It’s one thing to have one of the largest automotive accessory shows in the world happening in Las Vegas. But to have two happening at the same time is totally indescribable.
SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) occupied the entire Las Vegas Convention Center—we’re talking about every nook and cranny of the building plus the parking lots—with vehicles, displays and events. It brings together product manufacturers and buyers in such a way as to showcase the latest technology and explore future expansions of industry markets.
AAPEX (a joint venture with the Auto Care Association and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association) consumes the Sands Expo Center about a mile south of the Las Vegas Convention Center. It represents a $740 billion global automotive aftermarket industry.
In a nutshell, SEMA is for the specialized, hard-core builders of performance vehicles and AAPEX is for owners of retail automotive stores. But there is a significant crossover between both the buyers and the manufacturers, with many splitting time with both shows.
Lost In Displays
SEMA is not an easy show to navigate. Since it occupies so many different sections of the Convention Center, there’s not a clear, logical path to work your way through the displays. We’re talking a facility that is multi-dimensional and multi-level. Even with maps throughout the facility, you were never really sure where you were. There was a north hall, south hall, central hall, south hall upper level, skyridge, silver lot, pavilion, annex … you get the idea.
For the editors of Diesel Tech Magazine, we were trying to cut through all the car and street rod stuff and focus in on the diesel trucks. But since we’re typical motorheads, it was easy to get distracted with all the cool stuff, regardless of the type of vehicles.
If you were trying to find something specific, you could usually hone in on a certain hall and locate it within a reasonable search time (although it took me three days to find the Nissan booth).
If you just chose to meander through the displays, you could discover multiple gems which offered interesting and unique products.
If you goal was to see everything … well, that wasn’t going to happen.
Truck Builds
Being in Vegas, the weather in November was perfect. So it was nice to take an occasional break and wander outside where all the vehicle builds were on display. And when it came to diesel trucks, we certainly weren’t disappointed.
Just like the hectic logistics inside, there was not just one location to find diesel trucks as you wandered around the grounds. But that gave you an opportunity to see a lot of unique builds.
Some truck builds were definitely for the show—the kind of truck that’s pretty to look at but you would never dare taking it out for a drive. Other trucks, though custom built and classy, look like the daily drivers of many of the readers of Diesel Tech Magazine.
We took special note of several vehicles and will do follow-up features in future issues of Diesel Tech where we can go into detail on each truck and its features.
SEMA Facts
The first SEMA show began in 1967. And from its meager beginnings, it has grown into a multi-million dollar event that attracts people and businesses from all around the world. Products featured in the SEMA Show include those that enhance the styling, functionality, comfort, convenience and safety of cars and trucks. SEMA represents a $43 billion automotive specialty equipment industry.
About 50,000 targeted buyers are expected to attend both the SEMA and AAPEX shows with 135 countries represented.
SEMA Awards
During the week-long activities, SEMA announced multiple award winners. There are awards given to both individuals and innovative products. The SEMA vehicle awards went to:
Car of the Year: Ford Mustang
Truck of the Year: Ford F-Series
4x4/SUV of the Year: Jeep Wrangler
Sport Compact of the Year: Ford Focus
Powersports Vehicle of the Year: Polaris RZR Turbo S
Other notable awards were presented to:
Merchandising Display Winner: Dee Zee Inc., Rotary Running Board Display
Off-Road Product Winner: Rancho/DynoMax, Rancho JL Wrangler Sport Suspension System
Powersports Product Winner: Warn Industries Inc., VRX 45-S
Tire and Related Product Winner: Cooper Tire, Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S
Wheel and Related Product Winner: Wheel Pros, Asanti Wheels AB-816
SEMA Person of the Year: Melanie Hellwig-White - President, Hellwig Suspension Products
SEMA Rep Agency of the Year: Bob Cook Sales
Overall Winner, Battle of the Builders: Kyle Tucker, 1969 Chevy Camaro
Truck/Off-Road: Eddie Pettus, 1932 Willys Aircraft Refueling Truck
Young Guns: Kyle Kuhnhausen, 1972 Nissan 240z
Influencers of the Year: Truck U, Matt Steele and Bruno Massel
Best New Product Under $500: DeeZee Inc., Hex Series Side Steps
Best New Product Over $500: CargoGlide, Truck WallSlide