Law and Order is an update of some of the most recent federal and state legislative and regulatory issues that could potentially impact the automotive specialty-equipment industry. These include issues affecting small-business owners and their employees.

Law and Order is an update of some of the most recent federal and state legislative and regulatory issues that could potentially impact the automotive specialty-equipment industry. These include issues affecting small-business owners and their employees.

At the request of SEMA and its Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA), the U.S. Senate passed Resolution 452 (S. Res. 452) designating July 13, 2012, as “Collector Car Appreciation Day.” The date marks the third commemoration in what has become an annual event to celebrate and raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society.

Who are “typical” automotive specialty-equipment consumers? What is their relationship with their vehicles? How does that relationship influence their purchasing habits? And how can automotive specialty-equipment businesses reach them with their marketing? These are some of the perennial questions that drive the industry. SEMA is now offering the 2012 SEMA Market Segmentation Report, an in-depth summary of a recent, comprehensive look into these and other questions affecting every company in the specialty-equipment marketplace.

Below is a roundup of proposed or recently enacted legislative and regulatory developments affecting the specialty-equipment industry in key overseas markets. For more information on overseas developments, SEMA members are invited to contact SEMA Director of International and Government Relations Linda Spencer.

With a backdrop of state-of-the-art auto equipment, the 5th Annual Racing and Performance Expo in St. Charles, Illinois, was the perfect venue for a SEMA Town Hall meeting and the 130 SEMA members who attended. The evening’s special guest, Congressman Randy Hultgren (R-IL), provided insight on the current political and legislative landscape in Washington and heard from SEMA members about issues affecting business owners.

Law and Order is an update of some of the most recent federal and state legislative and regulatory issues that could potentially impact the automotive specialty-equipment industry. These include issues affecting small-business owners and their employees.

Brazil, China and India are outpacing the growth in many mature automotive markets—a trend that is likely to continue over the next few years. The Brazilian trade association Associação Nacional dos Fabricantes de Veículos Automotores (National Association of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, or ANFAVEA) has estimated that vehicle sales in Brazil will rise 5% during 2012. In fact, the country has already overtaken Germany to become the fourth-largest vehicle market in the world, with sales of 3.6 million cars and light trucks in 2011.

Once a year, automotive performance and restoration enthusiasts descend on the Detroit, Michigan, area to celebrate the Woodward Dream Cruise, the largest one-day collector-car event in the world. Many vehicles at the Dream Cruise are equipped with specialty equipment manufactured in the greater Detroit area. To recognize the importance of these manufacturers and SEMA members to the American economy, Congressman Gary Peters toured Dart Machinery in Troy, Michigan, only a few miles from Woodward Avenue.