By Kyle Cheng

In December, the economy added 312,000 new jobs—well above both average and expectations.

Want more information on the trends affecting the specialty automotive aftermarket? Check out the January “SEMA Industry Indicators” report to learn how movements in the broader economy may impact business strategies for 2019. 

The report, published monthly, features a snapshot of the overall economy and specialty-equipment industry, including:

• Overall economic outlook
• New-vehicle sales and gas prices
• Consumer sentiment and spending
• Economic growth and unemployment
• Other important industry insights

Download the latest “SEMA Industry Indicators” report and much more today at www.sema.org/research.

Also available from SEMA Market Research:

The world is changing. Amid trade uncertainty and shifts in the automotive market, do you have the information you need to move your business into the future? Want to know what economic, consumer and industry trends are in store for the next few years? Explore this in the new “SEMA Future Trends Report,” also available at www.sema.org/research.

By Katie Hurst

Last year’s customized ’15 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited build, auctioned through Bring A Trailer, raised $56,175.

In 2018, SEMA partnered with Santa Fe Early College Opportunities (Santa Fe ECO) High School for a pilot vehicle build program, which was aimed at high school auto shops, and offered students real-world auto tech skills while promoting the interest and knowledge of young people in accessorization and customization.

SEMA funded the project, including the ’15 4WD Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, while ECO modified the Jeep and developed a written curriculum and a how-to guide intended to be used for similar projects in other secondary schools across the nation.

The automotive specialty-equipment industry backed the build by donating parts for students to install on the Jeep. The fully customized Jeep was auctioned through Bring A Trailer in June 2018 for a total of $56,175. Proceeds will go toward the funding of a second vehicle build for the school.

SEMA is again partnering with Santa Fe ECO, along with four additional high schools in 2019 for a total of five vehicle builds. Partnering high schools include:

• C.D. Hylton High School – Woodbridge, Virginia
• Comstock High School – Kalamazoo, Michigan
• R.L. Turner High School – Carrollton, Texas
• Santa Fe Early College Opportunities High School – Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Santa Ynez Valley Union High School – Santa Ynez, California

The students will customize Jeep Wranglers between the ’96–’06 model years with aftermarket products. All five customized vehicles will be auctioned at the end of the school year to fund the continued expansion of the program.

SEMA is looking for sponsors to support the 2019 builds. If you are interested in sponsoring one or more of SEMA’s high school vehicle builds, fill out a sponsor interest form or contact Katie Hurst, SEMA youth engagement programs manager, at katieh@sema.org.

By Katie Hurst

Last year’s customized ’15 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited build, auctioned through Bring A Trailer, raised $56,175.

In 2018, SEMA partnered with Santa Fe Early College Opportunities (Santa Fe ECO) High School for a pilot vehicle build program, which was aimed at high school auto shops, and offered students real-world auto tech skills while promoting the interest and knowledge of young people in accessorization and customization.

SEMA funded the project, including the ’15 4WD Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, while ECO modified the Jeep and developed a written curriculum and a how-to guide intended to be used for similar projects in other secondary schools across the nation.

The automotive specialty-equipment industry backed the build by donating parts for students to install on the Jeep. The fully customized Jeep was auctioned through Bring A Trailer in June 2018 for a total of $56,175. Proceeds will go toward the funding of a second vehicle build for the school.

SEMA is again partnering with Santa Fe ECO, along with four additional high schools in 2019 for a total of five vehicle builds. Partnering high schools include:

• C.D. Hylton High School – Woodbridge, Virginia
• Comstock High School – Kalamazoo, Michigan
• R.L. Turner High School – Carrollton, Texas
• Santa Fe Early College Opportunities High School – Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Santa Ynez Valley Union High School – Santa Ynez, California

The students will customize Jeep Wranglers between the ’96–’06 model years with aftermarket products. All five customized vehicles will be auctioned at the end of the school year to fund the continued expansion of the program.

SEMA is looking for sponsors to support the 2019 builds. If you are interested in sponsoring one or more of SEMA’s high school vehicle builds, fill out a sponsor interest form or contact Katie Hurst, SEMA youth engagement programs manager, at katieh@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (S.B. 336) has been introduced in the West Virginia Senate to aid and incentivize the construction of motorsports complexes.

Legislation (S.B. 336) has been introduced in the West Virginia Senate to aid and incentivize the construction of motorsports complexes.

The bill exempts certain building materials from sales tax and provides the process by which a qualified company may claim the exemption.

S.B. 336 currently awaits consideration in the Finance Committee.

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 (S.B. 336) has been introduced in the West Virginia Senate to aid and incentivize the construction of motorsports complexes.

Legislation (S.B. 336) has been introduced in the West Virginia Senate to aid and incentivize the construction of motorsports complexes.

The bill exempts certain building materials from sales tax and provides the process by which a qualified company may claim the exemption.

S.B. 336 currently awaits consideration in the Finance Committee.

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 (S.B. 336) has been introduced in the West Virginia Senate to aid and incentivize the construction of motorsports complexes.

Legislation (S.B. 336) has been introduced in the West Virginia Senate to aid and incentivize the construction of motorsports complexes.

The bill exempts certain building materials from sales tax and provides the process by which a qualified company may claim the exemption.

S.B. 336 currently awaits consideration in the Finance Committee.

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 (S.B. 336) has been introduced in the West Virginia Senate to aid and incentivize the construction of motorsports complexes.

Legislation (S.B. 336) has been introduced in the West Virginia Senate to aid and incentivize the construction of motorsports complexes.

The bill exempts certain building materials from sales tax and provides the process by which a qualified company may claim the exemption.

S.B. 336 currently awaits consideration in the Finance Committee.

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 (H.B. 1506) has been introduced in the Indiana House to exempt certain “collector vehicles” from the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax.

Legislation (H.B. 1506) has been introduced in the Indiana House to exempt certain “collector vehicles” from the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax. To be eligible a “collector vehicle” cannot be operated on the highway.

In Indiana, a “Collector Vehicle” is defined as a vehicle at least 25 years old, that is owned and operated as a collector’s item, a leisure pursuit, or an investment and not used primarily for transportation.

H.B. 1506 currently awaits consideration in the Roads and Transportation Committee.

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 (H.B. 1506) has been introduced in the Indiana House to exempt certain “collector vehicles” from the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax.

Legislation (H.B. 1506) has been introduced in the Indiana House to exempt certain “collector vehicles” from the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax. To be eligible a “collector vehicle” cannot be operated on the highway.

In Indiana, a “Collector Vehicle” is defined as a vehicle at least 25 years old, that is owned and operated as a collector’s item, a leisure pursuit, or an investment and not used primarily for transportation.

H.B. 1506 currently awaits consideration in the Roads and Transportation Committee.

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 (H.B. 1506) has been introduced in the Indiana House to exempt certain “collector vehicles” from the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax.

Legislation (H.B. 1506) has been introduced in the Indiana House to exempt certain “collector vehicles” from the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax. To be eligible a “collector vehicle” cannot be operated on the highway.

In Indiana, a “Collector Vehicle” is defined as a vehicle at least 25 years old, that is owned and operated as a collector’s item, a leisure pursuit, or an investment and not used primarily for transportation.

H.B. 1506 currently awaits consideration in the Roads and Transportation Committee.

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

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