Editorial: SEMA 2022 - Definitely One To Remember!

Words: Owen Webb

We made the trek to SEMA to see what has changed in the industry over the three-year hiatus. The show still had great atmosphere and a really good vibe over the five days. There were also over 50 new exhibitors this year from all corners of the industry.

The North Hall which previously had the Collision products and demonstrations (now in the upper South Hall) had accessories and the ‘Battle Of The Builders’. This is one of our favourite parts of SEMA where builders submit their entries in the six months leading in and then have them assessed by a panel and they choose 10 vehicles from the submission in four categories - Hot Rod, Truck, Off Road and Young Gun.

The 40 cars are judged on the floor at SEMA with the top car from each category announced Thursday afternoon, then they drive the final four to a stage and all the builders from the competition judge the winner. Winner again this year was Mike and Jim Ring with their Formula One inspired ’48 Chev pickup. This was another incredible build from the Ring Brothers, previously winning this award with a ’69 Camaro, but also they had four cars unveiled here this year and two of them making the top four in the battle.

Central Hall was still the performance booth and Hot Rod Alley. There were plenty of new outstanding builds displayed on these booths with Meguiar’s having a top C10 Truck and the new build from comedian Kevin Hart - a Black Plymouth Roadrunner.

Out front there were 100s of high-lift trucks and race-inspired Supras, Toyota 86s, and Skylines. eBay Motors teamed up with Hoonigan to sponsor the drifting and ‘Burnyard’. This is always exciting, with driving skills, noise and smoke attracting plenty of attention.

There was no real overriding trend this year but still plenty of grey pastel coloured paint, satin and matt finishes as well as printed wraps with graphics, multi colours and patina look. One trend that stood out was electric vehicles. There was hardly a Tesla as far as the eye could see, but a lot of early vehicles modified to full electric. There were over 300 EVs displayed throughout the show this year.

There is no doubt EVs will be part of the future along with hydrogen - of which there was one supercar on display as well. This car has been in the making for over 10 years with 350 scientists working on it.

European and Japanese vehicles were well represented with a Nissan Skyline GT-R flown in on Thursday from Japan, featuring a full carbon fibre body, new HKS engine, fabrication inside and out. We asked the owner if was he leaving it in the USA, and he replied “if I get around one million dollars I’ll leave it here”. There were also two RX7s, one with a V12 Zonda engine. These cars attract so much attention at the event but it’s normal for these owners to have millions of views and followers on socials.

SEMA was definitely back in full swing and if you are thinking of going, get organised as we're sure it will be bigger and busier next year. It never disappoints whatever your automotive preference may be!