By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) on the removal of unnecessary regulatory barriers to the safe introduction of vehicles with automated driving systems (ADS) in the United States. NHTSA seeks comment on identifying and addressing regulatory barriers to the deployment of ADS vehicles posed by certain existing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). NHTSA is also seeking suggestions on approaches that could be used to measure compliance with the FMVSS for vehicles without conventional controls such as steering wheels and brake pedals. 

The ANPRM builds on NHTSA’s ongoing efforts to identify and address regulatory barriers to ADS technologies, including a previous January 2018 request for comments on this topic. NHTSA intends to issue two additional documents to remove barriers in the crashworthiness FMVSSs (the 200-series standards) and address issues in the FMVSSs pertaining to telltales, indicators, and warnings in ADS–DVs.

Comments are due by July 29, 2019.  For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) on the removal of unnecessary regulatory barriers to the safe introduction of vehicles with automated driving systems (ADS) in the United States. NHTSA seeks comment on identifying and addressing regulatory barriers to the deployment of ADS vehicles posed by certain existing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). NHTSA is also seeking suggestions on approaches that could be used to measure compliance with the FMVSS for vehicles without conventional controls such as steering wheels and brake pedals. 

The ANPRM builds on NHTSA’s ongoing efforts to identify and address regulatory barriers to ADS technologies, including a previous January 2018 request for comments on this topic. NHTSA intends to issue two additional documents to remove barriers in the crashworthiness FMVSSs (the 200-series standards) and address issues in the FMVSSs pertaining to telltales, indicators, and warnings in ADS–DVs.

Comments are due by July 29, 2019.  For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to expand retirement savings programs by a margin of 417 to 3. The “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019,” (H.R. 1944) represents the most comprehensive plan to modify the U.S. retirement system in more than a decade. A similar bill is being considered by the U.S. Senate.

The SECURE Act makes it easier for small businesses to join multiple employer plans by not requiring businesses to be affiliated, increases tax credits for small businesses adopting a retirement plan, permits part-time employees to enroll in 401(k) plans, increases the age when individuals must start withdrawing money from an IRA from 70½ to 72, repeals the age cap on contributing to an IRA (currently 70½), and protects employers offering annuities from liability if the insurance company administering the plan is not able to make payments.

While many of these provisions are favorable for small businesses and workers, SEMA is concerned by sections of the bill designed to offset the loss of revenue to the federal government, including a provision to limit the amount of time individuals inheriting a retirement account have to withdraw funds (surviving spouses, the disabled and chronically ill, and children under the age of 10 are exempt). SEMA also objects to the bill’s increased penalties charged to businesses that fail to file retirement plan returns, which would largely impact small businesses.

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to expand retirement savings programs by a margin of 417 to 3. The “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019,” (H.R. 1944) represents the most comprehensive plan to modify the U.S. retirement system in more than a decade. A similar bill is being considered by the U.S. Senate.

The SECURE Act makes it easier for small businesses to join multiple employer plans by not requiring businesses to be affiliated, increases tax credits for small businesses adopting a retirement plan, permits part-time employees to enroll in 401(k) plans, increases the age when individuals must start withdrawing money from an IRA from 70½ to 72, repeals the age cap on contributing to an IRA (currently 70½), and protects employers offering annuities from liability if the insurance company administering the plan is not able to make payments.

While many of these provisions are favorable for small businesses and workers, SEMA is concerned by sections of the bill designed to offset the loss of revenue to the federal government, including a provision to limit the amount of time individuals inheriting a retirement account have to withdraw funds (surviving spouses, the disabled and chronically ill, and children under the age of 10 are exempt). SEMA also objects to the bill’s increased penalties charged to businesses that fail to file retirement plan returns, which would largely impact small businesses.

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

The application deadline for the 10th Annual Exhibitor Summit is Monday, June 3. The event will take place in Las Vegas, Monday, June 17–Wednesday, June 19.

The application deadline for the 10th Annual Exhibitor Summit is Monday, June 3. The event will take place in Las Vegas, Monday, June 17–Wednesday, June 19.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Installation & Gala and SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will take place Friday, July 26, at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, California.

The SEMA Installation & Gala and SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will take place Friday, July 26, at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, California. The Pinewood finals are held during the cocktail reception, shortly before the banquet begins, with 100% of the proceeds going to qualified SEMA Cares charities. This special evening honors the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers, 2019 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees—Bob Chandler, Bruce Crower and Marla Moore—and the association’s incoming and outgoing Board members.

SEMA members can race either a car or truck in three classes: Build It For Me (BIFM), Stock and Unlimited. Members can either sponsor child-built cars and trucks in the BIFM or Stock class, or they can build and enter their own SEMA-supplied stock car or truck. Stock-class racing usually garners the most entries with a typical speed of 3.2 sec. on a 50-ft. track. For hardcore speed enthusiasts, the Unlimited class has only one rule—that one item from the stock kit be used. Cars in this class run sub-3 sec., and many of the past top builders include some of the most recognized names in the industry.

SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races special features include the annual HRIA Builders Challenge and the Council Cup. Watch as some of the biggest names in hot rodding build state-of-the-art custom pinewoods that will be raced and then auctioned off, with all of the proceeds going to SEMA Cares. Council members are invited to come out and challenge their peers for the opportunity to win the coveted Council Cup. The more cars or trucks fielded by each council member, the greater their chances of winning.

Bob Chandler	Bruce Crower	Marla Moore

Now in its third year, the Industry Cup Challenge features five divisions where sponsoring companies race child-built pinewood cars. Each division crowns a winning company, which then goes on to represent that division in an all-out industry race to No. 1. The industry challengers each have a limited number of entrants in the following divisions: warehouse distributors, manufacturers, media groups, rep agencies and service providers. The champion can display the trophy for a year with its company name engraved among the winners. It must then be returned, in a Stanley Cup-style tradition, as it will be up for grabs again at the next Pinewood Drag Races, where the company will have a chance to defend its title. The donation cost is $1,000 per sponsoring company. The standard pinewood build rules apply to all competing vehicles. Vehicles are randomly assigned and the race is officiated by SEMA Cares volunteers.

Proceeds from the races will benefit SEMA Cares charities, including Austin Hatcher Foundation, Childhelp and Victory Junction. Childhelp assists abused and neglected children by providing counseling and programs in a safe and secure living environment. Victory Junction provides a camp experience for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses who otherwise would not be able to go. The Austin Hatcher Foundation’s mission is to erase the effects of pediatric cancer and optimize each child’s quality of life through essential specialized intervention beginning at the time of diagnosis and continuing throughout survivorship.

Sponsoring a SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races car or truck is easy and rewarding. Help a child in need today!

Register now for the Installation & Gala.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Installation & Gala and SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will take place Friday, July 26, at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, California.

The SEMA Installation & Gala and SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will take place Friday, July 26, at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, California. The Pinewood finals are held during the cocktail reception, shortly before the banquet begins, with 100% of the proceeds going to qualified SEMA Cares charities. This special evening honors the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers, 2019 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees—Bob Chandler, Bruce Crower and Marla Moore—and the association’s incoming and outgoing Board members.

SEMA members can race either a car or truck in three classes: Build It For Me (BIFM), Stock and Unlimited. Members can either sponsor child-built cars and trucks in the BIFM or Stock class, or they can build and enter their own SEMA-supplied stock car or truck. Stock-class racing usually garners the most entries with a typical speed of 3.2 sec. on a 50-ft. track. For hardcore speed enthusiasts, the Unlimited class has only one rule—that one item from the stock kit be used. Cars in this class run sub-3 sec., and many of the past top builders include some of the most recognized names in the industry.

SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races special features include the annual HRIA Builders Challenge and the Council Cup. Watch as some of the biggest names in hot rodding build state-of-the-art custom pinewoods that will be raced and then auctioned off, with all of the proceeds going to SEMA Cares. Council members are invited to come out and challenge their peers for the opportunity to win the coveted Council Cup. The more cars or trucks fielded by each council member, the greater their chances of winning.

Bob Chandler	Bruce Crower	Marla Moore

Now in its third year, the Industry Cup Challenge features five divisions where sponsoring companies race child-built pinewood cars. Each division crowns a winning company, which then goes on to represent that division in an all-out industry race to No. 1. The industry challengers each have a limited number of entrants in the following divisions: warehouse distributors, manufacturers, media groups, rep agencies and service providers. The champion can display the trophy for a year with its company name engraved among the winners. It must then be returned, in a Stanley Cup-style tradition, as it will be up for grabs again at the next Pinewood Drag Races, where the company will have a chance to defend its title. The donation cost is $1,000 per sponsoring company. The standard pinewood build rules apply to all competing vehicles. Vehicles are randomly assigned and the race is officiated by SEMA Cares volunteers.

Proceeds from the races will benefit SEMA Cares charities, including Austin Hatcher Foundation, Childhelp and Victory Junction. Childhelp assists abused and neglected children by providing counseling and programs in a safe and secure living environment. Victory Junction provides a camp experience for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses who otherwise would not be able to go. The Austin Hatcher Foundation’s mission is to erase the effects of pediatric cancer and optimize each child’s quality of life through essential specialized intervention beginning at the time of diagnosis and continuing throughout survivorship.

Sponsoring a SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races car or truck is easy and rewarding. Help a child in need today!

Register now for the Installation & Gala.

By SEMA Editors

The SEMA Installation & Gala and SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will take place Friday, July 26, at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, California.

The SEMA Installation & Gala and SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races will take place Friday, July 26, at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, California. The Pinewood finals are held during the cocktail reception, shortly before the banquet begins, with 100% of the proceeds going to qualified SEMA Cares charities. This special evening honors the specialty-equipment industry’s pioneers and dedicated volunteers, 2019 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees—Bob Chandler, Bruce Crower and Marla Moore—and the association’s incoming and outgoing Board members.

SEMA members can race either a car or truck in three classes: Build It For Me (BIFM), Stock and Unlimited. Members can either sponsor child-built cars and trucks in the BIFM or Stock class, or they can build and enter their own SEMA-supplied stock car or truck. Stock-class racing usually garners the most entries with a typical speed of 3.2 sec. on a 50-ft. track. For hardcore speed enthusiasts, the Unlimited class has only one rule—that one item from the stock kit be used. Cars in this class run sub-3 sec., and many of the past top builders include some of the most recognized names in the industry.

SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races special features include the annual HRIA Builders Challenge and the Council Cup. Watch as some of the biggest names in hot rodding build state-of-the-art custom pinewoods that will be raced and then auctioned off, with all of the proceeds going to SEMA Cares. Council members are invited to come out and challenge their peers for the opportunity to win the coveted Council Cup. The more cars or trucks fielded by each council member, the greater their chances of winning.

Bob Chandler	Bruce Crower	Marla Moore

Now in its third year, the Industry Cup Challenge features five divisions where sponsoring companies race child-built pinewood cars. Each division crowns a winning company, which then goes on to represent that division in an all-out industry race to No. 1. The industry challengers each have a limited number of entrants in the following divisions: warehouse distributors, manufacturers, media groups, rep agencies and service providers. The champion can display the trophy for a year with its company name engraved among the winners. It must then be returned, in a Stanley Cup-style tradition, as it will be up for grabs again at the next Pinewood Drag Races, where the company will have a chance to defend its title. The donation cost is $1,000 per sponsoring company. The standard pinewood build rules apply to all competing vehicles. Vehicles are randomly assigned and the race is officiated by SEMA Cares volunteers.

Proceeds from the races will benefit SEMA Cares charities, including Austin Hatcher Foundation, Childhelp and Victory Junction. Childhelp assists abused and neglected children by providing counseling and programs in a safe and secure living environment. Victory Junction provides a camp experience for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses who otherwise would not be able to go. The Austin Hatcher Foundation’s mission is to erase the effects of pediatric cancer and optimize each child’s quality of life through essential specialized intervention beginning at the time of diagnosis and continuing throughout survivorship.

Sponsoring a SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races car or truck is easy and rewarding. Help a child in need today!

Register now for the Installation & Gala.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Turn 14 Distribution’s funding provided the school with the necessary cameras, accessory components and production systems to build a dedicated television studio for the students.

Turn 14 Distribution Partners With Local School to Open Student TV Studio

Turn 14 Distribution has recently partnered with the North Penn School District to assist with the opening of a brand-new student television studio at Pennfield Middle School. This donation is part of the company’s continued commitment to enriching the community through education. Turn 14 Distribution’s funding provided the school with the necessary cameras, accessory components and production systems to build a dedicated television studio for the students. Using the studio, the students will be able to create a live morning announcement show, video montages for sports and school groups, conduct and record interviews and work on other various video-related projects.

Savior Products Inc. Names Rick Trudo Director of Strategic Partnerships

Savior Products Inc. has named Rick Trudo director of strategic partnerships. Savior Products has now expanded into new markets with products designed to reduce shock and vibration. With more than 38 years of experience, Trudo has worked with major investment firms to execute due diligence, search for add-on acquisitions, sit in as CEO and facilitate business deals. In addition to being part of SEMA for the past 14 years, Trudo was the recipient of the SEMA “First Ambassador” Award for his work, which helped companies achieve sales growth internationally.

The California Tire Dealers Association (CTDA) introduced its new board of directors at last month's area meeting.

California Tire Dealers Association (CTDA) Introduces New Board of Directors

At last month’s area meeting at Turbo Wholesale Tires in Irwindale, the California Tire Dealers Association (CTDA) introduced its new board of directors. Billy Eordekian, president of 1-800EveryRim-OEM Wheels, will serve as the CTDA president, and Chris Barry of the Independent Tire Dealer Group (ITDG) becomes the association’s past president. Paul Arellano of Lakin Tire remains the vice president and Daniel “Al” Martinez of National Tire Warehouse steps into the role of secretary/treasurer. The remainder of the board includes Doug Andersen (George Oren Tire Specialist), Honorary Member Dave Coffman (Larry’s Tire Mart), Bill Fuqua (Turbo Wholesale Tires), Jay Goldberg (Jewel Tire), Hub Gurnari (South Valley Wholesale), Richard Howard (Bruce’s Tire), Robert Huebert (Lee’s Service), Vahe' Michaelian (1-800EveryRim-OEM Wheels), George Pehanick (East Bay Tire), Dave Redfern (Affordable Turf & Specialty Tire), Eric Rivera (Tires Warehouse), John Sanford (Sanford Firestone), Bill Short (Leininger & Short) and Don Zavattero (Tech Supply).

Battery-Biz will launch an all-new line of Red Cross-branded roadside emergency kits and related accessories.

Battery-Biz Enters Brand Licensing Agreement With American Red Cross

Battery-Biz has announced that it has entered into a brand licensing agreement with the American Red Cross. Battery-Biz will launch an all-new line of Red Cross-branded roadside emergency kits and related accessories. The collection is set to start shipping this summer. Under the agreement, Battery-Biz will have the right to sell Red Cross-branded roadside safety kits and related products through all major retail channels in the United States. First-aid components of Battery-Biz’ roadside emergency kits will be held to exacting specifications that are established by a panel comprised of doctors, volunteers and emergency preparedness experts who are appointed by the Red Cross. The initial assortment will include eight SKUs ranging in MSRP from $9.99 to $49.99. More product specific details will be disclosed closer to the official launch this summer.

Steve Sharbuno

Steve Sharbuno Wins MAHLE ArcticPRO

MAHLE Service Solutions announced that Steve Sharbuno, co-owner of Treasure Coast Automotive in Vero Beach, Florida, is the winner of a new ArcticPRO ACX2280 R1234yf refrigerant handling system autographed by race legend Richard Petty. Sharbuno, who started Treasure Coast Automotive with his partner Andrew Langello in 2009, has more than 20 years of experience in automotive repair. For more information about MAHLE Aftermarket Service Solutions, visit www.servicesolutions.mahle.com.

Hunter Engineering has announced a new integration partnership with Dealer-FX and its ONE Platform service experience.

Hunter Engineering Announces Inspection Integration With Dealer-FX

Hunter Engineering has announced a new integration partnership with Dealer-FX and its ONE Platform service experience. A service dashboard that provides control over dealership workflow and creates a more consistent process, ONE Platform is now compatible with Hunter inspection equipment, including Quick Check Drive, Quick Check and Quick Tread systems. The integration will reportedly give dealerships the opportunity to maximize service profits through alignment, tire, and balancing sales, while completing customer transparency through easy-to-understand reports.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.