DIAMOND BAR, CA (07.18.23) – The SEMA Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) is gearing up for its Networking, Education, Resources and Development (N.E.R.D.) Symposium–taking place August 16-18 at the SEMA Garage in Detroit, Michigan. 

Automotive aftermarket engineers, programmers and product developers still have time to secure their spot for the event, where they will meet one-on-one with product and service providers who offer tools and technology that can help them get their products to market faster, boost productivity and stay ahead of the competition.

The three-day symposium will feature high-value and daily educational seminars on popular topics in the automotive technology space, followed by networking sessions and meetings in the afternoon.

The networking sessions will give participants extra time to exchange ideas and explore potential collaborations, while the education sessions provide an exclusive opportunity to learn from leading experts on essential issues and technological advancements in the aftermarket space.  

This year’s education sessions are: 

• Suspension System Simulations: From Fatigue to Riding and Handling Analysis 
  • Presenter: MingYao Ding, Principal/Vice President of Engineering at Ozen/Ansys 
• Vehicle Communication Standards Update 
  • Presenter: Bob Augustine, Vice President of Business Development at Opus IVS 
• Alternative Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Technology 
  • Presenter: Tobi Burek, Chief Engineer at Ricardo
• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Update  
  • Presenter: Nick Dominato, Co-Founder and Chief Everything Officer, AutoBolt 
• Bridging the Gap from “Runs Good” to Emissions Compliance 
  • Presenter: Greg Banish, Engineering Manager, Calibrated Success
• Designing Parts for Sanctioning Body Approval 
  • Presenter: Billy Godbold, President at Godbold Engineering 
• Visualizing Fuel Injector Spray Characteristics That Impact Engine Performance 
  • Presenter: Dr. Paul Puzinauskas, University of Alabama 
• Casting Prices, Casting Properties, and AM Design: GE Additive Binder Jet–Primed for the Automotive Industry 
  • Presenter: GE Additive 

View the entire program schedule here. Learn more about the N.E.R.D. Symposium and sign up by the August 1 deadline at sema.org/nerd. 

DIAMOND BAR, CA (07.17.23) – The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials passed H.R. 1435, the “Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act,” and H.R. 4468, the “Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act.” These SEMA-supported bills seek to preserve vehicle choice for consumers and prevent the federal government and the State of California from choosing only one form of technology (such as electric vehicles) over the many others to achieve their emission reduction goals. 

U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) and 17 U.S. House Republicans introduced H.R. 4468 in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed federal emissions standards for motor vehicles model years ’27 to ’32, which is designed to result in electric vehicles (EVs) making up 67% of all new vehicles sales by 2032. The SEMA-supported CARS Act would prevent the EPA from finalizing the proposed emissions standards on light- and medium-duty vehicles. 

The EPA’s proposal intends to lower carbon emissions in a way that essentially forces BEVs to become the only option for automakers to produce. Given the subsidies in place for EV purchases and production, EVs become the de facto choice to achieve the rulemaking’s climate goals, as other options, such as hydrogen, new synthetic fuels, and multiple renewables, do not enjoy a level playing field of subsidies.

SEMA and more than 100 stakeholder organizations recently sent President Joe Biden a letter expressing concerns about the EPA’s Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards. The letter stated, “EPA’s proposals inhibit the marketplace from identifying the most efficient, lowest-cost opportunities to reduce GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions from vehicles and greatly restrict consumer choice.” SEMA will continue to engage in any proposed regulatory action that may lead to internal combustion engine (ICE) bans. You can read the joint letter here. 

SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola provided official comments to the EPA in opposition to the agency’s proposed new federal emissions standards for motor vehicles model-years 27-’32. In addition, SEMA’s grassroots efforts have generated more than 7,700 comments by our member companies and enthusiasts from around the country. 

SEMA has strongly supported H.R. 1435, the “Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act,” a bill prohibiting the EPA from issuing a waiver to California for regulations that would ban the sale or use of new motor vehicles with ICE in the state by 2035. Rep. John Joyce’s (R-PA) bill is essential to stopping California’s plan to ban new ICE vehicles, which requires the EPA to waive provisions in the Clean Air Act for the mandate to go into effect. U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), the co-chair of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus, introduced S. 2090, a Senate companion bill to H.R. 1435. 

Click here to send a letter to your Congress members asking them to support the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act by co-sponsoring the bill.

For more information on these efforts, visit sema.org/advocacy/ice-bans.

DIAMOND BAR, CA (07.13.23) – The SEMA Battle of the Builders, Presented by Mothers, returns for 2023. The prestigious competition is judged by industry experts, with awards presented to individuals who have demonstrated extreme talent, creativity and craftsmanship in modifying cars, trucks, SUVs, sport compacts and luxury and exotic builds.

Entrants of the Battle of the Builders, Presented by Mothers, can:

• Get exposure through media coverage in top publications and online sites.
• Have content generated on your build, your products and your story.
• Grow your notoriety and have your shop stand out on social media.
• Get featured in SEMA publications and social profiles.
• Network with top builders from around the globe.
• Be part of the one-hour “Battle of the Builders, Presented by Mothers” TV special.

For more information and to enter, visit semashow.com/botb.

DIAMOND BAR, CA (07.12.23) – SEMA members have until Friday, July 14, to submit their nominations for the notable SEMA Industry Awards, which are awarded to leading companies and individuals who have made significant contributions to the automotive aftermarket industry.

In recognition of the recipient’s exceptional contributions to the specialty-equipment industry throughout the last year, these awards are among the highest honors given by the trade association. A recipient is an individual or business that embodies the industry’s mission while also demonstrating the principles, professionalism and service that advance the sector.

Nominations are open for:

• Person of the Year: Established to honor a person for their outstanding contributions to the automotive specialty-equipment market.
• Manufacturer of the Year: Honors a manufacturing company for its outstanding contributions and innovations.
• Channel Partner of the Year: Honors a sales channel partner for its outstanding service to the sales, distribution, retail and/or e-commerce channel(s) of the industry. This includes maintaining proper inventories to service its respective channel and exceeding standards in providing suppliers with input and regular communication to help their products and programs succeed.
• Gen-III Innovator of the Year: Honors a young, entrepreneurial individual, 40 years old or younger, who is creating innovative breakthroughs within the area(s) of industry opportunities, advancement, best business practices, technology and/or trends.
• Content Creator of the Year: Honors a content creator for their outstanding contributions to the automotive culture and for creating a positive impact with automotive enthusiasts.

The Industry Awards are presented during SEMA Show week, October 31-November 3, 2023. The Kick-Off Breakfast, held on Tuesday, October 31, will award both The Channel Partner of the Year and Manufacturer of the Year. On Thursday, November 2, the SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet will recognize the Gen-III Innovator of the Year, Person of the Year and Content Creator of the Year.

Nominations for all five awards are now being accepted at sema.org/awards.