Early indicators reveal an increase in exhibitor activity, and SEMA Show organizers are also reporting an increase in interest and booth applications for each of the Show's 12 sections.

SEMA News is the monthly trade magazine published by SEMA that reaches more than 18,000 key automotive specialty-equipment businesses.

For one week each year, the SEMA Show gathers the largest collection of outfitted, upgraded dirt shredders, people haulers and street machines that exist with the specialty-equipment industry.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has analyzed real-world crash data to determine if LED stop lamps and center high-mounted stop lamps are more beneficial than incandescent lamps at preventing rear-impact collisions.

Legislation to disallow the use of year-of-manufacture license plates after July 1, 2013, has been introduced in Connecticut.

SEMA is supporting legislation to approve a regulation allowing off-road vehicles to operate on trails included in the Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Area. These trails are currently restricted to ATVs, dune buggy-type vehicles (referred to as "utility terrain vehicles" or "UTVs") and motorcycles.

SEMA-opposed legislation to impose a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax on state motorists has been introduced in Texas. Under the bill, the amount of the VMT tax would vary by vehicle type.

Legislation to repeal the requirement that retail dealers, nonretail dealers or wholesale dealers of gasoline sell only gasoline blended with a specified percentage of ethanol has been introduced in Oregon.

Here is a brief look at some of news and updates from around the specialty-equipment industry. Companies featured this week: Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, GT Performance Products, Petersen Automotive Museum, Link Trailer Parts and more.