com/proxy.

Taking place November 3-6, in Las Vegas, the SEMA Show is a yearly trend-spotting event for buyers, and serves as a reflection of what’s burgeoning in the industry, whether it’s new products, innovative tools to increase production or the latest in application and service techniques.

Want to exhibit in 2020? Visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth to get started.

For more information about the Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By SEMA Editors

Taking place November 3-6, in Las Vegas, the SEMA Show is a yearly trend-spotting event for buyers, and serves as a reflection of what’s burgeoning in the industry, whether it’s new products, innovative tools to increase production or the latest in application and service techniques.

Nearly 2,000 companies are demonstrating confidence about the specialty-equipment market's future by investing in the 2020 SEMA Show, and will participate in the Priority Space Selection beginning May 4. The space selection provides exhibitors with the opportunity to choose the best locations for their Show display, based on seniority.

On May 4, SEMA Show staff will begin contacting each verified exhibitor one at a time. When it comes time to select a space, each exhibitor will speak to a Show representative who will guide them through the entire selection process, help locate a space that best suits the company's needs, and answer any exhibitor-related questions. About an hour prior to the time to select, exhibitors are encouraged to be prepared by viewing the 2020 SEMA Show’s online floorplan. Updated every 30 minutes, exhibitors can see the Show take shape and monitor their section for a general idea of where to display.

“The SEMA Show is a reflection of the industry it serves, and what we are seeing with these levels of participation in our space selection process is a resilient group of manufactures and service providers that want to meet in the 4th quarter and chart the course for business coming out of 2020 and transitioning into next year,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “We are committed to build the environment that will be the platform for people to connect in the most safe and productive manner possible.”

Earlier this month, each participating company was contacted via email with their booth selection date and time range. The email was sent to the person listed as the exhibitor’s primary SEMA Show contact. NOTE: Companies that have not received a correspondence or want to change the primary Show contact listed on the application should email sales@sema.org, or call 909-396-0289. If you are not available to receive a phone call at the time of your selection, you may also appoint a proxy representative by filling out the proxy form at www.semashow.com/proxy.

Taking place November 3-6, in Las Vegas, the SEMA Show is a yearly trend-spotting event for buyers, and serves as a reflection of what’s burgeoning in the industry, whether it’s new products, innovative tools to increase production or the latest in application and service techniques.

Want to exhibit in 2020? Visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth to get started.

For more information about the Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By Fredy Ramirez

Since he was old enough to walk, Paul “Scooter” Brothers has been hanging around cars. Brothers is an inductee into SEMA's Hall of Fame for his contributions both to the racing and performance industry and for decades of volunteer work at SEMA.

By Fredy Ramirez

Since he was old enough to walk, Paul “Scooter” Brothers has been hanging around cars. Brothers is an inductee into SEMA's Hall of Fame for his contributions both to the racing and performance industry and for decades of volunteer work at SEMA.

By Ellen McKoy

Butch Lahmann

SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Butch Lahmann passed away last weekend due to complications from COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Lahmann was known and respected industrywide, not just for being a smart, savvy and successful entrepreneur and businessman—albeit with the tough exterior and warm heart of a true New Yorker—but also for his dedicated volunteer service to the aftermarket industry he loved.

He first ventured into the industry in the ’70s during the van conversion craze as the owner of Auto Truck & Van (ATV) located in Farmingdale, New York. He later expanded his operation to 11 retail stores on Long Island.

In the mid-’70s, Lahmann founded American Specialty Equipment Corp. in nearby Hauppauge, which served as a feeder warehouse to his stores and a major wholesaler on the East Coast. Over the course of several years, to better connect with his customers, Lahmann took to the road with the American Speed Road Show—a jobber show that began at the warehouse and traveled to different cities on the East Coast. The company was later acquired by Keystone Automotive.

Lahmann’s passion for the industry extended beyond his business to volunteering his time, talents and leadership skills. He served multiple terms on the SEMA Board of Directors, including as board treasurer. He was named SEMA Person of the Year in 1984 and inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame in 1995.

There’s no limit to the depth of his influence in the industry, and there are many folks today, including former SEMA President and CEO Chuck Blum (1980–2002), who can recount the memorable ways in which Lahmann influenced both their personal and professional lives.

“I knew Butch back when I got involved with SEMA in 1980,” Blum said. “As treasurer of the association, he was unbelievably tough with money. He basically put everyone’s thumbs to the screw to make sure there was no wasted money. We’d go to a board meeting and there would be 21 guys in a room, and everyone’s talking to everybody else, but when Butch started talking, everyone shut up and listened.”

As a volunteer leader, Lahmann also served on the select committee of the Street Rod Equipment Alliance (SREA)—the predecessor to SRMA and HRIA—and as a director and treasurer of the Performance Warehouse Association (PWA), which presented Lahmann with the PWA Pioneer Award in 1996.

“The interesting thing about Butch that most people don’t know is that back in the mid ‘80s, there was a group that formed called the Off-Road Equipment Association (OREA), but they were having a lot of problems,” Blum said. “Butch was a player in that industry at the time, so he went to them and brought the off-road segment into SEMA. At the time, the segment wasn’t nearly as big compared to what it is today, but we made a place for them at the SEMA Show and they prospered from that point on. In those days, SEMA was primarily a performance association but we were trying to get into other automotive areas. Butch single handedly was the ambassador for SEMA. He brought that group to us and it paid off.”

Lahmann is survived by his wife Mary Ann, sons Butch Jr. and Daniel, and three grandchildren.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, a private memorial service will be held for the family. A public celebration of life will be planned for friends and business associates. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA and many SEMA-member companies joined the Americans for Free Trade (AFT) coalition in urging President Trump to provide relief to struggling U.S. companies by delaying the current collection of import duties and fees. More than 470 businesses and trade associations signed a letter urging the Administration to defer duty collections through June.

In March, the AFT coalition asked the Administration to temporarily suspend the collection of duties during the COVID-19 crisis, including the Section 232 and 301 tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum and products from China. The Administration rejected the request.

In mid-April, President Trump issued an Executive Order allowing the temporary deferral of certain duties, taxes and fees made in March and April. The Order does not apply to the Section 232 and 301 tariffs. While the action may free-up cash for companies struggling under COVID-19 burdens, it is a temporary deferral rather than a suspension of collections. Further, the deferral is not automatic. The importer must demonstrate a significant financial hardship to qualify.  

The AFT coalition has now requested that President Trump expand the Executive Order to automatically defer collections on all duties (including Section 232 and 301 tariffs) made from the first half of March through the end of June. The action is needed to help mitigate the economic harm caused by COVID-19 and provide financial liquidity to companies during this crisis.

“Under the Executive Order, the collection of certain duties for 90 days was a good first step, but many companies were excluded from this measure and will still owe significant duties to the federal government during a time of economic crisis,” said Americans for Free Trade spokesperson Jonathan Gold. “As hundreds of small and large businesses face urgent liquidity issues, we are calling on President Trump to go further and delay all duty payments to help give companies the cash they need to stay open, preserve American jobs and be in a position of strength when the economy reopens.”

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