The U.S. National Park Service (NPS) has issued a final rule to implement the “Alternative E” Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Management Plan for the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The recreation area includes more than 1.25 million acres surrounding Lake Powell in Arizona and Utah.
The National Park Service had recommended the “Alternative E” plan in 2018, which will now be implemented. The plan permits ORV use on park roads, designated off-road routes and along certain shoreline areas, but prohibits such use in areas where natural or cultural resources may be at risk. It requires a permit to operate a motor vehicle off roads in selected locations and allows the superintendent to establish closures and restrictions based upon specific criteria.
A copy of the Plan can be found here. For more information, contact Caroline Fletcher at carolinef@sema.org.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking comment on how to eventually develop a rating system for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and incorporate it within the Agency’s New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
The NCAP is intended to provide consumers with basic safety information about a new vehicle and foster comparison shopping between different makes and models. The program tests new vehicle performance in various crash scenarios (frontal, side, rollover) and provides a 5-star scale rating. NHTSA periodically updates the NCAP to reflect new technological advancements. The Agency most recently updated the program to include automatic emergency braking systems starting with MY 2018 vehicles.
ADAS cover new crash-avoidance measures, such as lane departure and blind-spot warnings through the use of cameras, radar, LiDAR, vehicle-to-vehicle communications and other technologies.
Click here for the NHTSA request for comments. For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has invited public comment on the Agency’s updated document titled “Cybersecurity Best Practices for the Safety of Modern Vehicles” (Draft 2020 Update). NHTSA issued the first edition of the document in 2016. The 22-page guidance document identified recommended best practices for motor vehicle and equipment designers, manufacturers, suppliers, alterers and modifiers. The updated draft document incorporates recent agency and industry research and focuses on best practices that have safety implications for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment.
Comments are due by March 15. For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is not imposing tariffs or taking any other specific action at this time with respect to its Section 301 investigation of unfair currency valuation by Vietnam. The USTR issued a report that finds “Vietnam’s acts, policies, and practices including excessive foreign exchange market interventions and other related actions, taken in their totality, are unreasonable and burden or restrict U.S. commerce.” However, the USTR decided to defer to the incoming Biden administration on further action.
For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.
The COVID-19 relief bill signed into law on December 27, 2020, provided $284 billion in new funding for the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) for both first and second loans. The covered period for all PPP loans was extended to March 31, 2021. For second loans, businesses need to have suffered a 25% revenue loss during the pandemic.
Loan applications for the new PPP program are now being accepted through SBA-approved lenders (banks and community financial institutions). The SBA has two webpages for more information:
The SBA is creating a streamlined loan forgiveness application for recipients of first and second loans up to $150,000. It is expected to be available this month.
SEMA recently hosted a webinar entitled “Everything You Need to Know About the New PPP Program” presented by national columnist and CPA Gene Marks. Click here [to be supplied] for the webinar recording and PowerPoint presentation.
For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.
A recently enacted federal law, the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021” (Public Law No: 116-260), includes a provision to create a $15 billion program to provide grants to live entertainment and performing arts venues. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is currently working to craft regulations to implement Sec. 324, “GRANTS FOR SHUTTERED VENUE OPERATORS,” of the new law. The agency needs to hear from racetracks about the importance of including outdoor entertainment venues within the entities that are eligible to apply for grants. Many racetracks have experienced significant declines in revenue as a result of complying with COVID restrictions on entertainment venues.”
If you own or are employed by a racetrack or motorsports facility, please sign a letter to the SBA. For additional information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.
Since 2014 the SEMA Battle of the Builders has provided a platform for the industry’s best builders to flex their muscle. Every year the competition brings out the best in products, innovation, and builds. It is the annual tradition where top builders from the automotive aftermarket industry come together to show off custom, one-of-a-kind builds never before seen.
Hosts Adrienne “AJ” Janic and Tanner Foust take you on a journey behind the scenes of the competition to see what it takes to create a SEMA-worthy build. The stakes are higher and the competition this year is tougher. Which one of these top builders will be crowned the next SEMA Battle of the Builders Champion?
Narrowing the field from more than 300 vehicles to the Top 10 in each of four categories is no easy task. Get acquainted with our guest judges and find out who makes it to the Hot Rod, Import/Sport Compact, Truck/Off-Road and Young Guns categories before the builders choose the Top 12 builds overall.
Did you come ready for battle? These builders did. Catch the annual “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV special on A+E Networks’ History Channel on Sunday, February 7, at 9:00 a.m. (EST). Check your local listings for times in your area.
For more information about the SEMA Battle of the Builders program, visit www.semabotb.com.
SEMA eNews highlights new products from industry companies each week. To have your product considered for upcoming issues, send product press releases to editors@sema.org.
Clayton Machine Works
Gated Shifter
Clayton Machine Works announces the release of its gated shifter for automatic transmissions. The shifter is designed to allow for almost any shifter lever and knob combination and features a neutral safety switch. The gated, side detent feature is constructed to eliminate the need for a shifter button. The shifters are available as complete assemblies (with lever and knob) or can be purchased separately to work with aftermarket levers that include bolt spacing mounting scheme such as Tremec-style shifter levers.
American Powertrain introduces its Pro-Fit 5-speed system for classic Corvettes featuring the all-new Tremec TKX 5-spd. The kit is designed to fit vintage Corvettes like an original GM manual transmission with the correct shift position and tunnel fit. The new TKX features a streamlined case engineered for improved fitment with zero tunnel modifications. The system features the Tremec TKX transmission with 600 lb.-ft of torque capacity with shifts up to 8,000 rpm.
Mac’s Tie Downs announces the release of its Mac’s Monkey Face: a drop-in, stake pocket multi-mount designed to receive a variety of tie-down hardware. The design is laser cut from steel and welded onto a steel tube and rated to 10,000-lb. minimum breaking strength. The mount can be purchased with or without the new Low-Profile Lashing Winch. It accepts 2-in. tie-down webbing and allows for tensioning from either side.
BOLT Lock introduces its swivel Locking Recovery Hook. The hook is manufactured from 6061-T6 aluminum and features a 10,000 lb. capacity and is designed to be 99-percent faster than other ¾-in. shackle-type hooks. The top portion does not need to be unscrewed in order to loop the tow strap. The tow strap slides into place over the hook. The hook is engineered to prevent the pin used to attach the hook to the vehicle from moving freely when locked. When the ignition key is inserted into the cylinder, spring-loaded plate tumblers move up and down to uniquely code the cylinder to that specific key.
Edge Products announces the release of its digital gauge monitor for the ’98 –‘05 Dodge Ram with the Cummins diesel. The 3rd-generation 5-in. monitor features a full-color capacitive touchscreen display. The monitor includes a high-speed processor designed to provide easy swipe gestures and navigation throughout the product.
Hooker Blackheart has launched its engine mounting brackets to allow GM LS or Gen-V LT engines to be installed in the ‘73–‘87 C10/C20 Trucks. The modular design of these brackets are constructed to allow engine changes from LS to LT with a change to the clamshell components only. The same mounting brackets, polyurethane inserts, and crossmembers fit both LS and LT engines.
Your online reputation can make or break your business. The challenge is that people are more motivated to post online when they’re unhappy rather than when they’re happy. So how should businesses respond when they receive negative feedback? And how can businesses create a process for acquiring more positive reviews?
During “How to Protect Your Brand’s Online Reputation,” best-selling business author Corey Perlman of Impact Social Media Inc. will present top strategies for online reputation management. Taking place February 9, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. (PST), the 45-minute session will cover best practices for converting satisfied customers into online endorsers of your brand, the basics of digital brand management, and how you can create a process for enhancing positive feedback.
As a simu-live webinar, Perlman will be available to answer your questions live and leave you more knowledgeable and inspired to take your online reputation to the next level.
The deadline for application
submissions is March 1, 2021.
SEMA Loan Forgiveness Applications are now available at www.sema.org/scholarships. The SEMA Loan Forgiveness Program issues thousands of dollars annually to industry members who are paying off student loans.
If you work for a SEMA member company and have an outstanding student loan, we invite you to apply. It doesn’t matter if the loan was in connection to a degree or certification from a college, university, or tech school, SEMA wants to support you in your career efforts.
The deadline for application submissions is March 1, 2021.
For more information, contact Byron Bergmann at 909-378-4859 or byronb@sema.org.
Your online reputation can make or break your business. The challenge is that people are more motivated to post online when they’re unhappy rather than when they’re happy. So how should businesses respond when they receive negative feedback? And how can businesses create a process for acquiring more positive reviews?