TMCP #617: Mike Spagnola – The End of the EV Mandate, What Tarriffs (Might) Do To Prices, and Paving a Future for Next Generation Gear Heads!

FEATURE INTERVIEW

Mike Spagnola – SEMA:

This week I spoke once again to Mike Spagnola, President and CEO of SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association). In that first meeting I found out that Mike is very passionate about the automotive industry and wants to create a future where everyone can enjoy what they love to do. He spends a lot of time working against misguided legislations that would cripple our classic and racing vehicles and one glance through his social media shows he has put on the miles to do so.

The last year I talked to Mike in Episode 574 we talked about the state of the automotive industry at that time. Back in April of 2024, it was a very different outlook for the industry and one that was very bleak. The government was forcing an automotive point of view that was not acceptable to those who love internal combustion engines and can appreciate the complete architecture of our transportation system today. At the time there was a massive push to eliminate ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles in a very short period of time. This caused manufacturers to start dismantling production facilities of these vehicles and start to move towards a 100% electric future almost zero options. American was born on innovation and there are many alternatives to powering vehicles and various alternative fuels if the future is left open to creative thinking. Mike at the helm of SEMA worked very hard to support legislation or repeal existing bills that would squash that innovative mindset.

With the new administration in office Mike and his team was able to work with the President to repeal the mandates and get America back on track to create a new future. He was able to be in Washington when the bill was signed officially repealing the California EV mandates once and for all. Mike said it was a true honor to be invited and to have SEMA’s work on this issue recognized. He also pointed out that this is not a bill that just goes away with the next president, it is a permanent bill that will give some stability to the automotive manufacturers.

SEMA is still leading into the future and is working on the mobility legislation. In 2029 there are many features that will be mandatory such as lane departure and automatic braking that are life saving features in standard driving situations. What if they are applied in non standard driving situations, can they be turned off so the driver can use what they purchased in racing, off road or other scenarios? Mike and SEMA are asking these questions not only in the USA but around the world as well.

SEMA is a non profit that turns every dime they make back into the industry and fighting for the future of our hobby and our rights to use our vehicles and our property well into the future. If you would like to learn more you can check out www.sema.org or find out about the 2025 show at www.semashow.com. If you would like to find out more about what Mike is doing you can check out his social posts at Instagram.com/spagssr.

In his “spare time” Mike enjoys what he always has; family and racing! He and his sons love building and racing Datsuns, and his sons are competitive racers in the INEX Legends car series. They’ll be racing against Kyle Busch in their season finale in Las Vegas!