SEMA Works with California Officials to Resolve Hot Rod Titling and Registration Dilemma

DIAMOND BAR, Calif.--April 5, 2005--SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, is working with officials from the California Attorney General's office to seek a reasonable solution to California's motor vehicle registration and titling process so that specialty vehicles, including street rods, kit cars and replicas, can become properly registered and titled in the state.

California's convoluted vehicle registration laws have created confusion among state hobbyists and those charged with applying these laws at the ground level. The result has been that certain hobbyist vehicles may be erroneously titled or registered. There are divergent opinions among hot rod industry sources and state officials regarding how many vehicles have been mistitled.

"We agree that we need to find an equitable solution that provides vehicle owners a reasonable period of time to voluntarily retitle their vehicles and pay appropriate fees," said Corky Coker, SEMA's chairman and president of Coker Tire Co. "That solution must contain practical requirements for those who participate in a retitling program. In addition, we must develop provisions that will accommodate new vehicles being built today for future titling and registration."

SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963, represents the $29 billion specialty automotive industry of 5,727 member companies. It is the authoritative source for research, data, trends and market growth information for automakers and the specialty auto products industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger and recreational vehicles. For more information Google SEMA.