The International Auto Salon show hosted by SEMA, Specialty Equipment Market Association, has been an icon in the automotive trade show scene for four years running. With the ever-increasing popularity of the sport compact car market and widespread youth automotive trends taking the world by storm, the good people at SEMA responded to the growing demands in the market by introducing a trade and consumer show called International Auto Salon, dedicated to strictly sport compact cars. IAS once again took to the stage in the land of glitz and glamour, otherwise known as the Los Angeles Convention Center, from April 2-4, packing three days of cars, automotive parts and smoking models into one gigantic playground. The IAS is known to many as the "Mini SEMA," where media, consumers and fellow manufacturers can talk one-on-one with representatives about products, or be the first to catch a glimpse of a developmental part or project cars that have yet to be unveiled to the general public.
By now we've heard all the complaints coming from the enthusiasts on the East coast that all the good shows and events only take place in the West. Well, to the good old folks of Jersey, it's time to dry those misty eyes. The International Auto Salon (IAS) packs up its bags and makes the trek from LA to New Jersey's Atlantic City Convention Center on May 21-23 of this year. If by chance you missed out this time around, be sure to mark your calendars in anticipation for next year's show.
 |  After another failed attempt...  After another failed attempt to sweet talk Sasha with some cheesy pickup lines, the import goddess informed us the "Roja" booth planned to setup gogo boxes the following day for Sasha to perform her seductive dancing. |  If you manage to take your...  If you manage to take your eyes off the hot model long enough, you'd notice in the background a variety of swivel mount gauge clusters. Combining a one-piece steering column bracket molded to dual swivel mount pods for either 56mm or 60mm gauges, the driver has the ability to rotate the pods in either direction to his or her liking. |
 |  |  AEBS of San Diego, Calif.,...  AEBS of San Diego, Calif., debuts a stroker kit for the VQ35DE. Punching out the displacement to a whopping 4.3 liter, this stroker kit uses their popular solid deck "T-sleeves" and 9325 90mm billet crank. |
 If hot cars weren't enough...  If hot cars weren't enough to quench your palettes, import models Courtney Day and Mary Jane Castillo provided additional eye candy sporting the ever-popular schoolgirl outfits. |  On hand in the HKS booth was...  On hand in the HKS booth was a full mockup of a cockpit alongside a custom sequential transmission. |  Oh, check out them luscious...  Oh, check out them luscious lips! Down boy! |
 AEM recently added a series...  AEM recently added a series of Subaru WRX products to their lineup. A full range of products include a down pipe, EMS fuel management and exhaust system to name a few. |  It's nice to see some of the...  It's nice to see some of the older vehicles still on display. This sweet looking FC3S sports a GP Sports body kit. |  |
 |  U.S. drifting superstars Ernie...  U.S. drifting superstars Ernie Fixmer and Ken Gushi were on hand in the Yokohama booth to sign autographs and take pictures with their fans. |  One of five finalists in the...  One of five finalists in the Recaro "design your seat contest" was prominently displayed at the Recaro booth. |
 |  |  It's apparent the 350Z is...  It's apparent the 350Z is one of the hottest performance cars in the import market today, as ARC (Abbey Road Connection) introduces the LSD oil cooler for the Nissan 350Z. |
 2NR wants to congratulate...  2NR wants to congratulate the winner of the Project Hankook Civic giveaway. Jose Santoyo was all smiles as he received the keys to his supercharged Civic. |  |  |
 Sick is an understatement...  Sick is an understatement when we talk about the Five Axis Scion XB. This chop top, wide-bodied Scion was built with a motorized sliding rear trunk to unveil a complete DJ booth to spin the ones and twos. |  The Primedia booth was busy...  The Primedia booth was busy throughout the day as our 2003 Import Tuner model search winner Kallie Nicole was on hand to sign autographed copies of her May cover issue. | |