The laws and regulations that govern how SEMA members do business have an increased and growing impact on the way automotive specialty-equipment products are made, distributed and marketed.

SEMA launched the largest grassroots effort in its 46-year history earlier this year to keep a national “Cash for Clunkers” program out of the $787 billion economic stimulus bill. The campaign was a success. Nevertheless, some lawmakers remain committed to using a vehicle scrappage program as a means to spur new-car sales. They are now citing a flawed German program as a model for America. Read more...

Most economists are predicting a longer-than-usual recovery after a very sharp entry into the current recession. In conjunction, the auto industry is predicted to be in for drastic changes, not only in what it will look like and how it does business, but also in the technologies that will emerge in new vehicles. In a recent interview, SEMA Vice President of Vehicle Technology John Waraniak detailed not only where the automotive world appears to be headed, but what the association is doing to help its members ready themselves for the coming opportunities.

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