By SEMA Editors

Manufacturers participating in SEMA360 should mark the following important dates on their calendars: 

10/9: Deadline to submit space rental agreement and secure Showcase page.

10/9: Deadline to submit feature vehicle application for the Builder Showcase.

10/9: Deadline for New Products Showcase discount pricing. Until October 9, the first four products are free; additional products are $29. After October 9, the first four products remain free; additional products are $59.

10/13: Deadline to enter New Products Showcase (regardless of price).

10/16: Deadline to complete and finish updating Showcase page.

For assistance, manufacturers can contact the following individuals: 

• Signing up for a Showcase page: sales@sema.org
• Assistance with setting up a Showcase page: kristing@sema.org
• Feature vehicles/Builder Showcase: mauriceo@sema.org
• New Products Showcase: mauriceo@sema.org

SEMA News—October 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS

Fast Facts

Centerforce has announced that Harold Menke will join the Centerforce team as its new director of sales. Menke will work to expand Centerforce’s sales, drawing upon his expertise and strong relationships in the automotive aftermarket. Having worked for various auto-parts manufacturers, Menke will utilize his experience to develop key sales strategies and explore new markets as well as strengthen current ones. Menke brings more than 29 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket, specializing in sales through traditional warehouse distributors, retail chains, specialty accounts, performance specialists and export customers. He joins Centerforce following 10 years at brake component manufacturer Centric Parts.

Garrett Motion Inc. announced that Sean Deason was named CFO. Deason will relocate to the company’s global headquarters in Switzerland. Previously, Deason was the CFO of WABCO Holdings Inc., a global supplier of advanced technologies for commercial vehicles. He will assume responsibilities as the principal financial officer of Garrett from Peter Bracke. Before joining WABCO, Deason spent four years with Evraz N.A., a steel products manufacturer, where he served as vice president of financial planning and analysis. Deason also worked 12 years with Lear Corp., where he held finance, treasury and corporate planning roles covering multiple regions.

CRP Industries appointed automotive industry veteran PT Muldoon as the company’s director of engineering. Muldoon will be responsible for all engineering activities and initiatives in the development of new automotive opportunities with OEMs and tier-one suppliers as well as the improvement and expansion of current products and product lines. Prior to joining CRP Automotive, Muldoon served as the director of new product development for electronics remanufacturing for BBB Industries, where he headed the company’s Detroit technical center. Muldoon also spent more than 23 years with FCA Chrysler, where he served as senior product engineer for powertrain electrical and powertrain adaptation, manager of remanufactured product development engineering, and chief engineering lead for MOPAR.

Based in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Marx Buscemi Eisbrenner Group, a full-service marketing communications agency focused on the automotive, mobility, trucking, technology and consumer goods industries, promoted Kaleigh Jerzykowski to account executive. Jerzykowski joined Marx Buscemi Eisbrenner Group in 2017 and previously held the position of assistant account executive. In her new role, Jerzykowski will lead initiatives for B2B and B2C clients that include public relations, event management and social-media marketing, as well as continuing to guide advertising campaigns and digital strategies.

Stertil-Koni announced that Carl Boyer was named Midwest regional sales manager. Boyer brings nearly three decades of client-focused sales management, business development and customer-service experience to this key Stertil-Koni role. Boyer will manage a territory that includes Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and parts of Wisconsin, supporting Stertil-Koni’s exclusive distributor network serving those states. Most recently, Boyer served as shop equipment specialist at Stertil-Koni, where he focused on the expansion of the company’s product line and customer base in the heavy-duty equipment field.

Sparta Evolution announced Yoni Kellman as its new sales and marketing manager. Kellman will be responsible for driving revenue, marketing and business strategies. As a member of the aftermarket industry for more than 15 years, Kellman has sales and marketing experience working with various manufacturers, distributors and retailers, including Exedy, Motovicity and DBA USA.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. announced that Paula Whitesell will join the company as senior vice president and chief human resources officer. Whitesell joins Cooper from Peapod Digital Labs in Chicago, where she served as vice president for human resources and was responsible for human resources, communications and customer care. Prior to Peapod, Whitesell had an 18-year career with Whirlpool Corp., where she most recently served as senior director for global human resources, a position she attained after progressing through a number of diverse leadership roles in human resources and within the business, including finance, customer care and integrated supply chain.

Westin Automotive announced the addition of industry veteran Chris Carr as southern regional sales manager. Carr is a native of Louisiana currently residing in Texas and will operate between his home office and Westin’s Dallas/Fort-Worth distribution center.

Tenneco Inc. announced that its board of directors appointed Kevin Baird as the COO. In that role, Baird joins the executive leadership team and will lead and support critical strategic and operations initiatives that deliver margin-expansion and cash-generation improvements. Baird joins Tenneco from Guardian Industries, a wholly owned subsidiary of Koch Industries Inc., where he served since 2014 as president and CEO of its Guardian Glass business. In addition, Tenneco announced that its board of directors appointed Matti Masanovich as its CFO, effective August 10, 2020. He will succeed interim CFO Ken Trammell. Before joining Tenneco, Masanovich was the CFO of Superior Industries International Inc., a global supplier of light-vehicle aluminum wheels for the original equipment and aftermarket.

Energy Suspension hired Dennis Grau as its new sales and marketing manager. Grau has more than 20 years of sales and marketing leadership experience within the automotive and heavy-duty aftermarket. Most recently, he held the position of senior director of sales for K&N Engineering, where he was responsible for the strategic direction and leading the North America team to drive sales with a primary focus on the warehouse distributor side of the business. He gained significant automotive experience during his time with companies such as MAT Holdings, Exide and Honeywell.

Randys Worldwide Automotive, the parent company of Yukon Gear & Axle, announced Ted Caldwell as its new COO and Tim Spiller as its new director of distribution operations. In his new position with the drivetrain products provider based in Everett, Washington, Caldwell will focus on creating a scalable operational structure, optimizing warehouse growth, system automation, supply-chain management and more, according to published reports. Spiller, who has been coordinating distribution and logistics involving mass-market fulfillment for a decade, comes to Randys from Europe-based Funko, where he was responsible for its expansion in the United States.

Quadratec Inc. announced the launch of its newly redesigned digital media channel Torque, which features written and video content that focuses on all facets of Jeep ownership, vehicles, products, trends and lifestyle. The new site offers users a modern design with fresh, engaging information that is searchable by vehicle type or category and includes a navigation bar that highlights topics from a library of information. The site also includes product reviews, how-to advice, Jeep vehicle builds, feature stories, profiles, event coverage, and insights into current trends such as overlanding.

Hypertherm announced its selection as a Business of the Decade winner by Business New Hampshire magazine and the New Hampshire Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. Hypertherm earned the top spot for the manufacturing and technology category, joining organizations in eight other categories, including health care, financial services and insurance, retail and wholesale, and tourism and hospitality. Nearly 50 judges participated in scoring applications through two rounds of competition to determine the winners. In considering Hypertherm, judges were impressed by the respect the company has within the fabrication industry and its reputation for technological and manufacturing excellence. In addition, judges cited the breadth and depth of Hypertherm’s work in the community.

Hot Shot’s Secret (HSS) announced that more than 500 trucker appreciation care packages were delivered to truckers working during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep essential medical supplies and groceries stocked. Beginning in April, the company began distributing the care packages that included a bottle of HSS Everyday Diesel Treatment, HSS hand sanitizer, a company decal, LSI magazine, an HSS product guide, and a 15% product discount. The initiative wrapped up with a final giveaway event at the company’s headquarters in central Ohio on July 1–2.

By Della Domingo

As with any event, preparation is essential for success. Manufacturers in  SEMA360, the industry’s new online event that is will provide the industry with a B2B environment in the absence of the in-person SEMA Show, can increase their success by preparing in advance of the event taking place, November 2-6.

Here are a few tips to help  SEMA360  manufacturers:  

1. Include the  SEMA360  logo on your website.
2. Email your customers directly to personally invite them to visit your Showcase page.  
3. Announce your participation in social media using #sema360.  
4. If you have a scheduled product demonstration, guest speaker, expert, special pricing or any plans  from SEMA360 that you want to promote, email Kelly Clancy at kellyc@sema.org  so that we can spread the word to participating buyers.  
5. Enter the New Products Showcase to bring in new buyers who are browsing the showcase (deadline is October 13, and first four entries are free). 
6. Enter vehicles into the Builder Showcase to link visitors to your Showcase page  (deadline is October 9).  
7. Include a good mix of quality photos,  videos  and marketing materials on your Showcase page.  
8. Schedule roundtable meetings so you can interact and engage with buyers.  
9. Designate and promote at least one day and time when you staff your Showcase page beyond the recommended hours of 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (PST) to accommodate and reach international buyers. (About 30% of all buyers signed up for SEMA360 are from outside the United States.) 
10. Set up your Showcase page today. Manufacturers that participated in the recent training on the set up process should have received their login and a comprehensive playbook. Those who did not participate in the training or who did not receive the follow up material should visit www.sema360.com/manufacturer.html.

Dedicated SEMA staff are on hand to assist with setting up the Manufacturers Showcase page. For more information, visit  www.sema360.com  or contact info@sema360.com  or 909-396-0289.  

By Della Domingo

As with any event, preparation is essential for success. Manufacturers in  SEMA360, the industry’s new online event that is will provide the industry with a B2B environment in the absence of the in-person SEMA Show, can increase their success by preparing in advance of the event taking place, November 2-6.

Here are a few tips to help  SEMA360  manufacturers:  

1. Include the  SEMA360  logo on your website.
2. Email your customers directly to personally invite them to visit your Showcase page.  
3. Announce your participation in social media using #sema360.  
4. If you have a scheduled product demonstration, guest speaker, expert, special pricing or any plans  from SEMA360 that you want to promote, email Kelly Clancy at kellyc@sema.org  so that we can spread the word to participating buyers.  
5. Enter the New Products Showcase to bring in new buyers who are browsing the showcase (deadline is October 13, and first four entries are free). 
6. Enter vehicles into the Builder Showcase to link visitors to your Showcase page  (deadline is October 9).  
7. Include a good mix of quality photos,  videos  and marketing materials on your Showcase page.  
8. Schedule roundtable meetings so you can interact and engage with buyers.  
9. Designate and promote at least one day and time when you staff your Showcase page beyond the recommended hours of 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (PST) to accommodate and reach international buyers. (About 30% of all buyers signed up for SEMA360 are from outside the United States.) 
10. Set up your Showcase page today. Manufacturers that participated in the recent training on the set up process should have received their login and a comprehensive playbook. Those who did not participate in the training or who did not receive the follow up material should visit www.sema360.com/manufacturer.html.

Dedicated SEMA staff are on hand to assist with setting up the Manufacturers Showcase page. For more information, visit  www.sema360.com  or contact info@sema360.com  or 909-396-0289.  

SEMA News—October 2020

INTERNATIONAL

The New United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement

Tips on How to Qualify for the Lowest Tariff Rates

By Linda Spencer

USMCA replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) effective July 1, 2020. All claims for lower tariff rates for exports to Canada and/or Mexico will need to be made using the new requirements called for under USMCA instead of NAFTA. Pictured here: A Canadian off-road distributor speaks at SEMA headquarters about the export opportunities in Canada during the 2019 Export Fair.

SEMA News appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in shedding light on the key provisions of the new trilateral trade agreement. The USMCA replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which had been governing regional trade since 1994.

What is the status of NAFTA?

USMCA replaced NAFTA effective July 1, 2020. All claims for lower tariff rates will need to be made using the new requirements called for under USMCA instead of NAFTA.

What are the new automotive rules of origin under the USMCA (the requirements a company must meet in order to claim preferential treatment)?

The automotive rules of origin for vehicles under the USMCA include several key components:

• An overall regional content requirement (75% for passenger vehicles and light trucks).
• A requirement that certain core parts (such as engine, transmission, body and chassis, axle, suspension system, steering system and advanced battery) must originate in North America.
• Purchasing requirements for steel and aluminum in North America.

What about automotive aftermarket parts? Are manufacturers of specialty-equipment products required to meet the same multilevel rules of origin involving specific requirements (such as those governing labor value content and the origin of core parts and the steel and aluminum involved in the manufacturing of the product)?

Generally, no. USMCA defines an “aftermarket part” as “a good that is not for use as original equipment in the production of passenger vehicles, light trucks or heavy trucks.”

The new and complex origin requirements (outlined above) apply only to passenger vehicles, light trucks, heavy trucks and original-equipment parts. The regional value content requirement for aftermarket parts is typically less stringent than that for original-equipment parts and whole vehicles.

Aftermarket parts typically are required to satisfy a singular minimum RVC requirement, generally 50% to 60% under the net cost method. For additional information on the differing treatment of whole vehicles, OEM parts and aftermarket parts, refer to Section 13 of the USMCA uniform regulations (www.federalregister.gov/d/2020-13865/p-995).

Do the automotive rules of origin apply to exported vehicles that are primarily used off-road?

No. Producers and shippers of vehicles that are solely or principally for off-road use are not subject to the core parts, labor value content, or steel and aluminum purchase requirements. However, exporters of those products should refer to the product-specific rules of origin to find the regional value content requirement specific to their vehicle by its Harmonized System (HS) code. Such vehicles are defined as those that do not meet U.S. federal safety and emissions standards permitting unrestricted on-road use or the equivalent Mexican and Canadian on-road standards.

My specialty-equipment products are not required to meet the Automotive Rule of Origin requirements. How do I find out what minimum content I am required to meet and what the tariff rates are for my products?

There are a few steps required to determine the correct tariff code for your products:

• In order to export to Canada or Mexico, you need to know the global product classification (HS code), as you would for any other global destination. Customs authorities around the world use the HS code to identify products when assessing duties and taxes. The United States uses a 10-digit code to classify products for export, known as a Schedule B number. Visit https://uscensus.prod.3ceonline.com for the online free “look-up feature” Schedule B search engine and to view the Census Bureau’s Export Training Video on how to classify your product.
• Once you know the HS code applied to your product, you can use the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Tariff Tool to look up the tariff rate for the product, available at www.export.gov/fta-tariff-tool. (Note: When entering the appropriate HS code using the above link, make sure to enter only numbers and not quote marks.) The FTA Tariff Tool incorporates all products (agricultural and nonagricultural goods) classified within all 97 chapters of the Harmonized System and includes information on product-specific rules of origin to determine the eligibility of the reduced tariff rates with any U.S. FTA partner. The Tariff Tool not only provides information on current tariff lines but also transparency on future tariffs and the year in which those products become duty-free.

The query tool allows you to generate a custom query using your product’s HS code, the FTA partner you’re trading with, and whether you are exporting or importing. Please note that all tariff rates derived from this online tool should be reconfirmed with your shipper or the appropriate customs agency, as they are subject to change.

Products manufactured and sold to neighboring countries, i.e., Mexico and Canada, are eligible for preferential tariff treatment if they are sold within the region and meet the minimum content requirements as dic­tated by the new USMCA. Mexicans are big fan of musclecars, both classic and more modern. Pictured here is a section of the PAACE Automechanika show, held annually in Mexico City, that is dedicated to dozens of lovingly restored classic cars.

My products meet the regional content requirements. How do I document this information in order to claim preferential treatment?

There is no official certificate of origin for USMCA, as there was for NAFTA. USMCA requires a “certification of origin” for all products exceeding $1,000 or the equivalent amount in the importing party’s currency.

Any format is acceptable, provided it contains the following nine minimum data elements set out in USMCA, Annex 5-A:

• Importer, exporter, or producer certification of origin
• Certifier
• Exporter
• Producer
• Importer
• Description and HS classification of the good
• Origin criteria
• Blanket period (if applicable)
• Authorized signature and date

What are the record-keeping requirements for shipments for which I have claimed preferential treatment?

Manufacturers are required to maintain, for a period of no less than five years, all records necessary to demonstrate that a good for which the exporter or producer provided a certification of origin or other written representation is originating, including records associated with (a) the purchase of, cost of, value of, shipping of, and payment for, the good or material; the purchase of, cost of, value of, shipping of, and payment for all materials, including indirect materials, used in the production of the good or material; and the production of the good in the form in which the good is exported or the production of the material in the form in which it was sold.

My aftermarket products are manufactured with 92% U.S. content and an estimated 8% Chinese content. Can I mark my products “U.S. Content” rather than listing both countries of origin?

The USMCA clarifies that most goods can be marked with a single country of origin even if up to 10% of the components do not originate in that country. If more than 10% of the components are nonoriginating, the good must be marked with multiple countries of origin.

Under CBP’s previous NAFTA marking regulations, sets had to be marked with “the country or countries of origin of all materials that merit equal consideration for determining the essential character of the good.” While subject to certain exceptions, the new rule gives importers more certainty as to how sets should be marked with the country or countries of origin.

Products manufactured and sold within North America are eligible for preferential tariff treatment if they meet minimum content requirements as dictated by the new U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA). This article answers questions SEMA News has received from SEMA-member companies about the details of the regulations under the new agreement, which took effect July 1, 2020, and the documentation required when exporting your products to Canada and Mexico.

More information on the USMCA agreement and other exporting best practices are available online at www.sema.org/international or by contacting SEMA Senior Director of International and Government Relations Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.orglindas@sema.org.

SEMA News—October 2020

INTERNATIONAL

The New United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement

Tips on How to Qualify for the Lowest Tariff Rates

By Linda Spencer

USMCA replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) effective July 1, 2020. All claims for lower tariff rates for exports to Canada and/or Mexico will need to be made using the new requirements called for under USMCA instead of NAFTA. Pictured here: A Canadian off-road distributor speaks at SEMA headquarters about the export opportunities in Canada during the 2019 Export Fair.

SEMA News appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in shedding light on the key provisions of the new trilateral trade agreement. The USMCA replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which had been governing regional trade since 1994.

What is the status of NAFTA?

USMCA replaced NAFTA effective July 1, 2020. All claims for lower tariff rates will need to be made using the new requirements called for under USMCA instead of NAFTA.

What are the new automotive rules of origin under the USMCA (the requirements a company must meet in order to claim preferential treatment)?

The automotive rules of origin for vehicles under the USMCA include several key components:

• An overall regional content requirement (75% for passenger vehicles and light trucks).
• A requirement that certain core parts (such as engine, transmission, body and chassis, axle, suspension system, steering system and advanced battery) must originate in North America.
• Purchasing requirements for steel and aluminum in North America.

What about automotive aftermarket parts? Are manufacturers of specialty-equipment products required to meet the same multilevel rules of origin involving specific requirements (such as those governing labor value content and the origin of core parts and the steel and aluminum involved in the manufacturing of the product)?

Generally, no. USMCA defines an “aftermarket part” as “a good that is not for use as original equipment in the production of passenger vehicles, light trucks or heavy trucks.”

The new and complex origin requirements (outlined above) apply only to passenger vehicles, light trucks, heavy trucks and original-equipment parts. The regional value content requirement for aftermarket parts is typically less stringent than that for original-equipment parts and whole vehicles.

Aftermarket parts typically are required to satisfy a singular minimum RVC requirement, generally 50% to 60% under the net cost method. For additional information on the differing treatment of whole vehicles, OEM parts and aftermarket parts, refer to Section 13 of the USMCA uniform regulations (www.federalregister.gov/d/2020-13865/p-995).

Do the automotive rules of origin apply to exported vehicles that are primarily used off-road?

No. Producers and shippers of vehicles that are solely or principally for off-road use are not subject to the core parts, labor value content, or steel and aluminum purchase requirements. However, exporters of those products should refer to the product-specific rules of origin to find the regional value content requirement specific to their vehicle by its Harmonized System (HS) code. Such vehicles are defined as those that do not meet U.S. federal safety and emissions standards permitting unrestricted on-road use or the equivalent Mexican and Canadian on-road standards.

My specialty-equipment products are not required to meet the Automotive Rule of Origin requirements. How do I find out what minimum content I am required to meet and what the tariff rates are for my products?

There are a few steps required to determine the correct tariff code for your products:

• In order to export to Canada or Mexico, you need to know the global product classification (HS code), as you would for any other global destination. Customs authorities around the world use the HS code to identify products when assessing duties and taxes. The United States uses a 10-digit code to classify products for export, known as a Schedule B number. Visit https://uscensus.prod.3ceonline.com for the online free “look-up feature” Schedule B search engine and to view the Census Bureau’s Export Training Video on how to classify your product.
• Once you know the HS code applied to your product, you can use the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Tariff Tool to look up the tariff rate for the product, available at www.export.gov/fta-tariff-tool. (Note: When entering the appropriate HS code using the above link, make sure to enter only numbers and not quote marks.) The FTA Tariff Tool incorporates all products (agricultural and nonagricultural goods) classified within all 97 chapters of the Harmonized System and includes information on product-specific rules of origin to determine the eligibility of the reduced tariff rates with any U.S. FTA partner. The Tariff Tool not only provides information on current tariff lines but also transparency on future tariffs and the year in which those products become duty-free.

The query tool allows you to generate a custom query using your product’s HS code, the FTA partner you’re trading with, and whether you are exporting or importing. Please note that all tariff rates derived from this online tool should be reconfirmed with your shipper or the appropriate customs agency, as they are subject to change.

Products manufactured and sold to neighboring countries, i.e., Mexico and Canada, are eligible for preferential tariff treatment if they are sold within the region and meet the minimum content requirements as dic­tated by the new USMCA. Mexicans are big fan of musclecars, both classic and more modern. Pictured here is a section of the PAACE Automechanika show, held annually in Mexico City, that is dedicated to dozens of lovingly restored classic cars.

My products meet the regional content requirements. How do I document this information in order to claim preferential treatment?

There is no official certificate of origin for USMCA, as there was for NAFTA. USMCA requires a “certification of origin” for all products exceeding $1,000 or the equivalent amount in the importing party’s currency.

Any format is acceptable, provided it contains the following nine minimum data elements set out in USMCA, Annex 5-A:

• Importer, exporter, or producer certification of origin
• Certifier
• Exporter
• Producer
• Importer
• Description and HS classification of the good
• Origin criteria
• Blanket period (if applicable)
• Authorized signature and date

What are the record-keeping requirements for shipments for which I have claimed preferential treatment?

Manufacturers are required to maintain, for a period of no less than five years, all records necessary to demonstrate that a good for which the exporter or producer provided a certification of origin or other written representation is originating, including records associated with (a) the purchase of, cost of, value of, shipping of, and payment for, the good or material; the purchase of, cost of, value of, shipping of, and payment for all materials, including indirect materials, used in the production of the good or material; and the production of the good in the form in which the good is exported or the production of the material in the form in which it was sold.

My aftermarket products are manufactured with 92% U.S. content and an estimated 8% Chinese content. Can I mark my products “U.S. Content” rather than listing both countries of origin?

The USMCA clarifies that most goods can be marked with a single country of origin even if up to 10% of the components do not originate in that country. If more than 10% of the components are nonoriginating, the good must be marked with multiple countries of origin.

Under CBP’s previous NAFTA marking regulations, sets had to be marked with “the country or countries of origin of all materials that merit equal consideration for determining the essential character of the good.” While subject to certain exceptions, the new rule gives importers more certainty as to how sets should be marked with the country or countries of origin.

Products manufactured and sold within North America are eligible for preferential tariff treatment if they meet minimum content requirements as dictated by the new U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA). This article answers questions SEMA News has received from SEMA-member companies about the details of the regulations under the new agreement, which took effect July 1, 2020, and the documentation required when exporting your products to Canada and Mexico.

More information on the USMCA agreement and other exporting best practices are available online at www.sema.org/international or by contacting SEMA Senior Director of International and Government Relations Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.orglindas@sema.org.

SEMA News—October 2020

FROM THE HILL

Summer’s Automotive Holiday Honored in Style

Collector Car Appreciation Day Tradition Upheld by SEMA Membership

By Colby Martin

For the “Collector Car 11–Drive & Show,” the Coachmen Car Club of Ventura County adapted their event plan with a large caravan of collector cars that made a 45-mi. journey to their destination in Simi Valley, California.

On July 10, 2020, SEMA members joined with car clubs, businesses and thousands of enthusiasts to celebrate the 11th annual Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD). A wide range of events was held nationwide to commemorate the special day. The celebration was designated with SEMA-requested companion resolutions introduced in the U.S. Congress by the co-chairs of the SEMA-supported Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus. U.S. Senate Resolution 650 was sponsored by Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), while Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL) and Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA) sponsored U.S. House of Representatives Resolution 998.

The resolutions acknowledge “that the collection and restoration of historic and classic cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the United States.” Lawmakers in states, counties and cities all over the United States and Canada followed Congress’ lead. Louisiana, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin as well as the Canadian Provinces of British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick adopted their own recognitions honoring the occasion.

Nearly 60 official events were held throughout the month of July to celebrate the classics of the past and the future. The events included car-club cruise-ins, open houses at SEMA-member companies, specialty shows at automobile museums, and “drive your collector car to work” displays. Several participants also organized virtual gatherings and online celebrations for the first time. A summary and an online photo gallery of CCAD celebrations are available on the SEMA Action Network’s (SAN) website at www.semasan.com/ccad.

CCAD is supported by SEMA and its Automotive Restoration Market Organization and Hot Rod Industry Alliance councils.

The Iola Car Show in Iola, Wisconsin, coincides with the celebration of CCAD. In lieu of a car show, the Rally for Iola car cruise was held this year as a socially-distanced tour of the show grounds that brought in more than 1,000 cars.

SEMA-Member CCAD Event Hosts

• Association of California Car Clubs—Auburn, California
• Bonnier Events—Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
• Camaro Central/Firebird
• Central/Muscle Car Central—Richmond, Kentucky
• Coker Tire Co.—Chattanooga, Tennessee
• D&S Automotive Collision & Restyling—Mentor, Ohio
• Daniels Performance Group—Smithfield, Virginia
• Griot’s Garage—Tacoma, Washington
• Iola Car Show—Iola, Wisconsin
• OC Car Guy—Buena Park, California
• Steele Rubber Products—Denver, North Carolina
  
  

West Virginia’s Knobley Mountain Auto Club proudly recognized CCAD once again at its event in Keyser. West Virginia Delegate Gary G. Howell (second from left), national Chairman of the SEMA-supported State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus, is shown displaying the 2020 CCAD Congressional Resolution with participants.	Chattanooga, Tennessee’s Coker Tire asked visitors on social media to post their collector car photos, which was kicked off by CEO Wade Kawasaki and his Roush Mustang.
Doug Reinbold hosted a Collector Car Appreciation Cookout in North Attleborough, Massachusetts.	Instead of hosting its annual CCAD edition of the After Hours Cruise-In, Steele Rubber Products in Denver, North Carolina, invited the automotive community to submit their ride in a Virtual Cruise-In to Celebrate CCAD—more than 200 vehicles took part.
Arizona’s Nancy Perry Productions treated guests to a variety of show cars and a special CCAD cake in Glendale, including SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Chris Thomson (right).	Trucks brought enthusiasts to Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, for the 4-Wheel Jamboree organized by Bonnier Corp.
A special cruise-in celebrating CCAD took place at Daniels Performance Group in Smithfield, Virginia.	The Richmond, Kentucky-based brands Camaro Central/Firebird Central/Muscle Car Central created an online holiday sale for CCAD and encouraged enthusiasts to share their collector car pictures on social media.
The Crawford County Collectibles Car Club’s annual FRSB Cruise-In honored CCAD in Robinson, Illinois.	Wayne County Cruisers’ CCAD Cruise took place in Goldsboro, North Carolina.
In Altoona, Pennsylvania, the Blair County Antique Auto Club and Lakemont Park organized a BCAAC National CCAD Cruise-in.	CCAD was recognized at the Clovis Missionary Baptist Church’s Hot Rod Gathering in Clovis, California.
The Chesapeake Region AACA’s CCAD event was held at the Fire Museum of Maryland, located in Lutherville.	Mike Linnings’ CCAD Cruize took place in Louisville, Kentucky, supported by the Okolona Street Rods.
Private tours were offered at the Brenford Auto Museum in Smyrna, Delaware, for the 11th annual CCAD.	Sal’s Italian Deli in Lake City, Florida, provided the site for celebrating CCAD by the Suwannee River Region AACA (SRRAACA).
On July 11, the Horseless Carriage Club of New Orleans Inc., held its CCAD Event in Louisiana—driving from Kenner to New Orleans.	CCAD was honored in Brentwood, New Hampshire, at New England Dragway by the Kustom Kings of New Hampshire.
Florida’s Fort Lauderdale Region AACA celebrated CCAD, replacing their scheduled car show with a social-distancing event, highlighted by a presentation of the Congressional resolution.	A CCAD Cruise: Rockin’ in the Rockies took place in British Columbia, Canada, thanks to the efforts of the Specialty Vehicle Association of British Columbia (SVABC).
In Texas, the Dallas Area Classic Chevys gathered enthusiasts for a CCAD Cruise-In at the Dairy Ette.	In Texas, the Dallas Area Classic Chevys gathered enthusiasts for a CCAD Cruise-In at the Dairy Ette.
Thanks to the efforts of the National Association of Automobile Clubs of Canada (NAACC), the province of Newfoundland and Labrador declared the month of July as “Automotive Heritage Month,” held concurrently with CCAD.	A CCAD Cruise-in at Burger King in Berwick, Pennsylvania, was organized by the Northeast Cruisers Rod and Custom Association.

SEMA News—October 2020

FROM THE HILL

Summer’s Automotive Holiday Honored in Style

Collector Car Appreciation Day Tradition Upheld by SEMA Membership

By Colby Martin

For the “Collector Car 11–Drive & Show,” the Coachmen Car Club of Ventura County adapted their event plan with a large caravan of collector cars that made a 45-mi. journey to their destination in Simi Valley, California.

On July 10, 2020, SEMA members joined with car clubs, businesses and thousands of enthusiasts to celebrate the 11th annual Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD). A wide range of events was held nationwide to commemorate the special day. The celebration was designated with SEMA-requested companion resolutions introduced in the U.S. Congress by the co-chairs of the SEMA-supported Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus. U.S. Senate Resolution 650 was sponsored by Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), while Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL) and Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA) sponsored U.S. House of Representatives Resolution 998.

The resolutions acknowledge “that the collection and restoration of historic and classic cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the United States.” Lawmakers in states, counties and cities all over the United States and Canada followed Congress’ lead. Louisiana, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin as well as the Canadian Provinces of British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick adopted their own recognitions honoring the occasion.

Nearly 60 official events were held throughout the month of July to celebrate the classics of the past and the future. The events included car-club cruise-ins, open houses at SEMA-member companies, specialty shows at automobile museums, and “drive your collector car to work” displays. Several participants also organized virtual gatherings and online celebrations for the first time. A summary and an online photo gallery of CCAD celebrations are available on the SEMA Action Network’s (SAN) website at www.semasan.com/ccad.

CCAD is supported by SEMA and its Automotive Restoration Market Organization and Hot Rod Industry Alliance councils.

The Iola Car Show in Iola, Wisconsin, coincides with the celebration of CCAD. In lieu of a car show, the Rally for Iola car cruise was held this year as a socially-distanced tour of the show grounds that brought in more than 1,000 cars.

SEMA-Member CCAD Event Hosts

• Association of California Car Clubs—Auburn, California
• Bonnier Events—Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
• Camaro Central/Firebird
• Central/Muscle Car Central—Richmond, Kentucky
• Coker Tire Co.—Chattanooga, Tennessee
• D&S Automotive Collision & Restyling—Mentor, Ohio
• Daniels Performance Group—Smithfield, Virginia
• Griot’s Garage—Tacoma, Washington
• Iola Car Show—Iola, Wisconsin
• OC Car Guy—Buena Park, California
• Steele Rubber Products—Denver, North Carolina
  
  

West Virginia’s Knobley Mountain Auto Club proudly recognized CCAD once again at its event in Keyser. West Virginia Delegate Gary G. Howell (second from left), national Chairman of the SEMA-supported State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus, is shown displaying the 2020 CCAD Congressional Resolution with participants.	Chattanooga, Tennessee’s Coker Tire asked visitors on social media to post their collector car photos, which was kicked off by CEO Wade Kawasaki and his Roush Mustang.
Doug Reinbold hosted a Collector Car Appreciation Cookout in North Attleborough, Massachusetts.	Instead of hosting its annual CCAD edition of the After Hours Cruise-In, Steele Rubber Products in Denver, North Carolina, invited the automotive community to submit their ride in a Virtual Cruise-In to Celebrate CCAD—more than 200 vehicles took part.
Arizona’s Nancy Perry Productions treated guests to a variety of show cars and a special CCAD cake in Glendale, including SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Chris Thomson (right).	Trucks brought enthusiasts to Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, for the 4-Wheel Jamboree organized by Bonnier Corp.
A special cruise-in celebrating CCAD took place at Daniels Performance Group in Smithfield, Virginia.	The Richmond, Kentucky-based brands Camaro Central/Firebird Central/Muscle Car Central created an online holiday sale for CCAD and encouraged enthusiasts to share their collector car pictures on social media.
The Crawford County Collectibles Car Club’s annual FRSB Cruise-In honored CCAD in Robinson, Illinois.	Wayne County Cruisers’ CCAD Cruise took place in Goldsboro, North Carolina.
In Altoona, Pennsylvania, the Blair County Antique Auto Club and Lakemont Park organized a BCAAC National CCAD Cruise-in.	CCAD was recognized at the Clovis Missionary Baptist Church’s Hot Rod Gathering in Clovis, California.
The Chesapeake Region AACA’s CCAD event was held at the Fire Museum of Maryland, located in Lutherville.	Mike Linnings’ CCAD Cruize took place in Louisville, Kentucky, supported by the Okolona Street Rods.
Private tours were offered at the Brenford Auto Museum in Smyrna, Delaware, for the 11th annual CCAD.	Sal’s Italian Deli in Lake City, Florida, provided the site for celebrating CCAD by the Suwannee River Region AACA (SRRAACA).
On July 11, the Horseless Carriage Club of New Orleans Inc., held its CCAD Event in Louisiana—driving from Kenner to New Orleans.	CCAD was honored in Brentwood, New Hampshire, at New England Dragway by the Kustom Kings of New Hampshire.
Florida’s Fort Lauderdale Region AACA celebrated CCAD, replacing their scheduled car show with a social-distancing event, highlighted by a presentation of the Congressional resolution.	A CCAD Cruise: Rockin’ in the Rockies took place in British Columbia, Canada, thanks to the efforts of the Specialty Vehicle Association of British Columbia (SVABC).
In Texas, the Dallas Area Classic Chevys gathered enthusiasts for a CCAD Cruise-In at the Dairy Ette.	In Texas, the Dallas Area Classic Chevys gathered enthusiasts for a CCAD Cruise-In at the Dairy Ette.
Thanks to the efforts of the National Association of Automobile Clubs of Canada (NAACC), the province of Newfoundland and Labrador declared the month of July as “Automotive Heritage Month,” held concurrently with CCAD.	A CCAD Cruise-in at Burger King in Berwick, Pennsylvania, was organized by the Northeast Cruisers Rod and Custom Association.

SEMA News—October 2020

HERITAGE

Half-Mile Drags at Reno

By Drew Hardin

Photography Courtesy Eric Rickman, Petersen Publishing Company Archive

In late September 1957, Hot Rod’s Eric Rickman traveled north from Los Angeles to the Douglas-Tahoe Airport in Minden, Nevada, (near Reno) for the final meet of the Nevada Timing Association’s drag racing season.

The airstrip offered a full 8,000 ft. of runway and was “equal to four ordinary dragstrips in width,” Rickman noted. “Due to their handicap of being at an elevation of 4,703 ft. plus having adequate room for safe spectator isolation, they’ve been running both gas and fuel classes.”

The NTA staged quarter-mile races over the course of the year (including stock-class cars running four wide) and put on a special half-mile event as the season’s finale. Rickman said that the entry list included an “interesting array of cars” from western Nevada, northeastern California, “and even two from Southern California.” This photo shows an eclectic mix of entries, including several stock or nearly stock Chevys—even a pickup—plus a Studebaker, an Oldsmobile, a custom Mercury, and what looks like an Alfa Romeo sedan, along with a few hot-
rod Fords.

“Stockers had a field day,” Rickman said. “The half-mile distance is their dish.”

The fastest of the Stockers clocked a top speed of 105.10 mph.

This photo, taken from the timing tower, shows NTA announcer Bob Fabel doing double duty on the microphone and the timer. The photo’s caption in the December 1957 Hot Rod read: “Sylvia Fore keeps score on king-size chart, recording top speeds at half-mile’s end and start to finish overall elapsed times.”

One of the Southern California entries was the T roadster in the foreground, entered by Chester Osgood and Wally Fontain of Long Beach. With an Ardun-headed Mercury Flathead under the hood, the roadster clocked 122.03 mph and finished the weekend as the gas roadster class winner.

“Two cars, a roadster and a sedan, each Chrysler powered and running fuel, set identical top speeds at the year-ender—144.00 mph,” Rickman wrote.

Woody Eriksen from Winnemucca, Nevada, won Top Eliminator. His fuel sedan, which had its Hemi in the “normal front seat space” and the driver seat “at extreme rear,” beat Bill Freedman’s Oldsmobile-powered sports car for the win.

SEMA News—October 2020

Solutions to Support the Industry

Chris Kersting

The decision to forego the SEMA Show in 2020 has been disruptive to all in the industry, but without assurance that the Las Vegas Convention Center would be available for our Show dates, moving forward was no longer feasible.

More than just a tradeshow, the SEMA Show is actually a community mindshare of ideas and passion that fuels our industry and a setting that allows new trends to come into the spotlight. In the absence of the traditional Show, the challenge is to adapt and innovate, for SEMA to help the industry meet the core needs the SEMA Show fulfills. To do that, the association avoided hasty declarations about alternatives and instead has assembled smart, easy-to-use approaches that will help suppliers highlight new and innovative products and help resellers easily find those products.

SEMA has an unmatched relationship with the vast network of resellers and is in position to easily connect them with each supplier, to help build relationships and conduct business. And because this is the specialty automotive world, we’re making sure to provide the means to highlight the incredible cars and trucks that our industry has prepared for the SEMA Show as the best and most exciting way to feature new and innovative products.

As you’ll see from articles in this issue, OEMs are launching new enthusiast vehicles that will provide new opportunities; new products are coming to market; and companies are solving the challenges associated with customizing the newest, technology-intensive vehicles without compromising OEM safety systems.

SEMA will continue to offer resources to assist on all these fronts—plus some new ones.

As we delve into our options, we are already working to adapt print and digital resources to deliver increased new-product information to tens of thousands of jobbers, buyers, installers and builders. By enlisting teams of influencers and leveraging media connections, we can elevate those channels.

On the project-vehicle front, we expect to help builders by providing media exposure, both in print and through other media. Those builders who were working on feature vehicles for the SEMA Show have been invited to submit content to take advantage of SEMA communications channels, and the Battle of the Builders competition—which features customizers from all walks of the industry—will deliver an audience as an online contest for 2020.

When it comes to developing products, the SEMA Garage remains a key resource. Our Tech Transfer program is still adding CAD files to our library, and our Stratasys 3-D printers are still running jobs for members. The Garage continues to acquire new vehicles for measuring, and the emissions lab is also open.

For marketing new products, the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) makes retail exposure more accessible than ever, having recently made investments in programming and automating product-information management systems. Understandably, the SDC is seeing sharply higher volumes of product-information traffic as online commerce activity booms.

The future is hard to predict, but a recent summer trend provided the industry with a needed boost. Our monthly poll of industry companies shows a month-by-month improvement in the number of companies reporting business as usual and a decline in companies who say their businesses will be severely impacted long term. And more companies are reporting sales that are higher or about the same as last year’s.

It’s impossible to know if what we’re seeing is the effect of stimulus programs, interest rates or simply the strength of motorsports and the enthusiast community, but here at SEMA, we’ll be working every angle to help our members keep that trend going.