As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for high-octane automotive action, I have to say that this year’s SEMA show was nothing short of a visual feast. With over three decades of gaming under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of virtual rides, but nothing quite compares to the raw power and precision engineering on display at SEMA.
The annual Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) show, which takes place in Las Vegas, has recently concluded. We had the opportunity to see some incredible vehicle builds. While some were subtler and less flashy, others certainly stole the spotlight compared to typical C&C automobiles.
This year’s exhibition attracted more than 160,000 attendees and boasted an impressive number of vendors and exhibitors. With approximately 1.6 million square feet dedicated to booths, the event covered a staggering 3 million square feet of the campus, as stated by president Mike Spagnola. He further described the show as being fueled by passion, showcasing a wide array of cutting-edge items, effectively encompassing almost every aspect of the industry. Moreover, SEMA has recently dethroned CES (Consumer Electronics Show) to become the largest exhibition in Las Vegas.
2024 marked the second year that SEMA, traditionally a venue for companies to display their cutting-edge products and inventions, welcomed the general public, thereby amplifying the excitement and inspiration for consumers seeking fresh ideas for their projects. When asked about the reasoning behind this change, the response was lighthearted, “Well, people have been sneaking in anyway, (chuckles) so we decided to make it official.” The shift towards a more consumer-centric market was cited as the primary motivation, with companies seeking not only distribution but also brand recognition among consumers. With initial ticket sales limited to 15,000, Spagnola hinted at potential future expansion of this number following these first two years of experimenting with public attendance.
If you had managed to attend this year, you would have been treated to an expected array of some of the finest tuned and customized vehicles on this part of the globe. A few patterns we observed included a significant rise in restomod projects, such as the Built by Legends Skyline R34 GT-R grabbing the spotlight, along with a heightened emphasis on motorsport heritage references, exemplified by Toyota’s captivating GR86 Rally concept inspired by the “Celica GT Four”. The Treadpass exhibition by Toyo Tires continued to be one of our favorites, featuring an extensive collection of show cars spanning various eras and origins, from vintage to German, JDM, and even British builds, all meticulously crafted. A divisive Miata powered by Lamborghini also gained viral attention, as well as the awe-inspiring Ringbrothers’ Buick Grand National transformation that undoubtedly stole the show.
Check out just a selection of our favorite cars from the show.
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2024-11-09 17:26