By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

In February, the U.S. Department of Commerce recommended that President Trump impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, reasoning that a dependence on foreign sources for these critical materials poses a threat to national security. As a result, President Trump announced that the United States would impose a 25% tariff on all covered steel imports and a 10% tariff on all covered aluminum imports. The tariffs will be imposed March 23, 2018.

• Covered Steel Imports: The tariffs cover “steel articles” classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) six-digit level as: 7206.10 through 7216.50; 7216.99 through 7301.10; 7302.10; 7302.40 through 7302.90; and 7304.10 through 7306.90. These sections are in Chapters 72 and 73 of the HTS.
• Covered Aluminum Imports: The tariffs cover “aluminum articles” classified in the HTS as: (a) unwrought aluminum (7601); (b) aluminum bars, rods and profiles (7604); (c) aluminum wire (7605); (d) aluminum plate, sheet, strip and foil (flat rolled products) (7606 and 7607); (e) aluminum tubes and pipes and tube and pipe fitting (7608 and 7609); and (f) aluminum castings and forgings (7616.99.51.60 and 7616.99.51.70). These sections are in Chapter 76 of the HTS.
• Exclusions: Imports from Canada and Mexico are temporarily exempted, but tied to a successful renegotiation of the NAFTA accord. Other countries with which the United States has a security relationship may seek to negotiate removal of the tariffs. A process will also be developed to seek a product exclusion based on significant merit (lack of availability or national security reasons).

Once imposed, the tariffs will likely be challenged by other countries in the World Trade Organization and potentially lead to retaliation moves by U.S. trading partners.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.  

By Lindsay Bianco

Hypertech helped to raise a total of $1,400 for the SEMA Memorial Scholarship and Loan Forgiveness Fund through its Grand Prix slot-car races on a 1:32-scale four-lane track provided by Fife, Washington’s Hornby America.

SEMA-member company Hypertech helped to raise a total of $1,400 for the SEMA Memorial Scholarship and Loan Forgiveness Fund. During the 2017 SEMA Show, Hypertech chose a fun, unique way to showcase its products by conducting the Hypertech Grand Prix slot-car races on a 1:32-scale four-lane track provided by Fife, Washington’s Hornby America. Those who raced the diminutive vehicles had the opportunity to make charitable donations to the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. Students from the California State University San Bernardino were also on hand at the booth to help with donations and experience the SEMA Show through the lens of an exhibiting company.

Conceived by Hypertech CEO Amy Faulk, the plan was put into action, along with the idea to accept donations to the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. For the past four years at the SEMA Show, students from California State University San Bernardino voluntarily worked the Hypertech booth to learn more about the industry and have an opportunity to network with companies, and this was a way to pay back their participation.

“Most college students have debt from the cost of school, so they understand and appreciate any kind of funds that are raised or given,” said Hypertech CEO Amy Faulk.

Through charitable donations such as this one, SEMA is able to help students from all over the country pay their way through college. To learn more and support SEMA scholarships, visit www.sema.org/scholarships/donations.

By Lindsay Bianco

Hypertech helped to raise a total of $1,400 for the SEMA Memorial Scholarship and Loan Forgiveness Fund through its Grand Prix slot-car races on a 1:32-scale four-lane track provided by Fife, Washington’s Hornby America.

SEMA-member company Hypertech helped to raise a total of $1,400 for the SEMA Memorial Scholarship and Loan Forgiveness Fund. During the 2017 SEMA Show, Hypertech chose a fun, unique way to showcase its products by conducting the Hypertech Grand Prix slot-car races on a 1:32-scale four-lane track provided by Fife, Washington’s Hornby America. Those who raced the diminutive vehicles had the opportunity to make charitable donations to the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. Students from the California State University San Bernardino were also on hand at the booth to help with donations and experience the SEMA Show through the lens of an exhibiting company.

Conceived by Hypertech CEO Amy Faulk, the plan was put into action, along with the idea to accept donations to the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. For the past four years at the SEMA Show, students from California State University San Bernardino voluntarily worked the Hypertech booth to learn more about the industry and have an opportunity to network with companies, and this was a way to pay back their participation.

“Most college students have debt from the cost of school, so they understand and appreciate any kind of funds that are raised or given,” said Hypertech CEO Amy Faulk.

Through charitable donations such as this one, SEMA is able to help students from all over the country pay their way through college. To learn more and support SEMA scholarships, visit www.sema.org/scholarships/donations.

By Zane Clark

Nearly 400 high school and college students are expected to attend the transportation career fair to be held March 16, at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California.

SEMA will partner with the Collision Repair Education Foundation and the TechForce Foundation to host a transportation (collision, auto service, heavy duty, etc.) career fair, March 16, at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. Hundreds of high school and college students and industry employers are expected to attend the event.

With close to 400 students registered to attend, companies interested in connecting with top talent are strongly encouraged to participate.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to meet with these students.

Event Details:

8:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. – Event open to students to attend and meet industry employers.

Company Participation:

$1,000 – Company is provided a table and a copy of the student résumé registration list.

Register your company for this event by emailing brandon.eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

By Zane Clark

Nearly 400 high school and college students are expected to attend the transportation career fair to be held March 16, at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California.

SEMA will partner with the Collision Repair Education Foundation and the TechForce Foundation to host a transportation (collision, auto service, heavy duty, etc.) career fair, March 16, at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. Hundreds of high school and college students and industry employers are expected to attend the event.

With close to 400 students registered to attend, companies interested in connecting with top talent are strongly encouraged to participate.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to meet with these students.

Event Details:

8:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. – Event open to students to attend and meet industry employers.

Company Participation:

$1,000 – Company is provided a table and a copy of the student résumé registration list.

Register your company for this event by emailing brandon.eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

By Zane Clark

Nearly 400 high school and college students are expected to attend the transportation career fair to be held March 16, at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California.

SEMA will partner with the Collision Repair Education Foundation and the TechForce Foundation to host a transportation (collision, auto service, heavy duty, etc.) career fair, March 16, at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California. Hundreds of high school and college students and industry employers are expected to attend the event.

With close to 400 students registered to attend, companies interested in connecting with top talent are strongly encouraged to participate.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to meet with these students.

Event Details:

8:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. – Event open to students to attend and meet industry employers.

Company Participation:

$1,000 – Company is provided a table and a copy of the student résumé registration list.

Register your company for this event by emailing brandon.eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

SEMA’s Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) Chair-Elect Tray Smith discusses what ARMO is all about and explains some of its initiatives.

SEMA’s Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) Chair-Elect Tray Smith discusses what ARMO is all about and explains some of its initiatives.

SEMA’s Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) Chair-Elect Tray Smith discusses what ARMO is all about and explains some of its initiatives.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Dan and Allan from Trinity Motorsports in Pooler, Georgia, won Meyer Distributing’s ’17 Jeep Wrangler JKU giveaway.

Meyer Distributing Gives Away a ’17 Jeep Wrangler JKU

Meyer Distributing teamed up with some of its top brands for a ’17 Jeep Wrangler JKU giveaway, also known as #ProjectHypergreen on social media. The winners of the Jeep were Dan and Allan from Trinity Motorsports in Pooler, Georgia. The project Jeep includes:

• Fabtech – 3-in. trail long-travel suspension system with Dirt Logics 2.25 ResiShocks and driveshafts.
• Iron Cross Automotive – front and rear bumpers, steel flares, side arm steps.
• Warn – 9,000-lb. winch with Epic hook and shackles.
• Yukon Gear and Axle – 4.88 ring and pinion, upgraded axles.
• Bestop – Black Twill Trektop NX Glide, floor mats and underseat security.
• Borla – ATAK axle back exhaust system with black tips.
• Rigid – rock lights, side shooters, chase light, heated LED headlamps.
• Mickey Thompson – 37-in. Deegan 38 tires and 17-in. Deegan Pro wheels.
• DBA – performance rotors and pads.
• Hypertech – Speedo calibrator.
• Advanced Accessory Concepts – trigger light controller.
• Artec Industries – inner fender liners.

Rockford Fosgate has announced a partnership with UTVUnderground.

Rockford Fosgate Partners with UTVUnderground

Rockford Fosgate has announced it has partnered with UTVUnderground—an all-inclusive unlimited terrain vehicle (UTV) site contributed to by both enthusiasts and manufacturers alike. Through this partnership, Rockford Fosgate gains access to UTVUnderground’s website presence, social-media following, onsite activation schedule and in-house content creation team.

Turn 14 Distribution Adds N-FAB, Tonno Pro, Lund to Line Card

Turn 14 Distribution has increased its truck and off-road accessory offerings with the addition of N-FAB to its line card. N-FAB manufactures nerf bars, pre-runners and other off-road accessories. Turn 14 Distribution has also increased its product coverage in the truck accessories market with the addition of Tonno Pro and its catalog of tonneau covers and also LUND’s product line.

Ringbrothers recently showcased their Aeromotive-equipped ’72 Prestone AMC Javelin AMX in an episode of the YouTube series “Jay Leno’s Garage.”

Ringbrothers Names Aeromotive Fuel Tank and Pump of Choice for Custom Performance Vehicle Builds

Aeromotive has been chosen by Ringbrothers as the fuel tank and pump of choice for the majority of the company’s future custom vehicle builds. The exception will be vehicles that are OE projects that need to remain stock. Recently, the Ringbrothers were invited to showcase their Aeromotive-equipped ’72 Prestone AMC Javelin AMX with Jay Leno for an episode of the YouTube series “Jay Leno’s Garage.”

Wick Named Business Development Representative for VP Racing Fuels

VP Racing Fuels Inc. has announced the appointment of Ron Wick as business development representative to support significant growth by VP Racing Fuels in the Midwestern United States’ dirt-racing market.

Each team in the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Junior Engine Challenge is comprised of two individuals; one team member must be between 5–18 years of age and completely disassemble and reassemble a complete single-cylinder OHV engine, utilizing only basic hand tools.

Junior Hot Rodders Engine Challenge Starts Second Season at Race and Performance Expo

The Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Junior Engine Challenge kicked off February 24–25 at the Race and Performance Expo in Schaumburg, Illinois. Each team is comprised of two individuals; one team member must be between 5–18 years of age and completely disassemble and reassemble a complete single-cylinder OHV engine utilizing only basic hand tools. The next event will be featured as part of Hot Rodders of Tomorrow at the Piston Power Show in Cleveland, March 16–18.

Motovicity Adds Nitrous Express to Line Card

Motovicity Distribution has added Nitrous Express to its line card. The nitrous-oxide company utilizes technology that allows it to make accurate dyno-proven horsepower claims, as every component and system must be tested before it ever makes it to the customer.

Acme Manufacturing Co. Names Mike Lamb Customer Service and Parts Sales Manager

Acme Manufacturing Co. has announced the appointment of Mike Lamb to customer service and parts sales manager. He replaces Bob Swanson, who announced his retirement in February after 30 years of employment at Acme, addressing customer-service parts need and after-sales technical support. Lamb joined Acme in 2003 as a product support service engineer.

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.