SEMA Auto Show

Since 1963, the Specialty Equipment Market Association has been putting on an aftermarket trade show that has gotten bigger and bigger every year since its inception nearly four decades ago. Once known as the Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association, SEMA is the granddaddy of all automotive aftermarket trade shows in this country.

Since 1992, the show has evolved into much more than just a place to ooh and ahh over go-fast bits like cylinder heads, superchargers and camshafts. Today, the SEMA show is on the radar map for the automakers as well. While big American nameplates like Chevrolet and Ford have had displays at SEMA for quite a while, recent years have seen the addition of a number of other automakers, mainly those from Japan and Korea. While the big German makes like Mercedes-Benz and BMW have yet to show their wares at SEMA, we predict that many automakers that didn't attend the show this year will be there within the next five years.

For now, though, we can say that the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) presence at SEMA has more than doubled compared to last year, as the Big Three were joined by no less than eight other automakers, many of whom regard SEMA as an event on par with most of the major auto shows. Press conferences and model intros are common for several of the displaying automakers.

The final tally of carmakers with booths at the show included 11 nameplates and many more if you include all the divisions of the parent companies. While some of the OE booths were relatively small, these 11 had at least some presence at the show. The Detroit contingent included General Motors (with vehicles from all divisions including C hevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, Cadillac, GMC Truck and Saturn), Ford (including Lincoln Mercury and Mazda), and DaimlerChrysler (mainly Dodge). Also in attendance were Honda (including Acura), Nissan, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Isuzu, Subaru, Panoz and Hyundai. With five of the 11 nameplates on hand showing notable concepts or upcoming production models (among those multiple thousands of aftermarket firms), we've got plenty to show you from GM, Ford, Dodge, Honda and Toyota in the way of cool concepts and vehicles that are slated for production.

The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show is truly unique among car shows. For one, it's not open to the public. The SEMA show is for members of the trade only, so unless you build, sell or are in some way associated with the aftermarket auto parts and accessories industry you can't go. That restriction doesn't limit the attendance, however, as the SEMA auto show floor looks about as crowded as any of the big city shows.

Of course, that could have something to do with its location. Held in Las Vegas at the end of October or early November, the SEMA show has more than its share of post-show "business meetings." SEMA is also known for what could best be called a "casual" dress code. With thinly attired models at just about every show stand, the SEMA auto show makes the Paris Motor Show look like a nunnery.

One place where you won't find the bikini models hanging out is at the displays sponsored by the big car manufacturers. Although the SEMA show is intended as a showcase for the latest aftermarket auto parts and accessories, its popularity in the last decade has caught the interest of the OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers). General Motors now shows up with no less than a dozen fully customized cars and trucks while Ford stakes out plenty of space and does the same. Chrysler goes so far as to create its own on-site "speed shop" to showcase its latest SRT vehicles along with factory-built parts and accessories. There's plenty of interest from the imports, too, making the SEMA show an unofficial international auto show.

Aside from the factory support, the SEMA auto show stands out because of the almost limitless number of small companies that come to Vegas to show off their latest new products. With over 1 million feet of floor space, just walking the floor to see it all takes at least a day or two. There are dozens of aisles of wheels, exhaust systems, body kits, audio systems, and numerous other aftermarket auto parts. If it can be bolted, glued or suction-cupped onto your car, you'll not only find it at the SEMA show, it will be available in five different colors.

At the 2004 SEMA auto show, there were several notable production cars that made their world debuts. The 2005 Acura RL A-SPEC showed what you could do to Acura's top-of-the-line luxury sedan if performance was your priority. The kit consisted of a larger tire combo along with a revised suspension designed to tighten up the RL's somewhat soft handling. Nissan brought out two new models important to the aftermarket industry. The 2005 350Z Anniversary Edition commemorated one of Nissan's most tuned products ever with a little extra horsepower and unique 18-inch wheels. The 2005 Nissan Frontier NISMO gives off-road truck fans all the best parts right from the factory like a locking rear differential, Bilstein shocks and underbody skid plates.

Other interesting vehicles on display at the 2004 SEMA show included the Subaru Project STi, Subaru SPT Impreza WRX concept and Volvo V50 SV concept. The Subaru vehicles were basically two different sides of the aftermarket coin. The Project STi was the mild side while the SPT Impreza shows what can happen when you start adding parts and never stop. The Volvo SV concept was a factory-built hot rod that started with an unusual base car. With 340 horsepower and a tough stance, it was one of the cleanest cars on the show floor. Last but not least were Mitsubishi's Ralliart show concepts. The Endeavor Ralliart rode on 20s, packed 260 hp and glistened with a paint job that probably cost as much as the whole SUV. The Galant Ralliart packed the same 260-hp V6 along with a six-speed manual transmission and 19-inch wheels and tires.

SEMA is the auto industry’s largest trade show and the Factory Five team used the chance to show off a host of exciting project cars we’ve been working on. Since this years’ show ended the day before the FFR Nationals the FFR team brought a huge variety of cars and concepts to gauge customer feedback as well as show the auto industry insiders our best.

The biggest news was obviously the new GTM supercar concept. The SEMA show was the first time the outside world got a glimpse of this newest FFR design. In order to show folks the entire concept, we brought a painted and prepped concept car along with a sample of the rolling chassis to highlight the suspension and chassis underpinnings. The C-5 Corvette engine and other donor parts were clearly identified.

Feedback was universally positive with the biggest question being the price. At this time the price for the kit is not established, but we will have a much better idea as the concept goes thru functional testing and the final configuration of the car is determined.

With the spotlight focused on the Roush Coupe and GTM, some folks almost missed the little roadster in the back of the booth that had a 4.6 engine stuffed into its engine bay. The prototype Mk III roadster was displayed.

The cool news about the new design (scheduled for release in 2004) is that parts from a later model mustang can now be used (as opposed to 1987-93 only). These parts include the great 4.6L DOHC engines from the newer Ford Mustangs. Now if you have a 1987 to 2002 Mustang all you need is our kit and you’re ready to start building.