Ben Mizban is the president of T-Rex Grilles in Corona, California. The company has regularly participated in the SEMA Show New Products Showcase. Recently, Mizban offered his insight and advice on getting the most from the program. [Read more]

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed into law a bill to revamp California’s smog-check program. No earlier than January 1, 2013, smog-check stations will be required to measure the emissions of model year ’00 and newer vehicles using onboard diagnostic testing. Current California smog-testing procedures require loaded mode dynamometer or two-speed idle testing, depending on where the vehicle is registered. The new law also directs that a procedure be developed for testing vehicles that are not able to be tested through an onboard diagnostic computer system.

This procedure for the testing of vehicles that present prohibitive or unusual inspection circumstances involves the vehicle owner presenting the vehicle for inspection at a referee station. The visual inspection will remain a component of California smog checks. Included in the bill are provisions for greater oversight of inspection stations, including providing for increased penalty fees for violations of ARB-mandated smog-check procedures.

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

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed into law a bill to revamp California’s smog-check program. No earlier than January 1, 2013, smog-check stations will be required to measure the emissions of model year ’00 and newer vehicles using onboard diagnostic testing. Current California smog-testing procedures require loaded mode dynamometer or two-speed idle testing, depending on where the vehicle is registered. The new law also directs that a procedure be developed for testing vehicles that are not able to be tested through an onboard diagnostic computer system.

This procedure for the testing of vehicles that present prohibitive or unusual inspection circumstances involves the vehicle owner presenting the vehicle for inspection at a referee station. The visual inspection will remain a component of California smog checks. Included in the bill are provisions for greater oversight of inspection stations, including providing for increased penalty fees for violations of ARB-mandated smog-check procedures.

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

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is proposing to interpret its industry noise exposure standards to require employers to implement “feasible administrative” or “engineering controls to reduce noise to acceptable standards.” OSHA is clarifying that personal protective equipment, such as ear plugs and ear muffs, could only be used as supplements when administrative or engineering controls are not completely effective. OSHA notes that the term “feasible” would have an ordinary meaning of “achievable” or “capable of being done.”

In its proposed enforcement of the standard, OSHA would consider administrative or engineering controls to be economically feasible if they do not threaten the employer’s ability to remain in business or if the threat to viability results from the employer’s having failed to keep up with industry and health standards.

SEMA is currently reviewing the proposed interpretation. For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is proposing to interpret its industry noise exposure standards to require employers to implement “feasible administrative” or “engineering controls to reduce noise to acceptable standards.” OSHA is clarifying that personal protective equipment, such as ear plugs and ear muffs, could only be used as supplements when administrative or engineering controls are not completely effective. OSHA notes that the term “feasible” would have an ordinary meaning of “achievable” or “capable of being done.”

In its proposed enforcement of the standard, OSHA would consider administrative or engineering controls to be economically feasible if they do not threaten the employer’s ability to remain in business or if the threat to viability results from the employer’s having failed to keep up with industry and health standards.

SEMA is currently reviewing the proposed interpretation. For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

 

For the first time, the U.S. government is establishing standards for fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions for large trucks and buses. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have proposed 20% cuts in fuel use by 2018.

The standards would apply to model year ’14–’18 buses along with three separate truck classes: combination tractors that typically pull trailers, heavy-duty pickups and delivery vans, and “vocational” trucks (e.g.: utility vehicles, fire and garbage trucks). The standards would also produce unspecified reductions in nitrogen oxides, methane, particulate matter and other pollutants. The EPA and NHTSA estimate that achieving the standards could cost the truck manufacturing and trucking industry $7.7 billion invested in four technological areas: engines, aerodynamics, tires and reduced engine idling.

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

For the first time, the U.S. government is establishing standards for fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions for large trucks and buses. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have proposed 20% cuts in fuel use by 2018.

The standards would apply to model year ’14–’18 buses along with three separate truck classes: combination tractors that typically pull trailers, heavy-duty pickups and delivery vans, and “vocational” trucks (e.g.: utility vehicles, fire and garbage trucks). The standards would also produce unspecified reductions in nitrogen oxides, methane, particulate matter and other pollutants. The EPA and NHTSA estimate that achieving the standards could cost the truck manufacturing and trucking industry $7.7 billion invested in four technological areas: engines, aerodynamics, tires and reduced engine idling.

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

The SPC Select Committee contributed the most money among SEMA councils to the SEMA Political Action Committee.

After an exciting two-month-long competition, the 2010 SEMA Political Action Committee (PAC) “Council Challenge” has a winner. The Street Performance Council (SPC) Select Committee held off a late rally from other councils to take the first SEMA PAC “Council Challenge” contest. SPC’s Select Committee contributed the most money to the PAC and was also 100% PAC-approved.

The contest helped raise awareness of SEMA PAC throughout the industry. SEMA PAC allows the industry to work together towards a common goal. As we know, political decisions made in Washington directly affect the strength of our industry. From “Cash for Clunkers” to the health care debate, SEMA has fought hard to protect our member companies. SEMA PAC is a crucial tool for increasing the industry’s visibility and clout.

SPC’s Select Committee will be awarded special recognition at this year’s SEMA Show, including a banner announcing their achievement to be hung in the main lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center, special seating and acknowledgment at this year’s banquet, an opportunity to meet the banquet entertainer, James Gregory, and $1,000 to be used toward a council activity. In addition, a special article will appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA News highlighting SPC and its involvement in SEMA PAC.

The new SEMA PAC website makes it easy for industry members to quickly become “PAC-approved”—an authorization form required by federal law that allows SEMA to share information about the PAC—and to make online, secure contributions. We encourage all members to visit the new site, become PAC-approved, and learn how SEMA PAC is protecting your future. For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski.

SEMA PAC—Your industry. Your voice. Your Future.

The SPC Select Committee contributed the most money among SEMA councils to the SEMA Political Action Committee.

After an exciting two-month-long competition, the 2010 SEMA Political Action Committee (PAC) “Council Challenge” has a winner. The Street Performance Council (SPC) Select Committee held off a late rally from other councils to take the first SEMA PAC “Council Challenge” contest. SPC’s Select Committee contributed the most money to the PAC and was also 100% PAC-approved.

The contest helped raise awareness of SEMA PAC throughout the industry. SEMA PAC allows the industry to work together towards a common goal. As we know, political decisions made in Washington directly affect the strength of our industry. From “Cash for Clunkers” to the health care debate, SEMA has fought hard to protect our member companies. SEMA PAC is a crucial tool for increasing the industry’s visibility and clout.

SPC’s Select Committee will be awarded special recognition at this year’s SEMA Show, including a banner announcing their achievement to be hung in the main lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center, special seating and acknowledgment at this year’s banquet, an opportunity to meet the banquet entertainer, James Gregory, and $1,000 to be used toward a council activity. In addition, a special article will appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA News highlighting SPC and its involvement in SEMA PAC.

The new SEMA PAC website makes it easy for industry members to quickly become “PAC-approved”—an authorization form required by federal law that allows SEMA to share information about the PAC—and to make online, secure contributions. We encourage all members to visit the new site, become PAC-approved, and learn how SEMA PAC is protecting your future. For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski.

SEMA PAC—Your industry. Your voice. Your Future.

The www.enjoythedrive.com website contains a photo gallery of all of the vehicles on display at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The collection of photos are searchable by various categories, including make, model and exhibiting company's name.