By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola testified before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in opposition to the agency's recently proposed new federal emissions standards for motor vehicles model years '27-'32, which are intended to dramatically increase sales of electric vehicles (EVs). Watch the testimony in the video below.
The EPA maintains its proposal would lead to EVs making up two-thirds of new passenger vehicles sold in the United States by 2032. Click here to sign a letter opposing the EPA's proposal, which provides an opportunity to personalize the letter and explain how the agency's push to an all-electric future will impact your business.
"While the automobile's roots are tied to the internal combustion engine (ICE), SEMA prides itself on maintaining a forward-looking vision that embraces new technology, including EVs and other zero-emissions vehicles," said Spagnola. "The specialty automotive aftermarket has led the way on alternative fuel innovations, from replacing older engine technologies with newer, cleaner versions to converting older ICE vehicles to new electric, hydrogen and other alternative fuels. Sadly, the EPA's plans to reduce greenhouse gases and criteria pollutants do not factor this in.
"SEMA and its members have serious concerns with this proposal, which aggressively seeks to lower carbon emissions under timelines that effectively make electric vehicles the de facto choice option for automakers to meet the requirements. Government shouldn't pick winners and losers. This far too-fast mandate will create a seismic shift for small businesses who don't have the capacity to make the shift this quickly, especially when they're not receiving billions in government funds like the large automakers are to fund their electric vehicle programs. To put this in perspective, 33% of consumer spending on performance and accessory products goes toward upgrading ICE engines and drivetrains. That's nearly $17 billion of the $51 billion specialty aftermarket industry. That's $17 billion of impact largely on small business."
Click here to sign a letter opposing the EPA's multipollutant standards. For more information, visit sema.org/EPA-Proposed-Greenhouse-Gas-Rules or contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.
announced a full event schedule for the 2023 Mustang Week, which returns September 4-9 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 
Sunnen Products Company its Official Honing Equipment Partner while the team pursues its record-extending 15th NASCAR Cup Series championship. 
Each vehicle accepted will also be featured in the SEMA Show app displaying the vehicle's image, make, model, year, color, products used as part of the build, builder's name and the name and booth number of the sponsoring exhibitor company.
SUV/light truck and winter tire technology--has announced Roadian HTX 2 has received the main award in the product design category of the iF Design Awards 2023 in Germany.
Charlotte, North Carolina, has appointed Gary W. Ferrera as executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO). Ferrera will report to President and Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Fitzpatrick and succeeds Tiffany Mason.
, the late Steve Ames began drag racing after earning an engineering degree from Columbia University. He started in the parts business by traveling along the East Coast buying New Old Stock (NOS) parts. In 1976, he noticed that Pontiac parts were in particularly high demand and began focusing exclusively on such products. As business continued, Ames realized that demand for restoration parts outweighed that of NOS parts and launched Ames Performance Engineering. He expanded with other companies within the restoration industry, providing much-needed products for growing markets and became an authoritative voice in the classic car industry. Ames is one of the original founders of SEMA's Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO), was named ARMO's Person of the Year in 2007 and is a recipient of the ARMO Lifetime Achievement Award. Ames passed away in December 2020.
respected sales reps. As a teenager, he was the first-ever service rep for the Mr. Phone/Mr. Gasket organization. He continued his career playing a key role in the founding and growth of Bob Barker Marketing & Sales and in much of the success at the multi-award-winning company Kunzman & Associates. An active member and supporter of the SEMA Manufacturers' Rep Council (MRC), Iannotte advocated for and became one of the first certified professional manufacturers' reps (CPMR) and pushed for standards throughout the industry. He served numerous terms on the SEMA Board of Directors, where he worked to shape legislative issues involving manufacturing tax relief, pushed for industry data standards, supported philanthropic activities, and promoted ongoing education and training throughout the industry. Iannotte continues to serve as a sales rep for Kunzman & Associates, as well as volunteer his time and expertise to many industry initiatives.
SEMA Chairman of the Board. As such, he introduced lean concepts to SEMA and expanded the association's global influence by founding the SEMA International Task Force to connect SEMA members with international business opportunities. He also served on the Joint Operating Committee, providing oversight to the SEMA Show and its partner show, AAPEX. He was a charter member of the SEMA Political Action Committee (PAC) and personally lobbied members of Congress on important industry issues. Williams founded the SEMA Lighting Task Force at a time when National Highway Traffic Safety Association was targeting lighting companies. In addition to nearly 20 years with Hella, Williams held executive positions with Original One Auto Parts, Restoration Parts Unlimited, APR, Dinan Corp., Xstream Trucking, StopTech and recently joined Rigid Industries as its president.
