There are quite a lot of eyes on America this week for apparent causes, however earlier than we descend right into a fiery feedback part, let’s flip our focus to one thing a bit extra Speedhunters-friendly: SEMA 2024.
The SEMA (Specialty Gear Market Affiliation) Present has been a cornerstone of the automotive tuning world since its inaugural occasion in 1967.
Quick-forward greater than 5 many years, and the present now spans a cool 2 million sq. toes of exhibitor area, drawing 40,000 automotive business folks and fans from over 140 international locations.
You’ll want all 4 days on the Las Vegas Conference Middle to take all of it in. Trek round every corridor, and also you’ll discover 3,000+ manufacturers showcasing their newest merchandise and over 1,500 automobiles on show. That’s quite a lot of large numbers, even by American requirements.
Like different key business occasions – suppose Japan’s Tokyo Auto Salon or Germany’s Essen Motor Present – SEMA is a first-rate alternative to gauge what’s trending in automotive tradition whereas offering a snapshot of the present state of the tuning world.
From home vehicles to Japanese imports and the whole lot in between, there’s not a single type or pattern that isn’t represented right here not directly. Whether or not you’re attending for just a few hours or the complete occasion, SEMA is assured to encourage.
So, what can we count on from SEMA 2024? Nicely, you’ve in all probability already seen Rywire’s outrageous twin EV-motor EK Honda Civic, which made waves earlier this week. Whereas we’re not claiming that Nineteen Nineties Japanese hatchbacks are the way forward for efficiency tuning, the rising shift towards electrical powertrains and conversions continues to be one of the vital talked-about — and controversial — speaking factors in 2024.
After all, vehicles, SUVs, and off-road automobiles are nonetheless a dominant drive at SEMA, and it’s straightforward to grasp why, given the huge choice of equipment on show. Carry kits, tyres, bead-lock wheels, tenting gear, and towing gear — you title it, it’s right here.
In recent times, there’s been a noticeable rise in adventure-based overlanding, and conversions of non-domestic fashions like Porsche’s Cayenne is additional proof of how well-liked this phase is.
As for widebody automobiles? It’s protected to say they’re nonetheless an enormous presence on the SEMA. However this 12 months, the vary of types on show is way wider (excuse the pun) than ever, shifting past the ‘conventional’ Rocket Bunny and Liberty Stroll kits which have dominated the scene for years.
And no journey to SEMA is full with no go to to the legendary Toyo Treadpass. Stan Chen and the Toyo Tires workforce all the time ship right here; you could be assured some surprises, loads of never-before-seen builds, and a massively numerous choice, all below the Treadpass awning.
Considered one of our early favourites? Probably the smallest automotive at SEMA: this Autozam AZ-1. Complicated 90% of attendees with its micro-supercar appears, Dash Hart CP wheels, and gullwing doorways, it’s the sort of quirky, boundary-pushing construct that reminds us why we love automotive tradition.
That is only a glimpse of what you possibly can count on from SEMA 2024. Keep tuned later this week for a deeper dive into the present’s essential halls, together with a more in-depth take a look at a number of the standout builds from this 12 months’s occasion.
The Speedhunters
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Pictures by Darrien Craven
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