By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

Former President Donald Trump on the campaign trail has vocally denounced electric vehicle (EV) mandates, going so far as to declare a "Day 1 halt" to any such policy by his administration. And while prominent leaders in the business world are no strangers to politics, several eyebrows nonetheless were raised recently when Tesla CEO Elon Musk threw his support behind Trump, giving a full-throated endorsement of the former president's campaign. Musk, after all, is the leader of the world's most prominent EV manufacturer. Here's what's behind their burgeoning partnership, compiled by the SEMA Washington, D.C., office.

Trump says he's actually not anti-EV. In a July 26 interview on FOX News' morning show, the former president clarified his position on EVs, stating that he believes in consumer choice in the market. "You want a gasoline-propelled car or [you] want maybe a hybrid," Trump told the "Fox & Friends" news program. "You want to have a choice. And that includes electric." 

Regulatory and tax concerns outweigh EV policy. Musk might be banking on what a second Trump presidency could mean to the federal regulatory environment. Tesla and its fleet of EVs are just one piece of Musk's portfolio, which also includes Space X, the Boring Company, and social media company X (formerly known as Twitter). Trump has promised that his administration will provide businesses with less regulatory oversight, along with a lower corporate tax rate. 

Tesla could stand to benefit from no EV mandates. Tesla holds a significant competitive edge in the EV market right now, with a huge lead in manufacturing and production infrastructure over legacy car makers. In the absence of an EV mandate, such a lead could prove to be a financial windfall for Tesla, with fewer incentives available to prop up efforts to establish footholds in the market by other, nascent EV manufacturers. 

The SEMA Public and Government Affairs team is advocating for policy issues that are core to SEMA's mission by ensuring policymakers hear a clear, strong, and unified voice representing not only SEMA members, but also the specialty equipment industry and auto enthusiasts. Get involved and contact the SEMA Washington, D.C., office at sema.org/advocacy.

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

Former President Donald Trump on the campaign trail has vocally denounced electric vehicle (EV) mandates, going so far as to declare a "Day 1 halt" to any such policy by his administration. And while prominent leaders in the business world are no strangers to politics, several eyebrows nonetheless were raised recently when Tesla CEO Elon Musk threw his support behind Trump, giving a full-throated endorsement of the former president's campaign. Musk, after all, is the leader of the world's most prominent EV manufacturer. Here's what's behind their burgeoning partnership, compiled by the SEMA Washington, D.C., office.

Trump says he's actually not anti-EV. In a July 26 interview on FOX News' morning show, the former president clarified his position on EVs, stating that he believes in consumer choice in the market. "You want a gasoline-propelled car or [you] want maybe a hybrid," Trump told the "Fox & Friends" news program. "You want to have a choice. And that includes electric." 

Regulatory and tax concerns outweigh EV policy. Musk might be banking on what a second Trump presidency could mean to the federal regulatory environment. Tesla and its fleet of EVs are just one piece of Musk's portfolio, which also includes Space X, the Boring Company, and social media company X (formerly known as Twitter). Trump has promised that his administration will provide businesses with less regulatory oversight, along with a lower corporate tax rate. 

Tesla could stand to benefit from no EV mandates. Tesla holds a significant competitive edge in the EV market right now, with a huge lead in manufacturing and production infrastructure over legacy car makers. In the absence of an EV mandate, such a lead could prove to be a financial windfall for Tesla, with fewer incentives available to prop up efforts to establish footholds in the market by other, nascent EV manufacturers. 

The SEMA Public and Government Affairs team is advocating for policy issues that are core to SEMA's mission by ensuring policymakers hear a clear, strong, and unified voice representing not only SEMA members, but also the specialty equipment industry and auto enthusiasts. Get involved and contact the SEMA Washington, D.C., office at sema.org/advocacy.

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

SEMA and its motorized partners, including the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA), One Voice, United Four-Wheel Drive Association (U4WD) and the United Snowmobile Alliance (USA), submitted a joint comment to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regarding its travel management plan (TMP) for the San Rafael Swell, which encompasses more than 1.1 million acres in southeastern Utah. The TMP will impact nearly 2,200 miles of routes as open, limited or closed for off-road vehicle use. You can read the joint comment on the San Rafael Swell Travel Management Plan here. 

Our joint comment raised concerns about inconsistencies in former TMPs that offered the opportunity to potentially expand motorized recreation in areas that are now located in over 400,000 acres of Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) that were designated in 2019. Historically, once federal lands are classified as WSAs, opportunities are limited for any type of motorized access in those areas. 

The joint comment highlights our organizations' issues with each of the four alternatives that the agency presented in its proposal for the new management. 

• Alternative A failed to establish the baseline of the 2008 management plan, as many routes were reflected in the 2008 baseline map that were not included in the Alternative A map in 2024.
• Alternative B fails to provide any meaningful opportunities for multiple-use recreation. It closes 949 miles (44%) of routes.
• Alternative C closes 454 miles (21%) of routes. 
• Alternative D is the most favorable of the four options, as it proposes to close only 52 miles (2%) of routes. However, existing Resource Management Program (RMP)/TMP decisions that were challenged in 2017 already closed more than 730 miles (about 25%) in the planning area, effectively resulting in a 27% closure rate from historical usage.

For questions or more information on this issue, contact Tiffany Cipoletti at tiffanyc@sema.org.  

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

SEMA and its motorized partners, including the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA), One Voice, United Four-Wheel Drive Association (U4WD) and the United Snowmobile Alliance (USA), submitted a joint comment to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regarding its travel management plan (TMP) for the San Rafael Swell, which encompasses more than 1.1 million acres in southeastern Utah. The TMP will impact nearly 2,200 miles of routes as open, limited or closed for off-road vehicle use. You can read the joint comment on the San Rafael Swell Travel Management Plan here. 

Our joint comment raised concerns about inconsistencies in former TMPs that offered the opportunity to potentially expand motorized recreation in areas that are now located in over 400,000 acres of Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) that were designated in 2019. Historically, once federal lands are classified as WSAs, opportunities are limited for any type of motorized access in those areas. 

The joint comment highlights our organizations' issues with each of the four alternatives that the agency presented in its proposal for the new management. 

• Alternative A failed to establish the baseline of the 2008 management plan, as many routes were reflected in the 2008 baseline map that were not included in the Alternative A map in 2024.
• Alternative B fails to provide any meaningful opportunities for multiple-use recreation. It closes 949 miles (44%) of routes.
• Alternative C closes 454 miles (21%) of routes. 
• Alternative D is the most favorable of the four options, as it proposes to close only 52 miles (2%) of routes. However, existing Resource Management Program (RMP)/TMP decisions that were challenged in 2017 already closed more than 730 miles (about 25%) in the planning area, effectively resulting in a 27% closure rate from historical usage.

For questions or more information on this issue, contact Tiffany Cipoletti at tiffanyc@sema.org.  

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office.,

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would significantly reduce the budgets of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for fiscal year (FY) 2025.

If H.R. 8998, the "Department of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025" becomes law, it will cut DOI's budget by $677 million and EPA's budget by $4 billion, compared to their FY 2024 levels. The legislation includes SEMA-supported amendments that would prevent the EPA from implementing new federal emissions standards for motor vehicles for model years 2027 to 2032, which are designed to heavily promote sales of electric vehicles (EVs). The bill would also force the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to withdraw its "Conservation and Landscape Health" regulation. 

The BLM regulation would allow the agency to lease lands under new and vaguely defined conservation leases; incorporate new standards when evaluating traditional multiple-use decisions; expedite designations of new Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs); and apply land health standards to all public lands. The new regulation undermines the Federal Land Policy and Management Act's multiple-use requirement for BLM lands as it would hinder access to public lands for recreation. SEMA has submitted comments opposing both the EPA and BLM rulemakings.  

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee recently passed its own bill to fund DOI and EPA in FY 2025, albeit at significantly higher levels than the House bill. The Senate bill would increase DOI funding by $13 million and DOI funding by over $1 billion more than FY 2024 levels. While the Senate version of the Interior and EPA funding legislation does include some policy riders, it does not include the SEMA-supported amendments that made it into the bill passed by the House of Representatives. 

Congress must pass 13 appropriations bills for FY 2025 by October 1, 2024, or pass legislation to continue government funding at FY 2024 levels to avoid a government shutdown. 

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.   

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office.,

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would significantly reduce the budgets of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for fiscal year (FY) 2025.

If H.R. 8998, the "Department of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025" becomes law, it will cut DOI's budget by $677 million and EPA's budget by $4 billion, compared to their FY 2024 levels. The legislation includes SEMA-supported amendments that would prevent the EPA from implementing new federal emissions standards for motor vehicles for model years 2027 to 2032, which are designed to heavily promote sales of electric vehicles (EVs). The bill would also force the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to withdraw its "Conservation and Landscape Health" regulation. 

The BLM regulation would allow the agency to lease lands under new and vaguely defined conservation leases; incorporate new standards when evaluating traditional multiple-use decisions; expedite designations of new Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs); and apply land health standards to all public lands. The new regulation undermines the Federal Land Policy and Management Act's multiple-use requirement for BLM lands as it would hinder access to public lands for recreation. SEMA has submitted comments opposing both the EPA and BLM rulemakings.  

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee recently passed its own bill to fund DOI and EPA in FY 2025, albeit at significantly higher levels than the House bill. The Senate bill would increase DOI funding by $13 million and DOI funding by over $1 billion more than FY 2024 levels. While the Senate version of the Interior and EPA funding legislation does include some policy riders, it does not include the SEMA-supported amendments that made it into the bill passed by the House of Representatives. 

Congress must pass 13 appropriations bills for FY 2025 by October 1, 2024, or pass legislation to continue government funding at FY 2024 levels to avoid a government shutdown. 

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.   

By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office.,

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would significantly reduce the budgets of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for fiscal year (FY) 2025.

If H.R. 8998, the "Department of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025" becomes law, it will cut DOI's budget by $677 million and EPA's budget by $4 billion, compared to their FY 2024 levels. The legislation includes SEMA-supported amendments that would prevent the EPA from implementing new federal emissions standards for motor vehicles for model years 2027 to 2032, which are designed to heavily promote sales of electric vehicles (EVs). The bill would also force the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to withdraw its "Conservation and Landscape Health" regulation. 

The BLM regulation would allow the agency to lease lands under new and vaguely defined conservation leases; incorporate new standards when evaluating traditional multiple-use decisions; expedite designations of new Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs); and apply land health standards to all public lands. The new regulation undermines the Federal Land Policy and Management Act's multiple-use requirement for BLM lands as it would hinder access to public lands for recreation. SEMA has submitted comments opposing both the EPA and BLM rulemakings.  

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee recently passed its own bill to fund DOI and EPA in FY 2025, albeit at significantly higher levels than the House bill. The Senate bill would increase DOI funding by $13 million and DOI funding by over $1 billion more than FY 2024 levels. While the Senate version of the Interior and EPA funding legislation does include some policy riders, it does not include the SEMA-supported amendments that made it into the bill passed by the House of Representatives. 

Congress must pass 13 appropriations bills for FY 2025 by October 1, 2024, or pass legislation to continue government funding at FY 2024 levels to avoid a government shutdown. 

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.   

By Ashley Reyes  

Manufacturers have until this Sunday, August 4, to save on registration for the 2025 SEMA Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference, taking place January 21-23, 2025, in Orlando, Florida.

After August 4, the registration price will increase from $850 to $950 until sign ups close on September 9. Ready to save? Book your spot by the August 4 early bird deadline here.

Benefits of attending the Media Trade Conference include:

1. Focused Meetings: Take part in more than 40 private, 30-minute meetings with media.   
2. Media Exposure: Gain valuable connections with journalists, editors, writers, podcasters, content creators and social-media influencers.  
3. Brand Visibility: Showcase your latest products to media who can promote your offerings in their channels.
4. Market Intelligence: Gain a better understanding of the evolving media landscape.
5. Networking Opportunities: Further your connections with networking events scheduled throughout the event.  

Registration is currently open to MPMC, Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) and Performance Racing Industry (PRI) manufacturing companies whose membership is active at the time of the conference.

Sign up now to secure your spot for this influential event!

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) has named Kira Daczko, admissions director at Universal Technical Institute, as the network's newest #SheIsSEMA spotlight member. 

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

SEMA News: How many years have you been with your current company and what do you enjoy most about working there? 

Kira Daczko: Five years. Knowledge is power and I love being a part of empowering our youth as they start their path to adulthood. 

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

KD: Explaining the importance of working hard at learning now and how that greatly impacts our youth's futures. They are young and don't have the life experience to understand those decisions. While they are in school, they have so much knowledge at the tips of their fingers; it takes effort and hard work to learn it, practice it and retain it. 

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

KD: Since 2008. I started as a Motorcycle Technician at Hook Cycle.  

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

KD: I'm hungry to learn and experience all this world has to offer. I'm humble, knowing I don't have it all figured out, yet I'm confident I can figure it out. And I'm giving, meaning I want to share what I know or have learned to help others be more capable in their path through life. 

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

KD: Being on the road traveling up and down the West Coast alone with $250k worth of equipment I had to maintain and use for work daily was pretty challenging, but I wouldn't change that time or those experiences for anything. 

My biggest accomplishment was having a young high school girl come shake my hand and thank me for conducting the technical workshop she was in and tell me she learned a lot, and was inspired to pay it forward. I knew right then that all the work, long hours and tiring days were worth it if I positively impacted at least one other person's life. 

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

KD: Bernie and Denise Thompson were my mentors. They didn't give up on me they pushed me to be my best and they were educators at heart. I owe them a lot and I'm so thankful they were a part of my life when I was impressionable and finding my path. 

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

KD: Being "the best" is not a capped status, you have to show up motivated to be the best every day because the industry, the players and innovations are always changing. 

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

KD: No. I wanted to work in only PowerSports, specifically motorcycles, when I started, but we are a transportation-reliant society, and all sectors of transportation are in need of smart capable technicians. 

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

KD: Susie Wolf is an inspiration. She has worked her way through the ranks from driver to educator and is paving the way for the next generation of successful young lady drivers.  

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.  

By Ashley Reyes

Attendees of the 2024 National Street Rod Association's (NSRA) Street Rod Nationals have a unique opportunity to take part in top-rated education through the SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Education Days.

HRIA Education Days expanded for the first time this year to include the Goodguys Summit Racing Nationals that took place earlier this month. The next stop, at the NSRA Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky, is scheduled for August 1-2.

Taking place during the NSRA Street Rod Nationals event in Louisville, Kentucky, August 1-2, HRIA Education Days enables automotive builders and enthusiasts to attend free seminars where they will learn directly from manufacturing brands and companies. Twelve hot-rod brands will present processes and tips for working on hot-rod projects, giving participants the chance to connect with leading experts and gain insight into the manufacturers' product lines.

The 2024 HRIA Education Days schedule includes 12 seminars, six seminars per day, each presented by a different manufacturer. The upcoming schedule includes:

2024 HRIA Education Days at NSRA Street Rod Nationals

Thursday, August 1:

• 9:15 a.m.–10:15 a.m.: New Products & Options in Steering--Presenter: Flaming River
• 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.: The Basics of Hot-Rod and Musclecar Air Conditioning--Presenter: Vintage Air
• 11:45 a.m.– 2:45 p.m.: The Evolution of Transmissions: How Many Gears Do You Need?--Presenter: Bowler Performance Transmissions
• 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.: Modern Suspension Technology for Your Classic Car--Presenter: Detroit Speed
• 2:15 p.m.–3:15 p.m.: Instruments & Gauges: The Finishing Touch--Presenter: Classic Instruments
• 3:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.: Where the Rubber Meets the Ride--Presenter: Steele Rubber Products

Friday, August 2:

• 9:15 a.m.–10:15 a.m.: Tips on Grinding: Materials, Abrasives and Speed--Presenter: Burr King
• 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.: Making Your LS LT Installation Simple--Presenter: Speartech
• 11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m.: How to Make Horsepower--Presenter: BluePrint Engines
• 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.: The Hook Up: Steering Linkage, Connections & Components--Presenter: Borgeson
• 2:15 p.m.–3:15 p.m.: Brake System Basics--Presenter: Wilwood Disc Brakes
• 3:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.: Learning the Basics of Fuel Injection--Presenter: Holley

All times EDT.

Seminars are free to all NSRA Nationals attendees and pre-registration is not required. Descriptions of each seminar can be found at sema.org/hria-education-days. To learn more about HRIA membership, visit sema.org/hria.