By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Following months of negotiations, President Trump and U.S. House of Representatives Democrats reached agreement on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) which will replace the NAFTA accord. The three countries had already agreed to the USMCA’s major provisions, but the fine points of the trade deal were still subject to discussion. The legislatures of each country must approve the USMCA before it replaces the NAFTA accord. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on the trade pact in December, but the U.S. Senate may not schedule a vote until early 2020.

The USMCA will require that vehicles have 75% North American content, compared with 62.5% currently. At least 40%–45% of the vehicle content must be made by workers earning at least $16 an hour. The United States has agreed not to impose tariffs on imported automobiles and auto parts on Mexico and Canada if such tariffs are enacted. The United States has also excluded Mexico and Canada from the tariffs currently being imposed on steel and aluminum.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Following months of negotiations, President Trump and U.S. House of Representatives Democrats reached agreement on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) which will replace the NAFTA accord. The three countries had already agreed to the USMCA’s major provisions, but the fine points of the trade deal were still subject to discussion. The legislatures of each country must approve the USMCA before it replaces the NAFTA accord. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on the trade pact in December, but the U.S. Senate may not schedule a vote until early 2020.

The USMCA will require that vehicles have 75% North American content, compared with 62.5% currently. At least 40%–45% of the vehicle content must be made by workers earning at least $16 an hour. The United States has agreed not to impose tariffs on imported automobiles and auto parts on Mexico and Canada if such tariffs are enacted. The United States has also excluded Mexico and Canada from the tariffs currently being imposed on steel and aluminum.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Following months of negotiations, President Trump and U.S. House of Representatives Democrats reached agreement on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) which will replace the NAFTA accord. The three countries had already agreed to the USMCA’s major provisions, but the fine points of the trade deal were still subject to discussion. The legislatures of each country must approve the USMCA before it replaces the NAFTA accord. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on the trade pact in December, but the U.S. Senate may not schedule a vote until early 2020.

The USMCA will require that vehicles have 75% North American content, compared with 62.5% currently. At least 40%–45% of the vehicle content must be made by workers earning at least $16 an hour. The United States has agreed not to impose tariffs on imported automobiles and auto parts on Mexico and Canada if such tariffs are enacted. The United States has also excluded Mexico and Canada from the tariffs currently being imposed on steel and aluminum.

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

By Della Domingo

The annual Media Trade Conference enables journalists to meet with exhibitors from motorsports parts manufacturers in 42 (14 per day) private, uninterrupted meetings, serving as the ideal event to get detailed information specific to their audience’s interests and gather a year’s worth of editorial content.

Manufacturers of motorsports parts are prepared to meet with media, including freelance journalists, bloggers and social media influencers, during the 2020 SEMA MPMC Media Trade Conference, January 21–23, in Santa Ana, California.

The annual three-day event, which media can attend at no cost by visiting www.sema.org/mtcreg, is the best place for journalists to meet with and interview manufacturers who are seeking to increase awareness and gain editorial coverage. Journalists, freelancers, bloggers and social media influencers are invited to sign up and select the companies that best meet their editorial needs. While the event is not designed for ad sales or sponsorships, media are not required to have specific assignments in order to attend. Freelancers seeking content for stories are encouraged.

To see a list of participating exhibitors and sign up for the event, visit www.sema.org/mtcreg.

By Della Domingo

The annual Media Trade Conference enables journalists to meet with exhibitors from motorsports parts manufacturers in 42 (14 per day) private, uninterrupted meetings, serving as the ideal event to get detailed information specific to their audience’s interests and gather a year’s worth of editorial content.

Manufacturers of motorsports parts are prepared to meet with media, including freelance journalists, bloggers and social media influencers, during the 2020 SEMA MPMC Media Trade Conference, January 21–23, in Santa Ana, California.

The annual three-day event, which media can attend at no cost by visiting www.sema.org/mtcreg, is the best place for journalists to meet with and interview manufacturers who are seeking to increase awareness and gain editorial coverage. Journalists, freelancers, bloggers and social media influencers are invited to sign up and select the companies that best meet their editorial needs. While the event is not designed for ad sales or sponsorships, media are not required to have specific assignments in order to attend. Freelancers seeking content for stories are encouraged.

To see a list of participating exhibitors and sign up for the event, visit www.sema.org/mtcreg.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Turn 3 Motorsports won its first 25 Hours of Thunderhill presented by Hawk Performance.

Turn 3 Motorsports Takes Victory at 2019 25 Hours of Thunderhill

Turn 3 Motorsports was victorious in Mudville last Sunday when the team won its first 25 Hours of Thunderhill presented by Hawk Performance. The Chicago-based team had a dominant performance, leading shortly after the start and never looking back. The Radical was caked with mud as driver and team principal Peter Dempsey brought the car across the finish line with an eight-lap margin of victory. It’s the first time a Radical sports racer has won the 25 Hours of Thunderhill. The team’s drivers Eric Wagner, Dempsey, Antoine Comeau and Neil Alberico drove the car 2,016 miles, good for an eight-lap margin of victory over second-place overall finisher K2R Motorsports. Team Praga Cars/Fellner Motorsports finished third in ESR and also third overall. For complete results, visit the Speed News website.

Yamaha Announces Partnership with Motosports Travel

Yamaha Motor Corp. USA has announced a partnership with Ohio-based travel experts Motosports Travel to offer VIP packages for select Monster Energy Supercross races as part of the Destination Yamaha program initiative. Beginning with the 2020 season opener held in Anaheim, California, January 4, Yamaha Fan Experience packages offer purchase options that include hotel accommodations, transportation for airport and hotel transfers, prime stadium seating locations and a Yamaha VIP team experience. To see everything included in the available packages and book a Yamaha experience, visit www.motosportstravel.com/yamafan.

For more racing news, visit Performance Racing Industry’s (PRI) website.

The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:

This year, the SEMA Board of Directors has an opening in the Distributors/Retailers category.

As a member of the association, your recommendation is needed for industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors.

The following seat is open for this year’s election:

• Distributors/Retailers (one open seat)

Please take a moment and tell us whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position by completing and submitting a nomination form. To help the vetting process, include a brief information about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements that would make that nominee an outstanding board candidate.

Nominations for the SEMA Board of Directors are due Friday, January 3, 2020. Please complete and submit the nomination form.

A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well.  We urge you to take part in the nominations process—our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the Board, but we need you to help bring them to the attention of the Nominating Committee.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE

SEMA President & CEO

The following is a message from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting:

This year, the SEMA Board of Directors has an opening in the Distributors/Retailers category.

As a member of the association, your recommendation is needed for industry leaders to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors.

The following seat is open for this year’s election:

• Distributors/Retailers (one open seat)

Please take a moment and tell us whom you would recommend as a potential nominee for a board member position by completing and submitting a nomination form. To help the vetting process, include a brief information about the nominee’s qualifications, such as background, experience and achievements that would make that nominee an outstanding board candidate.

Nominations for the SEMA Board of Directors are due Friday, January 3, 2020. Please complete and submit the nomination form.

A strong board means wise leadership and an association that serves its members well.  We urge you to take part in the nominations process—our industry has many individuals who would be an asset to the Board, but we need you to help bring them to the attention of the Nominating Committee.

Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Chris Kersting, CAE

SEMA President & CEO

By SEMA Editors

Latest Jobs Added to SEMA Career Center

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest jobs posted to the website.

Social-Media Internship
Spyder Auto’s marketing department is looking for a social media intern to assist with social-media marketing efforts and increase website traffic. The ideal candidate will possess knowledge of the social media landscape in the automotive industry. This position will be responsible for collaborating in the creation of engaging blog content, posting to company social media networks and monitoring social and website analytics with the marketing team to identify viable ideas. At least one year of social-media/marketing experience is required. This unpaid internship program is currently scheduled to last three months.

Manufacturing Maintenance Manager
Scat Enterprises Inc. is hiring a manufacturing maintenance manager to repair CNC and manual machines, ensure proper functionality and usage of machines and maintain all electrical equipment in the building. More than five years’ specialization shop maintenance experience is required.

Brand Manager
Drake Automotive Group is hiring a brand manager responsible for managing profitability and product margins, sales training and travel, sales growth, product sourcing and new customer acquisition. A minimum of five years’ experience in the automotive aftermarket industry, preferably in suspension/steering components, is required.

Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

• YEN Meetup at PRI, December 12, 2019, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
• Sponsorship Proposals, December 12, 2019, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
• 2019 PRI Trade Show, December 12–14, 2019, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
• Opportunities for Women in Motorsports, Powered by MPMC, December 13, 2019, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
• MPMC Performance Industry Reception, December 13, 2019, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
• YEN General Membership Call, January 15, 2020
• MPMC Media Trade Conference, January 21–23, 2020, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Santa Ana, California
• SBN Biannual General Membership Call, February 4, 2020
• 2020 SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference, March 31–April 5, 2020, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• YEN General Membership Call, April 15, 2020
• WTC Ambassador (WTCA) Call, May 6, 2020
• 2020 SEMA Show, November 3–6, 2020, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstore.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.