Ford and General Motors presented their respective Design Awards at the 2009 SEMA Show, recognizing design excellence in the specialty-equipment industry.

The next-generation 2012 BMW 3-Series is slimmer and more toned than its soon-to-be predecessor.

The dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows and activities have been announced.

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

Mainstream consumers are discovering the benefits of vehicle customization through an industry-wide consumer awareness program. Articles educating the public on how the industry’s products could give their older car or truck a new look or increase its performance were developed in June. The articles...

The Specialty Equipment Market Association was established in 1963. It serves the industry with market research, as a legislative watchdog, as an educational outlet and as an advocate for the opening of international markets. Its membership has grown to include more than 7,300 companies, including...

The specialty-equipment market is divided into nine niches. For each of these, there are three segments, one of which is the wheel, tire and suspension category. Overall, the wheel, tire and suspension category rose nearly 2% in retail sales and 3% in manufacturer sales from 2007 to 2008. Light...

NHTSA has again postponed the effective date for the revised lighting standard. The agency wants extra time to confirm that there were no substantive changes included when the agency published the reorganized and simplified FMVSS 108 in 2007.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a proposed rule to increase the tire test pressure for temporary-use spare tires (T-tires) from 52 pounds per square inch (psi) to 60 psi. The proposed change responds to a petition from the Tire & Rim Association (TRA).

Racing news: Mercedes buys 75.1% of the World Championship-winning Brawn Racing Formula One team; Phoenix Management Group LLC will take over operation of the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series next season; Tony Schumacher secures seventh NHRA Top Fuel drag racing championship by two points over...