UPS is offering discounts of up to 39% for SEMA members on their ground, air and international shipments.

Identical bills have been introduced in the U.S. House (HR 1127) and Senate (S 544) directing the president to develop a comprehensive national manufacturing strategy and amend the plan every two years. Similar legislation has been introduced and considered in recent years.

The Supreme Court ruled that books and other goods produced overseas can be imported into the United States without the permission of the copyright holder.

SEMA is supporting North Carolina legislation to provide for the prompt issuance of titles to owners of out-of-state motor vehicles that are 35-years old or older.

SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle titling and registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles has been reintroduced in the New York State Senate and Assembly.

Legislation has been introduced in Texas to increase the emissions inspection period from an annual requirement to every five years. This bill would not affect a requirement that an emissions inspection be conducted during an initial inspection period in a county covered by testing.

SEMA-opposed legislation to increase the age requirement for vehicles eligible for registration as “antique, rare or special-interest motor vehicles” or “modified antique motor vehicles” was approved by the Connecticut Joint Committee on Planning and Development by a narrow 10–9 vote.

Working with state lawmakers, SEMA helped amend legislation that originally threatened to ban any covering that reduced the visibility of required motor vehicle lighting.

The U.S. Congress will soon hold hearings on whether to modify the Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS). The law mandates that an increasing amount of ethanol or other biofuels be blended into gasoline each year—levels that may be unattainable in the current marketplace.

Here is a brief look at some of news and updates from around the specialty-equipment industry. Companies featured this week: Falken Tire, Tread Lightly!, Scion, Motor Trend, Falken Tire, Galpin Auto Sports and more.