By Ashley Reyes
Manufacturers are at the heart of innovation in the automotive aftermarket. That's why SEMA makes it a point every year to recognize an outstanding business with its Manufacturer of the Year Award. Nominate today for 2026.
Presented at the SEMA Show, the Manufacturer of the Year Award honors an automotive aftermarket manufacturer that has not only produced high-quality, innovative products, but also demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting their customers and the industry at large.
To be considered, contributions must have occurred corresponding with the SEMA fiscal year, July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, and the manufacturing company must be from the automotive aftermarket industry.
What Defines an Award-Worthy Manufacturer
- Excellence in product development, responsiveness to market trends and meaningful engagement with channel partners, builders, media and end users.
- Influence that extends beyond production, e.g. shaping the future of the industry by investing in education, fostering collaboration and supporting the growth of the broader aftermarket ecosystem.
- Active participation in SEMA programs, events and initiatives.
- Demonstration of leadership, values and a forward-thinking approach that moves the automotive aftermarket forward.
Know a manufacturer whose contributions raised the bar during the past year? Submit your nomination before the Friday, August 14, deadline at sema.org/awards.
SEMA is also accepting nominations for other industry awards, including Channel Partner of the Year, Content Creator of the Year, Person of the Year and the Visionary 8.
2026 SEMA Show to Celebrate the Industry's Best
The SEMA Show festivities shift into gear on Tuesday, November 3, with the Kickoff Breakfast, where 15 products will be recognized with New Product Awards alongside top honors for Channel Partner of the Year and Manufacturer of the Year.
On Thursday, November 5, the highly anticipated Visionary 8 and SEMA's Best Engineered Vehicle of the Year winner will be announced live at SEMA Central. The momentum will continue during the SEMA Industry Honors, celebrated at the iconic Fontainebleau. This red-carpet-style gathering brings together the industry's biggest names to spotlight standout achievements, including Content Creator of the Year and Person of the Year.
Entries for Best Engineered Vehicle of the Year––a SEMA Industry Award that recognizes exceptional quality of engineering on a vehicle build––will open in August. Learn more at sema.org/awards.
