From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

 

A SEMA-sponsored effort to reform the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) executive order (EO) process for aftermarket parts continues to advance, as California SB 1069 unanimously passed the full Senate. The bill will now move to the Assembly for consideration.
 

The bill, authored by Sen. Tim Grayson (D-Concord), aims to streamline CARB's executive order (EO) process for aftermarket parts by establishing clear timelines for CARB to act on EO applications and increase transparency around review times. The bill does not change emissions requirements or limit CARB's authority to deny non-compliant products.
 

The reform effort continues to gain momentum as manufacturers and business groups voice concerns about long, unpredictable wait times that delay product launches and tie up capital. Companies investing in emissions-compliant products already pay application fees intended to support faster processing, yet many continue to face extended timelines before receiving approval.
 

SEMA continues to build industry support for the legislation as it advances through the Senate. Companies can click here to join the growing business coalition supporting the effort.
 

BACKGROUND ON CARB
 

EOs are required for many emissions-related aftermarket parts to be legally sold in California. While the standards themselves remain unchanged, companies must wait for CARB approval before bringing products to market, making the decision timeline a critical issue for the industry.
 

If you have any questions or are interested in supporting the effort, contact SEMA Senior Director for State Government Affairs Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.

 

 

Lead image background courtesy of Shutterstock | Robert Schlie

 

Feed image courtesy of Shutterstock | Sharon Ball
 

 

 

By SEMA News Editors

 

 

A first-time exhibitor explains how the free event transformed his SEMA Show strategy and ROI, plus direct access to Show organizers, networking and money-saving tips.

 

Exhibitors of the SEMA Show have a lot on their plates to prepare for the world's largest automotive trade show, November 3-6, in Las Vegas.

 

Between booth planning, lead generation, networking and navigating the Show floor, success and ROI come down to one thing: preparation.

 

That is exactly why the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit exists.

 

The free-of-charge event gives new and returning exhibitors access to insider tips, suggestions and ideas on how to maximize their SEMA Show week. Sit down with the people who run the SEMA Show, learn what buyers and media respond to and find out exactly where exhibitors can save money on drayage, electrical and rigging.

 

Even better? Summit attendees also receive complimentary hotel accommodations (two nights, up to two company reps) and select meals.

 

Meet the Show team and get an early look at the newly remodeled Las Vegas Convention Center before it fills up in November. 

 

View the agenda and register at semashow.com/exhibitor-summit.

 

Ahead of the 2026 SEMA Show, SEMA News spoke with a first-time exhibitor in 2025, Alex Bohatiuk, about how attending the Summit changed the way his startup approached the Show. Bohatiuk is the founder and CEO of FixMyCarDude.com, an auto repair platform.

 

Following is an edited transcript for exhibitors to learn more about the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit:

SEMA News: How did you first discover the SEMA Show?

Alex Bohatiuk of FixMyCarDude.com:

I'm the founder and CEO of FixMyCarDude.com, which is a complete auto repair platform that connects shop owners and customers on a single real-time platform.

 

The first thing I did was Google auto expos and car expos, and of course, SEMA showed up everywhere. After exploring it, I said, "You know what? The timing's perfect."

 

SN: When did you first hear about the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit?

Bohatiuk:

When I signed up for a booth, admittedly, I had no idea there was a Summit. I started asking questions to my sales rep, who explained that it's almost like a dress rehearsal for what to expect. Attending the Summit made things easier. SEMA provided the lodging, a tight schedule, and everything was organized for us.

 

SN: Would you recommend the Summit to first-time exhibitors?

Bohatiuk:

It's a must. It's not even recommended. I would almost make the Exhibitor Summit mandatory if you want to be successful at the SEMA Show.

 

SN: Why was the Summit so valuable for your team?

Bohatiuk:

Failing to plan is planning to fail. After attending the Summit, I had a totally different perspective on how to prepare and plan for SEMA.  I don't know how you can do SEMA without attending the Summit.

 

SN: What was the biggest mindset shift you took away from the event?

Bohatiuk:

The biggest shift was realizing how fast things happen during SEMA Show week. You really need an organized plan with your team. One presenter at the Summit said something that really stuck with me: You don't have 20 minutes to spend with one person. You need to identify your ideal customer quickly.

 

SN: What did the Summit teach you about attracting the right attendees to your booth?

Bohatiuk:

We learned how important it was to identify our ideal customer.
 

For us, our ideal customer is independent repair shop owners, especially husband-and-wife-owned shops.
 

Once we understood the badge system and attendee categories better, we could focus our time more effectively, thanks to the Summit.

 

SN: Did the Summit change your strategy for the Show itself?

Bohatiuk:

Absolutely. We set a goal of 100 leads across the four days. On day one, we only had 14 leads. Then we met as a team and pivoted.

 

The next day, I got into a Ricky Bobby outfit, started taking photos with attendees and created a real buzz around our booth. We ended up with 37 leads that day. By the end of the week, we reached our goal easily. I don't think we would've known how to adapt that quickly if we hadn't attended the Summit.

 

SN: How did the Summit help improve your ROI?

Bohatiuk:

The Summit accelerated the learning curve and helped me understand what to expect in Vegas.

 

I also learned about real tools like Express Leads through Maritz. If I hadn't gone to the Summit, I wouldn't have known anything about it.

 

Instead of writing down contact information manually, we learned that exhibitors can scan badges in just a few seconds to capture a lead. We were able to review all our leads at the end of the day––that alone made a huge difference for us.

 

SN: What surprised you most about the Summit experience?

Bohatiuk:

The SEMA team really welcomed me. I felt like everyone was welcome, no matter what they were exhibiting or selling.

 

We became friends with people from seven or eight different automotive categories at the Summit. Those conversations gave us ideas we never would've thought about otherwise.

 

SN: What would you say to exhibitors considering attending the 2026 Summit?

Bohatiuk:

If you're serious about your business and you want to be successful, you've got to utilize all the tools. SEMA gives you a great starting tool with the Summit.

 

You can't just show up. You have to prepare, study and bring the right team.

 

Everyone's trying to succeed. We should make sure people have all the tools available to them––and the Summit does that in just two days.

 

---

Register to join the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit in Las Vegas this June, and the SEMA team will have the rest covered. Exhibitors enjoy complimentary event registration, a two-night hotel stay (for up to two representatives from each exhibiting company) and select meals--all courtesy of SEMA.

 

 

View the agenda and register at semashow.com/exhibitor-summit.

 

Have questions about the Exhibitor Summit? Contact SEMA Show Management at 909-396-0289 or email regmgr@sema.org.

 

If you haven't heard, SEMA has launched a new customer management system ahead of this year's SEMA Show, November 3-6, 2026, in Las Vegas. Read more about that here, or visit semashow.com/exhibitor.

 

By SEMA News Editors

 

MAHLE Motorsport

Duramax L5P POWERPAK Piston Kit

 

MAHLE Motorsport has announced a new POWERPAK Piston Kit for model-year '24 and newer GM 6.6L Duramax L5P engines. The pistons are cast from M174-plus alloy and deliver a 15.9:1 compression ratio with 6.5cc head, and are available in 4.055 in stock bore size or overbore sizes of 4.075 in and 4.095 in. The Duramax L5P MY24-Plus POWERPAK piston kit is designed for medium- to high-horsepower turbo applications. The kit comes complete with performance cast pistons, rings, pins and clips.

 

mahlemotorsport.com

 

By SEMA News Editors

SEMA Garage's new partnership with BigRep America is bringing large-format 3D printing capabilities to members at the Diamond Bar, California, facility.  

 

It's no secret that desktop 3D printing is now a standard fixture in many product development workflows. The harder challenge for manufacturers is what happens when the part you need is too large to print in one piece. Traditional manufacturing can fill that gap, but tooling costs and lead times make low-volume production difficult to justify. Industrial large-format 3D printing, now available to SEMA members in SoCal, solves both.
 

Join SEMA Garage and BigRep on Tuesday, June 23, for a lunch-and-learn on large-format additive manufacturing at the SEMA Garage facility in Diamond Bar, California. This half-day session covers the three areas that matter most when evaluating large-format additive manufacturing for your operation.

 

• When Large-Format Makes Sense: When and why it makes sense to move from desktop to large-format--and what the real use cases look like.
• Designing for Additive Manufacturing: Designing parts that take full advantage of the format and the mistakes most teams make early on.
• Materials and Applications: How to choose the right material for common manufacturing applications so you can avoid costly trial and error.

 

Attendees can expect live demonstrations with the BigRep STUDIO.2 and direct access to the experts from BigRep for questions specific to your operations. The SEMA Garage team will be on hand to discuss how their product development services can support your work.

 

 

3D Additive Manufacturing Lunch-and-Learn:
Date: Tuesday, June 23
Time: 12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Location: SEMA Garage, 1577 Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765

 

Attendance is free. Space is limited--register to hold your spot.

 

SEMA Membership offers real savings, real benefits and real tools to help your business grow, like access to the countless SEMA Garage services and much more. Join SEMA today at sema.org/membership-business. 

 

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

 

Leno's Law has cleared another major hurdle.
 

Authored by Senators Dave Cortese and Shannon Grove, SB 1392 has passed the Senate Appropriations Committee and now heads to the California Senate floor for a full vote. 
 

Are you in California? Tell your Senator to vote YES on Leno's Law; it only takes a minute!
 

Leno's Law creates a narrow, phased-in, collector-only pathway to a smog-check exemption for certain older vehicles. The bill starts with vehicles manufactured before the '81 model year and gradually expands, reaching vehicles manufactured before the '86 model year by 2032. Importantly, it does not change the existing pre-1976 exemption already in law.  
 

Leno's Law is designed to focus on true collector vehicles--those used primarily for shows, parades, charitable functions and historical exhibitions--rather than as an owner's primary mode of transportation. 
 

The Appropriations Committee amended the bill, adding a new requirement that the vehicle be used on a limited basis. To qualify, the owner would need to either provide DMV with proof of collector car insurance at registration or use a future DMV process to show the vehicle is driven fewer than 1,000 miles per year. 
 

Now that Leno's Law has passed Senate Appropriations, it moves to the Senate floor for a vote. Floor votes can happen quickly, and every message helps lawmakers understand that this issue matters to enthusiasts and the small businesses that support them.  
 

SEMA has been hard at work gathering support from the automotive community and a big thank you goes out to Chris Jacobs and Carmen Vera (Pasadena Classic Car) for using their platforms to highlight why Leno's Law matters. 
 

🎞️ VIDEO: Watch Chris Jacobs and Carmen Vera's message on Leno's Law below: 

 

For more information on how to support Leno's Law and to stay updated on its progress, contact Victor Muñoz, SEMA's senior manager for state government affairs, at victorm@sema.org. Sign up for SEMA Action updates at semahq.org. 

 

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

 

Leno's Law has cleared another major hurdle.
 

Authored by Senators Dave Cortese and Shannon Grove, SB 1392 has passed the Senate Appropriations Committee and now heads to the California Senate floor for a full vote. 
 

Are you in California? Tell your Senator to vote YES on Leno's Law; it only takes a minute!
 

Leno's Law creates a narrow, phased-in, collector-only pathway to a smog-check exemption for certain older vehicles. The bill starts with vehicles manufactured before the '81 model year and gradually expands, reaching vehicles manufactured before the '86 model year by 2032. Importantly, it does not change the existing pre-1976 exemption already in law.  
 

Leno's Law is designed to focus on true collector vehicles--those used primarily for shows, parades, charitable functions and historical exhibitions--rather than as an owner's primary mode of transportation. 
 

The Appropriations Committee amended the bill, adding a new requirement that the vehicle be used on a limited basis. To qualify, the owner would need to either provide DMV with proof of collector car insurance at registration or use a future DMV process to show the vehicle is driven fewer than 1,000 miles per year. 
 

Now that Leno's Law has passed Senate Appropriations, it moves to the Senate floor for a vote. Floor votes can happen quickly, and every message helps lawmakers understand that this issue matters to enthusiasts and the small businesses that support them.  
 

SEMA has been hard at work gathering support from the automotive community and a big thank you goes out to Chris Jacobs and Carmen Vera (Pasadena Classic Car) for using their platforms to highlight why Leno's Law matters. 
 

🎞️ VIDEO: Watch Chris Jacobs and Carmen Vera's message on Leno's Law below: 

 

For more information on how to support Leno's Law and to stay updated on its progress, contact Victor Muñoz, SEMA's senior manager for state government affairs, at victorm@sema.org. Sign up for SEMA Action updates at semahq.org. 

 

By SEMA News Editors

 

 

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

 

Board Seat Candidates (1 Seat)

• Mike Anderson, Collision Advice
• Jeff Hermann, MagnaFlow Group

 

Voting will take place online now through May 26 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. Winners will be announced by June 9.

 

Learn more about the candidates.

 

Want to vote but not yet a SEMA member? Learn more at sema.org/membership-business.

 

Got a Question? Reach Out

Call: 240-ASK-SEMA (240-275-7362)
Email: customercare@sema.org

 

By Ashley Reyes

 

The SEMA Wheel, Tire, Suspension & Brake Council (WTSBC) is hosting a virtual Coffee and Conversation on evolving consumer trends on Thursday, June 4, at 9:00 a.m. PDT/12:00 p.m. EDT. 

WTSBC Coffee and Conversations are virtual events where members gather to network and exchange insights on industry challenges. This session will focus on evolving consumer trends in the wheel, tire, suspension and brake landscape.
 

The session will be led by Alissa Maffett, vice president of strategy at Jackson Marketing; Alex Martini, owner at MetaMartini; and Jason Weidman, brand manager, wheels at The Wheel Group. Together, they will share insight into current purchasing behaviors, including how pricing pressures and fuel-cost fluctuations influence buying decisions, product selection and upgrade timing.
 

Topics include:

• Who today's consumer is.
• How buyer profiles have shifted in recent years.
• What buyer profile shifts mean for manufacturers, retailers and installers.
• Changes in where consumers are making purchases--both online and in-store.
• How purchasing shifts impact sales strategies and customer engagement.

If you are responsible for reaching and advertising to today's consumer, this session will provide the insights needed to meet customers where they are and adapt messaging to align with current expectations.
 

Unlike webinars, where there is little time for interaction, Coffee and Conversations are designed to encourage open dialogue, shared experiences and practical takeaways in a relaxed, peer-driven environment.
 

Join the conversation.

 

Feed image courtesy of Shutterstock 

 

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

 

 

The court's tariff decision may bring short-term financial relief to some aftermarket companies through refunds, but uncertainty remains as appeals move forward.

 

The U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) recently ruled that President Trump's application of 10% universal tariffs imposed earlier this year under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 is unlawful and exceeded the authority granted to the executive branch by Congress.

 

In a 2-1 decision, the CIT ruled that the tariffs were invalid and not allowed by law. However, the U.S. Department of Justice appealed the ruling, so the decision is now on hold until the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit makes a final decision.

 

The Section 122 tariffs were implemented after the Supreme Court struck down the administration’s tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) in February. The Supreme Court's ruling triggered a sweeping federal refund process for importers that had paid duties under the now-invalidated IEEPA tariffs.  

 

Refunds Begin 

Businesses across the country have begun receiving tariff refunds from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The first wave of reimbursements began hitting company accounts this week, with more than 330,000 importers potentially eligible for repayment tied to approximately $166 billion in collected duties. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), they have processed more than $35 billion in IEEPA refunds on more than 8 million entries to date. 

 

How to File for a Refund 

CBP officially launched Phase 1 of its new Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) process for refunding tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) on April 20. While the rollout is a major step toward returning duties to importers, the initial phase is intentionally limited in scope and applies only to straightforward claims. 

 

Under Phase 1, CBP is only accepting refund requests for entries liquidated within the past 80 days, aligning with the agency's 90-day voluntary reliquidation authority. Importers of record and authorized customs brokers can submit claims through the CAPE Claim Portal by uploading eligible entries via CSV file. Once validated, CAPE will remove applicable IEEPA tariff classifications, recalculate duties and process refunds through CBP's Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), with interest paid where applicable. However, CBP estimates even simple claims could take 60–90 days to process. 

 

Not all entries qualify during this first phase. CBP is excluding entries tied to reconciliation filings, drawback claims, protests, antidumping or countervailing duties, and entries lacking ACE liquidation status. "Finally liquidated" entries also appear to be excluded for now and may need to wait for future CAPE phases. 

 

Importers should ensure they have active ACE portal access, updated ACH payment information and a clear understanding of which entries may qualify. Companies are also being urged to conduct compliance reviews before filing claims, as each CAPE submission requires certification that all entries comply with applicable customs laws. 

 

Businesses that paid IEEPA tariffs should begin organizing import records now, separate eligible entries based on liquidation status and timing, and closely monitor future CBP guidance as additional CAPE phases are expected to expand refund eligibility. Read more about filing for a refund for IEEPA tariffs paid.

 

Importers are currently operating in a highly uncertain environment: Some businesses are receiving refunds tied to the invalidated IEEPA tariffs while simultaneously continuing to pay the newer Section 122 tariffs that remain temporarily active during the appeals process. Trade attorneys and customs advisors are warning companies to closely track liquidation dates, refund eligibility windows and potential future shifts in tariff authority.

 

Questions? Please contact Juan Mejia, SEMA's senior manager of federal government affairs, at juanm@sema.org.  

 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock | Sven Hansche

 

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

 

 

The court's tariff decision may bring short-term financial relief to some aftermarket companies through refunds, but uncertainty remains as appeals move forward.

 

The U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) recently ruled that President Trump's application of 10% universal tariffs imposed earlier this year under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 is unlawful and exceeded the authority granted to the executive branch by Congress.

 

In a 2-1 decision, the CIT ruled that the tariffs were invalid and not allowed by law. However, the U.S. Department of Justice appealed the ruling, so the decision is now on hold until the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit makes a final decision.

 

The Section 122 tariffs were implemented after the Supreme Court struck down the administration’s tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) in February. The Supreme Court's ruling triggered a sweeping federal refund process for importers that had paid duties under the now-invalidated IEEPA tariffs.  

 

Refunds Begin 

Businesses across the country have begun receiving tariff refunds from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The first wave of reimbursements began hitting company accounts this week, with more than 330,000 importers potentially eligible for repayment tied to approximately $166 billion in collected duties. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), they have processed more than $35 billion in IEEPA refunds on more than 8 million entries to date. 

 

How to File for a Refund 

CBP officially launched Phase 1 of its new Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) process for refunding tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) on April 20. While the rollout is a major step toward returning duties to importers, the initial phase is intentionally limited in scope and applies only to straightforward claims. 

 

Under Phase 1, CBP is only accepting refund requests for entries liquidated within the past 80 days, aligning with the agency's 90-day voluntary reliquidation authority. Importers of record and authorized customs brokers can submit claims through the CAPE Claim Portal by uploading eligible entries via CSV file. Once validated, CAPE will remove applicable IEEPA tariff classifications, recalculate duties and process refunds through CBP's Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), with interest paid where applicable. However, CBP estimates even simple claims could take 60–90 days to process. 

 

Not all entries qualify during this first phase. CBP is excluding entries tied to reconciliation filings, drawback claims, protests, antidumping or countervailing duties, and entries lacking ACE liquidation status. "Finally liquidated" entries also appear to be excluded for now and may need to wait for future CAPE phases. 

 

Importers should ensure they have active ACE portal access, updated ACH payment information and a clear understanding of which entries may qualify. Companies are also being urged to conduct compliance reviews before filing claims, as each CAPE submission requires certification that all entries comply with applicable customs laws. 

 

Businesses that paid IEEPA tariffs should begin organizing import records now, separate eligible entries based on liquidation status and timing, and closely monitor future CBP guidance as additional CAPE phases are expected to expand refund eligibility. Read more about filing for a refund for IEEPA tariffs paid.

 

Importers are currently operating in a highly uncertain environment: Some businesses are receiving refunds tied to the invalidated IEEPA tariffs while simultaneously continuing to pay the newer Section 122 tariffs that remain temporarily active during the appeals process. Trade attorneys and customs advisors are warning companies to closely track liquidation dates, refund eligibility windows and potential future shifts in tariff authority.

 

Questions? Please contact Juan Mejia, SEMA's senior manager of federal government affairs, at juanm@sema.org.  

 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock | Sven Hansche