The Ride Guides from the SEMA Wheel & Tire Council contain comparisons of the effects of plus-sizing wheel and tire packages on factors such as ride comfort, road grip and steering response.

By Amanda Gubbins

SEMA’s Wheel and Tire Council (WTC) has released the first two installments of a series of Ride Guides, a set of sales tools for wheel and tire retailers. Each guide contains comparisons of the effects of plus sizing wheel and tire packages on factors like ride comfort, road grip and steering response. Volume 1, covering the 12th generation F-150 ('09–'14), includes easy-to-read technical data compiled by the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR).

Guided by the data in the report, sales professionals can better assist customers in narrowing style and design preferences for their fullsize pickups based on performance characteristics. As customers see the comparisons for themselves in a graphical format with simplified explanations, they can be confident and informed in making a selection.

In addition to the F-150, which represents the fullsize pickup segment, a Ride Guide for the '14 Mazda3 is also available, representing the front-wheel drive compact sedan sector. Both manuals are available for free to all wheel and tire retailers.

To download copies of the WTC Ride Guide or learn more about the research, visit www.sema.org/ride-guide.

The last chance to nominate individuals and companies for SEMA’s Council & Network Awards is this Friday, August 7. For award criteria, additional information and nomination forms, visit www.sema.org/council-network-awards.

The awards, which are presented at council and network receptions and banquets during the 2015 SEMA Show, honor the individuals, companies and products that have proven themselves as leaders in their business segments. Any employee of a council-member company and all network members can nominate those who deserve recognition for their outstanding dedication and service to the industry.

The 2015 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, November 3–6, in Las Vegas. The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world, annually drawing the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to the Las Vegas Convention Center. As part of the AAIW, the SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, powersports, and RV markets. The 2014 SEMA Show drew more than 60,000 domestic and international buyers.

The last chance to nominate individuals and companies for SEMA’s Council & Network Awards is this Friday, August 7. For award criteria, additional information and nomination forms, visit www.sema.org/council-network-awards.

The awards, which are presented at council and network receptions and banquets during the 2015 SEMA Show, honor the individuals, companies and products that have proven themselves as leaders in their business segments. Any employee of a council-member company and all network members can nominate those who deserve recognition for their outstanding dedication and service to the industry.

The 2015 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, November 3–6, in Las Vegas. The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world, annually drawing the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to the Las Vegas Convention Center. As part of the AAIW, the SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, powersports, and RV markets. The 2014 SEMA Show drew more than 60,000 domestic and international buyers.

The last chance to nominate individuals and companies for SEMA’s Council & Network Awards is this Friday, August 7. For award criteria, additional information and nomination forms, visit www.sema.org/council-network-awards.

The awards, which are presented at council and network receptions and banquets during the 2015 SEMA Show, honor the individuals, companies and products that have proven themselves as leaders in their business segments. Any employee of a council-member company and all network members can nominate those who deserve recognition for their outstanding dedication and service to the industry.

The 2015 SEMA Show is scheduled for Tuesday–Friday, November 3–6, in Las Vegas. The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world, annually drawing the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to the Las Vegas Convention Center. As part of the AAIW, the SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, powersports, and RV markets. The 2014 SEMA Show drew more than 60,000 domestic and international buyers.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee passed legislation to allow manufacturers to meet warranty and labeling requirements for consumer products by providing warranty information online.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rules are currently unclear on the manner in which companies must provide warranty information to consumers. The E-Warranty Act of 2015 (HR 3154) would provide businesses with the option of posting warranty information on their website rather than including it in the instructions that accompany their products. Companies providing online warranty information would still need to alert consumers about how to access their website either on the product, its packaging or in an accompanying manual. They would also be required to provide a non-Internet-based platform for individuals to access information about the warranty, such as a mailing address or phone number.    

While the FTC doesn’t require companies to provide consumers with a written warranty, those that do must comply with the agency’s rules. The U.S. Senate has already passed the E-Warranty bill which will help companies save money through electronic communications and allow consumers to access information online rather than having to save the paperwork or product packaging.

For additional information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee passed legislation to allow manufacturers to meet warranty and labeling requirements for consumer products by providing warranty information online.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rules are currently unclear on the manner in which companies must provide warranty information to consumers. The E-Warranty Act of 2015 (HR 3154) would provide businesses with the option of posting warranty information on their website rather than including it in the instructions that accompany their products. Companies providing online warranty information would still need to alert consumers about how to access their website either on the product, its packaging or in an accompanying manual. They would also be required to provide a non-Internet-based platform for individuals to access information about the warranty, such as a mailing address or phone number.    

While the FTC doesn’t require companies to provide consumers with a written warranty, those that do must comply with the agency’s rules. The U.S. Senate has already passed the E-Warranty bill which will help companies save money through electronic communications and allow consumers to access information online rather than having to save the paperwork or product packaging.

For additional information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

In comments submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), SEMA urged the agency to support legislation in the U.S. Congress to eliminate the corn ethanol mandate within the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Congress enacted the RFS in 2005 as a way to reduce the nation’s dependency on foreign oil. However, it has translated into ever-increasing mandates to grow corn so that the ethanol byproduct can be blended into gasoline. The EPA has proposed lower levels for 2014-2016 than mandated by Congress since the current marketplace cannot meet the limits through sales of gasoline with 10% ethanol (E10) and sales of 15% ethanol (E15) are sparse.  

Ethanol can cause metal corrosion and dissolve certain plastics and rubbers, especially in older vehicles that were not constructed with ethanol-compatible materials. SEMA opposes E15, contending that the fuel poses a risk to nearly 70 million older vehicles in addition to certain specialty high-performance equipment installed on newer vehicles. The EPA recognized this fact when it limited E15 sales to model-year '01 and newer vehicles. However, the EPA only required a gas pump warning label making it “illegal” for the consumer to fuel older vehicles with E15.  

SEMA also joined with more than 50 other organizations from the auto, boat, food and energy industries to support passage of legislation (HR 704) capping the amount of ethanol blended into gasoline at 10 percent and eliminating a mandate that 15 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol be blended into the U.S. fuel supply every year. The bill is currently awaiting consideration by the House Energy and Power Subcommittee.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

In comments submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), SEMA urged the agency to support legislation in the U.S. Congress to eliminate the corn ethanol mandate within the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Congress enacted the RFS in 2005 as a way to reduce the nation’s dependency on foreign oil. However, it has translated into ever-increasing mandates to grow corn so that the ethanol byproduct can be blended into gasoline. The EPA has proposed lower levels for 2014-2016 than mandated by Congress since the current marketplace cannot meet the limits through sales of gasoline with 10% ethanol (E10) and sales of 15% ethanol (E15) are sparse.  

Ethanol can cause metal corrosion and dissolve certain plastics and rubbers, especially in older vehicles that were not constructed with ethanol-compatible materials. SEMA opposes E15, contending that the fuel poses a risk to nearly 70 million older vehicles in addition to certain specialty high-performance equipment installed on newer vehicles. The EPA recognized this fact when it limited E15 sales to model-year '01 and newer vehicles. However, the EPA only required a gas pump warning label making it “illegal” for the consumer to fuel older vehicles with E15.  

SEMA also joined with more than 50 other organizations from the auto, boat, food and energy industries to support passage of legislation (HR 704) capping the amount of ethanol blended into gasoline at 10 percent and eliminating a mandate that 15 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol be blended into the U.S. fuel supply every year. The bill is currently awaiting consideration by the House Energy and Power Subcommittee.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to remove the requirement that gasoline offered for sale in the state contain a percentage of ethanol was approved on a 23–3 vote by the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. 

Currently, the state requires that “All gasoline sold or offered for sale to ultimate consumers in this Commonwealth must contain at least 10% cellulosic ethanol by volume . . .”  After a stop in the Appropriations Committee, the bill will then be considered in a vote by all House members. 

Read more about the legislation.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to remove the requirement that gasoline offered for sale in the state contain a percentage of ethanol was approved on a 23–3 vote by the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. 

Currently, the state requires that “All gasoline sold or offered for sale to ultimate consumers in this Commonwealth must contain at least 10% cellulosic ethanol by volume . . .”  After a stop in the Appropriations Committee, the bill will then be considered in a vote by all House members. 

Read more about the legislation.

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