By the SEMA Washington, D.C. office

The deadline to submit comments on proposed changes to Proposition 65, a California law that requires warning labels on products known to cause cancer, is rapidly approaching. 

The proposed changes, recently announced by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), would require short-form warning labels to include at least one chemical on the label. This is a significant change from the current regulations, which allow businesses to use a generic short-form warning that does not identify any specific chemicals.

These changes would significantly impact businesses in the specialty automotive market selling products in California, and SEMA is urging members to take action and oppose them.

The OEHHA is holding a public hearing on the proposed rules on December 13. The public comment deadline is December 20. Click here to submit comments to OEHHA in opposition to the proposed changes.

For more information, contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org. 

By the SEMA Washington, D.C. office

The deadline to submit comments on proposed changes to Proposition 65, a California law that requires warning labels on products known to cause cancer, is rapidly approaching. 

The proposed changes, recently announced by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), would require short-form warning labels to include at least one chemical on the label. This is a significant change from the current regulations, which allow businesses to use a generic short-form warning that does not identify any specific chemicals.

These changes would significantly impact businesses in the specialty automotive market selling products in California, and SEMA is urging members to take action and oppose them.

The OEHHA is holding a public hearing on the proposed rules on December 13. The public comment deadline is December 20. Click here to submit comments to OEHHA in opposition to the proposed changes.

For more information, contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org. 

By SEMA News Editors

Aspiring leaders in the automotive aftermarket will learn how to unlock greater levels of career success during the 2024 SEMA Future Leaders Network (FLN) Professional Development Program (PDP), taking place at the SEMA Garage in Detroit, Michigan, on May 16-17. Applications are open now and close on March 13. Apply here!  

Held in partnership with the world-renowned Dale Carnegie Training, the program will be available to 25 FLN members who will receive a 50% discount on the original $1,600 Dale Carnegie price and receive meals and housing for three days, if selected to attend.  

Interactive lessons and group breakouts--targeted to all professions of the automotive aftermarket--will help participants develop their leadership potential and teach them to:  

• Communicate professionally and confidently in business situations. 
• Engage others by building rapport, asking pertinent questions and listening. 
• Build relationships and deal effectively with people in a multitude of scenarios. 
• Gain cooperation and influence people, including direct reports, laterally and upward. 
• Use emotional controls to sustain success. 

"The FLN Professional Development Program provided me with insight and knowledge I am unable to receive in regular training at my job," said past participant Ryan Ehlers of Diode Dynamics. "Professional leadership is tricky to teach, yet this course laid it out in a very engaging way which helped me retain the lessons taught." 

The program offers quality networking and targeted conversations that will encourage participants to share their unique experiences, connect with other like-minded individuals and establish friendships with those who have similar passions and goals. 

Apply for the FLN Professional Development Program at sema.org/fln-pdp.  

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

Outdoor recreation has received a boost after U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) introduced H.R. 6492, the "Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act." This bipartisan public lands and recreation bill expands on S. 873, the "America's Outdoor Recreation Act of 2023" (AORA), while also including SEMA-supported key provisions from AORA.

The EXPLORE Act increases opportunities for motorized and non-motorized access to public lands, streamlines permitting for recreation, improves visitor experiences, creates new opportunities for recreation, addresses the lack of affordable housing causing staffing shortages on public lands and transforms outdoor recreation experiences for active duty military members, veterans and Gold Star families.   

The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a hearing on the EXPLORE Act and is expected to hold a vote on the bill before the end of the year.

SEMA is advocating for the bill to pass through committee given that it will improve and expand America's outdoor recreation economy while delivering sustainable economic boosts to rural communities. The EXPLORE Act is a comprehensive legislative effort that increases access to outdoor recreation opportunities to help grow the $1.1 trillion impact of the outdoor recreation industry. You can find more information about the major provisions of the legislation by reviewing the section-by-section. 

"SEMA thanks Chairman Westerman and Ranking Member Grijalva for introducing the EXPLORE Act. This bipartisan bill would streamline the process and expenses associated with obtaining special recreation permits, require federal land management agencies to increase opportunities for motorized and non-motorized access on public lands, and direct the BLM and Forest Service to make maps available to the public depicting where vehicles are allowed to recreate," said Mike Spagnola, SEMA president and CEO. 

Take action today: click here to ask your representative to support the EXPLORE Act.

For more information on the EXPLORE Act, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

Outdoor recreation has received a boost after U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) introduced H.R. 6492, the "Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act." This bipartisan public lands and recreation bill expands on S. 873, the "America's Outdoor Recreation Act of 2023" (AORA), while also including SEMA-supported key provisions from AORA.

The EXPLORE Act increases opportunities for motorized and non-motorized access to public lands, streamlines permitting for recreation, improves visitor experiences, creates new opportunities for recreation, addresses the lack of affordable housing causing staffing shortages on public lands and transforms outdoor recreation experiences for active duty military members, veterans and Gold Star families.   

The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a hearing on the EXPLORE Act and is expected to hold a vote on the bill before the end of the year.

SEMA is advocating for the bill to pass through committee given that it will improve and expand America's outdoor recreation economy while delivering sustainable economic boosts to rural communities. The EXPLORE Act is a comprehensive legislative effort that increases access to outdoor recreation opportunities to help grow the $1.1 trillion impact of the outdoor recreation industry. You can find more information about the major provisions of the legislation by reviewing the section-by-section. 

"SEMA thanks Chairman Westerman and Ranking Member Grijalva for introducing the EXPLORE Act. This bipartisan bill would streamline the process and expenses associated with obtaining special recreation permits, require federal land management agencies to increase opportunities for motorized and non-motorized access on public lands, and direct the BLM and Forest Service to make maps available to the public depicting where vehicles are allowed to recreate," said Mike Spagnola, SEMA president and CEO. 

Take action today: click here to ask your representative to support the EXPLORE Act.

For more information on the EXPLORE Act, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

By SEMA News Editors

The 35th annual PRI Show, December 7-9 in downtown Indianapolis, is gearing up to be one of the best events to date, with more than 1,000 exhibitors showcasing the latest products, services, machinery, simulation and testing technologies and trailers for the racing industry.

Taking place at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis, the motorsports industry's annual trade gathering is a must-attend event for businesses and professionals from across the automotive racing spectrum.

"The motorsports industry is constantly evolving, and the PRI Show supports that growth through cutting-edge activations," said PRI General Manager Jim Liaw. "The 2023 Show will take a holistic approach to industry support with programs that address the needs of entry-level racers all the way through to experienced professionals." 

The PRI Show continues to evolve to meet the needs of members by curating a mix of programs that reflect the latest industry trends combined with annual traditions and popular events.

New for the 2023 Show:

PRI ESPORTS ARENA POWERED BY SRO

PRI is embracing and showcasing sim racing/Esports beyond individual exhibitors for the first time through activations with several sim racing equipment makers and e-racing series, including SRO/GT America, Screenworks, Williams F1 Esports, Podium 1 Racing, SimGear Motion Simulators, Asetek SimSports, Advanced SimRacing and Extreme SimRacing.

PRI EKARTING CLASSIC PRESENTED BY TOP KART USA

PRI is creating a karting track inside Lucas Oil Stadium in partnership with Top Kart USA that will feature all-star racing on Thursday with pros from various racing disciplines, "fastest lap" contests for media on Friday, and racing for regional youth organizations on Saturday.

Other features of the 2023 Show include:

• Grand Opening Breakfast: The iconic event, this year featuring Indy 500 champ Tony Kanaan and hosted by Ralph Sheheen kicks off the 2023 Show.
• PRI Paddock & Podcast Studio: located at the Capital Cube entrance, features the iconic PRI hanging car, ground-level display racing machine and a podcast studio to host industry podcasters filming and broadcasting, including Drag Illustrated, "V8 Speed Shop," "Women Take the Wheel" and many others. For the full schedule, visit the PRI Paddock & Podcast Studio on the PRI Show planner.
• EV & ATL Racing: the EV Performance Zone will evolve to incorporate cutting-edge technology related to alternative forms of racing propulsion and renewable fuels. The area will feature activations from Indy Autonomous Challenge, Electric Drag Racing Association, Burromax, Omni Powertrain Technologies and eFlexFuel, among others and feature display vehicles. 
• PRI Happy Hour & All-Star Finale: Thursday's Happy Hour will feature the final pro race of the PRI EKarting Classic presented by Top Kart USA.  
• PRI Education: Education sessions have been curated for the Show under three tracks: Business, Technical and EV & ATL Racing. All sessions can be found on the PRI Show planner. 
• Featured Products Showcase: Relocated this year to the ICC Capitol Connector, the Featured Products Showcase highlights the newest and most popular motorsports products.
• T.O.P.S. HQ: Formerly the TOPS Workroom & Lounge, this area will feature such programming as Road Course Racing Industry Roundtable, Sprint Car Roundtable, Race Tire Update, Updates in Timing & Scoring Technology.
• Additional features: Network receptions, Machinery Row, Trailer Exhibits and more.

"This year's Show programming will be dynamic and bring a high energy level to the Show," said Karin Davidson, PRI Trade Show Director. "The additional content will also add more value to the time our members spend in Indianapolis."

The 2023 PRI Show will feature more than 1,000 exhibitors and 3,600 booths showcasing the latest products, services, machinery, simulation and testing technologies and trailers for the racing industry in a single location. PRI encompasses all forms of motorsports and attracts attendees from all 50 states and all over the world, including professional race teams, retail shops, warehouse distributors, engine builders, fabricators, dealers, installers, jobbers and media. To register, visit PRI2023.com/attend.

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

In a significant development, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has withdrawn SEMA-opposed regulation that would have required the state to adopt California's strict motor-vehicle emissions laws and outlaw the sale of new gas- and diesel-powered cars beginning in 2035. 

The move to withdraw the regulation came after bipartisan opposition from state lawmakers, with the governor acknowledging that the proposal lacked sufficient support to pass the legislature's Regulation Review Committee. Unlike the Democratic-controlled legislature, the Committee is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. 

Governor Lamont, however, has not abandoned the pursuit of more stringent emissions standards, indicating that he will explore alternative avenues to address the issue, either by seeking legislative action in 2024 or potentially calling a special session in 2023.

"We are pleased that Governor Lamont has listened to the concerns of Connecticut residents and withdrawn this harmful proposal," said Christian Robinson, SEMA's senior director of state government affairs and grassroots. "SEMA believes that Connecticut residents, not the government, should decide what vehicles are best for them and their families. Data shows that a successful path to lowering emissions is an all-of-the-above approach to utilizing multiple technologies, not just simply banning one technology in favor of another." 

For more information, contact Robinson at christianr@sema.org.   

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

In a significant development, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has withdrawn SEMA-opposed regulation that would have required the state to adopt California's strict motor-vehicle emissions laws and outlaw the sale of new gas- and diesel-powered cars beginning in 2035. 

The move to withdraw the regulation came after bipartisan opposition from state lawmakers, with the governor acknowledging that the proposal lacked sufficient support to pass the legislature's Regulation Review Committee. Unlike the Democratic-controlled legislature, the Committee is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. 

Governor Lamont, however, has not abandoned the pursuit of more stringent emissions standards, indicating that he will explore alternative avenues to address the issue, either by seeking legislative action in 2024 or potentially calling a special session in 2023.

"We are pleased that Governor Lamont has listened to the concerns of Connecticut residents and withdrawn this harmful proposal," said Christian Robinson, SEMA's senior director of state government affairs and grassroots. "SEMA believes that Connecticut residents, not the government, should decide what vehicles are best for them and their families. Data shows that a successful path to lowering emissions is an all-of-the-above approach to utilizing multiple technologies, not just simply banning one technology in favor of another." 

For more information, contact Robinson at christianr@sema.org.   

By SEMA News Editors

A new crossover electric vehicle from Ford was spotted in Europe, according to SEMA News sources.

The yet-unnamed crossover is suspected to be built on a Volkswagen EV platform and is a part of an ongoing deal between Volkswagen and Ford that involves sharing platforms and making cars in the same factories. The spotted Ford crossover is expected to be one of seven upcoming EVs for the American brand, including four passenger cars and five commercial vehicles.

Spotted under camouflage in Europe, the Ford electric crossover is likely built on the Volkswagen MEB platform.

Based on the spy shots from SEMA sources, the camouflaged EV is bigger than the Mustang Mach-E and will have a size similar to the Volkswagen ID.6.

From a styling perspective, it will have a boxy shape, large LED headlights, an angular tailgate and some inspiration from the Explorer body, sources said. The interior is also allegedly set to be exclusive to Ford.

The vehicle is expected to be one of Ford's seven planned electric vehicles.

The Blue Oval has confirmed it will produce the new crossover, in addition to a medium-sized crossover, in Cologne, Germany. Both will be underpinned by the Volkswagen group’s MEB platform, according to Ford Europe Chair Stuart Rowley.

The European chief also pledged that the Cologne factory will account for 1.2 million units over its lifecycle.

The SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) has named Melanie Henry, communications and traffic manager at Martin & Company Advertising, as the network's newest #SheIsSEMA spotlight member.  

Get to know Henry in her interview with SEMA News below.   

SEMA News: What do you enjoy most about working at your current company?    

Melanie Henry: What I enjoy most about working here is that my talents and creativity are appreciated, as well as the opportunities for growth. 

SEMA News: What is the most challenging part of your business or job?   

MH: The most challenging (and exciting) part of my job is taking a client's idea and making it come to life. 

SN: How many years have you been in the industry, and what was your first industry job?   

MH: I have been in the automotive industry for 10 years. My start was holding car shows! 

SN: What three qualities got you to where you are today?   

MH: Three qualities that got me to where I am would be determination, passion, and exuberance. These qualities have benefited me by providing me with the energy and drive to follow what I am enthusiastic about. 

SN: Being a woman in the industry, what have been your biggest challenges and accomplishments?    

MH: The biggest challenge I have faced in this industry is to be taken seriously. For example, this year, I am celebrating 10 years of holding car shows. A man who had never been to one of my shows before was looking at the cars while judging was taking place. I was judging cars, and this man said to me "Do you even know enough about cars to be doing what you're doing?" I stuck my hand out to shake his and said, "Hi, I'm Melanie, and I run Mel's Car Shows." He went on to ask me how long I've been holding shows and commented about "utilizing the space better" for the event.  

My biggest accomplishments in this industry would be receiving the title of 2022 WTAJ's Remarkable Woman, earning the title of Ms. Motorama, and celebrating 10 years of holding car shows. To date, I have raised over $160,000 for nonprofits and charities in need. 

SN: Who are your role models or mentors in the industry?    

MH: My role models in the industry include Jessi Combs, Bogi, and my boss, Zan Martin.  

These women are leaders and trailblazers in this industry by following their beliefs while teaching and encouraging others along the way. 

SN: What is the best career advice you have received?   

MH: The best career advice I ever received was very simple advice; keep working hard. 

SN: Have you always wanted to work in the automotive industry?   

MH: I have always loved cars but never thought of working in the automotive industry until I got a job. Then I knew I had to stay in the automotive industry! What keeps me in the automotive industry is the constant opportunity to learn. 

SN: Who was the most influential person on your career/goals?   

MH: The most influential person in my career and goals would be my Dad. I grew up watching him work on cars, he was always willing to teach me and is my biggest supporter. 

Fill out a #SheIsSEMA spotlight form to submit a self-nomination or nominate a colleague and highlight how you or she is contributing to the specialty-equipment industry. Selected candidates are automatically eligible to be considered for SBN's #SheIsSEMA Woman of the Year award, featured on SBN's social media, SEMA News and recognized on the sema.org/she-is-sema website.