Dr.Jeff
True Classic
Today I'm wrapping up things from this year's SEMA Show. Unfortunately it still hasn't recovered from the huge loss that resulted from COVID. After the mandated shut down, and further travel restrictions (there's a major international participation) in following years, things haven't been the same since. However I'd estimate is was closer to 75% of "normal" this year, which is a big improvement over last year. In addition to being smaller - both in terms of vendors and participants - it was rather subdued; significantly fewer show cars, smaller displays, less hype, fewer sexy models, no swag, and overall somewhat lackluster.
Regarding show vehicles. There was a huge percentage of trucks. I'm talking about those full size American pickups that are lifted WAY up, on huge wheels/tires, tons of lighting, big speakers and other decorations to make them 'menacing' looking. Perhaps at least 70+% of the show vehicles where those...sadly. And of the remaining show cars most were American "muscle cars" - both old and new. Very few imports. But the majority of those imports were 'super cars' or 'exotics'. Especially at the wheel and tire booths. The remaining couple of imports were primarily from Japan. In recent years I've noticed quite a few "Z" cars - both Datsun and Nissan (i.e. old and new). One trend I'm seeing is more interest in very high quality full-custom builds on extremely unique vehicles - oddball, weird, rare stuff. Also a much higher level of customization in general, more like "customs" used to be in the 60's with loads of hand fabrication. Too bad there were so few (relatively) great show cars this year because I'd love to see more of these unique and extreme builds.
Perhaps more noticeable than what was there is what wasn't there. Several of the companies/personnel that I usually look forward to seeing still haven't returned. Combined with the decrease in great vehicles already mentioned. "Exclusivity" is also missing - by that I mean they are getting much more relaxed about who can attend. I realize they are attempting to recoup some revenus, but allowing non-industry public in makes it more difficult to get one-on-one access to the prime personnel (I always learn a ton from conversing with the chief engineers and product designers at major companies), and in general getting around more difficult. Another thing that's missing is parking; in recent years the convention center has removed a couple of very large parking lots and built more huge buildings to house more shows. And the nearby hotels/businesses now charge around $40-70 a day for parking! That's equal to the entire cost of the whole show in just one day. Furthermore the upcoming F1 course will surround some of the area and construction of it is well underway. That means lots of road closures, restrictions, delays, congestion, confusion - it took me a full hour just to get out of one parking structure, then another hour to get two blocks from there.
Traditionally the SEMA Show has been considered one of the top yearly events in the automotive world. But that seems to be changing. A lot of my contacts have been saying the PRI Show is the new SEMA. And a lot of focus has shifted there. I'll have to check it out one of these days.
Regarding show vehicles. There was a huge percentage of trucks. I'm talking about those full size American pickups that are lifted WAY up, on huge wheels/tires, tons of lighting, big speakers and other decorations to make them 'menacing' looking. Perhaps at least 70+% of the show vehicles where those...sadly. And of the remaining show cars most were American "muscle cars" - both old and new. Very few imports. But the majority of those imports were 'super cars' or 'exotics'. Especially at the wheel and tire booths. The remaining couple of imports were primarily from Japan. In recent years I've noticed quite a few "Z" cars - both Datsun and Nissan (i.e. old and new). One trend I'm seeing is more interest in very high quality full-custom builds on extremely unique vehicles - oddball, weird, rare stuff. Also a much higher level of customization in general, more like "customs" used to be in the 60's with loads of hand fabrication. Too bad there were so few (relatively) great show cars this year because I'd love to see more of these unique and extreme builds.
Perhaps more noticeable than what was there is what wasn't there. Several of the companies/personnel that I usually look forward to seeing still haven't returned. Combined with the decrease in great vehicles already mentioned. "Exclusivity" is also missing - by that I mean they are getting much more relaxed about who can attend. I realize they are attempting to recoup some revenus, but allowing non-industry public in makes it more difficult to get one-on-one access to the prime personnel (I always learn a ton from conversing with the chief engineers and product designers at major companies), and in general getting around more difficult. Another thing that's missing is parking; in recent years the convention center has removed a couple of very large parking lots and built more huge buildings to house more shows. And the nearby hotels/businesses now charge around $40-70 a day for parking! That's equal to the entire cost of the whole show in just one day. Furthermore the upcoming F1 course will surround some of the area and construction of it is well underway. That means lots of road closures, restrictions, delays, congestion, confusion - it took me a full hour just to get out of one parking structure, then another hour to get two blocks from there.
Traditionally the SEMA Show has been considered one of the top yearly events in the automotive world. But that seems to be changing. A lot of my contacts have been saying the PRI Show is the new SEMA. And a lot of focus has shifted there. I'll have to check it out one of these days.
