By Amanda Gubbins

The election results are in for SEMA’s council and network Select Committees, and each group will welcome back seasoned incumbents, along with fresh ideas from new faces. These newly elected members will serve a two-year term (July 1, 2015–June 30, 2017), during which time they will assist in guiding each group's direction and key initiatives, while giving voice to their niche industry segment. The following individuals were elected to serve their market segments:

Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)

• Mark Cotter – Repops, Incumbent
• Todd McClure
• Ben Tucker – Camaro Central, Incumbent

• Michael Alvarez – Roush Yates, Incumbent
• Kent Bradley – Performance & Hotrod Business, Incumbent
• Chris Crecelius – Hypertech Inc.
• Gabe Hall – Magnaflow
• Kelleigh Ash – Pilot Automotive
• Rodney Esteban – Hybrid Haven International LLC

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

• Carmen Bélanger-Martin – AM Hot Rod Glass
• Scott Bowers – Ron Francis Wiring, Incumbent
• B.J. Elmore – Ridetech, Incumbent
• Jeff Major – Bed Wood and Parts, Incumbent
• Angela Schoof – TEN: The Enthusiast Network, Incumbent

Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA)

• Brant Combs – ATC Truck Covers
• Rick Hermann – WeatherTech/MacNeil Automotive, Incumbent
• Anne Johnson, TAG: Truck Accessories Group
• Sara Morosan – LGE*CTS Motorsports, Incumbent
• Troy Wirtz – Dee Zee Inc.

Manufacturers' Representative Network (MRN)

• John Keyes – Josco Sales
• Brian Hosenfeld – R&R Marketing Consultants
• Bill Eagan – Airheart Sales, Incumbent
• Bernard Bolisig – Upshift Marketing

Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC)

• Ed “Blake” Burgy – Flaming River
• Sean Crawford – JE Pistons/PMI
• Ben Knaus – Hellwig Products
• Jack McInnis – World Products, Incumbent
• Robert Wityczak – Magnaflow, Incumbent

Professional Restylers Organization (PRO)

• Jeffrey Amegod – Pacific Dealership Services
• Mike Bacon – Webasto, Incumbent
• Kevin McGowan – Auto Trim Restyling, Incumbent
• Raymond Ott – Auto Trim of Cleveland, Incumbent
• Dino Perfetti – Automotive Concepts
• Josh Poulson – Auto Additions Inc., Incumbent
• Chris Sepanski – 3M, Incumbent
• Roger Tibbetts – Husky Liners
• Jeff Varick – Brandmotion LLC, Incumbent
• Carol Walsh – Southside Trim & Glass

SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN)

• Coelette Chenier – Transamerican Auto Parts
• Tiffany Dorin – Magnaflow
• Erika Klein – AutoAnything
• Jennifer LaFever – Roush Yates, Incumbent
• Lana Chrisman – McLeod Racing
• Sherry Kollien – Ford Motor Co., Incumbent

Wheel & Tire Council (WTC)

• Kelly Austin – Tireco, Incumbent
• Tim Dietz – Standards Testing Labs, Incumbent
• Hank Feldman – Performance Plus Tire and Auto Superstore, Incumbent
• David Insull – American Tire Distributors
• Dave Johnson – Icon Media
• Bob Riegel – Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, Incumbent
• Carl Robinson – Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels

Young Executives Network (YEN)

• Jared Chavez – Magnaflow
• Trent Goodwin – COMP Performance Group
• Lindsay Hubley – Family Events, Incumbent
• Derek Love – Painless Performance
• Jonathan Mill – E-Stopp Corp.

SEMA’s councils have company-based memberships and are designed to represent key segments of the larger market, while the networks provide professional communities for individual employees of SEMA-member companies. For more information about joining or volunteering, visit www.sema.org/councils-networks.

By Amanda Gubbins

The election results are in for SEMA’s council and network Select Committees, and each group will welcome back seasoned incumbents, along with fresh ideas from new faces. These newly elected members will serve a two-year term (July 1, 2015–June 30, 2017), during which time they will assist in guiding each group's direction and key initiatives, while giving voice to their niche industry segment. The following individuals were elected to serve their market segments:

Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)

• Mark Cotter – Repops, Incumbent
• Todd McClure
• Ben Tucker – Camaro Central, Incumbent

• Michael Alvarez – Roush Yates, Incumbent
• Kent Bradley – Performance & Hotrod Business, Incumbent
• Chris Crecelius – Hypertech Inc.
• Gabe Hall – Magnaflow
• Kelleigh Ash – Pilot Automotive
• Rodney Esteban – Hybrid Haven International LLC

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

• Carmen Bélanger-Martin – AM Hot Rod Glass
• Scott Bowers – Ron Francis Wiring, Incumbent
• B.J. Elmore – Ridetech, Incumbent
• Jeff Major – Bed Wood and Parts, Incumbent
• Angela Schoof – TEN: The Enthusiast Network, Incumbent

Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA)

• Brant Combs – ATC Truck Covers
• Rick Hermann – WeatherTech/MacNeil Automotive, Incumbent
• Anne Johnson, TAG: Truck Accessories Group
• Sara Morosan – LGE*CTS Motorsports, Incumbent
• Troy Wirtz – Dee Zee Inc.

Manufacturers' Representative Network (MRN)

• John Keyes – Josco Sales
• Brian Hosenfeld – R&R Marketing Consultants
• Bill Eagan – Airheart Sales, Incumbent
• Bernard Bolisig – Upshift Marketing

Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC)

• Ed “Blake” Burgy – Flaming River
• Sean Crawford – JE Pistons/PMI
• Ben Knaus – Hellwig Products
• Jack McInnis – World Products, Incumbent
• Robert Wityczak – Magnaflow, Incumbent

Professional Restylers Organization (PRO)

• Jeffrey Amegod – Pacific Dealership Services
• Mike Bacon – Webasto, Incumbent
• Kevin McGowan – Auto Trim Restyling, Incumbent
• Raymond Ott – Auto Trim of Cleveland, Incumbent
• Dino Perfetti – Automotive Concepts
• Josh Poulson – Auto Additions Inc., Incumbent
• Chris Sepanski – 3M, Incumbent
• Roger Tibbetts – Husky Liners
• Jeff Varick – Brandmotion LLC, Incumbent
• Carol Walsh – Southside Trim & Glass

SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN)

• Coelette Chenier – Transamerican Auto Parts
• Tiffany Dorin – Magnaflow
• Erika Klein – AutoAnything
• Jennifer LaFever – Roush Yates, Incumbent
• Lana Chrisman – McLeod Racing
• Sherry Kollien – Ford Motor Co., Incumbent

Wheel & Tire Council (WTC)

• Kelly Austin – Tireco, Incumbent
• Tim Dietz – Standards Testing Labs, Incumbent
• Hank Feldman – Performance Plus Tire and Auto Superstore, Incumbent
• David Insull – American Tire Distributors
• Dave Johnson – Icon Media
• Bob Riegel – Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, Incumbent
• Carl Robinson – Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels

Young Executives Network (YEN)

• Jared Chavez – Magnaflow
• Trent Goodwin – COMP Performance Group
• Lindsay Hubley – Family Events, Incumbent
• Derek Love – Painless Performance
• Jonathan Mill – E-Stopp Corp.

SEMA’s councils have company-based memberships and are designed to represent key segments of the larger market, while the networks provide professional communities for individual employees of SEMA-member companies. For more information about joining or volunteering, visit www.sema.org/councils-networks.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reviewed its rules, guides and interpretations under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act—the law governing warranties issued for consumer products, including automobiles and auto parts. The FTC outlines information manufacturers and sellers must supply to consumers regarding warranty coverage, and provides guides to help advertisers avoid unfair or deceptive practices. 

The FTC restated most of its existing rules for enforcement of the law and expanded the rules with respect to two issues. First, the FTC clarified that warranty language is deceptive if it implies that warranty coverage is conditioned on the use of specified parts or services.

The FTC provided the following example: “a provision in the warranty, such as “use only an authorized ‘ABC’ dealer” or “use only ‘ABC’ replacement parts,” is prohibited where the service or parts are not provided free of charge pursuant to the warranty.”

Second, the FTC confirmed that the law applies to warranties that would limit ordinary repair and maintenance options as well as warranties that would limit the ability to install specialty equipment. 

For more information, contact Ashley Ailsworth at ashleya@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reviewed its rules, guides and interpretations under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act—the law governing warranties issued for consumer products, including automobiles and auto parts. The FTC outlines information manufacturers and sellers must supply to consumers regarding warranty coverage, and provides guides to help advertisers avoid unfair or deceptive practices. 

The FTC restated most of its existing rules for enforcement of the law and expanded the rules with respect to two issues. First, the FTC clarified that warranty language is deceptive if it implies that warranty coverage is conditioned on the use of specified parts or services.

The FTC provided the following example: “a provision in the warranty, such as “use only an authorized ‘ABC’ dealer” or “use only ‘ABC’ replacement parts,” is prohibited where the service or parts are not provided free of charge pursuant to the warranty.”

Second, the FTC confirmed that the law applies to warranties that would limit ordinary repair and maintenance options as well as warranties that would limit the ability to install specialty equipment. 

For more information, contact Ashley Ailsworth at ashleya@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reviewed its rules, guides and interpretations under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act—the law governing warranties issued for consumer products, including automobiles and auto parts. The FTC outlines information manufacturers and sellers must supply to consumers regarding warranty coverage, and provides guides to help advertisers avoid unfair or deceptive practices. 

The FTC restated most of its existing rules for enforcement of the law and expanded the rules with respect to two issues. First, the FTC clarified that warranty language is deceptive if it implies that warranty coverage is conditioned on the use of specified parts or services.

The FTC provided the following example: “a provision in the warranty, such as “use only an authorized ‘ABC’ dealer” or “use only ‘ABC’ replacement parts,” is prohibited where the service or parts are not provided free of charge pursuant to the warranty.”

Second, the FTC confirmed that the law applies to warranties that would limit ordinary repair and maintenance options as well as warranties that would limit the ability to install specialty equipment. 

For more information, contact Ashley Ailsworth at ashleya@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to lower the property tax on many older vehicles died when the legislature adjourned for the year.

Legislation to lower the property tax on many older vehicles died when the legislature adjourned for the year. Under the bill, the personal property tax would have been changed to a flat tax of $100 per year for vehicles between 8 and 10 years old with an assessed value of less than $10,000, and $50 per year for vehicles 10 years old and older with an assessed value of less than $8,000.

Under current Connecticut law, personal property taxes on vehicles are determined based on the assessed value of the vehicle and the local mill rate, which varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The bill would have been most beneficial in jurisdictions with the highest mill rates and less helpful in jurisdictions with lower mill rates.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to lower the property tax on many older vehicles died when the legislature adjourned for the year.

Legislation to lower the property tax on many older vehicles died when the legislature adjourned for the year. Under the bill, the personal property tax would have been changed to a flat tax of $100 per year for vehicles between 8 and 10 years old with an assessed value of less than $10,000, and $50 per year for vehicles 10 years old and older with an assessed value of less than $8,000.

Under current Connecticut law, personal property taxes on vehicles are determined based on the assessed value of the vehicle and the local mill rate, which varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The bill would have been most beneficial in jurisdictions with the highest mill rates and less helpful in jurisdictions with lower mill rates.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to lower the property tax on many older vehicles died when the legislature adjourned for the year.

Legislation to lower the property tax on many older vehicles died when the legislature adjourned for the year. Under the bill, the personal property tax would have been changed to a flat tax of $100 per year for vehicles between 8 and 10 years old with an assessed value of less than $10,000, and $50 per year for vehicles 10 years old and older with an assessed value of less than $8,000.

Under current Connecticut law, personal property taxes on vehicles are determined based on the assessed value of the vehicle and the local mill rate, which varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The bill would have been most beneficial in jurisdictions with the highest mill rates and less helpful in jurisdictions with lower mill rates.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Governor Peter Shumlin signed into law SEMA-supported legislation to ease the burden on car owners by requiring the state, upon the owner’s request, to issue titles for vehicles not currently required to be titled.

SEMA-supported legislation to ease the burden on car owners by requiring the state, upon the owner’s request, to issue titles for vehicles not currently required to be titled was signed into law by Governor Peter Shumlin. Under the new law, these titles would only be available for vehicles 25 years old and older, while vehicles 15 years old and older would continue not to require titles. Most importantly, the new law will expand the out-of-state market for older Vermont motor vehicles and enhance their value to collectors.

The law requires the state to issue an “exempt vehicle title” if the applicant pays the applicable fee and the state is satisfied that the applicant is the owner of the vehicle, a Vermont resident and the vehicle is not subject to any liens or encumbrances. A new vehicle identification number will be assigned, if the vehicle does not have one.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Governor Peter Shumlin signed into law SEMA-supported legislation to ease the burden on car owners by requiring the state, upon the owner’s request, to issue titles for vehicles not currently required to be titled.

SEMA-supported legislation to ease the burden on car owners by requiring the state, upon the owner’s request, to issue titles for vehicles not currently required to be titled was signed into law by Governor Peter Shumlin. Under the new law, these titles would only be available for vehicles 25 years old and older, while vehicles 15 years old and older would continue not to require titles. Most importantly, the new law will expand the out-of-state market for older Vermont motor vehicles and enhance their value to collectors.

The law requires the state to issue an “exempt vehicle title” if the applicant pays the applicable fee and the state is satisfied that the applicant is the owner of the vehicle, a Vermont resident and the vehicle is not subject to any liens or encumbrances. A new vehicle identification number will be assigned, if the vehicle does not have one.

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