What happens in Vegas doesn't necessarily have to stay in Vegas. Some things are too good to keep to ourselves, like the annual SEMA Show held every November where car enthusiasts, consumers, manufacturers, and models pour in by way of planes and automobiles to the Las Vegas Convention Center. This year's trade exhibition served as the stomping ground for a week filled with seminars, business acquisitions, and booths displaying the newest products for the aftermarket industry. It's hard to imagine that 47 years ago, only a handful of automotive manufacturers in the hot rod scene organized their first trade show called "Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association" (SEMA) at the Disneyland Hotel. Today, the SEMA Show has established itself as the premier automotive trade show and is every enthusiast's dream event, with aftermarket manufacturers from every part of the spectrum on hand to unveil all their brand-new products to the market.
This year's show sent a strong message to any doubters that felt the automotive industry was still in the midst of the economic decline that began in 2008. Proving them wrong was the impressive showing of more than 100,000 domestic and international visitors who converged at the 2010 SEMA Show to witness the hottest products the industry has to offer.
Something that we looked forward to were the debuts of the much talked about race cars that have been under construction in the months leading up to this huge industry gathering. This year saw a strong showing of tuner inspired cars including over a dozen '11 Honda CR-Zs and Scion TCs shod in everything from turbochargers to fully race-prepped builds, which drew appreciation from both import and domestic enthusiasts alike. Bisi Ezerioha of Bisimoto Engineering stole the show with his 533hp turbocharged CR-Z quarter-mile drag machine, complete with parachute and full rollcage, while Greddy and Team Hybrid's time-attack themed Scion TC offered a promising outlook on the recently debuted car that offered a perspective on this vehicle's tuneability.
If you missed this year's SEMA Show be sure check out next year's event which promises to be bigger and better than ever. Until next year, I'll be resting my feet, eagerly awaiting next year's show.
Senior Editor
Scott Tsuneishi
scott@importtuner.com