Table of contents for September 2025 in SEMA Magazine

As this issue was preparing for press, our industry achieved something monumental. On June 12, President Trump signed a Congressional Review Act resolution revoking the California ACC-II waiver that would have enabled the state to ban internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in favor of electric vehicles (EVs). At a White House ceremony attended by SEMA, President Trump signed the resolution, protecting more than 330,000 American jobs and preserving $100 billion in annual economic impact for the nation’s economy. This resolution stops radical policymakers from depriving the American people of vehicle choice and removes a major threat to the U.S. automotive aftermarket and its freedom to innovate. Had California succeeded in banning ICE vehicles and mandating electric vehicles (EVs), other states tied to CARB mandates would have followed suit, affecting roughly…

The landscape of automotive technology is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by innovations that promise to reshape how people and goods move. Central to this revolution are advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and automated driving systems (ADS), technologies that bring different levels of automation to vehicles and redefine the role of the human driver. UNDERSTANDING ADAS AND ADS ADAS refers to a suite of technologies designed to aid drivers in operating their vehicles more safely and comfortably. These systems do not replace the driver; rather, they support and enhance driver control. Examples include lane-keeping assistance (LKA), which gently steers the car back into its lane if it starts to drift; adaptive cruise control (ACC), which maintains a safe distance from the car ahead; and automatic emergency braking (AEB), which can…

Overland content creators are storytellers who inspire, inform and influence. From dusty trails to remote campsites, they test gear in the wild, create aspirational content and connect brands and real-world consumers. But how do these relationships actually work—and what separates genuine ROI from wasted sponsorship dollars? In the past 14 years that I’ve been involved in the overland community, it has evolved from a niche hobby to a robust lifestyle industry. With that growth, the role of content creators has changed as well. These days, influencers aren’t just sharing photos of campfires, remote trails and fancy rigs. They’re building multi-platform media businesses that can influence thousands—and sometimes millions—of potential buyers. As more brands invest in the overland industry, the questions become sharper: Who’s worth partnering with? What makes an influencer…

The passing of Malcolm Smith last November, a seismic event in the off-road world and motorcycle community, was followed by expressions of heartbreak and gratitude among his many friends, fellow racers and customers. He was 83. To many, he had seemed immortal. Born in 1941 in British Columbia, Canada, he moved to San Bernardino, California, at a young age and grew up riding in the local hills. He was a regular kid, but with a competitive streak and a love for the sense of freedom riding brought. Over the years he developed a rare skill and an inspirational presence in racing circles, and in the off-road marketplace—a presence that lasts to this day. As a racer, the list of accolades and accomplishments is long and glorious—six-time winner of the Baja…

PARETO POINT INDUSTRIES FILTERPUCK paretopoint.com FilterPuck is a complementary magnetic filtration system positioned between your engine and spin-on oil filter that uses powerful neodymium magnets to attract dangerous ferrous debris, a primary cause of engine wear. This debris is held in a “quiet” zone, protected from oil surges and reinjection, and can easily be inspected after racing or off-roading. ICON VEHICLE DYNAMICS ’24 TACOMA 1.25–3 IN. STAGE 14 SUSPEN-SION SYSTEM BILLET WITH SKID PLATES iconvehicledynamics.com The ICON ’24 Toyota Tacoma Suspension System offers maximum suspension performance with 1.25–3 in. of front lift adjustment and .5-in. of rear lift and drivetrain protection. Featuring 2.5 Series shock absorbers with dual compression damping adjustment via CDXS, a full set of billet control arms, triple-rate rear springs and ICON Impact skid plates. MILE MARKER…

A new band of builders are readying their project vehicles to take the stage at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas for the ultimate car-building competition: Battle of the Builders (BOTB) Presented by Mothers Polish. The annual competition sets out to find the most well-built and innovative vehicles in the automotive aftermarket across four unique categories: 4 Wheel Drive & Off-Road; Hot Rod & Hot Rod Truck; Sport Compact, Import Performance, Luxury & Exotic; and Young Guns (contestants 29 and under). In the short period leading up to the SEMA Show, a six-judge panel comprised of industry leaders will narrow the field from hundreds of vehicles to 40—10 from each category—which will be announced on the first day of Show Week at the BOTB stage in North Hall. As…

…IT’S NO WONDER THE USE OF WEBINARS TO REACH OUT TO CUSTOMERS AND CLOSE DEALS IS SKYROCKETING. Given that most people these days are walking around with a video-player (smartphone) in their pocket, it’s no wonder the use of webinars to reach out to customers and close deals is skyrocketing. Observes Akshay Birje, web content writer, Airmeet, a digital live event services provider: “Webinars are the most widely used event format in the corporate world. Whether you aim to deliver educational content on a specific topic or demonstrate the offerings of your brand, a webinar is a super-effective format that allows you to connect and engage with potential audiences.” Here are the top 10 ways to ensure that your company’s webinar wows, wins and converts… • Verify You’ve Got the…

As the summer season slowly comes to an end, the automotive aftermarket prepares for its next big adventure, the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The best outcomes for any endeavor come with a well-thought-out plan, and despite the Show beginning on November 4 (and running through November 7), planning has been ongoing for many exhibitors. Elements such as booth layout, marketing and show strategies are planned, built, reviewed and revised by companies to ensure they are doing everything possible to maximize their return on investment (ROI) while exhibiting in Vegas. SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso and SEMA Trade Show Director Andy Tompkins believe a good plan is critical to success. There are numerous factors and variables to consider when planning for the Show, which will affect how a…

As we approach the 2025 SEMA Show (November 4–7 in Las Vegas), everyone is trying to discern what the aftermarket tea leaves portend for 2026. What will the industry do? What trends will be hot (or not)? Since, as they say, past is prologue, we’ve checked in with people at a variety of businesses for their takes on some of the more notable trends carrying us into the new year. Additionally, we asked how some of the ongoing economic policies of the current presidential administration continue to impact the specialty-automotive aftermarket. “WE WILL PROBABLY SEE SOME PRICING GO UP DUE TO SUPPLY AND DEMAND BUT NOT AS SIGNIFICANTLY AS THOSE WHO SELL PURELY IMPORTED PRODUCTS.” ONGOING ECONOMIC CONCERNS When asked about the net effect of tariffs, specifically from a distributor…

STATE UPDATE NEW YORK—INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES: New York State Assemblymember John McDonald introduced a SEMA-supported bill to postpone implementation of California’s Advanced Clean Cars (ACC) II regulations, specifically to delay the enforcement of electric vehicle (EV) sales requirements. However, the bill is moot, as SEMA succeeded in its three-year-long effort when President Trump signed a Congressional Review Act resolution revoking California’s Clean Air Act waiver to implement ACC II (more on p. 122). NEW YORK—TINTED VEHICLES: As of June, a bill is making its way through the New York Senate that would update vehicle window tinting laws by reducing the required light transmittance from 70% to 50% for side and rear windows. It also introduces a ±7% measurement tolerance during inspections, offering enforcement flexibility. Safety inspection rules will be updated to…