A SEMA-supported bill in the Utah State Legislature to create a statutory definition of a “vintage travel trailer” and provide for a one-time registration fee was approved by the Utah House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate for consideration. Under the bill, vintage travel trailers would also be eligible for a special group license plate and would be exempted from wheel cover, mudguard, flap or splash apron requirements. The measure provides for a $40 one-time fee and would exempt vintage travel trailer owners from any future registration fees. 

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

Source Interlink Media (SIM) has launched the Motor Trend YouTube Channel making original automotive content available to online audiences immediately. The Motor Trend Channel is part of YouTube’s rollout of approximately 100 new original content channels throughout the year.

The Motor Trend Channel’s programs have been developed to create content from the opportunities and insights offered by SIM’s portfolio of automotive media brands, from Motor Trend to Hot Rod, Motorcyclist, Lowrider, FourWheeler, Dirt Rider, Car Craft, Automobile, Import Tuner and more. The programs cover first rides and drives and tests of the latest two- and four-wheeled machinery, as well as automotive lifestyle and documentary shows.

“We are really treating this like a TV channel,” said SIM Chief Content Officer and Motor Trend Channel Executive Producer Angus MacKenzie. “Though a common thread is our focus on cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles and automotive culture, we are offering different content and a range of program formats. There’ll be something on the channel for everyone, regardless of their particular automotive passion.”

A full schedule of programming that includes eight separate shows is expected to be uploaded and available by February 17. New videos from each of the shows will be posted on a varying schedule, but there will be new content available every day, Monday through Friday.

Motor Trend’s new programming will be produced by Michael Suggett and Julia Sanchez with MacKenzie serving as executive producer. Jim Gleason will assume the role of creative manager.

Motor Trend Channel original programming will include:

Ignition

• A weekly five-minute show featuring first drives and first tests of the hottest new cars, trucks and SUVs from around the world. New episodes uploaded every Monday.

Head 2 Head

• Motor Trend Channel’s comparison test series focusing on performance vehicles and fast motorcycles. New episodes uploaded every other Wednesday beginning February 8.

Roadkill

• A feature-length, 22-minute program following the exploits of Hot Rod’s David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan as they continue their love/hate relationship with hot rods, street machines and other highly strung performance vehicles. New episodes uploaded every third Friday beginning February 17.

Wide Open Throttle

• A five-minute weekly roundup of automotive news and events from around the world. The show is hosted and presented from a unique studio environment, and includes segments from channel experts on location from around the globe. New episodes uploaded every Thursday.

On Two Wheels

• This show features first rides and first tests of the newest and hottest motorcycles from around the world. Presented by experts from Motor Trend channel’s portfolio of motorcycling  brands, including Motorcyclist and Dirt Rider, it delivers the most complete and in-depth coverage of all types of two-wheeled machines. New episodes uploaded every other Wednesday.

Hot Rod Unlimited

• Hot Rod Unlimited is where anything goes in the world of American performance cars. Every other Friday the show features subjects as varied as those in Hot Rod magazine, including muscle cars, street machines, hot rods, wild trucks and more. New episodes uploaded every other Friday beginning February 10.

Epic Drives

• A feature-length program featuring amazing road trips from around the world. This monthly 22-minute show visits interesting locations in interesting cars. New episodes uploaded the first Friday of each month.

The Downshift

• The Downshift airs fascinating stories on interesting personalities and incredible machinery from beyond the automotive mainstream. The show celebrates the diversity of cars and car culture from extreme off-roading, drifting import cars, lowriders and action sport stars who love cars. New episodes uploaded every Tuesday.

Source Interlink Media (SIM) has launched the Motor Trend YouTube Channel making original automotive content available to online audiences immediately. The Motor Trend Channel is part of YouTube’s rollout of approximately 100 new original content channels throughout the year.

The Motor Trend Channel’s programs have been developed to create content from the opportunities and insights offered by SIM’s portfolio of automotive media brands, from Motor Trend to Hot Rod, Motorcyclist, Lowrider, FourWheeler, Dirt Rider, Car Craft, Automobile, Import Tuner and more. The programs cover first rides and drives and tests of the latest two- and four-wheeled machinery, as well as automotive lifestyle and documentary shows.

“We are really treating this like a TV channel,” said SIM Chief Content Officer and Motor Trend Channel Executive Producer Angus MacKenzie. “Though a common thread is our focus on cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles and automotive culture, we are offering different content and a range of program formats. There’ll be something on the channel for everyone, regardless of their particular automotive passion.”

A full schedule of programming that includes eight separate shows is expected to be uploaded and available by February 17. New videos from each of the shows will be posted on a varying schedule, but there will be new content available every day, Monday through Friday.

Motor Trend’s new programming will be produced by Michael Suggett and Julia Sanchez with MacKenzie serving as executive producer. Jim Gleason will assume the role of creative manager.

Motor Trend Channel original programming will include:

Ignition

• A weekly five-minute show featuring first drives and first tests of the hottest new cars, trucks and SUVs from around the world. New episodes uploaded every Monday.

Head 2 Head

• Motor Trend Channel’s comparison test series focusing on performance vehicles and fast motorcycles. New episodes uploaded every other Wednesday beginning February 8.

Roadkill

• A feature-length, 22-minute program following the exploits of Hot Rod’s David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan as they continue their love/hate relationship with hot rods, street machines and other highly strung performance vehicles. New episodes uploaded every third Friday beginning February 17.

Wide Open Throttle

• A five-minute weekly roundup of automotive news and events from around the world. The show is hosted and presented from a unique studio environment, and includes segments from channel experts on location from around the globe. New episodes uploaded every Thursday.

On Two Wheels

• This show features first rides and first tests of the newest and hottest motorcycles from around the world. Presented by experts from Motor Trend channel’s portfolio of motorcycling  brands, including Motorcyclist and Dirt Rider, it delivers the most complete and in-depth coverage of all types of two-wheeled machines. New episodes uploaded every other Wednesday.

Hot Rod Unlimited

• Hot Rod Unlimited is where anything goes in the world of American performance cars. Every other Friday the show features subjects as varied as those in Hot Rod magazine, including muscle cars, street machines, hot rods, wild trucks and more. New episodes uploaded every other Friday beginning February 10.

Epic Drives

• A feature-length program featuring amazing road trips from around the world. This monthly 22-minute show visits interesting locations in interesting cars. New episodes uploaded the first Friday of each month.

The Downshift

• The Downshift airs fascinating stories on interesting personalities and incredible machinery from beyond the automotive mainstream. The show celebrates the diversity of cars and car culture from extreme off-roading, drifting import cars, lowriders and action sport stars who love cars. New episodes uploaded every Tuesday.

SEMA is supporting legislation in the Colorado State Legislature to extend the emissions inspection exemption to vehicles that have not yet reached their eighth model year. Current law only exempts vehicles that are four model years old or newer. Colorado already exempts pre-’76 collector cars, kits and street rods from emissions testing. The logic for this trend is clear—such vehicles do not contribute in significant ways to air quality problems. This logic applies equally to newer cars.  

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

SEMA is supporting legislation in the Colorado State Legislature to extend the emissions inspection exemption to vehicles that have not yet reached their eighth model year. Current law only exempts vehicles that are four model years old or newer. Colorado already exempts pre-’76 collector cars, kits and street rods from emissions testing. The logic for this trend is clear—such vehicles do not contribute in significant ways to air quality problems. This logic applies equally to newer cars.  

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

The U.S. House Science Committee approved a SEMA-supported bill that directs the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a scientific assessment on how gasoline blended with 15% to 20% ethanol (E15 and E20) may impact gasoline-powered engines, vehicles and related equipment. The analysis would consider a variety of issues, including tailpipe and evaporative emissions, impact on OBD systems, materials compatibility and fuel efficiency. The House bill would prevent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from introducing E15 into the marketplace until the report has been submitted to the House Science Committee. The National Academy of Sciences would have 18 months to conduct its analysis. 

SEMA opposes E15 based on scientific evidence that it causes corrosion with incompatible parts. Ethanol increases water formation, which can then create formic acid and corrode metals, plastics and rubber. In 2009, the ethanol industry asked the EPA for a waiver to sell E15. In November 2010, the EPA approved a partial waiver to allow use in 2007 and newer vehicles. The waiver was expanded in January 2011 to include 2001 and newer vehicles. 

Nevertheless, the EPA agreed with SEMA’s concerns and made it “illegal to fuel pre-2001 vehicles” with E15. Last summer, the EPA issued a rule requiring all gas stations to place an orange and black label on fuel pumps dispensing E15. The label will warn consumers not to use the fuel in vehicles older than model year 2001 since it could cause damage. Still, it is still illegal to sell E15. The ethanol industry must first “register” the fuel with the EPA by demonstrating that the fuel will not damage storage tanks, hoses and other portions of the distribution system. 

Several lawsuits have also been filed to overturn the EPA’s decision to allow the sale of E15. It may take months or years to resolve the suits and E15 sales may be blocked until the suits are decided. 

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

The U.S. House Science Committee approved a SEMA-supported bill that directs the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a scientific assessment on how gasoline blended with 15% to 20% ethanol (E15 and E20) may impact gasoline-powered engines, vehicles and related equipment. The analysis would consider a variety of issues, including tailpipe and evaporative emissions, impact on OBD systems, materials compatibility and fuel efficiency. The House bill would prevent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from introducing E15 into the marketplace until the report has been submitted to the House Science Committee. The National Academy of Sciences would have 18 months to conduct its analysis. 

SEMA opposes E15 based on scientific evidence that it causes corrosion with incompatible parts. Ethanol increases water formation, which can then create formic acid and corrode metals, plastics and rubber. In 2009, the ethanol industry asked the EPA for a waiver to sell E15. In November 2010, the EPA approved a partial waiver to allow use in 2007 and newer vehicles. The waiver was expanded in January 2011 to include 2001 and newer vehicles. 

Nevertheless, the EPA agreed with SEMA’s concerns and made it “illegal to fuel pre-2001 vehicles” with E15. Last summer, the EPA issued a rule requiring all gas stations to place an orange and black label on fuel pumps dispensing E15. The label will warn consumers not to use the fuel in vehicles older than model year 2001 since it could cause damage. Still, it is still illegal to sell E15. The ethanol industry must first “register” the fuel with the EPA by demonstrating that the fuel will not damage storage tanks, hoses and other portions of the distribution system. 

Several lawsuits have also been filed to overturn the EPA’s decision to allow the sale of E15. It may take months or years to resolve the suits and E15 sales may be blocked until the suits are decided. 

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

Here is a collection of more than 100 Jeeps on display at the 2011 SEMA Show. The photos are part of a larger gallery of 1,800+ vehicles on display at the event. The website, www.semaphotos.com, also features Show photos of celebrities, press conferences, exterior displays, products and much more.

Here is a collection of more than 100 Jeeps on display at the 2011 SEMA Show. The photos are part of a larger gallery of 1,800+ vehicles on display at the event. The website, www.semaphotos.com, also features Show photos of celebrities, press conferences, exterior displays, products and much more.

	SEMA's next Town Hall meeting will be hosted by Winners Circle Speed & Custom Inc. in St. Charles, Illinois, February 24.

SEMA is resuming its Town Hall Meeting tour for 2012, starting Friday, February 24, in St. Charles, Illinois. This initiative was launched last year as an opportunity for SEMA staff to meet face-to-face with members to discuss the state of the industry, identify benefits to enhance members' busines operations, receive feedback about how to better meet their needs and more. The meetings also 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.

Throughout the first six months of 2011, SEMA staff visited Scottsdale, Arizona; Fort Worth, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Tacoma, Washington, hosting successful small gatherings of members in those areas.

Winners Circle Speed & Custom Inc. employees will host the first meeting of 2012, which will be held in St. Charles, Illinois., at the Pheasant Run Resort, Friday, February 24, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.

Local and prospective members will gather at Pheasant Run Resort during the Race & Performance Expo for an evening of networking with local industry leaders and SEMA staff to share the challenges and opportunities facing participant’s business.

For more information, contact AJ Carney at 909-978-6697 or visit www.sema.org/townhall/st-charles for the agenda and to RSVP.