With 31% of the votes, the Chevrolet Camaro is currently the front runner in the SEMA Challenge's car category.

One week into the SEMA Challenge, the vehicles that fans believe will emerge as the hottest car, truck and SUV are the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford F-Series and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The SEMA Challenge is a promotion taking place throughout the month of October, in which consumers can test their auto savviness against exhibitors of the world-renown SEMA Show. Consumers vote on the vehicle models that they believe will emerge as the industry’s hottest vehicles by winning the inaugural SEMA Award. The award is given to the vehicle model that SEMA Show manufacturers choose to trick-out, modify and display most often in their booths.

With 31% of the votes, the Chevrolet Camaro is currently the front runner in the car category, followed closely by the Ford Mustang and the Dodge Challenger. Other contenders for the SEMA Award – Hottest Car are the Audi A4, Ford Fiesta, Honda CR-Z, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Soul, Mazda2, Scion tC and Subaru Impreza.

The Ford F-Series leads the truck category with 34% of the votes. The remaining contenders for the SEMA Award – Hottest Truck are the Chevrolet Silverado, Ram Truck and Toyota Tundra.

In the 4x4-SUV category, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is leading the SEMA Challenge, with 32% of the votes. Other contenders in the 4x4-SUV category are the Ford Explorer, Jeep Wrangler, Subaru Outback and Toyota FJ Cruiser.

Voters who accurately select the SEMA winners will be placed into a drawing to win a VIP trip for two to next year’s SEMA Show, including round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations.

Visit www.sema.org/challenge for details and to vote.

The SEMA Show New Products Showcase is one of the most popular attractions of the SEMA Show and is the number-one reason buyers make the annual trip to Las Vegas.

View all of the companies currently entered into the 2010 SEMA Show New Products Showcase.

 

The SEMA Show New Products Showcase is one of the most popular attractions of the SEMA Show and is the number-one reason buyers make the annual trip to Las Vegas.

View all of the companies currently entered into the 2010 SEMA Show New Products Showcase.

 

Nearly 3,000 2010 SEMA Show attendees will gather for the Industry Awards Banquet at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Those registered for the 2010 SEMA Show who haven't already made plans to attend the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet on Thursday, November 4, 2010, starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Las Vegas Hilton, are still eligible to receive complimentary tickets. Entertainment will be provided by comedian James Gregory, so come unwind after a busy week in Las Vegas.

Heard weekly on syndicated radio shows throughout the country, Gregory has entertained thousands with his carefree humor, often based on personal observations of crazy relatives and real-life people. He will share his stories with SEMA Showgoers at the Industry Awards Banquet, taking place Thursday night.

The Industry Awards Banquet is considered by many to be the industry’s greatest celebration, where nearly 3,000 individuals gather to witness the announcement of the Person of the Year, Rep of the Year, WD of the Year and more.

To reserve your tickets, use the SEMA Show Special Events Reservation Form.

If you are a 2010 SEMA Show exhibitor and have not already reserved your complimentary banquet ticket(s), contact Tricia Ward at triciaw@sema.org or 909/396-0289, ext. 6673.

Nearly 3,000 2010 SEMA Show attendees will gather for the Industry Awards Banquet at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Those registered for the 2010 SEMA Show who haven't already made plans to attend the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet on Thursday, November 4, 2010, starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Las Vegas Hilton, are still eligible to receive complimentary tickets. Entertainment will be provided by comedian James Gregory, so come unwind after a busy week in Las Vegas.

Heard weekly on syndicated radio shows throughout the country, Gregory has entertained thousands with his carefree humor, often based on personal observations of crazy relatives and real-life people. He will share his stories with SEMA Showgoers at the Industry Awards Banquet, taking place Thursday night.

The Industry Awards Banquet is considered by many to be the industry’s greatest celebration, where nearly 3,000 individuals gather to witness the announcement of the Person of the Year, Rep of the Year, WD of the Year and more.

To reserve your tickets, use the SEMA Show Special Events Reservation Form.

If you are a 2010 SEMA Show exhibitor and have not already reserved your complimentary banquet ticket(s), contact Tricia Ward at triciaw@sema.org or 909/396-0289, ext. 6673.

Nearly 3,000 2010 SEMA Show attendees will gather for the Industry Awards Banquet at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Those registered for the 2010 SEMA Show who haven't already made plans to attend the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet on Thursday, November 4, 2010, starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Las Vegas Hilton, are still eligible to receive complimentary tickets. Entertainment will be provided by comedian James Gregory, so come unwind after a busy week in Las Vegas.

Heard weekly on syndicated radio shows throughout the country, Gregory has entertained thousands with his carefree humor, often based on personal observations of crazy relatives and real-life people. He will share his stories with SEMA Showgoers at the Industry Awards Banquet, taking place Thursday night.

The Industry Awards Banquet is considered by many to be the industry’s greatest celebration, where nearly 3,000 individuals gather to witness the announcement of the Person of the Year, Rep of the Year, WD of the Year and more.

To reserve your tickets, use the SEMA Show Special Events Reservation Form.

If you are a 2010 SEMA Show exhibitor and have not already reserved your complimentary banquet ticket(s), contact Tricia Ward at triciaw@sema.org or 909/396-0289, ext. 6673.

Brenda Priddy's spy shooter network reports that Chrysler engineers are churning out new products at a furious pace. Here are some shots of one of Chrysler's latest efforts—the 2011 Dodge Avenger R/T.

Priddy says that changes up front include a redesigned bumper, lower fascia and a new grille that resembles the one recently revealed on the 2011 Dodge Charger. Expect a new bumper and LED taillights in the back.

While the only interior details revealed in these shots is a camouflaged dash, Priddy says that a significantly updated interior should be inshore for the 2011 model.

Under the hood, Priddy reports that the Avenger will get a dry dual-clutch transmission on the upper-end models and, as with most of the other Chrysler lineup, the Avenger will get the new 3.6L Pentastar V6 motor. Priddy also said that the 2.4L four-cylinder has been retuned for more power and efficiency.

Production for the 2011 Avenger is slated to start in November 2010 at the Sterling Heights plant.

Photo Credit: Brenda Priddy & Company

Brenda Priddy's spy shooter network reports that Chrysler engineers are churning out new products at a furious pace. Here are some shots of one of Chrysler's latest efforts—the 2011 Dodge Avenger R/T.

Priddy says that changes up front include a redesigned bumper, lower fascia and a new grille that resembles the one recently revealed on the 2011 Dodge Charger. Expect a new bumper and LED taillights in the back.

While the only interior details revealed in these shots is a camouflaged dash, Priddy says that a significantly updated interior should be inshore for the 2011 model.

Under the hood, Priddy reports that the Avenger will get a dry dual-clutch transmission on the upper-end models and, as with most of the other Chrysler lineup, the Avenger will get the new 3.6L Pentastar V6 motor. Priddy also said that the 2.4L four-cylinder has been retuned for more power and efficiency.

Production for the 2011 Avenger is slated to start in November 2010 at the Sterling Heights plant.

Photo Credit: Brenda Priddy & Company

Brenda Priddy's spy shooter network reports that Chrysler engineers are churning out new products at a furious pace. Here are some shots of one of Chrysler's latest efforts—the 2011 Dodge Avenger R/T.

Priddy says that changes up front include a redesigned bumper, lower fascia and a new grille that resembles the one recently revealed on the 2011 Dodge Charger. Expect a new bumper and LED taillights in the back.

While the only interior details revealed in these shots is a camouflaged dash, Priddy says that a significantly updated interior should be inshore for the 2011 model.

Under the hood, Priddy reports that the Avenger will get a dry dual-clutch transmission on the upper-end models and, as with most of the other Chrysler lineup, the Avenger will get the new 3.6L Pentastar V6 motor. Priddy also said that the 2.4L four-cylinder has been retuned for more power and efficiency.

Production for the 2011 Avenger is slated to start in November 2010 at the Sterling Heights plant.

Photo Credit: Brenda Priddy & Company

At this year's Enthusiast Opinion Leader Research Project, to be held at the SEMA Show, influential automotive enthusiasts will help industry professionals identify future trends.

With overwhelming support from the SEMA Show Committee, last year’s Enthusiast Opinion Leader Research Project will expand at the 2010 SEMA Show. Through the program, the nation’s most active and influential automotive enthusiasts will be called upon to help industry professionals identify future trends by providing firsthand feedback on the products and vehicles debuting at the SEMA Show.

“The results of last year’s inaugural Enthusiast Opinion Leader Research Project exceeded our expectations,” said Thomas Myroniak, vice president of marketing and member services. “Not only did we get an exceptional group of participants, but through their efforts we were able to provide exhibitors and attendees immediate and in-depth feedback about their preferences, attitudes and outlook towards our industry and its products.”

The 2009 program invited 527 enthusiasts, selected through a rigorous application process, to attend the second day of the SEMA Show. In addition to completing a comprehensive pre-Show survey, participants were tasked with using social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and YouTube, to share their feedback on product, vehicle and trend highlights from the Show. The level of activity was significant enough that it led to the SEMA Show entering Twitter’s top 10 global trends for that day (November 4, 2009).

“Through the exercise, SEMA Show exhibitors gained a great deal of exposure from the Enthusiast Opinion Leader Research Program,” said Myroniak. “By using social media platforms, the exposure is much more impactful because the information is shared from a trusted source.”

In addition, onsite focus groups were conducted to provide deeper insight into enthusiasts’ attitudes and outlooks about our industry. This input, combined with the social media feedback and pre-Show survey results, was captured in a series of comprehensive market research reports and provided to exhibitors prior to being released to the industry at large.

“The information generated from the program is unlike anything else we’ve ever done before,” said Myroniak. “By providing the country’s most knowledgeable and influential enthusiasts with access to the newest products, we’re able to learn what resonates and what doesn’t. Exhibitors who’ve reviewed the reports have indicated that they are incredibly valuable and will undoubtedly aid in shaping future plans.”

To learn more about the SEMA Show Enthusiast Opinion Leader Research Project, click here, or contact Megan McKernan at meganm@sema.org.