By SEMA News Editors

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings nationwide. Below are some of the latest postings.

Rudy's Performance Parts

Marketing Manager in Burlington, North Carolina

Rudy's Performance Parts, a retailer and manufacturer specializing in diesel performance and other products, is seeking a marketing manager to develop and execute comprehensive marketing strategies to enhance brand visibility and drive customer engagement.

Zeder Corporation

Internal Sales Support Officer in Ontario, California

The Australia-based suspension component manufacturer is looking for an internal sales support officer to lead customer prospecting, follow-up and initial customer contact in support of Zeder's existing external sales managers.

By SEMA News Editors

SEMA News sources recently encountered a possible prototype of the Ford Maverick during testing near Detroit, Michigan.

The Maverick was adorned with camouflage, mainly on the front and rear ends, and features an EPA exhaust tip. According to sources, it's possible the front-end camouflage conceals new performance enhancements for engine breathing and cooling, while the rear end suggests the presence of new taillights. A side view of the prototype suggests a slightly lower stance compared to current Maverick variants.

The shots fuel speculation about the possibility of an upcoming high-performance ST variant for Ford's compact pickup. There are also rumors, sources said, that such a model is part of Ford's future plans.

By SEMA News Editors

The Ferrari F250 hypercar was recently spotted testing near Maranello, Italy, according to SEMA News sources. Although heavily disguised, the sighting revealed more of the LaFerrari successor’s bodywork and details.

The recent sighting near Maranello, Italy, revealed new details about the F250 hypercar. 

Insiders indicate that development is still ongoing, with a finished product still a long way off. However, new details have emerged, including the doors shape, allowing for easier access to the cockpit and lending the car a Le Mans prototype aesthetic.

The hypercar is rumored to be powered by a V6 hybrid.

Expected to launch by 2026, the prototype is equipped with a significant aerodynamic package featuring an aggressive rear wing, cooling ducts and other hidden aero components.

The mechanical package is still unknown, sources said, but a V6 hybrid power unit is expected.

The F250 will be a limited-series production car, according to sources, with around 600 units planned.

By SEMA News Editors

SEMA News highlights new products from industry companies when available. To have your product considered for upcoming issues, send product press releases to editors@sema.org.

BendPak

PL-6000DC Two-Post Lift

BendPak's PL-6000DC two-post parking lift is rated with a 6,000-lb. capacity, can be installed in a typical 8-ft. parking space and can accommodate a range of vehicles. The lift uses dual telescoping direct-drive hydraulic cylinders and the platform can be stopped at various heights. Additional safety features include automatic locking during a power outage, emergency stop button and upper limit switch.

bendpak.com

By SEMA News Editors

Lucas Oil Expands Into Brazil With New Distribution Partnership

Lucas Oil is expanding into the Brazilian market through a new partnership with Comercial Lucar, a Brazilian wholesale distributor specializing in lubricants and filters for the automotive, industrial and heavy-equipment markets.

Comercial Lucar will be the exclusive distributor of Lucas Oil additives in Brazil.

The partnership will introduce the American brand and its products to the Brazilian market, the world's 10th largest economy and home to more than 83 million automobiles, according to the company.

For more information, visit lucasoil.com.

Hagerty Names New Senior Vice President of Marketplace Operations

Hagerty has named Gary Chard a its new senior vice president of marketplace operations.

In the new role, Chard will oversee all aspects of marketplace operations, including live and digital auctions, private sales, financing and classifieds.

Prior to joining Hagerty, Gary served as vice president of leasing operations and work retail for The Taubman Company and the executive leasing liaison with Simon Property Group. He was responsible for the continuous evaluation of operations to improve efficiency and developing new tools and processes to maximize productivity, the company said.

For more information, visit hagerty.com.

CERATIZIT Appoints Dave Conger to Sales Leadership Position

CERATIZIT, an Illinois-based provider of custom tooling products for the metalworking industry, has appointed Dave Conger as national sales manager for its west region.

Based in Texas, Conger brings with him 26 years of cutting tool industry sales leadership experience and three years of hands-on machining expertise. Throughout his career, Conger has led sales teams and productivity efforts at national and regional levels, the company said.

For more information, visit CERATIZIT.com.

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

The CARS Act would prohibit the EPA from finalizing its proposed federal emissions standards.

The U.S. House of Representatives announced that it will vote on the "Choice in Automobile Sales (CARS) Act" (H.R. 4468) this week.

The SEMA-supported bill would prohibit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from finalizing the agency's proposed federal emissions standards for light- and medium-duty motor vehicles model years '27 to '32, which intend for electric vehicles (EVs) to make up 67% of all new vehicles sales by 2032. The CARS Act also prevents future EPA motor-vehicle emissions regulations that would mandate certain technologies or limit the availability of vehicles based on engine type. Ask your Representative to vote for the CARS Act here.

SEMA opposes the EPA's efforts to require EVs to make up 67% of all new-vehicle sales by 2032 for the following reasons:

• The EPA's proposed rulemaking seeks to lower carbon emissions in a way that essentially forces battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to become the only option for automakers to produce. Given the subsidies for EV purchases and production, EVs have become the de facto choice to achieve the rulemaking's climate goals.
• A seismic shift to BEVs threatens the 55% of SEMA-member companies that produce internal combustion engine (ICE) related components and parts. Currently, consumers spend $17 billion annually on performance and accessories to upgrade engines and drivetrains.
• EPA's multipollutant standards proposal does not allow consumers to purchase the vehicles that best suit the needs of their families. It will limit consumer choice and make the purchase of a new vehicle out of reach for millions of Americans.
• This proposal will hurt Americans who disproportionately live in multi-family housing, who will face the greatest challenges in charging their vehicles.
• It will also adversely impact people in rural parts of the country with limited EV infrastructure and people who drive long distances for work and other daily necessities.

The CARS Act protects Americans' right to choose the technology that powers their motor vehicles. SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola provided official comments to the EPA in opposition to the agency's proposed new federal emissions standards for motor vehicles model-years '27-'32. In addition, SEMA's grassroots efforts generated more than 7,700 comments by our member companies and enthusiasts from around the country.

U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) introduced H.R. 4468 to ensure that the EPA's proposed multipollutant standards do not limit consumer choice and direct consumers to embrace a specific form of vehicle technology to reduce emissions. U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced companion legislation, S. 3094, that currently has 33 bipartisan co-sponsors and is awaiting consideration in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

For more information on these efforts, visit sema.org/advocacy/ice-bans.

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

The CARS Act would prohibit the EPA from finalizing its proposed federal emissions standards.

The U.S. House of Representatives announced that it will vote on the "Choice in Automobile Sales (CARS) Act" (H.R. 4468) this week.

The SEMA-supported bill would prohibit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from finalizing the agency's proposed federal emissions standards for light- and medium-duty motor vehicles model years '27 to '32, which intend for electric vehicles (EVs) to make up 67% of all new vehicles sales by 2032. The CARS Act also prevents future EPA motor-vehicle emissions regulations that would mandate certain technologies or limit the availability of vehicles based on engine type. Ask your Representative to vote for the CARS Act here.

SEMA opposes the EPA's efforts to require EVs to make up 67% of all new-vehicle sales by 2032 for the following reasons:

• The EPA's proposed rulemaking seeks to lower carbon emissions in a way that essentially forces battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to become the only option for automakers to produce. Given the subsidies for EV purchases and production, EVs have become the de facto choice to achieve the rulemaking's climate goals.
• A seismic shift to BEVs threatens the 55% of SEMA-member companies that produce internal combustion engine (ICE) related components and parts. Currently, consumers spend $17 billion annually on performance and accessories to upgrade engines and drivetrains.
• EPA's multipollutant standards proposal does not allow consumers to purchase the vehicles that best suit the needs of their families. It will limit consumer choice and make the purchase of a new vehicle out of reach for millions of Americans.
• This proposal will hurt Americans who disproportionately live in multi-family housing, who will face the greatest challenges in charging their vehicles.
• It will also adversely impact people in rural parts of the country with limited EV infrastructure and people who drive long distances for work and other daily necessities.

The CARS Act protects Americans' right to choose the technology that powers their motor vehicles. SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola provided official comments to the EPA in opposition to the agency's proposed new federal emissions standards for motor vehicles model-years '27-'32. In addition, SEMA's grassroots efforts generated more than 7,700 comments by our member companies and enthusiasts from around the country.

U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) introduced H.R. 4468 to ensure that the EPA's proposed multipollutant standards do not limit consumer choice and direct consumers to embrace a specific form of vehicle technology to reduce emissions. U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced companion legislation, S. 3094, that currently has 33 bipartisan co-sponsors and is awaiting consideration in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

For more information on these efforts, visit sema.org/advocacy/ice-bans.

By the SEMA Washington, D.C. office

The deadline to submit comments on proposed changes to Proposition 65, a California law that requires warning labels on products known to cause cancer, is rapidly approaching. 

The proposed changes, recently announced by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), would require short-form warning labels to include at least one chemical on the label. This is a significant change from the current regulations, which allow businesses to use a generic short-form warning that does not identify any specific chemicals.

These changes would significantly impact businesses in the specialty automotive market selling products in California, and SEMA is urging members to take action and oppose them.

The OEHHA is holding a public hearing on the proposed rules on December 13. The public comment deadline is December 20. Click here to submit comments to OEHHA in opposition to the proposed changes.

For more information, contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org. 

By the SEMA Washington, D.C. office

The deadline to submit comments on proposed changes to Proposition 65, a California law that requires warning labels on products known to cause cancer, is rapidly approaching. 

The proposed changes, recently announced by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), would require short-form warning labels to include at least one chemical on the label. This is a significant change from the current regulations, which allow businesses to use a generic short-form warning that does not identify any specific chemicals.

These changes would significantly impact businesses in the specialty automotive market selling products in California, and SEMA is urging members to take action and oppose them.

The OEHHA is holding a public hearing on the proposed rules on December 13. The public comment deadline is December 20. Click here to submit comments to OEHHA in opposition to the proposed changes.

For more information, contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org. 

By SEMA News Editors

Aspiring leaders in the automotive aftermarket will learn how to unlock greater levels of career success during the 2024 SEMA Future Leaders Network (FLN) Professional Development Program (PDP), taking place at the SEMA Garage in Detroit, Michigan, on May 16-17. Applications are open now and close on March 13. Apply here!  

Held in partnership with the world-renowned Dale Carnegie Training, the program will be available to 25 FLN members who will receive a 50% discount on the original $1,600 Dale Carnegie price and receive meals and housing for three days, if selected to attend.  

Interactive lessons and group breakouts--targeted to all professions of the automotive aftermarket--will help participants develop their leadership potential and teach them to:  

• Communicate professionally and confidently in business situations. 
• Engage others by building rapport, asking pertinent questions and listening. 
• Build relationships and deal effectively with people in a multitude of scenarios. 
• Gain cooperation and influence people, including direct reports, laterally and upward. 
• Use emotional controls to sustain success. 

"The FLN Professional Development Program provided me with insight and knowledge I am unable to receive in regular training at my job," said past participant Ryan Ehlers of Diode Dynamics. "Professional leadership is tricky to teach, yet this course laid it out in a very engaging way which helped me retain the lessons taught." 

The program offers quality networking and targeted conversations that will encourage participants to share their unique experiences, connect with other like-minded individuals and establish friendships with those who have similar passions and goals. 

Apply for the FLN Professional Development Program at sema.org/fln-pdp.