Press Release

SEMA Congressional Visit to Hillbank & Superformance in Irvine, California
- Friday January 16th 2010

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and U.S. Rep. John Campbell (R-CA, 48th District) recently visited Hillbank Motor Corporation and Superformance in Irvine, California, retailer and distributor of name-brand and genuine aftermarket American Muscle performance parts & accessories, as well as street legal Superformance Cobras, Shelby Cobras, Daytona Coupes and GT40’s from the 1960’s.

Both Hillbank and Superformance are long time clients of the firm, with Lance Stander.

Neil Klein attended the visit and subsequent round table discussion, which included an update on hot topics in Washington D.C. (like the state of the U.S. economy and health care) and a plan to introduce a “Small Volume Vehicle Certification Program” in the U.S.

SEMA is seeking to establish a low volume certification program that would distinguish between manufacturers of mass-produced cars versus those that build 1,000 or less vehicles per year. This will allow small specialty manufacturers, component car builders and custom vehicle manufacturers such as Hillbank and Superformance, to produce completed vehicles to a less stringent standard than those imposed on large manufacturers. Since current legislation requires low volume vehicle manufacturers to comply with the same costly federal safety and emissions regulations as, for example, Ford and General Motors, the prohibitively high cost means Hillbank and Superformance cannot compete – which in turn deprives customers of their cars of choice.

The purpose of this program, as outlined by Congressman Campbell (a self professed “car enthusiast,” former auto dealer and owner of more than 2 dozen vintage and restored vehicles), would be to stimulate the economy by supporting small business innovations, as well as specialty car builders and manufacturers. He pointed out that similar programs have been used effectively in the U.K. and Europe for many years.

Let’s hope the Program becomes a reality soon.