DIAMOND BAR, CA (08.31.23) – Volunteering can be a fulfilling and enriching experience for any professional looking to give back to the industry and the causes they care most about. For SEMA volunteers, it’s a way to get more involved in the aftermarket at large, contribute to the growth of their trade and develop new friendships and lasting memories in the process.

The nine communities in the SEMA Council and Network program have open volunteer positions within their subcommittees and task forces. Subcommittee and task force volunteers play a valuable role in helping council and network leadership create and execute meaningful programs that help their members succeed.

Many positions require minimal time (as little as one hour per month) and can work around the volunteers’ schedules.

“The professional relationships and friendships I have developed in the 10 years of volunteering with SEMA are some of the most important in my career,” reflected Amy Fitzgerald of Cool Hand Customs. “I am more confident, more knowledgeable and more comfortable with my industry and my peers.”  

Opportunities are available in areas such as communications, events, education, membership, SEMA Show and council- and network-specific programs–allowing individuals to align their contributions with what they are most passionate about.

“Through the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network, I have had the opportunity to work on different subtasks, such as communications and events, to help expand my skill set and allow me more experience than what my usual job offers,” said Aliceje Keyburn of Yamaha Motor Corporation. “I’ve also attended different virtual events, live chats and leadership conferences that have been very beneficial in giving me practical tips and advice on how to help grow and advance my career, and also in dealing with certain situations within the workplace.”

Doug Frymer of the Law Office of Douglas A. Frymer, added, “Being in SEMA since I was 26 years old and in the Young Executives Network (now the Future Leaders Network) as part of a member company gave me a whole second crew of folks I’ve grown up within the industry. This catapulted me into what is now the Wheel & Tire Council, and involvement in the Automotive Restoration Market Organization, Hot Rod Industry Alliance and Import Performance Committee/Sport Performance Council (now the Emerging Trends & Technology Network). This gave me a whole second family, a network and a set of advice, opinions, mentors and camaraderie apart from the legal world.” 

To learn about the nine SEMA Councils & Networks and the available subcommittee/task force volunteer opportunities, visit sema.org/volunteer.  

DIAMOND BAR, CA (08.30.23) – In May, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) relating to the adoption of a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) to require automatic emergency braking (AEB), including pedestrian AEB, systems on light vehicles. These systems utilize various sensors and components to automatically apply a vehicle’s brakes in a crash-imminent situation when a driver fails to brake enough or at all.

Under the proposal, OEMs would be required to meet all the standard’s requirements within four years of publication. Small-volume manufacturers and alterers would have an additional year to comply. 

NHTSA’s projections suggest the rule could save hundreds of lives and prevent tens of thousands of injuries to drivers, passengers and pedestrians annually. If adopted, the rule could significantly impact the aftermarket.

“Depending on the type of modification, and the vehicle make, model and year, it may be illegal to knowingly manufacture, sell or install any product–including aftermarket equipment–that would take a vehicle out of compliance with any safety standard, including the vehicle-based standards,” explained SEMA Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs Eric Snyder. “This is informally known as the ‘make inoperative’ provision. The implementation of a safety standard is what triggers the make-inoperative provision, and parts manufacturers must have a reasonable basis to conclude that their product won’t take a vehicle out of compliance with the standard.” 

Currently, there is little data available to help anyone modifying an ADAS-equipped vehicle understand the exact degree of risk associated with changes to the vehicle. However, ongoing research at the SEMA Garage Detroit ADAS Research Center seeks to change all that.

Click here to read the full story on sema.org

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is only applicable to the specific ’22 Chevy Silverado LTZ vehicle used in the SEMA Garage research and the specified modifications and shall not be construed to indicate any results from additional modifications to the ’22 Silverado or for the modification of any other vehicle.