Despite projected growth, electric and hybrid powertrains currently represent only a small niche market for automakers and the specialty-equipment industry. Sales of alternative power vehicles, while currently representing just 5% of all U.S. light vehicle sales today, are expected to reach 45% by 2035, according to new SEMA market research. Eighteen of the top 20 […]
Aftermarket Groups Praise FTC Nixing the Fix Report
The Auto Care Association, along with six other aftermarket trade groups, sent a letter to the new chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on June 30 expressing appreciation to the FTC for findings and conclusions of the recently released report entitled “Nixing the Fix: An FTC Report to Congress on Repair Restrictions.” The report […]
NADA and SEMA Among Groups Raising Concerns on California Gas-Powered Car Phaseout
Both the National Automobile Dealers Association and the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) raised concerns with the announcement last week of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order to require all new vehicles to emit zero-emissions by 2035. The California New Car Dealers Association and Alliance of Automotive Innovators had previously raised concerns about the impact […]
SEMA Says Two-Thirds of Specialty Aftermarket Continues to Operate
Associations still planning at this time to hold November SEMA Show in Las Vegas. According to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) the majority of businesses in the specialty automotive industry continues to operate during the coronavirus pandemic. Even with “shelter in place” rules in effect in many states, more than two-thirds of industry businesses […]
Automotive Repair and Business Groups Call on States for Consistency on Essential Business Designations
Business groups ask states to follow federal guidance on essential business and critical infrastructure to eliminate confusion and supply chain disruptions. Separately, a national group of business associations and a group of automotive repair and supplier associations sent letters to state leaders calling for consistent application of essential business designations based upon guidance provided by […]
Final Rule on Automotive Software Copyright Protection Exemption Excludes Repair Industry
Final rule by the Library of Congress gives consumers the ability to circumvent copyright protection on vehicle software, but excludes third-parties. Repair industry groups concerned it could impact independent repair facilities. The Library of Congress published its final rule on the Exemption to Prohibition on Circumvention of Copyright Protection Systems for Access Control Technologies in […]