From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

In a significant victory for motorsports track operators, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law a SEMA- and PRI-supported bill (HF 645) that provides race tracks with immunity from nuisance claims brought by surrounding property owners, so long as the track existed before the neighboring property was purchased or developed. The legislation will ensure the continued operation and growth of these vital venues. 

With the new law set to go into effect on July 1, 2025, race tracks like Knoxville Raceway, Stuart International Speedway and Clay County Fair Speedway can now operate without the constant threat of litigation from new neighbors. This protection is crucial for the economic stability and growth of these venues, which are not only entertainment hubs and community growth drivers but also significant contributors to local economies through job creation and revenue generation. 

For more information on HF 645 and how to support motorsports legislation, contact Victor Muñoz, senior manager for state government affairs for SEMA and PRI, at victorm@sema.org. 

Original publish date: May 6, 2025

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

In a significant victory for motorsports track operators, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law a SEMA- and PRI-supported bill (HF 645) that provides race tracks with immunity from nuisance claims brought by surrounding property owners, so long as the track existed before the neighboring property was purchased or developed. The legislation will ensure the continued operation and growth of these vital venues. 

With the new law set to go into effect on July 1, 2025, race tracks like Knoxville Raceway, Stuart International Speedway and Clay County Fair Speedway can now operate without the constant threat of litigation from new neighbors. This protection is crucial for the economic stability and growth of these venues, which are not only entertainment hubs and community growth drivers but also significant contributors to local economies through job creation and revenue generation. 

For more information on HF 645 and how to support motorsports legislation, contact Victor Muñoz, senior manager for state government affairs for SEMA and PRI, at victorm@sema.org. 

Original publish date: May 6, 2025

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

By SEMA News Editors

SEMA Show organizers have partnered with several airlines to secure discounts for Show attendees traveling to the 2025 SEMA Show, November 4-7, Las Vegas.

With these deals straight from exclusive SEMA Show partners--detailed below--you can save big on your plane tickets for this year's event.

Alaska Airlines: 

• Discount: 7% off published fares. 
• Valid Travel Dates: Friday, October 31--Saturday, November 8, 2025.
• Online Reservations: Visit alaskaair.com and enter discount code ECMO139. 
• Phone Reservations: Contact the Alaska Airlines Group Desk at 1-800-445-4435. Note that a $15 per person ticketing fee will be applied to phone reservations.

Delta Airlines: 

• Discount: Special fares for SEMA Showgoers.
• Online Reservations: Visit the special link here.
• Phone Reservations: Contact the Delta Meeting Network at 1-800-328-1111, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. EST, and refer to Meeting Code NY3RX. (No service fee for reservations booked and ticketed through the listed phone number).

United Airlines: 

• Discount: Up to 2% to 10% based on origin location. 
• Valid Travel Dates: Thursday, October 30--Sunday, November 9, 2025. 
• Online Reservations: Visit the special link here, or use discount code ZPKE658685.
• Phone Reservations: Please note that a service fee will be collected per ticket when booking by phone. Contact United Meetings at 1-800-426-1122 and provide the representative with the following information:
  • Z Code: ZQT8.
  • Agreement Code: 615759.

Registration for the 2025 SEMA Show is now open. Approved attendees can secure their SEMA Show badge for only $50 on semashow.com/attendee now through Friday, June 27. After the deadline, the registration price will increase to $75. 

Click HERE to register.

Keep an eye on SEMA News and semashow.com for the latest deadlines, updates and opportunities for the 2025 SEMA Show. 

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

The Trump administration recently announced that auto parts that comply with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will now be exempt from the 25% tariffs in place for imported auto parts, effective May 3.  

The shift in policy follows significant efforts by SEMA and others in the automotive community to help the Trump administration understand the impacts of tariffs on domestic companies. Because tariff policy remains a fluid situation, SEMA continues to monitor and engage with the federal government on behalf of our members and the automotive aftermarket industry. 

President Trump in his April 29 executive order provided immediate relief to industry businesses that manufacture USMCA-compliant parts. The order extended the 0% duty rate for USMCA-compliant components, a decision that offers temporary but critical relief for Tier 1 suppliers and many aftermarket parts businesses.  

According to United States Customs and Border Protection, the exemption ensures that parts sourced from Mexico and Canada remain untaxed if they meet the trade agreement's requirements. The tariff reprieve comes as automakers face significant financial strain, with General Motors projecting a potential $5-billion cost from the broader tariff regime. 

Behind the Scenes 

In response to the rollout of tariffs on everything from steel and aluminum to auto parts to country-specific tariffs, SEMA sought direct feedback from its members on the impact of the various tariffs on their companies. SEMA has used this information when communicating the impacts to federal lawmakers and Trump Administration officials. 

Although short-term relief is welcome, SEMA remains vigilant about emerging updates that can impact the specialty-equipment industry. President Trump retains the authority to revisit the policy and impose tariffs--even on USMCA partners.  

For additional information, contact Juan Mejia, SEMA's senior manager for federal government affairs, at juanm@sema.org. 

This story was originally published on Tuesday, May 6.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

The Trump administration recently announced that auto parts that comply with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will now be exempt from the 25% tariffs in place for imported auto parts, effective May 3.  

The shift in policy follows significant efforts by SEMA and others in the automotive community to help the Trump administration understand the impacts of tariffs on domestic companies. Because tariff policy remains a fluid situation, SEMA continues to monitor and engage with the federal government on behalf of our members and the automotive aftermarket industry. 

President Trump in his April 29 executive order provided immediate relief to industry businesses that manufacture USMCA-compliant parts. The order extended the 0% duty rate for USMCA-compliant components, a decision that offers temporary but critical relief for Tier 1 suppliers and many aftermarket parts businesses.  

According to United States Customs and Border Protection, the exemption ensures that parts sourced from Mexico and Canada remain untaxed if they meet the trade agreement's requirements. The tariff reprieve comes as automakers face significant financial strain, with General Motors projecting a potential $5-billion cost from the broader tariff regime. 

Behind the Scenes 

In response to the rollout of tariffs on everything from steel and aluminum to auto parts to country-specific tariffs, SEMA sought direct feedback from its members on the impact of the various tariffs on their companies. SEMA has used this information when communicating the impacts to federal lawmakers and Trump Administration officials. 

Although short-term relief is welcome, SEMA remains vigilant about emerging updates that can impact the specialty-equipment industry. President Trump retains the authority to revisit the policy and impose tariffs--even on USMCA partners.  

For additional information, contact Juan Mejia, SEMA's senior manager for federal government affairs, at juanm@sema.org. 

This story was originally published on Tuesday, May 6.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

By SEMA News Editors

With the SEMA Board of Directors election on the horizon, it's time to get acquainted with the candidates so you're prepared to cast your ballot when voting opens on May 19.

When the election starts, SEMA members will receive an email directing recipients to the voting website. Before casting your vote, you can learn about each candidate on the ballot, including their thoughts on leading the association in the coming years.

Voting will take place online between May 19 and June 2 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 19. Winners will be announced by June 9.

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

Chair-elect (1 Seat)

Left to right: Norris Marshall, BluePrint Engines; Les Rudd, Bob Cook Sales

Manufacturer (3 Seats)

Top (left to right): Brian Herron, OPUS IVS; Tim McCarthy, HUSHMAT & ZYCOAT; Shane McNallie, Lippert/CURT.

Bottom (left to right): Cary Redman, PRW Power; Marcus Umlauff, Toyota Motor North America (Incumbent)

Manufacturers Rep (1 Seat)

Left to right: Rich Butler, R&R Marketing (Incumbent); Mark Taylor, KAM Marketing

To learn more about each candidate, click here.

By SEMA News Editors

The best builds. The boldest customizations. Do you have what it takes to be the next Battle of the Builders champion? There's only one way to find out!

Applications are now open for the 2025 SEMA Battle of the Builders (BOTB) at semabotb.com. All builders with a vehicle displayed at the 2025 SEMA Show may enter the competition at semabotb.com before the deadline on October 17, 2025.

The 2025 SEMA Battle of the Builders will recognize class champions as the best in four categories:

• Hot Rod & Hot Rod Truck
• 4 Wheel Drive & Off-Road
• Sport Compact, Import Performance, Luxury & Exotic
• Young Guns

Only one of the class champions will be crowned the overall BOTB champion during this year's SEMA Show, November 4-7, Las Vegas.

"[To] be crowned the 2024 SEMA Battle of the Builders overall winner is] an amazing accolade. The competition every year is incredibly fierce, and we've been following it for years. Some of the people we look up to the most in the industry have won this award, so to appear alongside those people is really incredible," said Noah Alexander, who secured the overall win in 2024 with his '68 Dodge Charger. "The best for us was the incredible people we met. It was just amazing to talk to all of these other builders and hear what they do."

Industry experts will review all qualifying applications, including vehicle descriptions and photos. On Monday, November 3, prior to the official opening of the 2025 SEMA Show, the SEMA Battle of the Builders Judges will walk the show floor looking at dozens of Battle of the Builders entries up close and in person. Judges will then select the Top 40 finalists in the competition (10 from each category). After the Top 40 finalists are announced, the Top 10 from the Young Guns category will compete on Wednesday, November 5, in their own competition to determine their Top 3 finalists.  At the same time, the Judges will narrow down the Top 3 from the other three categories to round out the Overall Top 12 finalists (three from each category). On Thursday, November 6, the Top 12 finalists then become the judges and select from amongst themselves who are the Top 4 category winners and who is named the Top Overall Builder of the SEMA BOTB.

Battle of the Builders Young Guns Category

Supporting and inspiring young builders is crucial to the future of the automotive specialty-equipment market. The BOTB Young Guns category is designed to encourage young builders to pursue their passions and shine the light on the up-and-coming builders.

"Young Guns" is a designation within the overall BOTB competition to recognize builders who are under the age of 29 (as of November 7, 2025). Those who meet the criteria and have selected the Young Guns category on the online application are eligible to participate. In addition, all eligible Young Guns applicants who have submitted their online application before August 15, 2025, may be selected to compete in one or more virtual regional Golden Ticket competitions for the chance to win a Golden Ticket SEMA Show prize package. The eligible Young Guns applicants who have been selected for this will be contacted separately by the BOTB operations team via email or phone.

For more information and to apply, visit semabotb.com. For the complete BOTB Terms and Conditions, visit here.

Attendee registration for the 2025 SEMA Show, November 4-7 in Las Vegas, is now available online here. Online registration for qualified professional attendees is $50 per person through Friday, June 27. Starting June 28, the rate increases to $75, and as of September 27, registration online or onsite will be $100. A SEMA Show badge includes access to both the SEMA Show and AAPEX.

For updates on SEMA Fest, the one-day musical and motorsports festival on Friday, November 7, or to purchase "SEMA Show Friday – Open to the Public" tickets, visit semafest.com.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Wheel, Tire, Suspension & Brake Council (WTSBC) will host its next Coffee and Conversation on Thursday, June 5, at 9:00 a.m. PDT/12:00 p.m. EDT.

WTSBC's Coffee and Conversation is a monthly online networking event that enables SEMA members to discuss key issues impacting the wheel, tire, suspension and brake markets. The June session will focus on marketing strategies in the automotive aftermarket industry.

The event will begin with attendee introductions, including knowledge they hope to gain from the event. WTSBC will then facilitate a conversation in which members can share insights and advice on marketing best practices for websites, social media and retail stores.

The conversation is geared toward retailers, manufacturers and marketing professionals; however, all SEMA members interested in learning new ways to improve their business are encouraged to attend.

Register here.   

By SEMA News Editors

GM Names Duncan Aldred President of North America Business

General Motors (GM) has promoted Duncan Aldred to lead the company's North America region.

Aldred, who recently has been VP, commercial growth strategies and operations, becomes GM senior VP and president of North America, effective immediately.

Alred will join the GM senior leadership team, and report to Rory Harvey, GM executive VP and president, global markets.

In his 33-year career with GM, Aldred has held a range of leadership roles in vehicle sales, services and marketing. In 2010, he was named chairman and managing director of Vauxhall in the United Kingdom, before shifting to lead Opel global sales, marketing and aftersales in 2013.

In 2014, he was appointed VP of global GMC and Buick, where he led the growth of both brands, including the launch of the Buick Avenir and GMC AT4 sub-brands.

In 2024, Aldred was named to his recent position, where he focused on modernizing customer experience and creating growth opportunities across our products and services, the company said, including GM Energy, GM Envolve, OnStar, customer care and aftersales, and digital sales and service.

For more information, visit gm.com.

Old World Industries Acquires Mexico-Based J&J Lubricantes

Old World Industries (OWI), the Illinois-based parent company of PEAK antifreeze and BlueDEF, has acquired J&J Lubricantes, a manufacturer and distributor of automotive coolants, oils and other lubrication products based in Monterrey, Mexico.

The acquisition expands on the two companies' 25-year partnership and unlocks new growth potential across Mexico for OWI, company representatives said, including the local manufacturing and distribution of OWI's flagship products. Additionally, the acquisition will allow OWI to better address customer needs in the Mexican market, according to the company.

This local presence will bring improved lead times, speed up the time to market for new products and enhance support for customers, the company said. Additionally, OWI aims to introduce products that meet regional demands by expanding its distribution footprint, packaging updates, formulation improvements and new technologies.

"We're excited to grow with our customers and take a bigger role as the right solutions provider for quality coolants, DEF, oils and other lubricants in Mexico," said Greg Noethlich, CEO of OWI. "We are continuing to invest in bringing quality products and technologies with simplified supply chain solutions to our customers."

For more information, visit owi.com.

ORACLE Lighting Welcomes Jaclyn Bradham as Chief Revenue Officer

ORACLE Lighting, the Metairie, Louisiana-based provider of automotive lighting solutions, has welcomed Jaclyn Bradham as its new chief revenue officer (CRO).

Bradham brings more 15 years of sales leadership experience to the role, including significant time in the automotive media and publishing industries. Most recently, she served as vice president of media revenue and sales at Hemmings, the automotive magazine publisher and classic vehicle marketplace. At Hemmings, she led efforts across multimedia content, digital platforms, and sales strategy, implementing CRM systems, launching new media products and training high-performing sales teams, the company said.

In her new role, Bradham will oversee revenue strategy and sales operations across all channels, with a focus on optimizing performance, enhancing partner success and scaling ORACLE's presence in new and existing markets, the company said.

"I'm thrilled to be joining a company with such a bold vision and a values-driven culture," said Bradham. "ORACLE Lighting has built an incredible reputation for innovation and quality, and I look forward to working alongside this talented team to unlock new opportunities, drive growth and deliver even more value to our customers and partners."

For more information, visit oraclelights.com.

Meyer Distributing Opens New Location in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Meyer Distributing Canada has opened a new location in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

"Our Winnipeg expansion highlights our ongoing commitment to bringing Meyers best in class inventory right to the doorstep of our customers," said Patrick Lavallée, Meyer Canada's sales manager for Western Canada. "From traditional automotive accessories to specialty commercial and collision parts, Meyer has you covered. Call us today at 800-456-3451 for English or 866-457-6225 for French, and let us help you expand your offerings and diversify."

"We are very excited to connect Manitoba and Saskatchewan to Meyer truck service," said Jeff Braun, CEO of Meyer Canada. "From Winnipeg to Brandon to Regina to Saskatoon to Prince Albert and more--our drivers are coming to you. When we can pick up returns while dropping off new orders and handle big and bulky parts ourselves, the quality of service is just much better."

For more information, visit meyerdistributing.com.

By SEMA News Editors

Planning for the 2025 SEMA Show is well underway, but there's still time for interested exhibitors to secure exhibit space on the SEMA Show floor, November 4-7 in Las Vegas. Now is the perfect time to claim your place at the industry's premier event!

Whether debuting new products, looking to boost brand visibility or expanding into new markets, exhibiting at the SEMA Show puts brands in front of thousands of qualified buyers, media, influencers and industry pros who live and breathe the aftermarket.

"Nowhere else can we get to this many of our dealers and our consumers and show them new products that they get to touch and feel," said John Meyers of KICKER Stillwater Designs. "On the internet, you just don't get that experience."

Why Exhibit at SEMA?

• Elevate Your Brand: From startups to established companies, the SEMA Show delivers unmatched exposure to an audience that drives the automotive aftermarket forward.
• Meet Your Customers Face-to-Face: Reconnect with existing clients, forge new relationships, and get real-time feedback that can shape your product and business strategy.
• Break Into New Markets: The vast reach of the SEMA Show opens the door to domestic and international sales opportunities through direct interaction with retailers, distributors and decision-makers.
• Launch Your New Products: Launching new products? The SEMA Show is the best place to unveil parts and products—where media coverage, foot traffic, and excitement ensure maximum visibility.

Exhibitor Resources Now Available

New and returning exhibitors can access tools and support to help them plan a successful Show. From feature vehicles to budget checklists to promotional strategies, everything an exhibitor could need is at your fingertips.

Resources for the 2025 SEMA Show exhibitors are now available online at semashow.com/exhibitor. Learn more here.

Among the several exhibitor resources is the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit, a free program on June 25-27 in Vegas and the best way to get the most ROI. Learn more at semashow.com/exhibitor-summit and register for the program here.

To reserve your booth and get started on the road to the 2025 SEMA Show, visit semashow.com.