Today, the Department of War spends tens of billions annually to sustain its fleet of more than 420,000 vehicles--but outdated restrictions often prevent it from working with the small- and mid-sized American businesses best equipped to do the job. The Warrior Right to Repair Act would fix that, unlocking new opportunities for manufacturers, suppliers and specialty-equipment companies to compete for defense sustainment contracts.

For SEMA members, the benefits are clear: new revenue streams, long-term business stability and the ability to apply aftermarket innovation to strengthen national defense. For the military, it means faster repairs, greater readiness and lower costs for taxpayers.
Recent global conflicts have shown the critical role small, adaptable manufacturers play in keeping vehicles mission ready. From heavy trucks to off-road utility vehicles, the ability to rapidly fabricate, retrofit and repair equipment can determine readiness on the ground. America`s small businesses and the automotive aftermarket are ready to fill that role here at home.

The Warrior Right to Repair Act ensures that the Department of War--and the businesses that support it--can repair, maintain, and modernize equipment without unnecessary barriers.

BREAKING: SEMA Backs `Warrior Right to Repair` Act. The bill ensures that the Department of War--and the businesses that support it--can repair, maintain, and modernize equipment without unnecessary barriers.

@semaactionnetwork has the links to take action in their bio.

#righttorepair #sema #army #unitedstates #military

A bill that would have been the first expansion of smog exemptions in California since 2004 has stalled in the State Assembly and will not be voted on in 2025.

Under California law, cars made after 1975 are not considered classics, and the definition has been essentially frozen since the Bush administration.

#leno #california #politics #semashow #classiccars

New survey by The Harris Poll shows need and support for more Americans to enter the skilled trades - but Gen Z isn`t feeling it yet. How can we work to change the perception and fill much-needed jobs?

#poll #skilledtrade #manufacturing #sema

ICYMI - this summer @myprishow released a groundbreaking study that demonstrated the economic impacts of motorsports - supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Performance Racing Industry (PRI) recently announced motorsports legend Mario Andretti will be kicking off their annual show in Indianapolis this December.

The world’s largest gathering of motorsports professionals, the PRI Show brings together 1,100 exhibiting companies with 40,000 attendees from all 50 states and 70 countries. Every December, the three-day Show happens in the heart of the racing industry in Indianapolis.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 26, 2025) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), the leading organization for the automotive aftermarket industry, today announced the acquisition of the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA), a leading a 501(c)(6) organization dedicated to representing businesses and professionals in the off-road and powersports industries (motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides, snowmobiles).

Off-road products and services are the largest and fastest-growing segment of the automotive aftermarket industry. This acquisition enhances SEMA’s ability to support the advocacy and business needs of the off-road and powersports communities and the innovators who sell their products to millions of enthusiasts nationwide.

“Today is a great day for off-road and powersports enthusiasts and the businesses who cater to them, because it further unifies efforts to advocate in Washington, D.C., and statehouses nationwide on their behalf,” said SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola. “By acquiring ORBA, SEMA further unifies our shared efforts to preserve motorized access to our nation’s open spaces and secure policies that strike a tenable balance between land use and conservation. SEMA has sought ways for our Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) to work more closely with ORBA, out of an immense respect and appreciation for their work and the individuals whose blood, sweat, and tears over the decades gave a voice to businesses and enthusiasts in the off-road and powersports communities. By bringing ORBA under the SEMA banner, we’re scaling up our ability to speak on behalf of the off-road and powersports communities and further extending ORBA’s legacy of service to our industry and enthusiasts.”

“ORBA was formed to bring the added resources to support the off-road Industry through business acumen and advocacy, and by directly joining forces with SEMA, this industry will remain at the table on the important issues affecting motorized access to public lands, protecting the right to modify, race, and other important issues to the off-road community,” said ORBA CEO Fred Wiley.

The proposed Cheyenne law on automotive noise levels would increase fines and potentially jail time for offenders. The law`s ambiguity means that judgement would be based on the officer`s observation.

#Cheyenne #aftermarket #SEMA #wyoming #semashow

With safety concerns front of mind, SEMA is urging the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Congress to take a long, unflinching look at how the federal government can deliver advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) policies and guidelines that account for the needs of vehicle owners and the aftermarket amid the rapid, unparalleled advance of vehicle safety technology.

Aftermarket companies manufacture, sell, and service popular and widely used products like vehicle wraps, lift kits, bike racks, bumpers, winches and sideview mirrors, which must operate harmoniously with the technology automakers employ to support ADAS features on modern vehicles and thus ensure safety systems continue to operate as intended for the full lifecycle of a vehicle. As a result, correct calibration and recalibration of safety systems are core concerns for maintaining driver and passenger safety after these common modifications are made.

SEMA`s letter is in response to a USDOT request for information on the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization bill, commonly known as "the highway bill." SEMA focuses on federal policies that would deliver the transparency needed to ensure specialty aftermarket businesses have the information needed to modify, customize and work on vehicles with ADAS safely. SEMA is requesting that USDOT and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) work with Congress to craft a highway bill that addresses the following through rulemaking and the issuance of guidance and industry requirements:

1) Establish modification ranges and tolerances for new vehicles.
2) Develop guidelines that ensure proper calibration of ADAS and create neutral validation protocols.
3) Create either a visible diagnostic indicator to determine ADAS operational status or an electronic diagnostic indicator for ADAS status.
4) Require that automakers make full lifecycle support for ADAS achievable.
5) Provide full access to Vehicle Dynamic Systems and the data needed to maintain compliance and functionality.