California Muffler Battle Takes Checkered Flag
You’ve just purchased the ride of your dreams and already have a list of upgrades in mind. If you’re like most enthusiasts, a new exhaust system is somewhere near the top of your list. Now imagine your surprise when you find out that your home state has passed an eleventh-hour piece of legislation that makes you question whether that modification is even legal. That’s exactly what happened to consumers in California earlier this year, but thanks to the efforts of SEMA and its allies in Sacramento, the problem has been solved.
On July 12, 2019, SEMA members joined with car clubs, businesses and thousands of enthusiasts to celebrate the 10th annual Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD). A wide range of events was held in the United States and Canada to commemorate this special day. The celebration was designated with SEMA-requested companion resolutions introduced in the U.S. Congress by the co-chairs of the SEMA-supported Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus.
In the halls of Congress, success is often directly related to the size of your rolodex. The more friends you have in your corner, the more likely you are to get things accomplished. With the automotive specialty aftetmarket industry continuing to grow, having a powerful voice in the nation’s capital is critical to keeping that engine running smoothly. Thanks to the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus, the industry is connected with some of the most important contacts in Washington—the politicians.
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At the 2018 SEMA Show, West Virginia State Senator Mark Maynard was introduced as the first-ever winner of the Stephen B. McDonald Legislator of the Year award. Representing the Sixth District, Senator Maynard was recognized for his efforts in the West Virginia Senate to promote policies and legislation that support the automotive hobby.
A major milestone was achieved when the state of Utah appropriated $5 million in its fiscal year 2019–2020 budget to help save the Bonneville Salt Flats. SEMA applauds the Utah state government for allocating funding to create a 10-year “Restore Bonneville” program that will dramatically increase the amount of salt being pumped onto the flats in an effort to restore the historic racing venue.
California has long been a sought-after place to live, drawing people from all corners of the globe. Southern California is the unofficial birthplace of the automotive aftermarket and is home to more SEMA members than any other area in the country. Nils Forssman, who spent his formative years in Johannesburg, South Africa, aspired to expand his family’s business operations internationally and fell in love with San Diego. His company, Truck Covers USA, recently hosted U.S. Representative Scott Peters (D-CA) for a tour of its San Diego headquarters.
Many politicians grow up dreaming of the day they will run for office. Their young adult lives are a series of tactical steps designed to build a narrative they can use as a springboard to get elected. U.S. Representative Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) took a different path, growing a family business while competing in action-packed pursuits ranging from rock crawling to mixed martial arts. It’s no coincidence that he’s one of the most genuine and effective members of Congress, using his platform to make government a bit friendlier to small businesses and automotive enthusiasts.
Every business depends on predictable supply costs. When it comes to that basic entrepreneurial principle, 2018 was not a good year. The Trump administration imposed a series of tariffs with little warning. Those measures were intended to address unfair trade practices and encourage foreign nations to renegotiate trade pacts to remove or equalize duty rates. Unfortunately, it hasn’t exactly worked out that way. Make no mistake, SEMA supports equitable trade but questions the methods being employed to bring other countries to the bargaining table. The results to date have been modest when compared to the upheaval being caused in the marketplace.