By Jason Catullo

The fullsize Robocar is an autonomous electric race car.

The Hot Wheels Robocar.

Popular maker of mini motor vehicles, Hot Wheels, officially introduced its latest creation, the Robocar, based on the Roborace autonomous electric race car. The Roborace company is devoted to creating a completely driverless racing series by 2021. The Roborace Robocar, launched in 2017, is crafted with an innovative, futuristic design dedicated to driving cleaner and safer.

Guests of the Hot Wheels Robocar launch event were invited to drive the Robocar in a VR simulation.

That design now has a pint-sized partner in the form of the new Hot Wheels Robocar, a 1:64 scale die-cast version of the visionary fullsize race car. The Robocar die-cast was launched during a special event held in the Hot Wheels garage in Los Angeles, where guests were invited to interact with Hot Wheels “Challenger” tracks, and drive the Robocar in a VR simulation.

The event also featured a panel discussion with Hot Wheels and Robocar designers sharing their experiences on the quest to creating the die-cast and offered insight on the future of autonomous, green racing.

For more information about Roborace, visit www.roborace.com.

By SEMA Editors

The following slate of candidates are vying for a seat on the SEMA Board of Directors:

Chairman-Elect Category (one open seat)

• James Lawrence – CEO, Power Automedia
• Russell Stephens – President, MSD LLC

Manufacturers Category (three open seats)

• Chris Douglas – COO, COMP Performance Group
• Chris Johnson – Founder, Derive Systems
• Kim Pendergast – CEO, Magnuson Products LLC
• Kathryn Reinhardt – Vice President of Marketing, Pilot Automotive
• Melanie White – President, Hellwig Products

Manufacturers’ Representative Category (one open seat)

• Les Rudd – President/CEO, Bob Cook Sales
• Ken Schuck – Vice President, KAM Marketing

Voting will take place online between May 14–28 and is open to current SEMA-member companies. Votes must be cast by each company’s primary contact. Details on the upcoming election will be sent to the member company’s designated primary contact beginning May 2. Winners will be announced by May 30 and formally inducted into the SEMA Board of Directors at the SEMA Installation & Gala, July 26, 2019.

By SEMA Editors

The following slate of candidates are vying for a seat on the SEMA Board of Directors:

Chairman-Elect Category (one open seat)

• James Lawrence – CEO, Power Automedia
• Russell Stephens – President, MSD LLC

Manufacturers Category (three open seats)

• Chris Douglas – COO, COMP Performance Group
• Chris Johnson – Founder, Derive Systems
• Kim Pendergast – CEO, Magnuson Products LLC
• Kathryn Reinhardt – Vice President of Marketing, Pilot Automotive
• Melanie White – President, Hellwig Products

Manufacturers’ Representative Category (one open seat)

• Les Rudd – President/CEO, Bob Cook Sales
• Ken Schuck – Vice President, KAM Marketing

Voting will take place online between May 14–28 and is open to current SEMA-member companies. Votes must be cast by each company’s primary contact. Details on the upcoming election will be sent to the member company’s designated primary contact beginning May 2. Winners will be announced by May 30 and formally inducted into the SEMA Board of Directors at the SEMA Installation & Gala, July 26, 2019.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (AB 390) in California to repeal the section of a 2018 law (AB 1824) that amended how state law-enforcement officials issue citations for exhaust noise violations was passed by the Assembly Committee on Transportation.

Legislation (AB 390) in California to repeal the section of a 2018 law (AB 1824) that amended how state law-enforcement officials issue citations for exhaust noise violations was passed by the Assembly Committee on Transportation at a March 25 hearing. SEMA testified at the hearing as the bill’s sponsor. The bill will now be considered by the Committee on Appropriations.

Signed by then-Governor Jerry Brown in 2018, AB 1824 amended how excess exhaust noise violations are treated by law enforcement. Pursuant to the law, a vehicle cited for violating exhaust noise laws no longer receive what is known as a “fix-it” ticket. Instead, violations now result in an immediate fine. AB 390 would re-institute law enforcement’s discretion to issue “fix-it” tickets.

In California, exhaust systems installed on motor vehicles with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of less than 6,000 lbs., other than motorcycles, may not exceed a sound level of 95 decibels when tested under Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) test procedure J1492 (formerly J1169). This would be unchanged by AB 390.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (AB 390) in California to repeal the section of a 2018 law (AB 1824) that amended how state law-enforcement officials issue citations for exhaust noise violations was passed by the Assembly Committee on Transportation.

Legislation (AB 390) in California to repeal the section of a 2018 law (AB 1824) that amended how state law-enforcement officials issue citations for exhaust noise violations was passed by the Assembly Committee on Transportation at a March 25 hearing. SEMA testified at the hearing as the bill’s sponsor. The bill will now be considered by the Committee on Appropriations.

Signed by then-Governor Jerry Brown in 2018, AB 1824 amended how excess exhaust noise violations are treated by law enforcement. Pursuant to the law, a vehicle cited for violating exhaust noise laws no longer receive what is known as a “fix-it” ticket. Instead, violations now result in an immediate fine. AB 390 would re-institute law enforcement’s discretion to issue “fix-it” tickets.

In California, exhaust systems installed on motor vehicles with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of less than 6,000 lbs., other than motorcycles, may not exceed a sound level of 95 decibels when tested under Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) test procedure J1492 (formerly J1169). This would be unchanged by AB 390.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (AB 390) in California to repeal the section of a 2018 law (AB 1824) that amended how state law-enforcement officials issue citations for exhaust noise violations was passed by the Assembly Committee on Transportation.

Legislation (AB 390) in California to repeal the section of a 2018 law (AB 1824) that amended how state law-enforcement officials issue citations for exhaust noise violations was passed by the Assembly Committee on Transportation at a March 25 hearing. SEMA testified at the hearing as the bill’s sponsor. The bill will now be considered by the Committee on Appropriations.

Signed by then-Governor Jerry Brown in 2018, AB 1824 amended how excess exhaust noise violations are treated by law enforcement. Pursuant to the law, a vehicle cited for violating exhaust noise laws no longer receive what is known as a “fix-it” ticket. Instead, violations now result in an immediate fine. AB 390 would re-institute law enforcement’s discretion to issue “fix-it” tickets.

In California, exhaust systems installed on motor vehicles with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of less than 6,000 lbs., other than motorcycles, may not exceed a sound level of 95 decibels when tested under Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) test procedure J1492 (formerly J1169). This would be unchanged by AB 390.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (AB 390) in California to repeal the section of a 2018 law (AB 1824) that amended how state law-enforcement officials issue citations for exhaust noise violations was passed by the Assembly Committee on Transportation.

Legislation (AB 390) in California to repeal the section of a 2018 law (AB 1824) that amended how state law-enforcement officials issue citations for exhaust noise violations was passed by the Assembly Committee on Transportation at a March 25 hearing. SEMA testified at the hearing as the bill’s sponsor. The bill will now be considered by the Committee on Appropriations.

Signed by then-Governor Jerry Brown in 2018, AB 1824 amended how excess exhaust noise violations are treated by law enforcement. Pursuant to the law, a vehicle cited for violating exhaust noise laws no longer receive what is known as a “fix-it” ticket. Instead, violations now result in an immediate fine. AB 390 would re-institute law enforcement’s discretion to issue “fix-it” tickets.

In California, exhaust systems installed on motor vehicles with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of less than 6,000 lbs., other than motorcycles, may not exceed a sound level of 95 decibels when tested under Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) test procedure J1492 (formerly J1169). This would be unchanged by AB 390.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Caught while testing in Auburn Hills, the Jeep Wrangler PHEV is finally becoming a reality. Jeep has not yet revealed which engine the PHEV system will be paired to, but rumors point to the 3.6L V6 from the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid as the likely candidate.

Although camo is seen on both sides of the vehicle, the plug-in port will most likely be located on the driver’s side. After following for 3 or 4 mi., the photographer witnessed the Wrangler traveling at about 25 mph (in EV mode) before the engine kicked on.

Going forward, the Wrangler could be offered as a pure EV as well. According to FCA's five-year business plan that was revealed in June 2018, there will be four Jeep nameplates that will offer a pure EV powertrain, at least globally. Wrangler could be among these four.

Expect an official debut by the end of 2019, most likely at the L.A. Auto Show.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By SEMA Editors

Caught while testing in Auburn Hills, the Jeep Wrangler PHEV is finally becoming a reality. Jeep has not yet revealed which engine the PHEV system will be paired to, but rumors point to the 3.6L V6 from the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid as the likely candidate.

Although camo is seen on both sides of the vehicle, the plug-in port will most likely be located on the driver’s side. After following for 3 or 4 mi., the photographer witnessed the Wrangler traveling at about 25 mph (in EV mode) before the engine kicked on.

Going forward, the Wrangler could be offered as a pure EV as well. According to FCA's five-year business plan that was revealed in June 2018, there will be four Jeep nameplates that will offer a pure EV powertrain, at least globally. Wrangler could be among these four.

Expect an official debut by the end of 2019, most likely at the L.A. Auto Show.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By SEMA Editors

Caught while testing in Auburn Hills, the Jeep Wrangler PHEV is finally becoming a reality. Jeep has not yet revealed which engine the PHEV system will be paired to, but rumors point to the 3.6L V6 from the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid as the likely candidate.

Although camo is seen on both sides of the vehicle, the plug-in port will most likely be located on the driver’s side. After following for 3 or 4 mi., the photographer witnessed the Wrangler traveling at about 25 mph (in EV mode) before the engine kicked on.

Going forward, the Wrangler could be offered as a pure EV as well. According to FCA's five-year business plan that was revealed in June 2018, there will be four Jeep nameplates that will offer a pure EV powertrain, at least globally. Wrangler could be among these four.

Expect an official debut by the end of 2019, most likely at the L.A. Auto Show.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde