Compiled by Cristian Gonzalez

A new band of builders is readying their project vehicles to take the stage at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas for the ultimate car-building competition: Battle of the Builders (BOTB) Presented by Mothers Polish. The annual competition sets out to find the most well-built and innovative vehicles in the automotive aftermarket across four unique categories: 4 Wheel Drive & Off-Road; Hot Rod & Hot Rod Truck; Sport Compact, Import Performance, Luxury & Exotic; and BFGoodrich Young Guns (contestants 29 and under). 

Editor's Note: Applications are open for the 2025 SEMA Battle of the Builders Presented by Mothers Polish at semabotb.com. All builders with a vehicle displayed at the 2025 SEMA Show may enter the competition at semabotb.com before the deadline on October 17, 2025.

In the short period leading up to the SEMA Show, a four-judge panel comprised of industry leaders will narrow the field from hundreds of vehicles to 40--10 from each category--which will be announced on the first day of Show Week at the BOTB stage in North Hall (booth #10168). As the week progresses, the contenders are further winnowed as the competition intensifies.  

BOTB is an exciting outlet that showcases the creativity, ingenuity and style driving the current state of the aftermarket. Winners walk away with unmatched bragging rights, along with new marketing and networking opportunities. What makes BOTB especially unique is that once the final four builds are selected--one from each category--the builders themselves come together to decide who among them deserves the top honor. 

What follows is a sneak peek at a small handful of contending cars, trucks, hot-rods and more, and what about their construction makes them unique. (Additional SEMA News coverage of 2025 contests can be found here and here). Keep an eye on SEMA News for more Battle of the Builders vehicle previews, and visit SEMAShow.com for event scheduling. Can't make it to Vegas this November? Be sure to follow along on SEMA Live, the SEMA Show's live virtual broadcast, which captures all key moments of BOTB and the biggest activations happening during Show Week. 

 

ZACK KLOPACK 
'68 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 
Category: BFGOODRICH YOUNG GUNS

Young Zack Klopack's Stingray came with nearly 40 years of racing heritage when he purchased it in 2019. "The plan with this car was to keep it mostly original so I could wheel-to-wheel race the car in vintage racing," says Klopack. The young gun began by adding FIA headlights, rebuilding the suspension and replacing all the rubber bushings with polyurethane. The Corvette sports Koni shocks paired with upgraded heavy-duty springs. Powering the old race car is a 350 Chevy small-block rebuilt by AES Racing in Elk Grove Village. The motor cradles a Comp Cams camshaft and is crowned with Vortech heads and a Weber cross-ram intake from Pierce Manifolds. Transmitting that power to the rear is an M21 close-range transmission. 

 

ZACHARY JAMES HIDALGO 
'65 DODGE D200 
Category: BFGOODRICH YOUNG GUNS 

Rescued from a tow yard, this D200 is being converted into a custom overlanding rig fully designed, fabricated and assembled by Zachary Hidalgo. The four-door Power Wagon was reframed with a shortened '08 Ford F-250 chassis to match the original profile and wheelbase. It's powered by a 12-valve Cummins with compound turbos and intercooler to bring out 550 hp. Drivetrain components include an Allison transmission accompanied by a Ford transfer case, connected to a Dana 60 axle and Ford 10.5 axle combo. For the strongest control over the most challenging terrain, it rocks Icon 3.0 coilovers in the front and progressive leaf springs in the rear. 

 

HAYDEN VALMONTE MACKLIN 
'79 NISSAN 280Z 
Category: BFGOODRICH YOUNG GUNS 

We're always excited to see youths get into the automotive culture, and Hayden Macklin is a prime example of young passion. Since the age of 13, Macklin has been building up this 280Z to a new level. A Custom Carbon Signal KamaruZ body kit widens the stance. Under the wheelwells, you'll find an air ride suspension substituting the BC coilovers. A shaved engine bay holds a L28ET engine with custom Takeyari Exhaust tips to bring it to life. Macklin took a Datsun 720 truck tail bed and utilized it as a roll pan. The interior boasts several rare parts, making this build even more unique, such as a Kameari 10K tachometer, a BRE steering wheel, Lonely Driver Pedals and a Star Road Shifter knob. 

 

CAMERON COCALIS 
'88 BMW E30 325i 
Category: BFGOODRICH YOUNG GUNS 

Within this bimmer's bead-rolled and dimple-died body panels is a full-tube chassis space frame engineered around a C6 Corvette's suspension geometry. Perfectly cradled in the engine space is a 427 LS married to a Tremec Magnum. Built by Texas Speed, the naturally aspirated powertrain puts out 750 hp. The motor features a custom ITB intake manifold, a Haltech Nexus Rebel wiring harness, a forward-facing X-pipe exhaust and a rear-mounted radiator. FDF control arms work in tandem with Bag Riders suspension to help control the Work M1 3P wheels paired with Toyo's R888R tires. Credit for the beautifully applied paint on this aggressive-looking E30—fitted with a Live to Offend widebody kit—goes to SOS Customz. 

 

ROCKFORD SMITH 
'76 CHEVY K10 
Category: BFGOODRICH YOUNG GUNS 

According to Rockford Smith, "This K10 is one of the first builds from scratch in the country." Smith built and spot-welded together the frame and meticulously gapped and fitted every panel sourced from AMD to achieve the cleanest possible look. He also strategically cut the long-bed frame down to short-bed length. Taking charge with building out the 6.0 LS, Smith outfitted the motor with Fi-Tech retro series parts to complete the old-school look with modern performance. BDS 4-in. lifted suspension and Detroit Steel wheels give the square body its rugged stance. The custom interior was done by Cato Custom Upholstery.

 

CONNER KUJAK 
'60 BUICK INVICTA 
Category: YOUNG GUNS 

The rigorous restoration project took young Conner Kujak eight years to complete, starting from age 16. This vintage Buick features a striking midnight blue exterior, a very rare original-styled GM '59 XP-706 "Double Bubble" Skylark IV concept car-inspired interior and custom light-blue bucket seats. Kujak applied his fabrication skills and developed a rack-and-pinion system for a triple-gauge cluster to hide behind the dash with the push of a button. Custom rear package tray speaker grilles reflect the fender badging and a lowered stance is supported by QA1 shocks. 

 

Story and photos by Andreas Conradt, Automedia

 

Spy photographers have once again caught several upcoming vehicles undergoing testing, giving an early glimpse at what's to come before they officially debut.

 

Porsche 911 Turbo Touring Cabrio Spotted in Germany

 

After the recent appearance of the tin-topped 911 Turbo Touring, another strange-looking prototype has been spotted outside the Nürburgring race circuit in Germany--and it appears to be the soft-top stablemate, likely called the Porsche 911 Turbo Touring Cabrio.

Closer inspection of the photos reveals that the car wears the wider body and fenders of the Turbo and seems to feature side air intakes in the rear fenders. They are, however, cleverly camouflaged to make the car look more like a standard 911 Cabrio. Also missing is Turbo's fixed rear wing.

 

The "Turbo Touring Cabrio" also wears camouflage at the front and rear, suggesting it will receive the same facelift the standard Turbo will receive in '25. Despite the cladding at the front, however, SEMA News sources doubt it's the real new design that lurks beneath the camouflage. In fact, there are rumors that Porsche plans to drastically change the front bumper, sources said, and give it a design far beyond the current model.

Porsche is expected to give the Turbo and Turbo Touring--and their soft-top stablemates--one or two electric chargers, which will require more space. The German company was in need of more room under the rear bonnet and had to redesign the exhaust system to gain space for the additional components. Rumors suggest the electric charger(s) will lead to more power for the facelifted 911 Turbo but will also add extra weight and make the car even more tail-heavy.

Handling Tests on the Nürburgring for the Next-Gen Range Rover Velar

 

The first medium-sized all-electric Range Rover will be out in '26, and SEMA News sources have now managed to snap another batch of photos of the new model burning rubber on the Nürburgring in Germany. It's likely we're looking at the successor to today's Range Rover Velar. It is said to be reinvented as a slick, luxurious electric SUV, targeting the new Porsche Macan EV with vastly improved endurance, performance and practicality.

The new vehicle will be built using JLR's electrified modular architecture (EMA), which will power the company's upcoming slate of EVs. It will be the first of several new electric Land Rover models to run down the firm's revamped production line in Halewood, United Kingdom, followed soon after by EV successors to the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport. Work to convert the factory into an EV production facility is underway, and the electric Velar is expected to enter production later this year.

 

JLR's plans are ambitious, but the automaker has previously been slow to embrace electrification. Its only fully electric car to date has been the Jaguar I-Pace SUV, which has struggled to make inroads against more established electric carmakers, along with the fully electric variant of the Range Rover. Meanwhile, competitors such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi have been ramping up their switch to EVs and now offer a full range of plug-in model types.

Today's Velar is built in Solihull, United Kingdom. As well as being produced at a new location, its successor will swap from the familiar D7 architecture to a completely new platform called EMA. First announced in 2021, this new skateboard platform--conceived to accommodate the smaller Land Rover models--was originally set to be capable of hosting hybrid powertrains in addition to pure-electric systems, but it has now been confirmed that the Velar, Evoque and Discovery Sport successors will be electric only.

 

Details of its technical makeup and capabilities are closely guarded, but the EMA is likely to be a more overtly "road-focused" proposition than the MLA structure that will underpin electric derivatives of the full-sized Range Rover and Discovery.

By SEMA News Editors

 

You can still secure your spot at the 2025 SEMA Show, November 4–7 in Las Vegas, but time is running out fast. Online registration for qualified professional attendees is currently $100 per approved badge, providing full access to a wealth of business-boosting education sessions, thousands of new products and heart-pounding outdoor vehicle activations. Don't miss your chance to take part in the largest automotive aftermarket trade show in the world.

Register now here!

With more than 2,000 exhibitors, the SEMA Show continues to be the place where business gets done. From groundbreaking technology and next-generation tools and products to expert-led education and face-to-face networking, the Show offers everything automotive aftermarket professionals need to stay competitive in today's fast-changing landscape. It's where relationships are built, products are evaluated, strategies are sharpened and opportunities come to life.

Don't wait to secure your 2025 SEMA Show badge. Qualified individuals can register for their place at the Show right now at semashow.com/register for just $100. 

Below are seven reasons why you need to secure their registration for this year's SEMA Show:

• Exhibitors: Discover the latest product and vehicle trends across dozens of product categories: Trucks, SUVs & Off-Road; Restyling & Car Care Accessories; Powersports & Utility Vehicles; Business Services; Mobile Electronics & Technology; Racing & Performance; Hot Rod Alley; Restoration Marketplace; Collision Repair & Refinish; Tools & Equipment; Global Tire Expo--Powered by TIA and Wheels & Accessories; and First-Time and Featured Exhibitors.
• New Products Showcase: Visit the New Products Showcase to discover thousands of the latest exhibitor products displayed in one location of the Las Vegas Convention Center. 
• Education: SEMA Show Education is the single most crucial week of the year to power a professional development plan for your business and career. Through sessions and unique, immersive programs that explore the industry's most significant challenges and offer immediate takeaways, there is something for every automotive professional.
• Networking: The SEMA Show is where connections are built--network with exhibitors, industry leaders and VIPs/celebrities from more than 140 countries and regions. Use the Show's mobile app to view lists of all events, seminars, conferences, celebrity appearances and speakers, including date, time and location. In addition, this year's program includes SEMA Council & Networks receptions, happy hours and meetings--all designed to help you advance your business and grow your network. You'll also have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with others in the industry and build meaningful relationships that'll lead to real results and high-quality connections.
• Show Features: The SEMA Show is teeming with the latest innovations and trends, showcased in several dedicated areas like the SEMA Battle of the Builders Presented by Mothers Polish; the SEMA FutureTech Studio; feature vehicle displays; SEMA ADAS Showcase; the Collision Repair & Refinish Stage; the SEMA Show Art Walk, the new-for-2025 International Pavilion at the Westgate Las Vegas; heart-pounding outdoors activations including Optima Unleashed and the HorsePower Rodeo; and more to be announced.
• Show Events: Unique events and activations, such as the SEMA Show Kickoff Breakfast, the SEMA Industry Honors now at the iconic Fontainebleau, the iconic SEMA Cruise, vehicle demonstrations, and much more, will provide ample opportunities for the industry to unite.
• And much more: Of course, attending the SEMA Show in Las Vegas is the best way to boost an automotive professional's business and career path, but be sure to make the most of your time in Vegas with ancillary events like after-hours networking and SEMA Fest, a celebration of motorsports, music and car culture. Note: Your SEMA Show badge does not provide access to SEMA Fest. 

Registration for qualified professional attendees is $100 per person, with badge pickup on-site. A SEMA Show badge includes access to both the SEMA Show and AAPEX. Deadlines and fees for other registration categories can be found at semashow.com/register. 

Hotel reservations, including for several new properties in Las Vegas, are available at the guaranteed lowest rates exclusively for Show attendees through SEMA's official hotel provider, onPeak.

For more information about the 2025 SEMA Show, visit semashow.com. Sign up for updates on SEMA Fest at semafest.com.

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This story was originally published on October 16, 2025.

By SEMA News Editors

With more than 2,000 exhibitors, the SEMA Show continues to be the place where business gets done. From groundbreaking technology and next-generation tools and products to expert-led education and face-to-face networking, the Show offers everything automotive aftermarket professionals need to stay competitive in today's fast-changing landscape. It's where relationships are built, products are evaluated, strategies are sharpened and opportunities come to life.

Qualified individuals can register for a SEMA Show badge at semashow.com/register for just $100. 

The following are just a preview of stories and updates from SEMA Show exhibitors. For more, visit semashow.com/press:

 

Mopar Offers Early Look at New Concept Vehicles for 2025 SEMA Show

 

Mopar offered an early look at two new concept vehicles that will be on display at the 2025 SEMA Show, November 4-7, Las Vegas. Mopar has prepared a wide and wild array of customized vehicles and hundreds of factory-backed performance parts and accessories for its display area in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

 

Vintage Air Enters New Era With Acquisition by LFM Capital 

Vintage Air, the San Antonio-based manufacturer of complete performance air-conditioning systems for classic cars and trucks, has been acquired by LFM Capital. The executive leadership team will remain in place ahead of Vintage Air's 50-year anniversary in 2026.

LFM Capital is a Nashville-based firm that supports and invests in American and Canadian manufacturing companies. It was founded in 2014 "to offer businesses continued autonomy, complemented by LFM Capital's expertise in sales, marketing, product development, supply chain management, distribution and manufacturing, to provide robust support and ensure ongoing success," a company release stated.

Vintage Air continues to cement its position as one of the leaders in automotive climate control. In 2025, the company expanded its capabilities with the acquisition of California-based A/C Solutions, further strengthening its product range and manufacturing depth. From SureFit bolt-in systems designed for popular classic platforms to the fully customizable Builder Series tailored to unique builds, Vintage Air will "remain committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions for custom and classic vehicles alike," according to the company.

"As we continue advancing our technology and product line, partnering with LFM Capital gives us the support we need to scale with confidence," said Rick Love, president of Vintage Air. "Its operational experience will help us serve customers and builders across the country even better. What's most reassuring is that we can keep operating as we always have, with a world-class partner just a phone call away."

For more information, visit the Vintage Air website at vintageair.com.

---

Registration for qualified professional attendees is $100 per person, with badge pickup on-site. A SEMA Show badge includes access to both the SEMA Show and AAPEX. Deadlines and fees for other registration categories can be found at semashow.com/register. 

Hotel reservations, including for several new properties in Las Vegas, are available at the guaranteed lowest rates exclusively for Show attendees through SEMA's official hotel provider, onPeak.

For more information about the 2025 SEMA Show, visit semashow.com. Sign up for updates on SEMA Fest at semafest.com.

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

 

SEMA is keeping its foot on the gas on the most important policy issue facing the aftermarket industry today: sound policy surrounding advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). To ensure lawmakers and staff understand the critical importance of the aftermarket's perspective, SEMA and several members on October 15 hit Capitol Hill for a whirlwind day of meetings and conversations centered on what our industry needs to account for the realities facing both vehicle owners and the aftermarket industry amid the rapid evolution of automotive safety technology.

Across 15 meetings, SEMA and a crack team of advocates from OPUS IVS, Quadratec, Hoonigan, American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) and Off Road Warehouse called on Congress to take a careful, comprehensive look at how the federal government can shape ADAS policies.

The urgency on the matter is the ongoing work in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to develop the 2026 Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, otherwise known as the highway bill. SEMA is working to ensure that lawmakers and committee staff understand the critical importance of properly recalibrating ADAS whenever a vehicle is customized or modified.

As the 2026 Highway Bill moves through Congress, SEMA will remain engaged in efforts to secure ADAS policy that champions the needs of the specialty-aftermarket industry.

Background

Aftermarket manufacturers design, sell and service a wide range of popular products--such as vehicle wraps, lift kits, bike racks, bumpers, winches and side mirrors--that must work seamlessly with the ADAS technologies integrated into today's vehicles. To ensure these systems perform properly throughout a vehicle's lifespan, aftermarket businesses seek federal guidelines that provide a clear roadmap regarding the range of ride height and vehicle profile modifications that maintain proper ADAS calibration. Additionally, the industry is advocating for the highway bill to provide federal guidelines to calibrate ADAS and validate that safety systems operate as originally designed to ensure driver and passenger safety.

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

 

SEMA is keeping its foot on the gas on the most important policy issue facing the aftermarket industry today: sound policy surrounding advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). To ensure lawmakers and staff understand the critical importance of the aftermarket's perspective, SEMA and several members on October 15 hit Capitol Hill for a whirlwind day of meetings and conversations centered on what our industry needs to account for the realities facing both vehicle owners and the aftermarket industry amid the rapid evolution of automotive safety technology.

Across 15 meetings, SEMA and a crack team of advocates from OPUS IVS, Quadratec, Hoonigan, American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) and Off Road Warehouse called on Congress to take a careful, comprehensive look at how the federal government can shape ADAS policies.

The urgency on the matter is the ongoing work in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to develop the 2026 Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, otherwise known as the highway bill. SEMA is working to ensure that lawmakers and committee staff understand the critical importance of properly recalibrating ADAS whenever a vehicle is customized or modified.

As the 2026 Highway Bill moves through Congress, SEMA will remain engaged in efforts to secure ADAS policy that champions the needs of the specialty-aftermarket industry.

Background

Aftermarket manufacturers design, sell and service a wide range of popular products--such as vehicle wraps, lift kits, bike racks, bumpers, winches and side mirrors--that must work seamlessly with the ADAS technologies integrated into today's vehicles. To ensure these systems perform properly throughout a vehicle's lifespan, aftermarket businesses seek federal guidelines that provide a clear roadmap regarding the range of ride height and vehicle profile modifications that maintain proper ADAS calibration. Additionally, the industry is advocating for the highway bill to provide federal guidelines to calibrate ADAS and validate that safety systems operate as originally designed to ensure driver and passenger safety.

By SEMA News Editors 

 

From November 4–7 in Las Vegas, the SEMA Show returns as the industry's most influential gathering, where groundbreaking products, game-changing innovations and powerful networking collide. But the energy doesn't stop at the Show floor. SEMA Week expands the experience with exclusive events, dynamic meetups and unforgettable after-hours parties that bring the industry together like never before. 

Explore the full lineup of SEMA Week happenings below and gear up for a week that drives the future of automotive. 

SEMA Council & Network Events

Tuesday, November 4

• Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) Happy Hour: November 4, at 4:00 p.m. PST, West Hall, Booth #58097 – RANDY'S Worldwide
  • Wind down and network with truck and off-road enthusiasts while celebrating the Best Light Truck and Best Off-Road New Product winners. Save your seat here.
• Future Leaders Network (FLN) Reception: November 4, at 5:00 p.m. PST, LVCC West Hall W232
  • Celebrate the achievements of young professionals in the automotive aftermarket, grow your network and discover resources to advance your career. Save your seat here.
• Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) Reception: November 4, at 5:00 p.m. PST, West Hall W326
  • Network with fellow automotive restylers, enjoy food and networking and honor top contributors during the awards ceremony. Save your seat here.
• SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) Reception: November 4, at 5:00 p.m. PST, West Hall, W208 Pre-Function
  • Connect with the SBN community of women automotive professionals, celebrate achievements and learn how to get involved. Save your seat here.
• Wheel, Tire, Suspension, & Brake Council (WTSBC) Reception: November 4, at 5:00 p.m. PST, South Lower Hall, (New Products Showcase, #41271)
  • Celebrate the wheel, tire, suspension and brake segments while networking with colleagues and industry leaders. Save your seat here.
• Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) Industry Reception: November 4, at 5:30 p.m. PST, Westgate Hotel Ballroom A
  • Fun and networking with restoration leaders while celebrating the industry's top people, businesses and products. Save your seat here.

Wednesday, November 5

• PRO Happy Hour: November 5, at 4:00 p.m. PST, West Hall PRO Booth #50197
  • Network, celebrate the PRO Cup Challenge winners and enjoy a relaxed environment with peers. Save your seat here.
• TORA Reception: November 5, at 4:00 p.m. PST, West Hall, W326
  • Connect with peers, celebrate achievements and participate in the Pinewood Drag races benefiting the SEMA Cares' partnering children's charities. Save your seat here.
• SBN Gear-Up Girl Networking Event: November 5, at 4:30 p.m. PST, West Hall, W208 Pre-Function
  • Reserved only for women, the event serves as a networking opportunity for professionals to give back and share advice with today's female youth and those new to the industry. Save your seat here.
• Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Reception: November 5, at 5:15 p.m. PST, Westgate Hotel Ballroom A
  • Celebrate HRIA's 40th Anniversary at this must-attend reception. Connect with the hot-rod community, enjoy networking and honor top builders and businesses during the awards ceremony. Save your seat here.

SEMA Industry Honors  

Thursday, November 6, 6:00 p.m. Reception, 7:00 p.m. Awards Ceremony 

• BleauLive Theater at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas (View on Google Maps) 
• Tickets or host tables are required. 
• Purchase SEMA Industry Honors tickets here. 

One night. One stage. The biggest names in the automotive aftermarket--only at the 2025 SEMA Industry Honors event in Las Vegas. 

On Thursday, November 6, the 2025 SEMA Industry Honors takes over the BleauLive Theater at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas for an unforgettable night celebrating the people and brands driving the industry forward. From Content Creator of the Year to Person of the Year and even more on-stage honors, this event is where SEMA's spotlight shines brightest. 

Kick off the evening alongside industry titans, game-changers and visionaries with a cocktail reception at 6:00 p.m. PST, take in the awards ceremony at 7:00 p.m. PST, then keep the celebration going at an exclusive afterparty with live music, hors d'oeuvres and an open bar for ticketed guests. 

Tickets are just $50 per person. Seats are limited, so reserve your seat today. 

Visit SEMAShow.com/Honors to learn more and purchase tickets.  

 

T-PAIN at Zouk Nightclub (Official SEMA Week Afterparty)  

Thursday, November 6, 10:30 p.m. PST - 4:00 a.m. PST  

• Zouk Nightclub at Resorts World Las Vegas (View on Google Maps)  
• Tickets required.
• Purchase tickets here. 

End your Thursday with T-Pain at Zouk Nightclub. Make it a night to remember and book tickets at zouk.group/tpain 

Note: SEMA Show badge and SEMA Fest ticket holders will receive access to a special, expedited entry line. 

 

SEMA Cruise

Friday, November 7, 4:00 p.m. PST - 7:30 p.m. PST

• SEMA Show Campus (down Convention Center Drive to West Hall Parking Lot)
• No cost or RSVP required to attend

Watch the most creative and innovative vehicles on the planet roll out of the Las Vegas Convention Center at the close of the SEMA Show in this time-honored Show tradition. More than 1,200 vehicles will parade down Convention Center Drive to the West Hall parking lot on Friday evening, giving Attendees and enthusiasts an unrivaled opportunity to see groundbreaking SEMA Show builds in action. 

 

SEMA Fest 

Friday, November 7 (Activations begin 9:00 a.m., last concert begins 8:25 p.m. PST). 

• SEMA Show campus outside of the Lower South Hall 
• General admission tickets start at $80! (including fees) 
• Purchase SEMA Fest tickets here. 

Get ready for an unforgettable evening filled with high-octane excitement, incredible music and everything you love about car culture on the SEMA Show campus. Don't miss out—grab your tickets now before they sell out and be part of this incredible celebration.  

SEMA Fest brings together the captivating world of automotive culture that can only be found at the SEMA Show with some of the biggest bands in music. It's a one-of-a-kind live and epic event that is a true bucket list experience for music lovers and car enthusiasts.  

Want to upgrade your SEMA Fest experience? Grab VIP tickets today for access to premium viewing areas, VIP bars and washrooms, separate entrances and complimentary charging stations during the event. 

• Epic Performances: Live music from Queens of the Stone Age, The Black Crowes and Neon Trees will keep the energy high and the crowd buzzing.  
• Thrilling Events: Starting at 9:00 a.m. PST, witness the heart-pounding activations by Hoonigan, Nitro Circus Moto Mayhem, HorsePower Rodeo, Optima Unleashed and the Globe of Death.  

 

JAMES HYPE at Zouk Nightclub (Official SEMA Week Afterparty)  

Friday, November 7, 10:30 p.m. PST - 4:00 a.m. PST  

• Zouk Nightclub at Resorts World Las Vegas (View on Google Maps)  
• Tickets required. 
• Purchase tickets here.

Zouk Nightclub with James Hype is the only place to be after the SEMA Show and SEMA Fest! Book tickets at zouk.group/jameshype 

Note: SEMA Show badge and SEMA Fest ticket holders will receive access to a special, expedited entry line.  

 

Special Guest at Zouk Nightclub (Official SEMA Week Afterparty)  

Saturday, November 8, 10:30 p.m. PST - 4:00 a.m. PST  

• Zouk Nightclub at Resorts World Las Vegas (View on Google Maps)  
• Tickets required. https://zoukgrouplv.com/event/EVE50511500020251108/special-guest/ 

Close out SEMA Week on a high note and an unforgettable night with special guest at Zouk Nightclub! Book tickets at zouk.group/events 

Note: SEMA Show badge and SEMA Fest ticket holders will receive access to a special, expedited entry line. 

 

Attendee registration for the 2025 SEMA Show, November 4-7 in Las Vegas, is now available online here. Online registration for qualified professional attendees is $100 per person, with badge pickup on-site on the SEMA Show campus. A SEMA Show badge includes access to both the SEMA Show and AAPEX. 

Hotel reservations, including for several new properties in Las Vegas, are available at the guaranteed lowest rates exclusively for Show attendees through SEMA's official hotel provider, onPeak. 

For more information about the 2025 SEMA Show, visit semashow.com. Sign up for updates on SEMA Fest at semafest.com. 

 

By Juan Torres

 

The SEMA Show's celebrated media recognition program is getting a major upgrade for 2025.

Formerly known as the Global Media Awards, the program has been expanded to include top domestic outlets and rebranded as the SEMA Show Media's Choice Program--giving exhibitors even greater exposure to influential journalists from around the world during the aftermarket's premier trade event, November 4-7, Las Vegas.

On Tuesday, November 4, the first day of the 2025 SEMA Show, more than 20 leading editors from consumer, enthusiast and trade publications will comb through the New Products Showcase to handpick three standout products each that they believe will resonate with their audiences.

Manufacturers whose products are selected will be notified on Wednesday, November 5, and invited to an exclusive reception that evening. There, they'll receive a SEMA Show Media's Choice award and have the rare opportunity to connect directly with the editors who chose their products.

"Exhibitors invest enormous time, creativity and resources into developing the products they bring to the SEMA Show," said SEMA Sr. Manager of Public Relations and Media Management Juan Torres. "The Media's Choice program gives them powerful, one-on-one exposure with the journalists who help shape what consumers talk about--and buy--after the Show."

Participating editors will represent some of the most respected names in automotive media, including:

• Auto Revolution
• Autobody News
• AutoZulia International
• BangShift
• Car & Driver
• Car & Tech
• Collision Repair Magazine
• Engaged Media
• Generation 4x4
• HOT ROD
• Internet Brands Automotive Group
• KAR Automotive
• MotoIQ
• MotorTrend
• New Tune Up
• On All Cylinders
• OVR Magazine
• Performance Digital Entertainment
• Revista Garagem Old School
• THE SHOP Magazine
• Traction

Exhibitors are automatically eligible for the Media's Choice program by entering their products in the New Products Showcase. For details, contact the SEMA Public Relations team at pr@sema.org.

By SEMA News Editors

 

The SEMA Garage continues to host engaging, hands-on events in partnership with AUTEL. These two-day training sessions focus on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and help participants gain valuable knowledge on fundamentals, calibration techniques and necessary reporting practices. As the number of ADAS-equipped vehicles continues to grow, mastering the proper calibration of these systems is becoming increasingly vital. 

SEMA Garage Detroit will host its next AUTEL ADAS training session on Tuesday, November 18, and Wednesday, November 19, at the facility located at 14655 Jib St., Plymouth, MI 48170.

👉 RSVP for the upcoming session on the AUTEL website here (simply navigate to the "Detroit" tab under the first event).

SEMA Garage Detroit
AUTEL ADAS Training Session
November 18 and November 19
14655 Jib St., Plymouth, MI 48170
View on Google Maps.
RSVP here (navigate to "Detroit" tab).

 

For more information, contact academy@autel.com or visit the AUTEL website here.

By Ashley Reyes

 

SEMA Show exhibitors looking to boost brand visibility and give back to the next generation of automotive talent have limited time left to sign up for the Student Program Industry Networking Breakfast.

Happening on Thursday, November 6, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. PST in West Hall in the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Industry Networking Breakfast is a prime opportunity for companies to recruit, inspire and share advice with students eager to launch their automotive careers. Exhibitors gain access to hundreds of students of varying talents in one location, while students benefit from exploring the industry's numerous career paths and networking with business leaders from across the country.

Whether your company is actively hiring or you are simply looking to share knowledge and inspire future innovators, the event provides a valuable setting to make a lasting impact in student's careers.

Participation is free, and the event simply requires one-and-a-half hours from a company representative. No set-up time or marketing materials are required. Register your company here. 

 

Questions can be directed to Joe Escobar, SEMA manager of recognition programs, at josee@sema.org.