A new partnership between two major auto industry organizations is poised to change the way Americans buy, rent, operate, accessorize and repair their vehicles. The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), a non-profit global governing body for motorsports, has accepted the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) as a full member to represent the U.S.
The working agreement is designed to give an amplified voice to the auto industry, which has a $337 billion annual impact, in the country.
“This alliance unites two powerful forces. SEMA’s deep connection to American car culture and the FIA’s global leadership in mobility and safety. Together, we are shaping US transportation policy to better serve everyday consumers. As decisions are made at both national and international levels about the future of mobility, we’re at the table to ensure the voice of real car owners is heard, championing innovation, safety, personal freedom, and sustainable growth through thought leadership and global best practice,” Willem Groenewald, FIA secretary general for mobility, told Newsweek.
There are five areas the partnership has eyed to impact: safer vehicles, a unified voice, aftermarket freedom of choice, economic opportunity and protecting motoring heritage.
In its crosshairs are real world applications for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). “As cars are increasingly equipped with ADAS, and globally we are seeing a clear advancement in autonomous vehicles, having both SEMA and the FIA at the table ensures that safety standards reflect real-world driving needs, not just abstract regulations. Safer, more reliable systems that are driver focused, with both organizations working as independent consumer champions,” Groenewald said.
When it comes to rulemaking, the partnership is expected to be particularly fruitful. “The combined credibility of SEMA and FIA will help ensure we have a seat at the table for these discussions, particularly as discussions kick off to reauthorize the Federal Highway Bill. That bill will have major implications to transportation policy, with particular focus on mandated technology in new vehicles,” Karen Bailey-Chapman, SEMA’s senior vice president for public and government affairs, said.
Bailey-Chapman used the example of the recent passage of a law in California to show the might of the partnership. “We’re also already seeing the impact of this relationship in California, where FIA submitted a letter of support for Leno’s Law (SB 712), which seeks to preserve California’s rich automotive history by exempting vehicles 35 years or older from the state’s stringent smog check requirements, ensuring that these iconic cars remain on the road and remain a part of California’s cultural identity when entered into private vehicle collections.”
“With less than one percent of vehicles in the state eligible under this law, the environmental impact would be negligible, yet this is a key step in protecting historic vehicles and aligning with legislation cross-globally,” Groenewald added.
The partnership intends to make the drivers of today and tomorrow in focus, to be their voice and advocates. “Drivers need someone in their corner who can speak to their needs as vehicle owners, and that’s a role that SEMA and FIA have played for years. It can be seen in how closely aligned our organizations are on issues like preserving automotive culture, of finding ways to embrace and foster new automotive technologies and innovation in a practical way, and in preserving the rights of families and businesses to choose the vehicles that are best for them,” Bailey-Chapman said.
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