The SEMA Show includes, for the first time, a 6,000-sq.-ft. area dedicated to helping businesses understand how to customize and/or repair vehicles that have Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS). Located in booth #36007 (Upper South Hall), the SEMA Show ADAS Showcase, sponsored by Enterprise Rental Car, features ADAS-related tools, equipment, demonstrations and experts throughout the four-day SEMA Show, November 1–4, in Las Vegas.

Located in booth #36007 (Upper South Hall), the SEMA Show ADAS Showcase features ADAS-related tools, equipment, demonstrations and experts throughout the four-day SEMA Show.

The new SEMA Show feature comes as consumer demand for, and OEM offerings of, ADAS increases. By bringing together industry experts, partners and suppliers, Showgoers can network and learn how vehicle modifications impact ADAS functionality. Showgoers can also see firsthand where a vehicle’s ADAS sensors are, how they work and how they are impacted by modifications.

“The SEMA Show ADAS Showcase is designed to help businesses stay in front of the technology and understand where the opportunities are,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “This is the ideal time to interact and speak directly with leading providers and experts in the ADAS space. It’s also a valuable opportunity to get hands-on experience with some of the tools and equipment, and witness live mock demonstrations.”

Visitors can meet with ADAS recalibration suppliers (Airpro, Autel, Burke Porter, Hunter and John Bean/Snap-on), and with ADAS service providers (Alldata, AsTech by Repairify, AutoTechcelerators, CarADAS, i-Car, OpusIVS and Transportation Research Center). On display is a lowered car that has been modified.

Demonstrations are taking place on a lifted truck to show what equipment is needed in an actual aftermarket collision and service environment.

Showgoers can also learn about the 5,000-sq.-ft. ADAS Technology Center, locating within the SEMA Garage in Detroit. With two sophisticated labs, the ADAS Technology Center is at the forefront of research and testing. Showgoers can learn about the center’s data-driven approach to dynamic testing, which has a precise level of accuracy to within millimeters and milliseconds. The SEMA Garage in Detroit opened in August 2022. While the facility is the second SEMA Garage, it is a first for SEMA in terms of ADAS testing.

“We are forging new ground with the ADAS Center at the SEMA Garage in Detroit,” said Ben Kaminsky, SEMA Garage Detroit general manager. “While SEMA is a leader in performance product emissions testing, we are just getting started with ADAS. The SEMA Garage in Detroit will offer access to static and dynamic testing for ADAS so that aftermarket parts manufacturers will be able to help troubleshoot and develop products for any make and model vehicle, regardless of the ADAS features on it.”

Kaminsky and the SEMA Garage staff from Detroit are on hand to explain the capabilities of the facility. Live education sessions related to ADAS will also be taking place throughout the week. To learn more, visit www.semashow.com.

Kevin Hart’s Muscle Car Crew entertained Showgoers with expanded stories about their inaugural television series and what it’s been like to immerse themselves into the car culture. As keynote speakers on the SEMA Show’s opening day, cast members joined television personality Chris Jacobs at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 1, at the Paradise Event Center.

Members of Kevin Hart’s Muscle Car Crew entertained Showgoers with expanded stories about their inaugural television series and what it’s been like to immerse themselves into the car culture.

With Jacobs hosting the interview, the discussion tapped into the unique passion that unites the automotive industry. Like the MotorTrend series that chronicled their experience, the SEMA Show keynote address was about having a good time and making connections.

“Kevin Hart’s Muscle Car Crew represents SEMA’s membership and the tremendous enthusiasm we all have for this culture,” said Pamela Brown-Matthis, SEMA director of education. “Their story is driven by passion and a deep love for all things automotive.” 

The keynote address was part of a new component of the 2022 SEMA Show Education Program. Five keynote addresses will be held during the week, with each keynote address featuring iconic industry personalities who will educate while entertaining. Speakers include car enthusiasts, thought leaders, innovators and entertainers who bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to help elevate and strengthen attendees’ business and personal growth strategies.

Legendary NFL running back Emmitt Smith, who became a NASCAR Xfinity Series team co-owner last summer, anchors the week as the keynote speaker for Friday, November 4. Other keynotes will be announced at a later date.

For details about the SEMA Show Education Program and a complete schedule of seminars available, visit www.semashow.com.

The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) All-Female Build project, a Ford Bronco 4-door Wildtrak made its debut at the 2022 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Tuesday, November 1.

With support from the entire community, women volunteers ranging in ages and skill sets wrenched on the vehicle, and volunteers installed the Bronco’s roof and roof-top tent, R&R active shutter grille, Oracle headlights and taillights, AMP running boards, Ford roof rack, Yakima platform rack, Baja Forged rear bumper, Ford Lit Bronco grille and readjusted components and parts that weren’t working together.

The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) All-Female Build project, a Ford Bronco 4-door Wildtrak, was unveiled on Tuesday, November 1, at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. 

“It was very much a hands-on learning experience, and the team was eager to take on these challenges, including mocking up bumper fitment plates from cardboard in order to fabricate the actual plates,” said Nicole Bradle, SBN liaison. “The build continues to foster growth and community, not only among the volunteers but also between organizations.”

Cleaning the underside of the vehicle, learning how to wire and install headlights with guidance from Oracle Tech, and sourcing parts when things were broken or missing are also among the list of contributions from the volunteers. Female-owned company MRT assisted the team in fabricating and painting the bumper plates and guided the volunteers through the process.  

“The collaboration truly represents the spirit of the build,” added Cathy Clark, SBN chair. “This project was a chance to spotlight women in the automotive aftermarket industry and the ways in which they come together and offer support to each other.”

The SBN Bronco is on display at the SEMA Show in West Hall booth #57061.

The 2022 SEMA Show is including a brand-new feature—the eBay Motors Experience, where attendees can experience the industry’s products live, in action. Located in more than 100,000-sq.-ft. of space in front of the Las Vegas Convention Center, eBay Motors Experience anchors the outdoor area and welcomes Showgoers with dynamic, experiential activities as soon as they arrive onsite.

Showgoers can witness extreme performance at the Hoonigan Burnyard at the eBay Motors Experience.

The eBay Motors Experience consists of multiple activities taking place simultaneously. Showgoers can witness extreme performance at the Hoonigan Burnyard, take part in immersive ride-alongs, and get up-close to some of the industry’s most coveted vehicle builds.  

“The eBay Motors Experience is the center of the action at this year’s Show,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “It is set up so that attendees are able to engage with the vehicles and the products in a way that they’ve never been able to do before. Showgoers are going to feel the impact of the feature immediately when they arrive at the Show.”

The eBay Motors Experience is open to all credentialed SEMA Showgoers during the event, Tuesday-Friday, November 1–4. To register for the event, visit www.semashow.com or download the official SEMA Show mobile app.

Hosted by industry personality Jarod DeAndra, known by many as the voice of Formula DRIFT, the SEMA Show Kick-Off Breakfast included—for the first time—the announcements of SEMA Manufacturer of the Year and SEMA Channel Partner of the Year (formerly SEMA Distributor of the Year) award winners.

Receiving the awards at the SEMA Show Kick-Off Breakfast provide the below winning companies weeklong exposure at the Show:

Manufacturer of the Year

• Baja Designs Inc.

Channel Partner of the Year

• Turn 14 Distribution

Winners of the SEMA New Products Awards were also announced, including those in the new Electric Vehicle and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) categories.

Baja Designs Inc. received the award for Manufacturer of the Year.

In addition, Ken Block and Brian Scotto joined the SEMA Show Kickoff Breakfast to talk about “Electrikhana,” the new video that dropped last week. The annual breakfast, formerly known as the SEMA Show New Products Breakfast, had a fresh, new feel. Featuring a new, all-electric Audi S1 Hoonitron and shot on the streets of Las Vegas, “Electrikhana” is the newest video in the Gymkhana series. The video, produced by Scotto and released on October 25, featured drifting superstar Block behind the wheel of an 800-volt AWD, 1,400hp one-off custom-built prototype.

Turn 14 Distribution was named Channel Partner of the Year.

Later this week, a shorter SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet will be held Thursday, November 3, at 7:00 p.m., at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino Paradise Event Center. The annual gathering of the specialty-equipment industry will be highlighted by a networking cocktail reception, dinner and entertainment. The event marks the celebration of the SEMA Person of the Year, SEMA Gen-III Innovator of the Year and Automotive Influencer of the Year. An important announcement regarding the future of the SEMA Show and the association will be made. Register now.

The action on the SEMA Show Out Front Stage began Monday, October 31, with the SEMA Show Monday Night Reveal, a pre-Show celebration that offered a glimpse of the high-profile vehicle projects and the aftermarket’s most advanced equipment that will shine throughout the halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The SEMA Show Monday Night Reveal also featured the presentation of the SEMA Awards, which spotlighted new vehicles on the market for personalization and were voted on by SEMA Show exhibiting manufacturers. The awards were presented to automakers for the SEMA Car of the Year, SEMA Truck of the Year, SEMA 4x4-SUV of the Year, SEMA Sport Compact of the Year, SEMA Powersports Vehicle of the Year and SEMA EV of the Year. 

The best new vehicles for personalization were announced at the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The SEMA Awards are presented to exhibiting OEMs annually to recognize automakers for supporting the aftermarket with vehicle platforms that encourage customization.

The SEMA Awards were presented to automakers during the SEMA Show Monday Reveal, where media and exhibitors get a sneak peek at some of the vehicles debuting at the 2022 trade-only event.

With a new category this year for electric vehicles, the SEMA Awards are voted on by exhibiting manufacturers in six categories. Categories and this year’s winners are:

• Car of the Year: Dodge Challenger
• Sport Compact of the Year: Toyota GR86
• 4x4/SUV of the Year: Jeep Wrangler
• Full-size Truck of the Year: Ram
• Mid-Size Truck of the Year: Jeep Gladiator
• Electric Vehicle of the Year: Volkswagen ID.4

“The SEMA Award recognizes the hottest new vehicles on the market that offer the greatest opportunities for customization,” said Warren Kosikov, SEMA vice president of sales. “SEMA Award-winning vehicles are setting worldwide trends in the automotive enthusiast industry. The 2022 SEMA Show will have on many of the SEMA Award winning vehicles, each customized in its unique way.”

The SEMA Awards were presented to automakers during the SEMA Show Monday Reveal, where media and exhibitors get a sneak peek at some of the vehicles debuting at the 2022 trade-only event. As the four-day SEMA Show opens, the business-to-business trade show features thousands of uniquely modified project vehicles.

Aftermarket manufacturers are investing more in the Dodge Challenger, Toyota GR86, Jeep Wrangler, Ram, Jeep Gladiator and Volkswagen ID.4 than any other vehicle in their categories. Consumers can expect to find greater options for accessorizing these vehicles. The SEMA Show is the place to see latest trending products and hottest vehicles. 

To learn more about the SEMA Show and the vehicles and products debuting at the event, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The 2022 mid-term election will be held on Tuesday, November 8, and it’s important to know which candidates support the automotive aftermarket and racing when going to the polls or voting early. With the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate up for grabs this fall, the men and women who make up our industry along with enthusiasts have a chance to shape the outcome of this election.

When casting your vote, it’s important that you consider which lawmakers have stood up for the interests of racers and motorsports-parts businesses by supporting the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (RPM Act), H.R. 3281 and S. 2736, which guarantees the right to modify street cars, trucks and motorcycles into dedicated race vehicles and safeguards the industry’s right to offer parts that enable racers to compete.

To see a list of lawmakers that have publicly supported the RPM Act and are up for re-election in the midterms, visit saveourracecars.com/vote-racing.html.  

Click here to see voter information; a list of candidates who will appear on your ballot; the elected officials that represent you at the federal, state and local levels; and information on how you can vote early or by absentee ballot.

For more information, contact erics@sema.org. 

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

As a part of the Save Our Race Cars initiative, PRI Members, Total Seal, Melling and NHRA have volunteered to host React4Racing at the 2022 PRI Trade Show. React4Racing gives PRI Show attendees the opportunity to test their reaction times against some of the best race-car drivers in the industry. At this year’s PRI Trade Show, Total Seal and Melling will both have two Pro Stock race cars next to each other at their booths. Set up in each booth will be Christmas tree replicas allowing PRI Trade Show attendees to learn more about PRI PAC while testing their reaction times against professional NHRA drivers.

“This group of PRI members are going above and beyond for the racing industry, and the fact that they are willing to dedicate their own time and booth space to make this happen, demonstrates just how important the Save Our Race Cars initiative is to the industry,” said PRI President Jamie Meyer. “I will definitely be stopping by to test my own reaction time!”

“When I heard about Save Our Race Cars, I knew we had to get involved and find a way to help,” said Total Seal’s Lake Speed. “Fortunately, the guys at Melling are straight across the aisle from us at PRI, so that’s how we developed the idea for React4Racing. We can’t wait to see it launch at this year’s PRI Trade Show.”  

“The idea for React4Racing started at last year’s PRI Trade Show,” said Melling’s Mike Osterhaus. “We believe it will be a great way to increase awareness for the Save Our Race Cars initiative. Even though we are competitors on the track, we are friends off it who are working together committed to protecting the racing community. We look forward to seeing everyone at the PRI Trade Show.”

PRI PAC helps elect lawmakers who support the racing industry’s positions and priorities. All eligible PRI Individual Members will have the opportunity to participate in React4Racing, which is taking place at the Total Seal and Melling booths from December 8–10 during the 2022 PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis.  

For more information, contact Samantha Large at samanthal@sema.org.

Navigating the Las Vegas Convention Center and obtaining details on the many SEMA Show products and vehicles is easier than ever with the use of the Official SEMA Show Mobile App. Through the product and vehicle scanning features, the mobile app provides immediate information about products in the New Products Showcase and about vehicles displayed throughout the Show.

The SEMA Show Mobile App provides a list of exhibitors, seminars, events, celebrity appearances and turn-by-turn directions for getting around the SEMA Show.

The product and vehicle scanning options were amongst the most popular features of last year’s SEMA Show mobile app. Other features of the SEMA Show Mobile App are a list of exhibitors, seminars, events, celebrity appearances and turn-by-turn directions for getting around the SEMA Show. Directions and information can be obtained while in offline mode; WiFi and/or data is not required.

“The SEMA Show Mobile App is a robust tool that gives Showgoers valuable on-site information,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “The turn-by-turn directions has always been a popular feature, and the product and vehicle scanners were huge hits last year. The tools will equip attendees to be able to make decisions immediately while at the Show.”

The official SEMA Show Mobile App is available for download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Those who downloaded and still have the SEMA Show Mobile App on their phones from previous years can update the data through the existing app; a new download is not required. In the app, go to “Settings” icon in the upper right corner, select “Exit to Show List” and select “2022 SEMA Show.” The 2022 exhibitor list, vehicle and product details, event listings and other details for this year’s SEMA Show will update.

The SEMA Show takes place November 1–4, in Las Vegas. For details, visit www.SEMAShow.com.