Stay ahead of industry innovation and performance through in-depth content featuring industry reports and insights, emerging trends and strategies, and interviews with the leading figures driving today’s aftermarket.
In October, SEMA and NTEA–The Work Truck Association filed suit in the U.S. District Court’s Eastern District of California against the California Air Resources Board (CARB), seeking immediate declaratory and injunctive relief to stop the electric vehicle (EV) mandates that the agency intends to implement through its Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulations. CARB’s ACF regulations include requirements that only zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) may cross within California’s borders if the owner of the vehicle fleet is subject to California’s regulations, regardless of in which state the vehicle was purchased or registered. Vehicles covered by the regulation include everything from heavy-duty tractors with sleeper cabs to work trucks, pickup trucks and light-duty package delivery vehicles. Companies shipping into the state or through its ports would also have to ensure their shipper of…
SEMA is excited to announce Georgia State Rep. John Carson, a Republican representing the Atlanta suburbs of District 46, as winner of the 2024 Stephen B. McDonald Lawmaker of the Year Award. Rep. Carson was honored for his outstanding leadership in passing SB 352, legislation that modernizes Georgia’s vehicle suspension modification laws. The Stephen B. McDonald Lawmaker of the Year Award, which was presented at the 2024 SEMA Show, the premier automotive specialty products trade event, is one of SEMA’s highest honors, given annually to a state lawmaker who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in supporting and protecting the rights of automotive businesses, consumers and enthusiasts. The award is named after Stephen B. McDonald—a longtime SEMA advocate who dedicated his career to advancing pro-industry policies—and recognizes lawmakers who champion legislation that…
On Monday, November 4, the stage was being set for another SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). As crews made final preparations and exhibitors, new products and Show vehicles moved into the halls, the usual question was on everyone’s mind. What would the 2024 iteration of the iconic SEMA Show bring? The answer was immediately apparent at the Show’s annual Kickoff Breakfast the following morning: The 57th SEMA Show would be another trade gathering for the record books, again solidifying its stature as a global automotive epicenter. SEMA Week brought together more than 2,400 exhibitors and attracted more than 160,000 attendees from 140 countries, along with more than 1,400 booth and feature vehicles. The energy was palpable throughout the LVCC, and innovation and ingenuity spanned every section…
Let’s start this off by making one thing clear: This is only my second time attending the SEMA Show, and I can already tell you, I’m hooked for life. Prior to my first SEMA Show in 2023, I honestly never considered myself an auto enthusiast. Sure, I’ve always had an appreciation for cars, but I’ve never really thought of myself as a “car person.” However, after diving deep into the automotive aftermarket over the past two years, I’ve quickly learned just how meaningful this one event is to so many people around the world…and now I feel like I’m on the path to becoming a full-blown auto enthusiast. The magic and the enthusiastic pull of the auto industry is what hooked me. Thousands of thriving aftermarket businesses were present at…
The SEMA Show is the specialty automotive sector’s pinnacle event, with every corner of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) brimming with innovation and excellence. However, the Show also incorporates several events during the week to shine a special spotlight on the industry’s highest achievers, including new products, vehicles and trade professionals setting the bar for others to follow. The awards begin with the Kickoff Breakfast on Tuesday morning just prior to Show opening, then peak with the annual SEMA Industry Awards Banquet on Thursday evening. “SEMA is proud to congratulate this year’s Show awards recipients,” said SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola. “Their contributions have offered solutions to many challenges that SEMA members and automotive enthusiasts face while keeping our industry vibrant and exciting for our association members and…
The SEMA Show in Las Vegas offers something for everyone within the specialty-equipment industry—whether it’s expanding your network, scaling your business or investing in personal growth. For those in search of learning, perhaps no aspect of the Show embodies this better than SEMA Education. The 2024 SEMA Show presented more than 80 seminars ranging from panel discussions to immersive classes, allowing attendees to leverage their Show experience to advance their automotive careers. The topics discussed in these sessions were as diverse as the aftermarket itself. From hands-on MIG welding techniques to C-suite-level panel discussions, SEMA Education always ensures there is something for every job title at the annual Show. THE ATTENDEES Education kicked off strong on Tuesday, November 5, with an enthusiastic turnout for Management Essentials for Leaders, Presented by…
