News | Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)

Sun, 11/01/2009 - 15:57

SEMA News - November 2009

Law and Order is an update of some of the most recent federal and state legislative and regulatory issues that could potentially impact the automotive specialty-equipment industry. These include issues affecting small-business owners and their employees.

Canada (Saskatchewan)

Raised Vehicles: SEMA submitted technical comments to a regulatory proposal issued by Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) to regulate raised vehicles in the province. SGI operates the province’s driver’s licensing and vehicle registration system. SGI regulators claim that the number of raised vehicles imported into and operating in Saskatchewan has increased, prompting inquiries from the general public, raised vehicle owners, off-road enthusiasts, vehicle inspection stations and law enforcement with requests to clarify the existing regulations and standards for raised vehicles. Under the proposal, all aftermarket raised vehicles operated on Saskatchewan highways would be subject to a raised vehicle inspection after January 1, 2011. The policy would be rolled out in two phases to mitigate the impact on existing raised vehicle owners and provide time to train and inform the public, inspection stations and law enforcement. Regulators are considering requiring owners to carry a “Letter of Authorization” issued by the province in order to operate a raised vehicle. The letter would signify that the vehicle has passed inspection and would be shown to law enforcement during roadside stops to demonstrate compliance with the applicable frame height limit.

Indiana

Antiques: State hobbyist groups, working with SEMA and SEMA-member companies, have reached a tentative compromise with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management on an agency proposal that originally sought to redefine the term “antique vehicle” in order to force more of these hobby cars into the emissions inspection program. Under existing law, an antique vehicle is defined as “a motor vehicle or motor scooter that is at least 25 years old.” Under the initial regulation, the definition would be revised to require that the vehicle must be at least 25 years old; registered and plated as an historic motor vehicle; driven a maximum of 3,000 miles per calendar year; and include federally required pollution control equipment for that make and model year. Under the plan, the vehicle would be periodically forced into a vehicle emissions test site to verify that these requirements have been met. Under the current compromise, vehicles 25 years old and older would be exempted from the 3,000-mile limit and the pollution control equipment requirement if they were insured under a collectible vehicle or classic automobile insurance policy.

FEDERAL UPDATE

Health Care Reform: Last August’s town hall meetings helped identify deficiencies in various approaches on health care reform legislation. Lawmakers were challenged to consider pursuing more incremental reform, tackle the root causes of skyrocketing premiums, preserve the private market and maintain fiscal responsibility. SEMA urged President Obama and Congress to focus attention on the structural changes needed to reduce costs and increase competition. SEMA coordinated member grassroots efforts to let lawmakers hear from their small-business constituency.

An estimated 27 million small-business owners, employees and dependents are now uninsured under the current system. SEMA continues to work with the National Federation of Independent Business and through the Small Business Coalition for Affordable Healthcare in pursuit of effective health reform changes. A common message has been the need to allow small businesses to pool their resources when shopping for insurance. This approach would spur competition for the small-group market and, in return, bring more choices for business owners struggling to afford health insurance for their employees.

Federal Tire Fuel-Efficiency Rating Program: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is developing a program for mass-produced replacement tires, whereby tire manufacturers would be required to rate the tires for fuel efficiency, safety and durability based on performance tests established by the NHTSA. The program is required under a 2007 law that included a SEMA provision exempting from the rating system those tires that have been produced or imported in annual units of less than 15,000 and do not exceed 35,000 tires in total brand-name production. The specialty tires at issue are mostly produced for classic and antique cars and for some off-highway vehicles. SEMA urged the NHTSA not to impose unnecessary reporting requirements on the limited-production tires for which manufacturers had claimed the low-volume exemption. SEMA emphasized that a reporting requirement would run counter to the law’s intent, which recognizes that limited-volume tire producers are small businesses and ensures that the specialty tires will continue to be available to the consumer. The NHTSA is expected to finalize the program by December 2009.

Transmission Interlock: The NHTSA will soon require all automatic-transmission vehicles be equipped with an interlock device that requires that the brake pedal be pressed before the driver can shift the transmission out of Park. The action is required under a law passed in 2008 designed to protect children from vehicle rollaways in which a car is inadvertently shifted into Neutral or another gear. The NHTSA is proposing to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 114 (Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention) to mandate a brake transmission shift interlock device on all passenger cars and light trucks weighing 10,000 lbs. or less.

Antilock Brakes: The NHTSA reported that antilock brake systems (ABS) have been generally effective in preventing crashes, especially when combined with an electronic stability control (ESC) system. However, the NHTSA observed an unexplained rise in accidents in which ABS-equipped vehicles have “run off the road.” The NHTSA notes that this may diminish as ESC systems are installed on all passenger vehicles by 2011. The report is based on crash data collected between 1997 and 2007. The report revealed significant reductions in collisions with pedestrians and other vehicles and noted that ABS is particularly effective on wet pavements and in improving overall vehicle stability during braking.

Law and Order

Sun, 11/01/2009 - 15:57

SEMA News - November 2009

By Steve McDonald

Law and Order is an update of some of the most recent federal and state legislative and regulatory issues that could potentially impact the automotive specialty-equipment industry. These include issues affecting small-business owners and their employees.

Canada (Saskatchewan)

Raised Vehicles: SEMA submitted technical comments to a regulatory proposal issued by Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) to regulate raised vehicles in the province. SGI operates the province’s driver’s licensing and vehicle registration system. SGI regulators claim that the number of raised vehicles imported into and operating in Saskatchewan has increased, prompting inquiries from the general public, raised vehicle owners, off-road enthusiasts, vehicle inspection stations and law enforcement with requests to clarify the existing regulations and standards for raised vehicles. Under the proposal, all aftermarket raised vehicles operated on Saskatchewan highways would be subject to a raised vehicle inspection after January 1, 2011. The policy would be rolled out in two phases to mitigate the impact on existing raised vehicle owners and provide time to train and inform the public, inspection stations and law enforcement. Regulators are considering requiring owners to carry a “Letter of Authorization” issued by the province in order to operate a raised vehicle. The letter would signify that the vehicle has passed inspection and would be shown to law enforcement during roadside stops to demonstrate compliance with the applicable frame height limit.

Indiana

Antiques: State hobbyist groups, working with SEMA and SEMA-member companies, have reached a tentative compromise with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management on an agency proposal that originally sought to redefine the term “antique vehicle” in order to force more of these hobby cars into the emissions inspection program. Under existing law, an antique vehicle is defined as “a motor vehicle or motor scooter that is at least 25 years old.” Under the initial regulation, the definition would be revised to require that the vehicle must be at least 25 years old; registered and plated as an historic motor vehicle; driven a maximum of 3,000 miles per calendar year; and include federally required pollution control equipment for that make and model year. Under the plan, the vehicle would be periodically forced into a vehicle emissions test site to verify that these requirements have been met. Under the current compromise, vehicles 25 years old and older would be exempted from the 3,000-mile limit and the pollution control equipment requirement if they were insured under a collectible vehicle or classic automobile insurance policy.

FEDERAL UPDATE

Health Care Reform: Last August’s town hall meetings helped identify deficiencies in various approaches on health care reform legislation. Lawmakers were challenged to consider pursuing more incremental reform, tackle the root causes of skyrocketing premiums, preserve the private market and maintain fiscal responsibility. SEMA urged President Obama and Congress to focus attention on the structural changes needed to reduce costs and increase competition. SEMA coordinated member grassroots efforts to let lawmakers hear from their small-business constituency.

An estimated 27 million small-business owners, employees and dependents are now uninsured under the current system. SEMA continues to work with the National Federation of Independent Business and through the Small Business Coalition for Affordable Healthcare in pursuit of effective health reform changes. A common message has been the need to allow small businesses to pool their resources when shopping for insurance. This approach would spur competition for the small-group market and, in return, bring more choices for business owners struggling to afford health insurance for their employees.

Federal Tire Fuel-Efficiency Rating Program: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is developing a program for mass-produced replacement tires, whereby tire manufacturers would be required to rate the tires for fuel efficiency, safety and durability based on performance tests established by the NHTSA. The program is required under a 2007 law that included a SEMA provision exempting from the rating system those tires that have been produced or imported in annual units of less than 15,000 and do not exceed 35,000 tires in total brand-name production. The specialty tires at issue are mostly produced for classic and antique cars and for some off-highway vehicles. SEMA urged the NHTSA not to impose unnecessary reporting requirements on the limited-production tires for which manufacturers had claimed the low-volume exemption. SEMA emphasized that a reporting requirement would run counter to the law’s intent, which recognizes that limited-volume tire producers are small businesses and ensures that the specialty tires will continue to be available to the consumer. The NHTSA is expected to finalize the program by December 2009.

Transmission Interlock: The NHTSA will soon require all automatic-transmission vehicles be equipped with an interlock device that requires that the brake pedal be pressed before the driver can shift the transmission out of Park. The action is required under a law passed in 2008 designed to protect children from vehicle rollaways in which a car is inadvertently shifted into Neutral or another gear. The NHTSA is proposing to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 114 (Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention) to mandate a brake transmission shift interlock device on all passenger cars and light trucks weighing 10,000 lbs. or less.

Antilock Brakes: The NHTSA reported that antilock brake systems (ABS) have been generally effective in preventing crashes, especially when combined with an electronic stability control (ESC) system. However, the NHTSA observed an unexplained rise in accidents in which ABS-equipped vehicles have “run off the road.” The NHTSA notes that this may diminish as ESC systems are installed on all passenger vehicles by 2011. The report is based on crash data collected between 1997 and 2007. The report revealed significant reductions in collisions with pedestrians and other vehicles and noted that ABS is particularly effective on wet pavements and in improving overall vehicle stability during braking.

2009 SEMA Show First-Time Exhibitors

Sun, 11/01/2009 - 15:57

SEMA News - November 2009

The annual SEMA Show unites the brightest minds with the specialty-equipment industry’s hottest products. The tens of thousands of industry leaders who will descend upon the Las Vegas Convention Center beginning on Tuesday, November 3, can expect all the traditional amenities associated with this world-class trade event. As a preview, this month’s SEMA News features a special section dedicated to all things Show related. The section begins on p. 28. Also take time to sample the Show’s eye candy with a preview of this year’s feature vehicles, beginning on p. 82.

Ultimately, however, the Show’s main attraction remains the exhibitors and the nearly 400 new, first-time exhibiting companies ready to do business with attendees on the Show floor this year. SEMA proudly welcomes the following companies as new exhibitors to the 2009 SEMA Show.

Exhibitor List as of September 28, 2009:

Company

Booth Number

AccuAir Suspension
ADP Lightspeed
Advantage/DMC
AJIN Industrial Co. Ltd.
ALF Systems Inc.
ALI
Alliant Insurance Services Inc.
AlphaTherm
Al’s Liner
ALVis Technologies Inc.
American Eagle Wheel Corp.
Amon Inc.
Aniceto Gomez S.A.
API/Zoomers Exhaust
Arcan and Powerstation
Ark Corporation
Atomic Axle LLC
A-Top Co. Ltd.
Atturo
a2z Racer Gear
Auction123.com
Austin Hatcher Foundation for a Carefree Childhood
The Auto Bolt Company
Autoacc Trading Pte. Ltd.
AUTOGLYM
Automotive Test Solutions Inc.

Baja Performance Truck Steps
Baja Racing Adventures
Basso Industry Corp.
BDS Company Inc.
Be Cool Inc.
Bed Wood and Parts LLC
BedRyder Inc.
Beta Motorcycles
Big 3 Performance
Bishop Steering Technology Inc.
Blitzkrieg Motorsports LLC
BluePrint Racing
BMF Wheels Inc.
Boge America Inc.
BOSS Suspension Pty. Ltd.
Bossco International Corp.
Bridjit Curb Ramps
Brookshire Innovations LLC
Buchanan’s Spoke and Rim Inc.
Buckeye Lubricants Inc.
Buff and Shine Mfg.
Bymer Design and Manufacturing Co. Inc.

Calcana Industries Ltd.
Calculated Industries
CAMEC
Canton Racing Products
CAR-O-LINER
CFR Performance
Champion System
Channel Velocity
CHEROKEE Spark Plug Boot Puller
C.H. Hanson-LockJaw
China Kaiping Zhonglv Alloy Wheel Co. Ltd.
Cixi Salent Rubber and Plastic Science & Technology Co. Ltd.
Classic Accessories Inc.
CN Racing Products Co. Ltd.
The Collision Equipment Group Inc.
Concept
Cool Cap Heat Blocking Car Covers
Coplus Inc.
Corghi USA Inc.
Cosmic Evergreen Tire (Beijing) Co. Ltd.
Coyote
C.P.C.
Creative-Shades Industrial Co. Ltd.
CRMKey
CT Rubber Korea Inc.
Cumberland Products
Curtis Industries LLC
Cycle Country Accessories Corporation
Cydle Corp.

Da Chang Industries Co. Ltd.
Danchuk Manufacturing
Dcenti Wheel
Dennis Carpenter Restoration Parts
Detail Pro Wipes
Diamond Eye Performance/MPE Performance
DJ Safety
DK International Co. Ltd.
Doc Bailey’s Leather Care & Detail Products
Dodo Juice
DRIFT Performance Products
D.S.S. RACING

Eddie Motorsports
EFILive Limited
Elcometer Incorporated
Enforce Products
Equipt Expedition Outfitters
E3 Spark Plugs
Excel Tire Gauge
Expedition One LLC
Extreme Max Products

Fenice Care System
Finishline Advanced Composites
Finixx New Technology Co. Ltd.
Flashecom.net
Fleetminder
Forgiato Inc.
Frana Vehicles
Freeway Electronics
Fulltilt Street Rods

Garage Scenes
GGG - Gold Glass Group
Gliptone Manufacturing
Global Finishing Solutions
Global Tracking Communications Inc.
Glory Automobile Co. Ltd.
G.N.D. Technology Co. Ltd.
goPoint Technology
Grace Tech Limited
Granite Digital/Save A Battery
Greer Products
Grote Industries
Guangzhou Jinnuo Electronic Technology Co. Ltd.
Guidepoint Powersports

Hedson Technologies NA
Heritage Spares
Heshbon Co. Ltd.
High Performance Gear
H.I. Motors
Holbrook Mfg.
Homier Distributing Co. Inc.
Hot Rod Barstools.com
HPP Heide Performance Products
Hydyne

ICON Vehicle Dynamics LLC
IHC Inc.
Ilshimglobal Co. Ltd.
Impressions On The Go
Innovative Tools & Technologies
INOVIT Inc.
Interior Design Solutions
Interparts Industries Inc.
INZI Controls Co. Ltd.
Iowa Waste Reduction Center

Jastec Co. Ltd.
JAtech Industrial Inc.
JH Design Group Inc.
Jiangxi Taiming (Shanghai) Rubber Tyre Co. Inc.
Jiuda Vehicle Fittings-Making Co. Ltd.
Jiuh Yaw Industrial Co. Ltd.
Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil
Johnny Pag Motorcycles
JOM Car Parts Germany

K&P Automotive Performance
K&P Engineering
Kao Chiang Chemical Co. Ltd.
Karat Industrial Corp.
Kardol Quality Products
KEKO
Keteca USA Inc.
KFI Products
Ki-Energy
King Shocks
Kings 4WD Equipment Co. Ltd.
KINTEX
Kraco Enterprises LLC
KT Pro Tools
Kurv Wheels

L.A.Sleeve
Leitenberger Inc.
Lenso Wheel Co. Ltd.
LF Works
LicomLed
Lifetime Oil Filter
LoadTamer Cargo Solutions
Log 10 Co. Ltd.
Logic Software & Websites
Lonestar Wheels
Loyalty Automobile Industry Co. Ltd.
Lu Hai Industrial Corp.
Luv Your Ride

MAcarbon
Mainstreet Web Services
Mantic
Marathon Truck Decks
Mas Products/Bio Solv
Massimo Motorsports LLC
MBA Insurance
MCX-USA Turbos
MDM Marketing Inc.
Memory Lane Classics
Midwest Precious Line by Nakanishi Co. Ltd.
Mile Edge Plus Inc.
Miltronic International Industry Inc.
Mobile Designs Inc.
ModuLube
Moletech International Ltd.
MotoBatt
MTA
MUTOH
My Hand Industrial Co. Ltd.

NANOSKIN
Neonetics Inc.
NES Thread Repair Tools
Net Driven
Niagara Lubricant Co. Inc.
NIC Industries Inc.
Ningbo Alpha Autoparts Manufacture Co. Ltd.
Ningbo Bangshida Electrical Appliance Co. Ltd.
Ningbo Bellright Tool-Manufacture Co. Ltd.
Ningbo Fortune Auto Parts Manufacturer Co. Ltd.
Ningbo Jiangbei Qiyu Special Wheel Co. Ltd.
Ningbo Junhe Winch Co. Ltd.
Ningbo Kaixing Auto Parts Factory
Ningbo Lianda Winch Co. Inc.
Ningbo Suida Trading Co. Ltd.
Ningbo U&O International Trading Inc.
Ningbo Xinlu Polyurethane Industrial Co. Ltd.
Ningbo Yinzhou Moxin Auto Parts Co. Ltd
Ningbo Yonglin Electron Electrical Equipment Co. Ltd.
Ningbo Yongqi Aluminium-Wheel Manufacturer Co. Ltd.
Nitro-Flate
Northwood University
No-Toil Industries
NSV Bluetooth
NSV Massage Seat System
NSV Parking Sensor & Camera Aid
Nymer Inc.

Objet Geometries
ONS

P&T FRP Customs Inc.
Paragon Laser Systems
Parker Ionics
PennTex Industries Inc.
Performance Labs LLC
Permanon USA
Pfadt Race Engineering
Phoenix Systems LLC
Pirngder Industry Co. Ltd.
Pit Posse Motorsports
PIT-STOP TIRE
Plio Grip by Valvoline
Plustek Inc.
Power Sheen Tire Brite
PowerflexUSA
Powermaster
PowerSTAR Performance Spark Plugs
Prautogy LLC
Premier Trailer Towing Products
Pride Tires Inc. (Asian Tyre Factory)
Pro Comp Custom Inc.

Qingdao Wheeling Rubber Co. Ltd.
Quicksilver Turbos

Rack-Up
Radflo Suspension Technology
RBT Transmissions
Red River Rack Company
Redhorse Performance
Redline Detection LLC
Retallack Rod Shop
Retro USA Inc.
Revolution Supply Co. Inc.
Rhino-Rack USA
RHINOTIRE
Ride Wright Wheels Inc.
Riggio Innovations Inc.
Risk Racing
Road Art Studios LLC
Roadside Safety Supply
Rock Eagle Store Fixtures
Rocket Racing Wheels
Rocky Co. Ltd.
Rosler Metal Finishing
Rottler Manufacturing
Ruian Dong’ou Automobile Meter Factory

s2 tool company
SE Tools
SEINTEK
Shandong Jinyu Tyre Co. Ltd.
Shandong Shengtai Wheel Co. Ltd.
Sheng Yung Lock Industrial Co. Ltd.
Shenzhen Intra Industry Co. Ltd.
Shenzhen Watt Auto Electrical Co. Ltd.
Sherwood Automotive
Shijiazhuang Zhongxing Machine Manufactory Co. Ltd.
ShineLight Technology Co. Ltd.
Shurhold Industries
Sigmax Composite Development Co. Ltd.
SILLA
So Cal Imports/Engle Cam/TriMil Exhaust/AC Industries
SO-CAL Speed Shop Sacramento Inc.
Sonax
Spacekey Auto Electronics Co. Ltd.
Speed Dawg Racing
Splendor Carwash
Spongetech Delivery Systems Inc.
Spyke/Compufire
Stainless Headers Mfg. Inc.
Stanley/Mac Tools/Vidmar
StepDaddy Ladder
Stertil-Koni
Strattec Security Corp.
Studebaker Manufacturing Corp.
Sunglory Performance Parts Inc.
Super Eye Technology Co. Ltd.
Sutong China Tire Resources
Swai Auto Transmission System
Syracuse Nationals

The System
Tagayama Industrial Co. Ltd.
Tai Motorsports
Taiwan Rubber Industries Association
TCA Toolstorage
Team Torque Inc.
Tebis America
3dCARBON
Tiremaxx International Corp.
T-Max (Hanzgzhou) Industrial Co. Ltd.
TM Import-Export Inc.
II Crave
Toho Kogyo Co. Ltd.
Topin Battery (China) Ltd.
TopRich USA Wheels
Towing Electrical Systems
Tow-Rite Towbars
TR Tools
Tracksters.com
Transtar Autobody Technologies Inc.
Truck-Lite Co. Inc.
Turbo Wholesale Tires Inc.
Turn One Inc.
2U Co. Ltd.
Tyre Guardian USA

UBERWURX
Uee Zee Enterprise Co. Ltd.
The Ultimate Wheel & Tire Plus Sizing Guide
Uni-Ram Corporation

Vans Auto
Vega Helmet
Versante Wheel
VF Aircom
Viezu Technologies
Vikousi Electronic Technology Co. Ltd.
Vrimz.com

Walter Surface Technologies
Weismann Transmissions
Wera Tools
Williams Innovations
WindTrac Ltd.
Winner Industrial (Hong Kong) Ltd.
WipeTote
Witness Technology LLC
Wuhu Zhongsheng Steeringknuckle Co. Ltd.
Wurth USA Inc.

Yanghua International Trade Co. Ltd.
YI TING Enterprise Co. Ltd.
Yuhuan Yifei Machinery Industry Co. Ltd.
Yuyao Huangjiabu Lianli Silicone Hose

Z-ALT MUSCLE CAR OIL
Zhejiang Tiantai Risheng Electric Heating Product Co. Ltd.
Zhihui Metal Industrial Co. Ltd.
Zingology Manufacturing LLC
Zone OffRoad Products
Zumbo Wheels
Z Wrench

21226
36109
38049
10347
12652
11959
21133
10151
23990
10328
43225
10125
20555
21534
12819
33205
33200
11965
43243
21762
36107
21219
20514
46189
21320
12717

32161
33136
12740
30207
23697
23082
33162
36099
21638
21560
32166
24886
36089
20531
33128
12818
11359
36087
37039
21657
12160
20537

11767
24822
31169
24817
12211
20510
20552
11553
12942
12727
42239
23721
38041
21052
12317
11115
11265
24781
43209
46213
10336
10139
12053
11563
11862
12133
36113
38052
10237

10300
24681
40107
24687
23781
21053
21024
24831
11768
11734
20523
24823

23591
21754
12234
46187
30171
24119
40243
35161
37062

12231
20450
41235
11652
10330
46091
24630
10251
24380

23582
23982
11128
12246
10147
12034
10250
10232
10234
12814
12314
11667
12136
38058

12236
24378
40249
24819
11966
24386
12811
11936
20560
46175

32173
12114
11950
11464
12147
46081
11941
37079
11962
12217

12467
12928
11736
46169
32163
11935
20949
37041
11915

20449
20413
12835
12732
12235
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12563
38037
11964
30189
32188
11664
11741
12659
48081

20652
12650
40052
46161
11069
24827
32127
20526
11565
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20554
46171
12054

10751
11632
20451
30183
12253
37098
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31163
23379
10953
20850
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48091
12739
11933
36105
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11239
12734

12037
11830
12921
48075
41197
24080
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10862
32192
42200
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33191
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12635
41238
12064
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10153
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12920
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10202
10100
10102
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24518
24280

10767
12829
12319
10236
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11739
21562
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24820
37036
46201
12258
10227
11658
20648
24213
20461
10246
31167
42212
23681

48087
20411

21659
32136
24819
48113
24720
12553
24690
11631
48071
34167
42196
38053
12759
38063
22680
31165
11551
22784
12663
20426
12943
11851

12641
12736
46185
40225
48047
10852
12061
11663
10837
41201
10230
11762
21209
21137
21026
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10228
20508
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11325
37082
24617
12816
33203
12737
32162
37056
20425
10229
40257
21655
24597

20634
11838
21141
11925, 11967
12911
48115
12750
12033
41221
32196
41199
47109
41251
11763
41209
31171
33160
12755
24721
12325
33193
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24797
11968
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24881
12116
48029
12352

23984
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25174
20524
10753
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12150
24819
12733
32211
10207
10217
12058
10252
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11365
11665
31189
20452
21558

24799
11363
35169
33210
31209
48109
12730