By SEMA News Editors

SEMA+, the new membership for anyone who has a passion for cars, trucks, racing, wrenching or just being a part of the scene, is the best way to stay connected with the car community and claim your all-access pass to some of the aftermarket's premier events.  

Into racing? You're in luck! Join now to take advantage of an exclusive opportunity for SEMA+ members to get $10 off tickets (you can buy more than one!) and reserved seating for at: 

19th Annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals 

Norwalk, Ohio | June 27-29, 2025 

Summit Motorsports Park

Bring your friends. Bring your family. Watch some of the fastest cars on the planet tear down the track. 

But that's not all! 

If seeing the latest parts, newest innovations and groundbreaking builds is more your style, joining SEMA+ is your chance to be where the automotive world comes together with an exclusive offer for a discount on tickets for:

"SEMA Show Friday - Open to the Public"

Las Vegas, Nevada | November 7, 2025

Las Vegas Convention Center

SEMA+ members get $10 off their "SEMA Show Friday - Open to the Public" ticket (limit one per member).

This one-day, Friday-only event opens the doors of the world's largest automotive aftermarket show to enthusiasts, giving you access to: 

• The legendary SEMA Show floor 
• Curated vehicle builds 
• Outdoor demonstrations 
• Future-shaping trends and innovation 

Already a member?  

👉 Login to claim your discounts on these exclusive offers. 

Not yet a member? 

Join for just $40/year ($3.33/month) and get: 

✔ Discounts on events, parts and brands. 

✔ Access to members-only perks. 

✔ Membership to SEMA's first-ever car and truck club. 

Don't miss out on these epic events and stay tuned for more event announcements coming your way. Whether you work on cars and trucks or just love them, SEMA+ is for you. 

Join now → sema.org/plus 

By SEMA News Editors

Valentine Performance Detailing

Garage Gloss Floor Finish

Adding to the company’s garage and paddock protection solutions, VPD has launched its new Garage Gloss, a polymer-based floor finish that delivers brilliant, long-lasting shine, according to the manufacturer. Garage Gloss has a durable, quick-curing formula that ensures floors stay glossy and protected and provides a slip-resistant finish that is safe to use on all floors, including vinyl tile, linoleum, sealed wood, terrazzo, rubber and more.

valentineperformance.com

AMSOIL

Quick Detailer, Wheel and Tire Cleaner, and Tire and Trim Protectant

AMSOIL has expanded its specially formulated line of car-care products with the addition of its new Quick Detailer, Wheel and Tire Cleaner, and Tire and Trim Protectant. The Quick Detailer is formulated with surfactants and cleaning agents designed to lubricate while lifting away light dust and debris from painted and plastic surfaces. The Wheel and Tire Cleaner with two-in-one formula is pH-balanced to safely break down brake dust, road grime and tire blooming, and is made without harsh solvents to ensure an effective clean without harming wheels or tires. The Tire and Trim Protectant features an advanced, non-greasy formulation helps condition rubber and exterior plastic trim for a long-lasting satin or gloss finish.

amsoil.com

Optronics

4-in. Round STL104 Series Custom LED Logo Lights 

Optronics has announced the launch of its STL104 Series custom LED logo lights in 4-in. round format as a low-cost alternative to Optronics’ original logo light. Each STL104 Series custom logo light features 29 SMD LEDs configured specifically for its round footprint, with 10 LEDs paired with optics for optimal light output and the remaining 19 LEDs illuminating the logo portion during stop and turn functions. It offers an industry-standard PL3 connection and grommet mounting, with other connection and mounting options available.

optronicsinc.com

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Future Leaders Network (FLN) has named Shelby Chrisman, buyer at Warn Industries DBA Fabtech Motorsports, as the network's newest spotlight member. 

Get to know Chrisman in her interview with SEMA News below. 

SEMA News: What is the best advice you have ever received? 

Shelby Chrisman: Respect the janitor the same way you would the CEO of the company. This has helped in building strong team environments and understanding that it takes every level of the company to be successful.

SN: What keeps you in the industry? 

SC: My love and passion for automotive/motorsports.

SN: Where can you be found on a Saturday? 

SC: At home watching the drag races or at the track.

SN: How do you prepare for an important meeting? 

SC: I review notes, organize topics that I want to cover, have questions in order and know my audience.

SN: If you could go to lunch with one industry leader, living or dead, who would it be? 

SC: Mickey Thompson. Mickey has a huge impact on the industry, and I would love to hear his stories.

Fill out an FLN member spotlight form to be eligible to be featured on FLN's social media, SEMA News and FLN member updates.

By Ashley Reyes

Starting in 2029, vehicle manufacturers must make automatic emergency braking (AEB) standard in cars and light trucks, per the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 127. The final rule applies to nearly all American light vehicles, impacting all aftermarket manufacturers that modify systems that interact with AEB.  

On June 17 at 1:00 p.m. PDT, several of SEMA's councils and networks in collaboration with the SEMA Garage will host a webinar to provide aftermarket manufacturers and install shops with a high-level overview of FMVSS No. 127, applicability, implementation timing and steps to take now to be prepared. 

Compliance requirements are less than five years out, which is a short timeline for product development. While many aftermarket products are likely to directly affect advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) functionality, members also need to understand how to quantify the impacts and risks of taking a vehicle out of FMVSS safety compliance and how ensuring compliance can save them from a lawsuit in the future. 

Register here.

This webinar is hosted in collaboration with the SEMA Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN), SEMA Professional Restylers Organizations (PRO), SEMA Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA), SEMA Wheel, Tire, Suspension & Brake Council (WTSBC) and the SEMA Garage.  

By Ashley Reyes

QA1 President and CEO Melissa Scoles and representatives from QA1 accept the 2024 SEMA Manufacturer of the Year award.

In honor of the dedication and hard work that drives the automotive specialty-equipment industry, SEMA is accepting nominations for its 2025 Manufacturer of the Year award. Presented at the SEMA Show--November 4-7, Las Vegas--the award honors a manufacturing business that has made outstanding contributions to the specialty-automotive industry during SEMA's fiscal year of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. 

"The automotive aftermarket industry relies on manufacturers to drive innovation, bolster economic growth, and champion careers that advance the industry," said SEMA Manager of Recognition Programs Jose Escobar. "Submitting a nomination is a great way to help us identify a company that has gone above and beyond in these areas and that is worthy of this prestigious recognition." 

To be considered, a company must: 

• Be from the automotive aftermarket industry 
• Be a SEMA member and actively involved (e.g., utilizes association benefits, service of councils/networks, task forces, committees, board etc.) 
• Demonstrate outstanding business practices 
• Establish innovative processes and products 
• Exhibit a high degree of corporate responsibility by investing in and contributing to their local community 
• Display workforce excellence and invest in the well-being of their employees 
• Provide outstanding service to their customers 
• Demonstrate high-quality retail displays and packaging 
• Have complete and high-quality product data and provide new product data sets in a timely manner 
• Do an outstanding job protecting their brand equity 

SEMA is also accepting nominations for other prestigious SEMA Industry Awards at sema.org/awards until Friday, August 15. The SEMA Industry Awards are presented to individuals and companies that have made outstanding contributions to the automotive specialty-equipment industry during the past year. The program recognizes honorees in six different categories: Channel Partner of the Year, Content Creator of the Year, Gen-III Innovator of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year, Person of the Year and Visionary 8. 

The 2025 SEMA Show festivities will shift into gear on Tuesday, November 4, with the Kickoff Breakfast, where 15 cutting-edge New Product Awards will be unveiled alongside top honors for Channel Partner of the Year and Manufacturer of the Year.

On Thursday, November 6, the highly anticipated Visionary 8 and SEMA's Best Engineered Vehicle of the Year winner will be announced live at SEMA Central. The momentum will continue the same day at the newly reimagined industry homecoming--SEMA Industry Honors--now staged at the iconic Fontainebleau. This red-carpet-style gathering brings together the industry's biggest names to spotlight standout achievements, including Content Creator of the Year, Gen-III Innovator of the Year and the coveted Person of the Year. 

Learn more about the SEMA Manufacturer of the Year award and other SEMA industry awards currently accepting nominations at sema.org/awards. 

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

The SEMA and PRI PAC is pulling into Norwalk, Ohio, June 27-29 for an exclusive weekend at the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals--and you're invited to join us for a VIP experience.

SEMA and PRI PAC is offering premium race seating, a catered hospitality tent with open bar and behind-the-scenes access, all in support of the PAC that defends motorsports, your right to modify and the future of our industry.

This year alone, SEMA and PRI PAC supporters have helped secure major legislative victories in Oregon, Arkansas, Iowa and New Hampshire, stopping bills that would have threatened racetracks and undercut our racing community. This event is a chance to celebrate those wins, maintain our momentum and fortify for the next fight.

Make your SEMA and PRI PAC contribution to be eligible for this unparalleled opportunity.

To RSVP or learn more, contact Christian Robinson, SEMA and PRI's senior director for state government affairs, at christianr@sema.org.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

The SEMA and PRI PAC is pulling into Norwalk, Ohio, June 27-29 for an exclusive weekend at the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals--and you're invited to join us for a VIP experience.

SEMA and PRI PAC is offering premium race seating, a catered hospitality tent with open bar and behind-the-scenes access, all in support of the PAC that defends motorsports, your right to modify and the future of our industry.

This year alone, SEMA and PRI PAC supporters have helped secure major legislative victories in Oregon, Arkansas, Iowa and New Hampshire, stopping bills that would have threatened racetracks and undercut our racing community. This event is a chance to celebrate those wins, maintain our momentum and fortify for the next fight.

Make your SEMA and PRI PAC contribution to be eligible for this unparalleled opportunity.

To RSVP or learn more, contact Christian Robinson, SEMA and PRI's senior director for state government affairs, at christianr@sema.org.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

By SEMA News Editors

Jay Leno Talks Bugatti on 'Cars That Matter' Podcast and Video Series

Jay Leno recently joined host Robert Ross on the "Cars That Matter--Driven by Hemmings" podcast and video series for a deep dive into the world of Bugattis, French car design and the stories behind some of Leno's most cherished vehicles.

From a humble "bitsa" Bugatti Type 37--once dismissed as a parts car, now a $2M treasure--to the quirks of French cars like the Citroën DS and Talbot-Lago, Leno shares why provenance matters more than perfection. It's not just about owning rare vehicles, Leno explains on the podcast--it's about understanding their history, respecting their craftsmanship, and, above all, driving them.

For more information, visit hemmings.com, or watch the full episode below:

The podcast is also streaming on all major platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

I-CAR Marketing Wins Six Auto Car Awards

I-CAR Marketing recently received six Auto Care Awards in the business-to-business and business-to-consumer categories, recognizing several of the organization's latest marketing and communications initiatives, including its booth at the 2024 SEMA Show.

I-CAR was recognized for the following:

• Best campaign embracing diversity, equity and inclusion: Recognized for using real, diverse future technicians to attract a range of nontraditional candidates to the industry. (Collision Careers)
• Best ad campaign: Recognized for a campaign targeted at diverse industry segments. (I Count on I-CAR)
• Trade show booth: Recognized for all-encompassing sales booth, stage, hands-on demonstrations and industry collaboration. (SEMA Show)
• Training communication: Recognized for materials promoting entry-level collision repair curriculum. (I-CAR Academy Launch)
• Best campaign embracing diversity, equity and inclusion: Recognized for campaign to promote entry-level training using real, diverse students and technicians. (I-CAR Academy)
• Website design: Recognized for its website designed to attract students to the field of collision repair. (Collision Careers)

For more information, visit i-car.com.

By SEMA News Editors

Stellantis, the international automaker and parent company of the Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Ram and other brands, has named Antonio Filosa as its new CEO.

The company will officially elect Filosa to the Board of Directors to serve as an executive director of the company later this month and will give him full CEO authority effective June 23.

Filosa joined the Fiat Group in 1999 where he held roles of increasing responsibility, including plant manager of the Betim facility (Brazil) and head of purchasing for the Latin America region. He also served as the head of Argentina from 2016 and as COO for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ Latin America region from 2018. He was appointed the South America COO for the newly created Stellantis in 2021, became Jeep brand CEO in 2023 and in October 2024 was named North America COO. His responsibilities were increased again in December 2024, when he was appointed COO for both North and South America, and further in January 2025, when he was named chief quality officer.

John Elkann will continue in his role as executive chairman when Antonio Filosa takes up his position as CEO on June 23. At that time, Antonio Filosa will also announce Stellantis’ new leadership team.

Additionally, the company has appointed Sébastien Jacquet as chief quality officer, effective immediately, succeeding Filosa.

Jacquet, who previously served as deputy chief engineering and technology officer and head of cross-car line and project engineering, has almost 25 years of experience in quality, automotive engineering and technology, research and development, and project management, and played a pivotal role in launching the company’s first multi-energy platform, STLA Medium.

For more information, visit stellantis.com.

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

SEMA and PRI have an immediate need for information from industry members on the impact on your business of federal tax incentives, many of which expire at the end of the year.  

• CLICK HERE or below to complete our short survey to help us advocate for your business. 

Your feedback is crucial for SEMA and PRI to understand the tax provisions that are most important to your business.  

Why Now? 

Tax policy is the top issue on the congressional docket in June. The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a comprehensive tax bill (details below on key tax provisions) and the U.S. Senate is now working to draft its own version of the legislation. To ensure Congress keeps the tax provisions on which the automotive-aftermarket and motorsports industries rely, SEMA and PRI must be at the table advocating for your needs today.  

Key Tax Provisions Contained in U.S. House-Passed Legislation 

The House bill includes a broad array of provisions important to SEMA and PRI members and the broader business community, including: 

• Extension of 2017 Reduced Tax Rates for Individuals: The bill permanently extends the discounted tax rates for individuals and pass-through businesses that expire at the end of 2025. 
• 199A Deduction for Pass-Through Businesses: The bill increases the 199A small business deduction from 20% to 23% and makes it permanent. This provision helps pass-through businesses, whose owners pay taxes as individuals, compete with corporations, whose profits are taxed at 20%. If enacted into law, small businesses, including partnerships and S corporations, will be able to subtract 23% of their qualified business income from their taxes. 
• Business Expensing and Research and Development: Renews 100% immediate expensing for equipment and machinery, 100% immediate expensing for research and development (R&D) in the United States, increased deductions for interest expenses, and supports the expansion of new production factories and growing operations in America by allowing 100% expensing for new factories, improvements to existing factories and other production facilities. 

If you have questions, contact Eric Snyder, SEMA senior director for federal government affairs, at erics@sema.org. 

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock