Wheel manufacturers continue to innovate with attention-grabbing designs, vibrant colors and exotic finishes. Striking a delicate balance between style, fitment and overall performance—nearly 200 exhibitors unveiled their latest creations at this year’s Show.
The following products spotlight innovations from Wheels & Accessories section exhibitors, as seen in the 2012 SEMA Show New Products Showcase.
For the third year in a row, the Tire Industry Association (TIA) allied with SEMA to present the Global Tire Expo (GTE)—Powered by TIA at the recent 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Designed as a freestanding tire industry “show within a show,” the GTE has proven to be an ongoing hit with attendees representing every sector of the tire industry, from automotive to commercial and from retreading to recycling.
The Hottest Vehicles of the 2012 SEMA Show
The SEMA Award was established to recognize vehicle models that specialty-equipment manufacturers believe are the best platforms for accessorization and that showcase the year’s coolest products. The honors have been presented in four categories each year since 2010: Hottest Car, Hottest Sport Compact, Hottest Truck and Hottest 4x4-SUV.
SEMA has finalized an agreement to purchase the International Motorsports Industry Show (IMIS)—the racing trade show that has been held annually in Indianapolis since 2009.
The IMIS will be consolidated with the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show, which returns to Indianapolis for 2013 and beyond. The 2013 PRI Trade Show will occupy the entire Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, with Thursday, Friday and Saturday, December 12–14, 2013, as the show days.
Winners in 16 Categories From Among More Than 2,000 Entries
The New Products Showcase at the 2012 SEMA Show included more than 2,000 parts, tools, assemblies and packages. The displays encompassed must-see items for every segment of the industry, and each was examined by a panel of expert judges who ranked them for superiority of innovation, technical achievement, quality and workmanship, consumer appeal and marketability. The judges then awarded “best in class” honors to products in 16 categories, along with two runners up in each division. We congratulate not only the winners, but also those who conceive and create all of the innovations that drive the industry.
Innovations of Generations Showcased in Las Vegas
As the specialty-equipment industry’s premier trade event, the annual SEMA Show is the number-one barometer of automotive specialty-equipment trends. If anything, the 2012 SEMA Show, held October 30 through November 2 in Las Vegas, indicated a vibrant, growing industry definitely bullish on the future.
Consider these Show statistics: Total attendance rose to 135,000—up 2% over last year. Meanwhile, exhibitors hit the 2,250 mark, with 500 of them being first-timers. There were more than 60,000 buyers plying the Show floor, along with 3,000 media representatives. All in all, the Show offered 1 million net square feet of innovation, education and business opportunities.
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) announced it has finalized an agreement to purchase the International Motorsports Industry Show (IMIS), the racing trade show that has been held annually in Indianapolis since 2009.
Enhance and streamline your 2012 SEMA Show experience by using the newly created SEMA Show app for smartphones. Attendees can use the free, innovative digital resource to navigate the Show floor, locate exhibitors and plan for education sessions. The new app even allows users to search for exhibiting companies by product category and then communicate with them to set appointments.
The SEMA Mustang Build—Powered by Women, launched by the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN), spotlights women working in the automotive aftermarket and encourages women to pursue careers in the industry. Ford Motor Co. donated a ’13 Mustang GT for the project to be modified entirely by SBN members.