The Ford Ranger T6 has already been previewed and examined by more than 60 companies since being made available to SEMA members two weeks ago.
	The original vehicle introduced as part of the SEMA International Vehicle Measuring Program last year was a 2012 double-cab 4x4 Toyota Hilux.

By SEMA Staff

Due to popular demand, two new dates have been added to the Ford Ranger T6 and Toyota HiLux SEMA Measuring Sessions. The two new sessions will be held at the SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California, February 20 and 27.

Register now, free of charge, to measure the ’13 Ford Ranger T6 and ’12 Toyota Hilux.

The vehicles were shipped to the United States through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce as part of the SEMA International Vehicle Measuring Program.

The Ranger T6 is sold throughout the world, except for the United States and Canada. Purchased in South Africa, the Australian-designed midsize pickup is offered in three cab-body styles: Double, Super and Regular. The vehicle available to members is a 4x4 double cab with a 2.5L five-speed gasoline engine.

This is the second vehicle to be imported as part of SEMA's International Vehicle Measuring Program, which makes available difficult-to-access vehicles so that members can measure them and create export-ready products. The Ranger is being introduced by Ford as an alternative to the Toyota HiLux, Nissan Navaro, Mitsubishi Triton and Chevy/Holden Colorado.

The original vehicle introduced as part of the program last year was a ’12 double-cab 4x4 Toyota Hilux. The truck is a best-seller in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, throughout Europe, South Africa, southeast Asia, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand. When the vehicle was obtained in 2012, more than 14 million Hiluxes had been sold worldwide. So far, more than 160 SEMA-member companies have previewed the HiLux.

For more information on the International Vehicle Measuring Program, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.  

	"R U Faster Than a Redneck?" will pit domestics, such as the Ford Mustang, driven by rednecks against imports represented by average Joes.

"R U Faster Than a Redneck?" premieres Friday, February 22, with a special advance preview on the SPEED Channel immediately following the season-opening NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race from Daytona. Starting Monday, February 25, the series then moves to its regular time slot Monday nights on SPEED at 9:00 p.m. (EST)

The show "R U Faster Than a Redneck?" is a battle between automotive makes that has raged throughout the ages; domestic versus import, represented by rednecks with American muscle versus average Joes with an exotic or tuner car. It is hosted by comedian Jon Reep with race commentary provided by the original voice of the Daytona 500 and newly inducted National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame member Ken Squier.

The racing is real and highly competitive, with $10,000 on the line for any average Joe defeating the redneck drivers through the three rounds of competition. Each round is a one-on-one matchup featuring side-by-side racing on one of America's most technical road courses—Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, South Carolina.

NASCAR driver and SPEED Analyst Kenny Wallace is a guest celebrity in Episode 1; actor John Schneider from "The Dukes of Hazzard" is the celebrity guest racer in Episode 3.

"R U Faster Than a Redneck?" comes from the producers of popular shows "American Trucker," "Hot Rod TV," "Overhaulin'" and "Rides."

	Jon Reep

The show's initial concept came out of the historic Vanderbilt Cup, which was contested on Long Island, New York, starting in 1904, where American manufacturers put up money to see how they stood up against their European counterparts.

Comedian Jon Reep, known as the "Metro Jethro," is best recognized for his role as the Hemi guy in Dodge's Ram truck advertising campaign. Reep, the overall winner of "Last Comic Standing" (Season 5), can currently be seen as the host of SPEED's new series "R U Faster Than a Redneck?" and in the upcoming action movie Black Sky. Additional portrayals include his role as Raymus in the movie, Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, and as a goodwill worker in Disney Channel's "Good Luck Charlie." Reep is also a Comedy Central regular, appearing in "Comedy Central Presents: Jon Reep" and "Jon Reep: Metro Jethro."

Watch the show's video promo on YouTube.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The economic climate for America’s small businesses continues to improve despite lingering challenges from the 2008–2009 recession, according to a new report issued by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy. The “Small Business Economy” report provides detailed information on expanding production and profits, and declining unemployment and bankruptcies. Small businesses represent half of the private-sector output since the peak of the recession in 2009. Manufacturing sales, which dropped between 2005 and 2009, were up 11.2% in 2009–2010 and 11.7% in 2010–2011. 

Read a copy of the report.  

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The economic climate for America’s small businesses continues to improve despite lingering challenges from the 2008–2009 recession, according to a new report issued by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy. The “Small Business Economy” report provides detailed information on expanding production and profits, and declining unemployment and bankruptcies. Small businesses represent half of the private-sector output since the peak of the recession in 2009. Manufacturing sales, which dropped between 2005 and 2009, were up 11.2% in 2009–2010 and 11.7% in 2010–2011. 

Read a copy of the report.  

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation containing a SEMA amendment to totally exempt from the license tax vehicles and parts cars stored on private property for the purpose of restoration or repair was approved by the House of Delegates. The license tax is applied to vehicles that do not display current license plates. Under the bill, vehicles stored within a structure would remain exempt from the tax. The bill will next be considered by the Virginia Senate Transportation Committee.  

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation containing a SEMA amendment to totally exempt from the license tax vehicles and parts cars stored on private property for the purpose of restoration or repair was approved by the House of Delegates. The license tax is applied to vehicles that do not display current license plates. Under the bill, vehicles stored within a structure would remain exempt from the tax. The bill will next be considered by the Virginia Senate Transportation Committee.  

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation containing a SEMA amendment to totally exempt from the license tax vehicles and parts cars stored on private property for the purpose of restoration or repair was approved by the House of Delegates. The license tax is applied to vehicles that do not display current license plates. Under the bill, vehicles stored within a structure would remain exempt from the tax. The bill will next be considered by the Virginia Senate Transportation Committee.  

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to allow the owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer or pole trailer manufactured in the year 1948, 1949 or 1950 to display a single original Montana license plate that is affixed to the rear of the vehicle was approved by the Montana House of Representatives. Under the bill, the original Montana license plate must be legible and bear the year that matches the year in which the vehicle was manufactured. The bill will next be considered by the Senate. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to allow the owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer or pole trailer manufactured in the year 1948, 1949 or 1950 to display a single original Montana license plate that is affixed to the rear of the vehicle was approved by the Montana House of Representatives. Under the bill, the original Montana license plate must be legible and bear the year that matches the year in which the vehicle was manufactured. The bill will next be considered by the Senate. 

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation has been introduced to eliminate a provision in the Connecticut statutes that allows antiques, rare or special-interest motor vehicles to be assessed at a value of no more than $500. Under the bill, valuation of these vehicles will be done in the same manner as all other motor vehicles in the state. Vehicles in Connecticut are taxed by the municipality in which they are registered and rates vary by municipality.  

The municipality calculates the owner’s tax liability for a particular vehicle by multiplying the "mill rate" by 70% of the vehicle’s true and actual value. Tax assessors are looking to target motor vehicles for additional revenue at a time when it appears that property taxes are increasing for many Connecticut citizens on other taxable property. The bill ignores the fact that existing antique, rare or special-interest motor vehicles constitute a small portion of the vehicle fleet and are well-maintained, infrequently operated hobby cars and deserving of continued property tax benefits. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.