As of January 1, 2011, it will be illegal to sell or install a wheel weight that contains lead or mercury in Illinois. The state joins several others that have enacted laws banning the manufacture, sale and use of lead wheel weights. California’s law went into effect on January 1, 2010. Maine, Vermont and Washington also ban the products while Iowa, Maryland, New York, Rhode Island and Wisconsin have considered a ban.

The automakers have already agreed to stop using lead weights as original equipment, and the three major manufacturers of wheel weights in the United States stopped distributing lead weights in 2009. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launched a voluntary nationwide initiative in 2008 and began a rulemaking process in 2009 which may eventually translate into a mandatory federal ban. The weights have been banned in the European Union since 2005. Automakers, tire makers and the aftermarket are turning to three main substitute materials—steel, zinc or composites.

If lead weights fall off tires, there is concern that they then become environmental hazards or contaminants in the metal recycling process. In the environment, the weights may be ground into fine dust particles and turn into lead oxides, hydroxides or bicarbonates. Lead particles and chemical combinations also pose the risk of contaminating surface and ground water supplies.

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

A bill introduced in the U.S. Senate to create a large, new wilderness reserve in central Idaho has been endorsed by the Obama administration. The legislation threatens to designate nearly 330,000 acres of land in central Idaho as wilderness, the most restrictive designation that can be placed on public lands. SEMA opposes the legislation as drafted since many off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails in the Sawtooth and Challis National Forests could be closed as a result of its passage.

For nearly a decade, lawmakers have proposed several variations of the Boulder/White Clouds Wilderness bill, also known as the “Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act.” The current bill is pending before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. There has been no action in the House.

Wilderness legislation is consequential since it potentially denies access to off-roaders and the equipment that they purchase, much of which is manufactured by SEMA members.

SEMA supports land-use decisions that allow local communities and government authorities to participate in the decision-making process. Within that context, SEMA supports compromise approaches on wilderness areas that balance the need to preserve access to appropriate motorized recreation while protecting some of our nation’s natural wonders. This would include “cherry-stemmed roads,” which are corridors within wilderness areas that allow motorized recreation.

For details contact, Ethan Landesman at ethanl@sema.org.

A bill introduced in the U.S. Senate to create a large, new wilderness reserve in central Idaho has been endorsed by the Obama administration. The legislation threatens to designate nearly 330,000 acres of land in central Idaho as wilderness, the most restrictive designation that can be placed on public lands. SEMA opposes the legislation as drafted since many off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails in the Sawtooth and Challis National Forests could be closed as a result of its passage.

For nearly a decade, lawmakers have proposed several variations of the Boulder/White Clouds Wilderness bill, also known as the “Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act.” The current bill is pending before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. There has been no action in the House.

Wilderness legislation is consequential since it potentially denies access to off-roaders and the equipment that they purchase, much of which is manufactured by SEMA members.

SEMA supports land-use decisions that allow local communities and government authorities to participate in the decision-making process. Within that context, SEMA supports compromise approaches on wilderness areas that balance the need to preserve access to appropriate motorized recreation while protecting some of our nation’s natural wonders. This would include “cherry-stemmed roads,” which are corridors within wilderness areas that allow motorized recreation.

For details contact, Ethan Landesman at ethanl@sema.org.

A bill introduced in the U.S. Senate to create a large, new wilderness reserve in central Idaho has been endorsed by the Obama administration. The legislation threatens to designate nearly 330,000 acres of land in central Idaho as wilderness, the most restrictive designation that can be placed on public lands. SEMA opposes the legislation as drafted since many off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails in the Sawtooth and Challis National Forests could be closed as a result of its passage.

For nearly a decade, lawmakers have proposed several variations of the Boulder/White Clouds Wilderness bill, also known as the “Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act.” The current bill is pending before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. There has been no action in the House.

Wilderness legislation is consequential since it potentially denies access to off-roaders and the equipment that they purchase, much of which is manufactured by SEMA members.

SEMA supports land-use decisions that allow local communities and government authorities to participate in the decision-making process. Within that context, SEMA supports compromise approaches on wilderness areas that balance the need to preserve access to appropriate motorized recreation while protecting some of our nation’s natural wonders. This would include “cherry-stemmed roads,” which are corridors within wilderness areas that allow motorized recreation.

For details contact, Ethan Landesman at ethanl@sema.org.

A bill introduced in the U.S. Senate to create a large, new wilderness reserve in central Idaho has been endorsed by the Obama administration. The legislation threatens to designate nearly 330,000 acres of land in central Idaho as wilderness, the most restrictive designation that can be placed on public lands. SEMA opposes the legislation as drafted since many off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails in the Sawtooth and Challis National Forests could be closed as a result of its passage.

For nearly a decade, lawmakers have proposed several variations of the Boulder/White Clouds Wilderness bill, also known as the “Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act.” The current bill is pending before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. There has been no action in the House.

Wilderness legislation is consequential since it potentially denies access to off-roaders and the equipment that they purchase, much of which is manufactured by SEMA members.

SEMA supports land-use decisions that allow local communities and government authorities to participate in the decision-making process. Within that context, SEMA supports compromise approaches on wilderness areas that balance the need to preserve access to appropriate motorized recreation while protecting some of our nation’s natural wonders. This would include “cherry-stemmed roads,” which are corridors within wilderness areas that allow motorized recreation.

For details contact, Ethan Landesman at ethanl@sema.org.

KIA is hosting a Measuring Session for SEMA manufacturing members featuring its 2011 Sorento and 2011 Sportage on Wednesday, June 30, at its Irvine, California, headquarters. The 2011 Sorento offers two engine choices, a 2.4L four-cylinder making 175-hp, and a 3.5L V6 with a six-speed Sportmatic transmission making 276 hp. The 2011 Sportage, meanwhile, offers a 2.4L, 176-hp four-cylinder with a six-speed Sportmatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

Attendance is by pre-registration only and cameras are permitted. But act soon, as the deadline to register is Monday, June 28. RSVP with name(s), company name, address, phone number with reference to Kia at: measuringsession@sema.org.

For additional information, contact Bill Wolf, 909/978-6739 or Kelly Clancy, 909/978-6735.

The 2010 SEMA Show online floorplan displays an overhead graphic of the Show floor, while stars denote still-available booth space.

Booth space selection for the 2010 SEMA Show has been open for two weeks, and if you’re waiting to secure your spot, don’t delay. This year it’s easier than ever to see what’s still available. Just link to the online floorplan, select a hall and click on the “Available Booth List” link near the bottom left of the page.

A list of available footprints will allow you to see exactly where available space is on the Show floor. In the Exhibitor List, you can also see which companies have already committed to a 2010 SEMA Show booth presence. Don’t be left out!

Follow this link to see the 2010 SEMA Show floor plan online now.

For additional details about the 2010 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com or call 702/450-7662, ext. 120.

Ready to reserve an exhibit space? Visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

Multilevel booths must provide a copy of the architect/engineering drawing with a stamp of approval from a certified structural engineer at least 60 days before the Show.

Exhibitors with 400 sq. ft. or more of exhibit space must submit a drawing (hand drawing is acceptable), rendering or digital photo clearly detailing all booth dimensions, including length, width and height.

All multilevel (double-deck) booths must provide a copy of the architect/engineering drawing with a stamp of approval from a certified structural engineer at least 60 days before the Show. Exhibits with upper decks, covered or roofed areas exceeding 300 sq. ft. in size require the installation of battery-operated smoke detectors.

Click here to compete the Exhibit Design Notification or you may send photos by e-mail and include a scanned copy of the Exhibit Design Notification to Jeff Pressman.

See Exhibit Display Rules and Regulations for more information and the complete Fire and Safety rules for multilevel, covered and enclosed exhibits.

If you need assistance, please contact Show Management at 702/450-7662, ext. 120.

	Participating SEMA members will be paired with relevant Chinese buyers in up to a dozen private, pre-scheduled meetings at the SEMA CIAPE Business Development Conference in Beijing in late September.

Drivers in China are going farther and faster and that is creating opportunities for U.S. brake manufacturers.

“Roads in China are getting better each year, so cars go faster and more demands are placed on brake products,” said a Shandong, China-based performance parts importer, retailer and wholesaler located in the northeast part of the country. “Foreign brands have good word of mouth and good feedback, thus, I think they have a good future.”

Imported brake products fit U.S., European and Japanese car models produced in China well, said several distributors. The companies were interested in learning more about opportunities to sell U.S. brands in China.

SEMA members can introduce Chinese distributors to more than just their brake products at the SEMA CIAPE Business Development Conference in Beijing in late September. Participating SEMA members will be paired with relevant Chinese buyers in up to a dozen private, pre-scheduled meetings.

One-on-one meetings with potential Chinese partners at this ground-breaking event will allow you to get to know them and the market and assess how your company can take advantage of the phenomenal growth there.

Car ownership in China grew by 48% last year, and the market is on track for double-digit growth this year, as well. China isn’t just adding cars to its roads, however, it is adding roads. Nearly 53,000 miles of high-grade expressways will be built in China by 2020.

That means higher speeds and more concern for safety. Indeed, vehicle safety ranked among the top-five concerns for buyers of premium midsize and luxury cars in J.D. Powers and Associates studies in China in 2009.

Demand for U.S. brands would certainly be strong if consumers were more familiar with them, said Chinese importers and distributors.

“Normally, consumers buy only well-known brake brand products,” said Kevin Huang, manager of an importer and retailer in Xian, the capital city of north China’s Shanxi province. “Foreign brands have a very good future in China.”

For more information, visit www.sema.org/china or contact lindas@sema.org.

	Participating SEMA members will be paired with relevant Chinese buyers in up to a dozen private, pre-scheduled meetings at the SEMA CIAPE Business Development Conference in Beijing in late September.

Drivers in China are going farther and faster and that is creating opportunities for U.S. brake manufacturers.

“Roads in China are getting better each year, so cars go faster and more demands are placed on brake products,” said a Shandong, China-based performance parts importer, retailer and wholesaler located in the northeast part of the country. “Foreign brands have good word of mouth and good feedback, thus, I think they have a good future.”

Imported brake products fit U.S., European and Japanese car models produced in China well, said several distributors. The companies were interested in learning more about opportunities to sell U.S. brands in China.

SEMA members can introduce Chinese distributors to more than just their brake products at the SEMA CIAPE Business Development Conference in Beijing in late September. Participating SEMA members will be paired with relevant Chinese buyers in up to a dozen private, pre-scheduled meetings.

One-on-one meetings with potential Chinese partners at this ground-breaking event will allow you to get to know them and the market and assess how your company can take advantage of the phenomenal growth there.

Car ownership in China grew by 48% last year, and the market is on track for double-digit growth this year, as well. China isn’t just adding cars to its roads, however, it is adding roads. Nearly 53,000 miles of high-grade expressways will be built in China by 2020.

That means higher speeds and more concern for safety. Indeed, vehicle safety ranked among the top-five concerns for buyers of premium midsize and luxury cars in J.D. Powers and Associates studies in China in 2009.

Demand for U.S. brands would certainly be strong if consumers were more familiar with them, said Chinese importers and distributors.

“Normally, consumers buy only well-known brake brand products,” said Kevin Huang, manager of an importer and retailer in Xian, the capital city of north China’s Shanxi province. “Foreign brands have a very good future in China.”

For more information, visit www.sema.org/china or contact lindas@sema.org.