By the SEMA D.C. office

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its final National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative (NECI) for 2024 through 2027, outlining its top enforcement priorities for the coming years. The EPA did not include "Stopping Aftermarket Defeat Device for Vehicles and Engines" on the NECI list. The agency returned enforcement of aftermarket parts to a standard "core" priority as it had been for many years until 2020.

"The EPA's decision to remove enforcement against aftermarket products from the NECI and return it to a standard priority is a recognition of our industry's commitment to emissions compliance and the progress we've made," said SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola. "I am proud of the investments SEMA has made to ensure our member companies are able to sell high-performance, emissions-compliant products that millions of automotive enthusiasts demand. SEMA looks forward to working with the EPA to provide aftermarket businesses with clear and consistent guidance regarding the types of modifications that are legal, as well as an effective certification program that companies can rely on."

The EPA proposed the NECI list of priorities in January for 2024 to 2027. Click here to read SEMA's official comment submitted earlier this year supporting the EPA's preliminary decision to remove "stopping aftermarket defeat devices for vehicles and engines" from the NECI. SEMA also worked with U.S. Representative Greg Pence (R-IN) and 12 bipartisan members of the U.S. House of Representatives who sent a letter to the EPA in support of the agency moving on from its enhanced enforcement against aftermarket parts. 

About SEMA Garage

The SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California and Plymouth, Michigan, provide emissions testing facilities to help our members demonstrate that their products are emissions-compliant at an affordable cost. The CARB-recognized SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar has helped aftermarket businesses gain approval for over 600 Executive Orders (EO). SEMA staff perform all tests (except for evaporative emissions) required for companies to obtain a CARB EO for gasoline and diesel vehicles. Building on the success of these efforts in California, SEMA has developed a robust test program designed to meet the requirements of the EPA's most recent tampering guidance, branded "SEMA Certified-Emissions," which provides aftermarket businesses with another path to demonstrate emissions compliance. For more information about SEMA Garage services, please visit semagarage.com.

This story was originally published on August 22, 2023. For more industry news, visit SEMANews.com and subscribe to SEMA News at the bottom of the webpage to get the latest updates straight to your inbox, twice a week.

By SEMA Editors

There are 10 weeks until the aftermarket industry converges in Las Vegas for the 2023 SEMA Show, October 31-November 3. As exhibitors gear up to connect with a projected 160,000 buyers, influencers, dealers and more automotive professionals, here's a list of key deadlines and checklists to keep the industry on track and on budget.

SEMA Show Deadlines List

This all-encompassing checklist provides a breakdown of all of the deadlines for booth orders, rentals, booth vehicle applications, celebrity appearance notifications and more key dates, which are also detailed below.

View the SEMA Show deadlines checklist.

Budget Checklist

This checklist allows exhibitors to keep track of all costs--like exhibit design, booth services, freight/material handling, labor and miscellaneous fees. Simply input the exhibiting company name for a personalized form.

View the SEMA Show budget checklist.

Upcoming Key Exhibitor Deadlines

Be sure to check out the complete list of deadlines for more dates. 

• August 25: Show Directory Advertising Space Reservations due.
• August 31: Show Directory Ad Materials due.
• September 1: Permit Application to Clark County: Hot Works.
• September 1: Permit Application to Clark County: Spraying & Dipping.
• September 1: Booth Design Notification (required for all exhibits 20x20 or larger).
• September 1: Hanging Sign Design Notification Form for Show Management.
• September 8: Celebrity Appearances Notification (to be included in printed Show material).
• September 8: Booth Vehicle Display Application due (for vehicles displayed in the booth).
• September 15: Sponsorship Artwork/Materials due to Freeman.
• September 18: Lead retrieval rental (advanced rate)--CompuSystems.
• September 26: Freight-Freeman Warehouse--first day to accept advance freight.
• September 28: Freeman Discount Deadline--Various Freeman services, including audio-visual and computers; carpet and booth cleaning order; credit card authorization/method of payment; electrical; accessories (advanced rate); furnishings (advanced rate); first-time exhibitor booth package; labor for hanging signage/banner; labor for installation/dismantle; payment authorization form; rental exhibit order (advanced rate); third party payment authorization; utilities; internet/telephone.
• September 29: Exhibitor registration is due for domestic guests (to receive badges in the mail) at semashow.com/register.
• October 6: New Products Entry (advanced rate).
• October 6: Products for Product-Vehicle Builders.
• October 6: Exhibitor Booth Insurance (if purchased from Risk-strategies/Buttine).
• October 6: EAC/Exhibitor-Appointed Contractor Application Form.
• October 6: EAC/Exhibitor-Appointed Contractor Proof of Insurance Deadline.

Placing Freeman orders before the Thursday, September 28 discount deadline, which offers prices up to 40% off regular rates on nearly all services, is one of the best ways to save ahead of the SEMA Show.

Don't forget that the Exhibitor Services Manual, accessed at semashow.com/esm, is a one-stop shop for all things related to exhibiting at the SEMA Show. It contains everything companies need to know to exhibit like a pro, including the deadline and budget checklists.

And now that you know these dates, exhibitors can also lock in the guaranteed lowest hotel rates by booking in the official SEMA Show Block provided by OnPeak.

By SEMA Editors

Editors' Note: This story was originally published on August 22, 2023. For current SEMA Fest details, visit semafest.com.

Tickets are now available for SEMA Fest, the inaugural, two-day outdoor festival to be held Friday, November 3-Saturday, November 4, 12:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds in Las Vegas, that brings together automotive enthusiasts, the biggest names in music and the hottest automotive brands in a large-scale festival format. It's a must-attend event that's open to the public and features world-class musical acts Imagine Dragons, Incubus, Wiz Khalifa, AJR, Third Eye Blind, Bush, Walk the Moon, Ludacris, The Struts, Badflower, Chase Matthew, Buckcherry, Meg Meyers, Ayron Jones, Rome & Duddy, renforshort, Starcrawler, Dead Sara, Bones UK, Brooke Alexx, Paper Idol, The Foxies and Good Boy Daisy.

SEMA Fest, open to all ages of the public, will unite automotive enthusiasts with the aftermarket industry "in a high-octane and immersive festival-like celebration of car culture." The event will feature a full slate of automotive lifestyle events, including world-class drifting, motorsports competitions, freestyle motocross, off-road demonstrations, ride-and-drive activations, craft foods and a bustling consumer marketplace. 

Whether you're a diehard car enthusiast, a motorsports fan, a music lover or just like to have a good time, SEMA Fest is an event not to miss. 

"We are excited to open the gates for the inaugural SEMA Fest and welcome car and music lovers alike to enjoy this one-of-a-kind festival," said Mike Spagnola, SEMA president and CEO. "Automotive enthusiasts the world over have been asking for years how they can be part of the SEMA Show experience, and we are delighted to include them in this brand-new extension of our popular trade show. This new event will be separate from the trade show, open to everyone and promises to be like nothing they've seen before."

The inaugural SEMA Fest marks the conclusion of SEMA Week, which kicks off with the 2023 SEMA Show on October 31–November 3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

SEMA Fest: Ticketing and Admission

Admissions to SEMA Fest can be purchased at five distinct levels:

• 2-Day General Admission (all ages): $179, which allows access to all General Admission areas, including the SEMA Fest Marketplace, motorsports activations, headlining talent on two stages, and food and beverage are available for purchase.
• 2-Day General Admission PLUS (all ages): $229, which includes access to all the features of 2-Day General Admissions as well as access to mobile phone charging stations, upgraded restroom facilities, and limited paid lockers to secure your personal belongings.
• SEMA Show Friday Festival Experience (ages 16+): $299, which includes access to all the features of 2-Day General Admission PLUS as well as access to the SEMA Show on Friday, November 3, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. The Friday Festival Experience offers the ultimate bucket-list enthusiast experience like no other event on the planet. It's the best place to see the newest automotive performance products and discover the latest product and vehicle trends before anyone else.
• SEMA Fest VIP (all ages): $349, which includes access to all the features of 2-Day General Admission PLUS admissions as well as exclusive access to a VIP viewing area with premium sightlines, VIP food and beverages for purchase and VIP washrooms.
• SEMA Fest VIP and SEMA Show Friday Package (ages 16+): $469, which includes access to all the features of SEMA VIP admissions as well as access to the SEMA Show floor on Friday, November 3, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Keep an eye out for more details on the SEMA Fest ticket rewards program. To purchase tickets and receive the latest SEMA Fest updates, visit semafest.com.

This story was originally published on August 22, 2023. For more industry news, visit SEMANews.com and subscribe to SEMA News at the bottom of the webpage to get the latest updates straight to your inbox, twice a week.

By Ashley Reyes

SEMA Businesswomen Network (SBN) members are invited to a General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, September 20, at 1:00 p.m. PDT/4:00 p.m. EDT, in which SBN leadership will discuss the network's five-year plan for enhancing the careers of women in the automotive aftermarket.

Taking place online, the meeting will provide details on networking, education and recognition opportunities that are available to support women in the specialty-equipment industry.

As the SBN continues to create awareness and build community for women in automotive, the meeting will be a great chance for current and prospective members to provide their feedback on current initiatives, get their questions answered and learn how to get more involved in the industry.

RSVP here.

By SEMA Editors

In partnership with Ford Motor Company, the SEMA Garage is excited to announce a measuring session for the newly designed '24 Ford Mustang. The event will allow SEMA members to test-fit prototypes, 3D scan, measure and have a close-up experience with this vehicle. 

This will be a two-part event expanded across both SEMA Garage facilities. 

Featuring two different vehicle models: 

Mustang GT Coupe Premium 

• 5.0L TI-VCT V8: GT 480 hp 
• 6-Speed Manual Transmission 
• Magneride Damping System 
• Active Valve Exhaust 
• 19-in. Brembo Brakes 
• Ford Co-Pilot360 

Mustang Ecoboost Convertible Premium  

• 2.3L Ecoboost 315 hp 
• 10-Speed Automatic Transmission 
• Magneride Damping System 
• Active Valve Exhaust 
• 19-in. Brembo Brakes 
• Ford Co-Pilot360 

In addition, SEMA Garage Detroit will exclusively feature the following:

Mustang Mach-E GT AWD (Detroit only)

• 88 KWH Usable Extended Battery 
• Single-Speed Transmission 
• 20-in. Aluminum Wheel 
• 19-in. Brembo Brakes 
• Ford Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0 

Taking place across both SEMA Garage locations:

*Due to high demand, all submissions will be subject to approval by Ford.

SEMA Garage Diamond Bar

(View on Google Maps)

September 11-14, 2023 

RSVP for SEMA Garage Diamond Bar here.

SEMA Garage Detroit  

(View on Google Maps)

September 25-28, 2023

RSVP for SEMA Garage Detroit here.

In addition, SEMA has also recently added new, highly anticipated OEM CAD data into the Tech Transfer program. More details can be found at semagarage.com/techtransfer.

Contact measuringsessions@sema.org for additional information.

By Kenny Wright

The 2023 SEMA Show is gearing up to be one of the best yet! This year's Show will feature an all-new "Main Stage Experience," featuring an amazing lineup of iconic speakers, including automotive industry experts, car enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, innovators and world-renowned leaders, all coming together to bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to help elevate and strengthen your business.  

SEMA Show organizers are aiming to deliver an unforgettable, immersive learning experience and the "Main Stage Experience" will set the tone for the event. The premier speakers will include: 

• Tim Tebow - Athlete, Media Icon, The New York Times Best-Selling Author, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist. 
• Willy T. Ribbs - Car Racing icon, living legend and inspiration for the Netflix Documentary, "Uppity." 
• Carolyn Jackson - Vice President of Brand Strategy and Chief Philanthropy Officer at Barrett-Jackson Auction Company.  
• Julia Landauer - NASCAR Driver, Racing Champion, Motivational Speaker and STEM Advocate at Julia Landauer Racing LLC 
• Margaret Hoover - Host of PBS' "Firing Line with Margaret Hoover" Political Analyst and Contributor to CNN 

On Wednesday, November 1, 11:00-11:45 a.m., don't miss the SEMA Women in Automotive Symposium: "Drive: How to Gain and Maintain a Competitive Advantage," featuring keynote speaker Julia Landauer. Landauer is a NASCAR driver, racing champion, motivational speaker and STEM advocate at Julia Landauer Racing LLC. Through energetic, entertaining and vulnerable stories from her life experiences, Landauer encourages her audience to take ownership of every aspect of their lives to be their best selves. Discussing topics such as authenticity, leadership, teamwork, fear management, and embracing discomfort, Landauer gives her insights into how we can master ourselves and our habits to stay one step ahead. 

On Wednesday, November 1, 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m., experience another insightful keynote from the SEMA Women in Automotive Symposium, "Communication Secrets, Secrets of Success and Maintaining a Success Mindset" featuring Carolyn Jackson, vice president of brand strategy and chief philanthropy officer at Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. In this interactive fireside chat, FOX Sports reporter Amanda Busick will interview Jackson, leading a question-and-answer section and a two-way conversation with the audience. The audience will gain inspirational insight into Jackson's career journey through personal stories and thoughts on various topics, including the tenacity and determination of a committed and dynamic team, leadership as a state of mind, empowerment challenges and achievements of her career as a top female executive in the automotive industry. 

Join us on Thursday, November 2, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., as Beth Paretta, CEO and Team Principal at Paretta Autosport has a fireside chat with Willy T. Ribbs, the legendary race car driver and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) ambassador for Formula 1. Among his many accomplishments, Ribbs is the first Black driver to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and to drive a Formula 1 car. Listen firsthand as he shares his story as a pioneer in motorsports, including his many challenges, and his pathways to overcoming them. 

On Thursday, November 2, 1:00-2:00 p.m., the SEMA Main Stage Experience welcomes Tim Tebow for his keynote, "Living a Life of Significance." Tebow is a two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner, first-round NFL draft pick and a former professional baseball player. The New York Times best-selling author, speaker, entrepreneur and football analyst is most passionate about his work with the Tim Tebow Foundation (TTF), whose mission is to bring faith, hope and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. Tebow will share inspirational stories, motivational discussion and share his beliefs regarding life and success. This is one keynote that you don't want to miss!

Also on Thursday, November 2, 3:00-4:30 p.m., Margaret Hoover, Political Analyst and Host of PBS' "Firing Line with Margaret Hoover," will engage with a panel of global industry leaders, subject-matter experts and trailblazers, as they discuss the application, benefits, integration and practical and scalable solutions that can accelerate decarbonization through alternative fuel technologies. Key talking points will include the definition of alternative fuels and manufacturing processes; the application of alternative fuels in the automotive industry; emerging technologies and decarbonization targets; and the infrastructure and policies needed for mass adaptation. 

With this lineup of iconic main stage speakers, the 2023 SEMA Show guarantees to be a truly memorable and valuable experience for auto enthusiasts and aftermarket professionals. With something for everyone, this year's Show is shaping up to be truly epic. So, plan your experience now and make sure you see these amazing speakers. See you at the Show!

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) named COBB Tuning as the council's newest member spotlight company. Get to know their story in the SEMA News interview with COBB Tuning's Kirstin Backes below.  

SEMA News: Tell us the story of COBB Tuning. How did the company start? 

Kirstin Backes: COBB Tuning is an automotive engineering company founded in Rockwall, Texas, by Trey Cobb in 1999. COBB started as a performance shop in the back of Trey's dad's tire shop and saw a few evolutions (and a few cross-country moves) along the way. COBB was a performance shop with virtually no funding, a distributor of other brands' products, and had brick-and-mortar stores before finally settling into our sweet spot. Today, we're proud to engineer and manufacture performance tuning products made for both professional use by the performance shops that make our industry spin, and the driveway DIYers that make it fun. 

In 1999, the roots of the company were strongly planted in the Subaru market; like most people in the business, Trey wanted to support the cars he loved to drive and race. We're grateful for those roots and the strong footing they gave us, but we've expanded well beyond Subaru in the years since.

These days, we're stoked to serve a huge range of applications--from sport compacts to euro performance and, obviously--domestic trucks--all from our home base in Austin, Texas.

SN: What was COBB Tuning's breakthrough moment? 

KB: There are at least two. The first, and certainly the most consequential to our success over the last 20-plus years, was the introduction of the Accessport in 2004. The Accessport is a handheld ECU tuning device, and it quite literally put horsepower in the hands of drivers and tuners. We've gone through a few revisions and have a newer version than we did back in 2004, but the Accessport is still critical to the success of COBB today. 

The second breakthrough was the truck market, with our move to support the Ford Raptor with both ECU tuning and supporting mods (like intercoolers, intakes and exhaust components) was critical. Thanks to the early success with Raptors, we broke into the truck business and haven't looked back. In the years since, we've added coverage across tons of the most popular trucks and SUVs on the market, and we're adding to that lineup every day. To do all of that, while staying on the right side of emissions-compliance is a breakthrough I don't know that we could've anticipated 20 years ago. 

SN: Tell us about COBB Tuning now and projects you are working on. 

KB: In our world, tuning is the easy part. Thanks to our incredible engineers and calibrators, we've been able to set our sights on expanding the supporting packages we offer. Talking to our customers (in the truck business, especially) to learn what parts they are most interested in is a big piece of the puzzle this year. We're excited to be rolling those insights straight into actively developing game-changing emissions-compliant tuning and parts that our customers are going to love--in the truck market and beyond. 

SN: Tell us about a product that you are proud of. 

KB: The COBB Accessport will likely remain the crown jewel of our product lineup for as long as we're lucky enough to be in the automotive industry. We've been producing the Accessport since the very early days of the business, and it changed the shape of the tuning market altogether. 

We're happy to be working with the Accessport in the truck space today, but it also keeps us tied to our roots and helps us remember why we all got the start in this business --cars and trucks should be fun to drive. Like everyone else in this business, we get to help people have a blast when they're behind the wheel, and in our case--that's because of the Accessport.

SN: What advice do you have for young professionals contemplating a career in the automotive aftermarket? 

KB: Jump in if you love the aftermarket, but remember, it takes more than passion. Learn to network and hone your skills--whether that's in sales, CAD design or accounting--and lean into it every single day. This industry is moving fast and quickly evolving these days. When you put the work in, this career path will give you back 110%.

Fill out a TORA-member spotlight form to highlight how you or your company are contributing to the truck and off-road specialty-equipment industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on TORA's social media, SEMA News and future TORA member updates

By the SEMA Washington, D.C. office

(front row) Eric Bewersdorf, Reed Lubbers and Evan Belleville. (back row) Colin Belleville.

On Sunday, August 13, the automotive industry witnessed exhilarating on-track action alongside a successful collaboration between SEMA and PRI Political Action Committee (PACs). The highly anticipated fundraiser, held during the Verizon Brickyard 200 race, was a resounding success, bringing together industry leaders, local media and passionate race enthusiasts for an unforgettable event. 

Against the backdrop of the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), nearly 50 PAC members, most of whom were first-time donors, raised more than $14,000 to support our shared mission to advocate for the interests of the automotive aftermarket sector and racing communities. This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and enthusiasm of all those who participated and contributed to the event.

Deborah and Mansen Way.

Attendees were treated to a day filled with excitement and camaraderie. The race track's atmosphere buzzed with the energy of industry professionals and enthusiasts coming together to celebrate their common passions. The synergy of networking, sharing insights and uniting for a meaningful cause added a unique layer of excitement to the event.

The fundraiser's success was only possible with the dedication and support of each participant, donor and supporter. Together, we have reinforced the significance of advocating for our industry's growth, development and sustainability.

Karen Bailey-Chapman, Matthew Glasscock and Scott Davis.

Reflecting on this remarkable event, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed, attended and participated. Your involvement has propelled our mission forward and strengthened the bonds that make our industry a vibrant and resilient community.

Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey. Here's to many more successful collaborations and fundraisers that contribute to the prosperity of our industry. 

By the SEMA Washington, D.C. office

SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola provided official comments  on behalf of the Association and its members to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the proposed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) on Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) on all new passenger cars and light trucks weighing up to 10,000 lbs. NHTSA's proposed rule would require a vehicle traveling as fast as 62 miles an hour to stop to avoid colliding with a vehicle or pedestrian. Click here to read SEMA's official comment to NHTSA. 

Recognizing AEB systems' potential to help save lives and reduce injuries, most automakers voluntarily agreed in 2016 to begin installing this technology. Since NHTSA proposes to create an FMVSS, SEMA members will be impacted by this mandated vehicle safety standard because the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act ("Safety Act") includes a provision known as the "rendering inoperative" provision. That section prohibits manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and repair shops from knowingly "rendering inoperative," in whole or in part, any device or element of design installed on or in a vehicle in compliance with an applicable safety standard. 

SEMA's comment asked the agency to provide further clarity on the legal obligations of specialty aftermarket businesses that produce, install, or sell parts that may impact how the AEB and PAEB systems perform. The Association notes that NHTSA should require OEMs to share data system specifications (including the vehicle dynamics boundary conditions within which AEB and PAEB systems shall operate), application requirements, and calibration requirements on all electronic ADAS equipment and calibration of AEB systems to ensure that consumers' vehicles can be safely repaired or modified after the initial point of sale.  

"SEMA is committed to ensuring that our member companies have the information and vehicle access that is necessary to manufacture and safely install parts and equipment that accessorizes and customizes vehicles with AEB and PAEB systems," said Spagnola. "Accordingly, it is imperative that OEM data from testing and system calibration is available and able to accommodate vehicle modifications to maintain compliance with the proposed AEB and PAEB safety standards and any FMVSS adopted in the future." 

• NHTSA's proposed rulemaking solicited feedback on whether AEB and PAEB should be manually disengaged during certain scenarios.  
• SEMA asked that NHTSA allows for manual deactivation at speeds above 6.2 miles per hour (mph) under a spectrum of circumstances (the proposed rule doesn't require AEB and PAEB under 6.2 mph), both on-road and off-road, including when vehicles operate in four-wheel drive or other low-traction driving scenarios such as off-road or inclement weather.    
• SEMA's comment also notes that a vehicle towing a trailer without an independent brake system may cause jack-knifing or other dangerous conditions when AEB engages with a system that has not been tested to ensure it can adapt to scenarios where the vehicle is towing or loaded with cargo over stock weight. NHTSA's 2008 final rulemaking for Electronic Stability Control (ESC), FMVSS No. 126, allowed for disengagement, including many of the reasons SEMA listed for why drivers may need to disengage the technology.  

NHTSA anticipates the rule to be finalized by the end of 2023. The agency proposes to phase in the rule over three years and would provide an additional year for small-volume manufacturers, final-stage manufacturers, and alterers to comply. SEMA's comment requested that the agency provide two additional years to implement the rulemaking to ensure that the proposed standards are achievable for both automakers and aftermarket businesses to ensure compliance.

For more information, contact Tiffany Cipoletti at tiffanyc@sema.org.

By the SEMA Washington, D.C. office

SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola provided official comments  on behalf of the Association and its members to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the proposed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) on Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) on all new passenger cars and light trucks weighing up to 10,000 lbs. NHTSA's proposed rule would require a vehicle traveling as fast as 62 miles an hour to stop to avoid colliding with a vehicle or pedestrian. Click here to read SEMA's official comment to NHTSA. 

Recognizing AEB systems' potential to help save lives and reduce injuries, most automakers voluntarily agreed in 2016 to begin installing this technology. Since NHTSA proposes to create an FMVSS, SEMA members will be impacted by this mandated vehicle safety standard because the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act ("Safety Act") includes a provision known as the "rendering inoperative" provision. That section prohibits manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and repair shops from knowingly "rendering inoperative," in whole or in part, any device or element of design installed on or in a vehicle in compliance with an applicable safety standard. 

SEMA's comment asked the agency to provide further clarity on the legal obligations of specialty aftermarket businesses that produce, install, or sell parts that may impact how the AEB and PAEB systems perform. The Association notes that NHTSA should require OEMs to share data system specifications (including the vehicle dynamics boundary conditions within which AEB and PAEB systems shall operate), application requirements, and calibration requirements on all electronic ADAS equipment and calibration of AEB systems to ensure that consumers' vehicles can be safely repaired or modified after the initial point of sale.  

"SEMA is committed to ensuring that our member companies have the information and vehicle access that is necessary to manufacture and safely install parts and equipment that accessorizes and customizes vehicles with AEB and PAEB systems," said Spagnola. "Accordingly, it is imperative that OEM data from testing and system calibration is available and able to accommodate vehicle modifications to maintain compliance with the proposed AEB and PAEB safety standards and any FMVSS adopted in the future." 

• NHTSA's proposed rulemaking solicited feedback on whether AEB and PAEB should be manually disengaged during certain scenarios.  
• SEMA asked that NHTSA allows for manual deactivation at speeds above 6.2 miles per hour (mph) under a spectrum of circumstances (the proposed rule doesn't require AEB and PAEB under 6.2 mph), both on-road and off-road, including when vehicles operate in four-wheel drive or other low-traction driving scenarios such as off-road or inclement weather.    
• SEMA's comment also notes that a vehicle towing a trailer without an independent brake system may cause jack-knifing or other dangerous conditions when AEB engages with a system that has not been tested to ensure it can adapt to scenarios where the vehicle is towing or loaded with cargo over stock weight. NHTSA's 2008 final rulemaking for Electronic Stability Control (ESC), FMVSS No. 126, allowed for disengagement, including many of the reasons SEMA listed for why drivers may need to disengage the technology.  

NHTSA anticipates the rule to be finalized by the end of 2023. The agency proposes to phase in the rule over three years and would provide an additional year for small-volume manufacturers, final-stage manufacturers, and alterers to comply. SEMA's comment requested that the agency provide two additional years to implement the rulemaking to ensure that the proposed standards are achievable for both automakers and aftermarket businesses to ensure compliance.

For more information, contact Tiffany Cipoletti at tiffanyc@sema.org.