SEMA News—February 2011

The images and information provided in “Spy Photos” are supplied by the spy shooters at Brenda Priddy & Co. “Spy Photos” are included each week in SEMA eNews, the association’s electronic newsletter. To receive your copy of SEMA eNews, e-mail enews@sema.org.

 

2013 Ford Fusion, Lincoln MKZ When It Hits: The new global platform will see plenty of use, according to Priddy, and it will start with the new Fusion and Lincoln MKZ in June 2012. What Priddy Says: Priddy’s team reported sightings in Detroit of several Ford mules riding on a new global platform referred to as “CD4,” and the new Fusion and Lincoln MKZ will be the first on the street. Powertrains will consist of a 1.6L four-cylinder and a 2.0L four-cylinder, both featuring EcoBoost turbocharging.		2012 Chrysler 200 When It Hits: Watch for the Chrysler 200 convertible to hit dealer lots in the summer of 2011. What Priddy Says: Sporting a traditional soft-top and two less doors, the 200 convertible will feature a 2.4L four-cylinder or the 3.6L Pentastar V6. The latest word on transmissions is that a six-speed dual clutch will join the lineup on the upper- end models.

Ford Fiesta-Based CUV When It Hits: The high-riding, Fiesta-based crossover will be placed below the Kuga crossover in Ford’s European lineup. Details for the U.S. release remain scarce. What Priddy Says: This prototype’s disguised front end almost certainly means the Fiesta CUV will get a unique nose. The larger steel wheels, raised ground clearance and larger gap between the tops of the tires and bodywork reveal just how high-riding this new CUV is.		Volkswagen’s New Midsize Sedan When It Hits: The first pilot builds started in January 2011, according to Priddy, with the Chattanooga plant starting full production on the ’12 models in the spring. What Priddy Says: Referred to as the NMS (as in “new midsize sedan”), this new car will fit in after the Jetta in VW’s lineup, but Priddy is not sure if it will replace the Passat, be named Passat in the States or be built in addition to the new Passat. However, Priddy believes that the NMS will replace the Passat here in North America, based on its size.

Photos Copyright Brenda Priddy & Company. Reuse or reproduction without the copyright holder’s consent is prohibited.

In 2003, a version of SEMA-model legislation to create an enforceable motor vehicle exhaust noise standard was signed into law in Maine. Prior to 2003, Maine deemed illegal all modifications that increased noise levels above that emitted by the vehicle’s original muffler. Under the SEMA model, an exhaust system modification is legal if it results in a sound level of 95 decibels or less as measured by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) test standard J1169. 

Last year, the law was again amended to clarify the statutory language and to require the Department of Public Safety (Bureau of State Police) to convene a working group to study issues relating to all road noise, including noise created when an exhaust system is not properly installed or maintained or is altered. In its recommendations to the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation, the group indicated that recent efforts have resulted in reduced road noise and has urged that monitoring be undertaken as well as educational efforts by the stakeholders before any additional measures are taken to further restrict the installation of aftermarket exhaust systems.

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

In 2003, a version of SEMA-model legislation to create an enforceable motor vehicle exhaust noise standard was signed into law in Maine. Prior to 2003, Maine deemed illegal all modifications that increased noise levels above that emitted by the vehicle’s original muffler. Under the SEMA model, an exhaust system modification is legal if it results in a sound level of 95 decibels or less as measured by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) test standard J1169. 

Last year, the law was again amended to clarify the statutory language and to require the Department of Public Safety (Bureau of State Police) to convene a working group to study issues relating to all road noise, including noise created when an exhaust system is not properly installed or maintained or is altered. In its recommendations to the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation, the group indicated that recent efforts have resulted in reduced road noise and has urged that monitoring be undertaken as well as educational efforts by the stakeholders before any additional measures are taken to further restrict the installation of aftermarket exhaust systems.

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

A bill to provide that the noise from a motor-vehicle exhaust system deemed “disturbing or unreasonably loud” constitutes the crime of disturbing the peace has been reintroduced for consideration in the West Virginia State Legislature. Under the bill, violators could be fined up to $1,000 per occurrence, jailed for six months or both. Meanwhile, SEMA-model legislation that would allow West Virginia’s vehicle hobbyists to install and use aftermarket modified exhaust systems that meet a 95-decibel limit under a fair and predictable test was also introduced in West Virginia.

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

A bill to provide that the noise from a motor-vehicle exhaust system deemed “disturbing or unreasonably loud” constitutes the crime of disturbing the peace has been reintroduced for consideration in the West Virginia State Legislature. Under the bill, violators could be fined up to $1,000 per occurrence, jailed for six months or both. Meanwhile, SEMA-model legislation that would allow West Virginia’s vehicle hobbyists to install and use aftermarket modified exhaust systems that meet a 95-decibel limit under a fair and predictable test was also introduced in West Virginia.

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-supported legislation has been reintroduced in the New York Assembly to provide that historical vehicle owners only pay a one-time registration fee of $100 upon initial registration. The reduced registration fee would be available to owners of historical vehicles owned and operated as an exhibition piece or collector’s item and used for club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, occasional transportation and similar uses. Under current New York law, a historical motor vehicle is either a vehicle manufactured more than 25 years ago or one which has unique characteristics and which is determined to be of historical, classic or exhibition value. The $100 one-time fee would replace the current annual fee of $28.75. 

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-supported legislation has been reintroduced in the New York Assembly to provide that historical vehicle owners only pay a one-time registration fee of $100 upon initial registration. The reduced registration fee would be available to owners of historical vehicles owned and operated as an exhibition piece or collector’s item and used for club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, occasional transportation and similar uses. Under current New York law, a historical motor vehicle is either a vehicle manufactured more than 25 years ago or one which has unique characteristics and which is determined to be of historical, classic or exhibition value. The $100 one-time fee would replace the current annual fee of $28.75. 

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

In another misguided attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, legislation has been reintroduced in the New York State Assembly to establish a progressive purchase surcharge for some new motor vehicles based on state calculations of carbon emissions. Depending on the vehicle purchased, this surcharge could require owners to pay up to $2,500 more for the vehicle. Funds collected under the program would be used in part to fund discounts for hybrids and electric cars. If this effort is successful, the effects on a consumers’ ability to purchase the vehicle of choice, not to mention vehicle safety, would be dramatic.

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

In another misguided attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, legislation has been reintroduced in the New York State Assembly to establish a progressive purchase surcharge for some new motor vehicles based on state calculations of carbon emissions. Depending on the vehicle purchased, this surcharge could require owners to pay up to $2,500 more for the vehicle. Funds collected under the program would be used in part to fund discounts for hybrids and electric cars. If this effort is successful, the effects on a consumers’ ability to purchase the vehicle of choice, not to mention vehicle safety, would be dramatic.

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA News—February 2011

With More Than 30 Years in the Industry, Spagnola Is Recognized for His Work With SEMA and Charity