In 2010, SEMA-supported legislation to extend the emissions inspection exemption to vehicles five model years old or newer was signed into law, subject to approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Previous law only exempted vehicles four model years old or newer. The EPA has now incorporated revisions to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to include the extension of the new vehicle inspection exemption from four years to five years. This action acknowledges the relatively minimal environmental impact of the vehicles targeted for this exemption and that it is senseless to test newer vehicles, the results of which demonstrate no significant air quality benefits.  

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

SEMA is supporting Michigan legislation requiring retail dealers that offer gasoline for sale to label those pumps dispensing ethanol-blended gasoline with a notice that indicates the grade of gasoline and the percentage of ethanol contained. Under current Michigan law, gasoline that contains 10% or less ethanol is not subject to the labeling requirement. The bill provides that a person who violates the labeling requirement is liable for a civil fine up to $1,000 for each day the violation continues.  

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA is supporting Michigan legislation requiring retail dealers that offer gasoline for sale to label those pumps dispensing ethanol-blended gasoline with a notice that indicates the grade of gasoline and the percentage of ethanol contained. Under current Michigan law, gasoline that contains 10% or less ethanol is not subject to the labeling requirement. The bill provides that a person who violates the labeling requirement is liable for a civil fine up to $1,000 for each day the violation continues.  

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

	Auto enthusiasts from around the country participated in the association's Opinion Leaders Program (OLP) and provided their opinions about the products and vehicles at the 2011 SEMA Show. A comprehensive report discussing the details of the program is now available on the Market Research page of SEMA’s website.

More than 2,000 auto enthusiasts from around the country applied for the opportunity to attend the 2011 SEMA Show and participate in the association's research and grassroots marketing efforts. Known as the Opinion Leaders Program (OLP), the 2011 SEMA Show marked the program's third consecutive year.

OLP participants were selected for their connection to grassroots car culture, such as car clubs and forums, and many are active social media bloggers on the performance automotive business. Each attendee was asked to provide a review of the Ideas Alive! New Product Showcase and to spread the word to friends and online followers about the great products they saw at the 2011 SEMA Show.

A select group of the OLP participants were recruited to take part in focus group sessions to explore various factors related to their love of cars and automotive customization. The participants represented interests from racing to restoration to off-road. To gain another perspective on vehicle customization, an additional session—conducted online—was comprised of people from the general population.

A comprehensive report discussing the details of the focus-group sessions is now available on the Market Research page of SEMA’s website. The report is free for SEMA members and can be purchased for $200 by non-members. Download a copy of the 2011 SEMA Show Opinion Leader Program report.

	Auto enthusiasts from around the country participated in the association's Opinion Leaders Program (OLP) and provided their opinions about the products and vehicles at the 2011 SEMA Show. A comprehensive report discussing the details of the program is now available on the Market Research page of SEMA’s website.

More than 2,000 auto enthusiasts from around the country applied for the opportunity to attend the 2011 SEMA Show and participate in the association's research and grassroots marketing efforts. Known as the Opinion Leaders Program (OLP), the 2011 SEMA Show marked the program's third consecutive year.

OLP participants were selected for their connection to grassroots car culture, such as car clubs and forums, and many are active social media bloggers on the performance automotive business. Each attendee was asked to provide a review of the Ideas Alive! New Product Showcase and to spread the word to friends and online followers about the great products they saw at the 2011 SEMA Show.

A select group of the OLP participants were recruited to take part in focus group sessions to explore various factors related to their love of cars and automotive customization. The participants represented interests from racing to restoration to off-road. To gain another perspective on vehicle customization, an additional session—conducted online—was comprised of people from the general population.

A comprehensive report discussing the details of the focus-group sessions is now available on the Market Research page of SEMA’s website. The report is free for SEMA members and can be purchased for $200 by non-members. Download a copy of the 2011 SEMA Show Opinion Leader Program report.

	Auto enthusiasts from around the country participated in the association's Opinion Leaders Program (OLP) and provided their opinions about the products and vehicles at the 2011 SEMA Show. A comprehensive report discussing the details of the program is now available on the Market Research page of SEMA’s website.

More than 2,000 auto enthusiasts from around the country applied for the opportunity to attend the 2011 SEMA Show and participate in the association's research and grassroots marketing efforts. Known as the Opinion Leaders Program (OLP), the 2011 SEMA Show marked the program's third consecutive year.

OLP participants were selected for their connection to grassroots car culture, such as car clubs and forums, and many are active social media bloggers on the performance automotive business. Each attendee was asked to provide a review of the Ideas Alive! New Product Showcase and to spread the word to friends and online followers about the great products they saw at the 2011 SEMA Show.

A select group of the OLP participants were recruited to take part in focus group sessions to explore various factors related to their love of cars and automotive customization. The participants represented interests from racing to restoration to off-road. To gain another perspective on vehicle customization, an additional session—conducted online—was comprised of people from the general population.

A comprehensive report discussing the details of the focus-group sessions is now available on the Market Research page of SEMA’s website. The report is free for SEMA members and can be purchased for $200 by non-members. Download a copy of the 2011 SEMA Show Opinion Leader Program report.

In 2004, legislation was enacted to repeal California’s rolling emissions-test exemption for vehicles 30 years old and older and replace it with a law requiring the lifetime testing of all ’76 and newer model-year vehicles. This year, a SEMA-supported bill has been introduced in the California Senate to exempt all motor vehicles prior to the ’81 model year from the emissions inspection requirement. The bill will be considered in the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee March 27, 2012. 

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

In 2004, legislation was enacted to repeal California’s rolling emissions-test exemption for vehicles 30 years old and older and replace it with a law requiring the lifetime testing of all ’76 and newer model-year vehicles. This year, a SEMA-supported bill has been introduced in the California Senate to exempt all motor vehicles prior to the ’81 model year from the emissions inspection requirement. The bill will be considered in the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee March 27, 2012. 

More information is available. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

	SEMA will visit LaGrange, Kentucky, Friday April 13, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. for an evening of networking with local industry leaders and SEMA staff.

SEMA invites industry professionals to the next stop of its 2012 Town Hall tour, where local and prospective members will gather at the Parts Unlimited Inc. facility in LaGrange, Kentucky, Friday April 13, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. for an evening of networking with local industry leaders and SEMA staff.

SEMA's Town Hall Meeting initiative launched in 2011 to provide members with the opportunity to learn about the association's current programs and objectives while networking with automotive aftermarket professionals from the same geographic region. These personal interactions provide members the chance to share the business challenges and opportunities they face. They also give SEMA staff valuable feedback that will help identify current benefits to enhance members' business operations and better meet their needs.

“As a new SEMA member, my experience at the Town Hall Meeting in St. Charles [Illinois] was certainly without regret,” said Christine Giovingo of Mecum Auctions. “I found the topics discussed by the panel very informative. I was able to capture industry-related subjects worth discussing within the Mecum organization. Debra [Flicker] provided me with knowledge that will allow me to make an intelligent decision as to which SEMA committee to join. Lastly, what an honor it was listening to the legendary Vic Edelbrock tell his story and how he has impacted the industry for so many years.”

So far, SEMA has visited Scottsdale, Arizona; Fort Worth, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; Tacoma, Washington; and St. Charles, Illinois, hosting successful small gatherings of members in those regions.

For more information, contact AJ Carney at 909-978-6697 or andreac@sema.org.

	SEMA will visit LaGrange, Kentucky, Friday April 13, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. for an evening of networking with local industry leaders and SEMA staff.

SEMA invites industry professionals to the next stop of its 2012 Town Hall tour, where local and prospective members will gather at the Parts Unlimited Inc. facility in LaGrange, Kentucky, Friday April 13, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. for an evening of networking with local industry leaders and SEMA staff.

SEMA's Town Hall Meeting initiative launched in 2011 to provide members with the opportunity to learn about the association's current programs and objectives while networking with automotive aftermarket professionals from the same geographic region. These personal interactions provide members the chance to share the business challenges and opportunities they face. They also give SEMA staff valuable feedback that will help identify current benefits to enhance members' business operations and better meet their needs.

“As a new SEMA member, my experience at the Town Hall Meeting in St. Charles [Illinois] was certainly without regret,” said Christine Giovingo of Mecum Auctions. “I found the topics discussed by the panel very informative. I was able to capture industry-related subjects worth discussing within the Mecum organization. Debra [Flicker] provided me with knowledge that will allow me to make an intelligent decision as to which SEMA committee to join. Lastly, what an honor it was listening to the legendary Vic Edelbrock tell his story and how he has impacted the industry for so many years.”

So far, SEMA has visited Scottsdale, Arizona; Fort Worth, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; Tacoma, Washington; and St. Charles, Illinois, hosting successful small gatherings of members in those regions.

For more information, contact AJ Carney at 909-978-6697 or andreac@sema.org.