News and updates and from SEMA's councils and networks.

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

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities (view all here).

President Obama ordered the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen the fuel-economy standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

SEMA invites industry professionals to its Town Hall Meeting in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where members and prospective members will gather at Coker Tire Co. Inc., Friday, April 4, from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m., for an evening of networking with local industry leaders and SEMA staff.

The Chicago Auto Show provided an occasion for manufacturers to announce new special packages and show off one-of-a-kind project vehicles. Here are a few that caught our eye following last week’s press days.

Billed as "The toughest one-day off road race in the world," more than 130 drivers from 31 states and 8 countries competed in the 2014 King of the Hammers.

Here is a brief look at some of news and updates from around the specialty-equipment industry. Companies featured this week: Piston Driven Manufacturing, MAHLE, Brenton Productions, MAVTV, ReadyLIFT and more.

The Product Development Expo, fueled by the SEMA Garage, and sponsored by the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) and the Emerging Trends and Technology network (ETTN), will be held Thursday, April 10, 2014, at SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California.

Khalid alBalooshi, (top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car) and Jason Line (Pro Stock) started the 2014 season with victories at the Circle K NHRA Winternationals—the opening race of the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. All three racers overcame tough fields in their respective categories...