SEMA 2013 Trip Report
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Former Vendor
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From: Southern California
SEMA 2013 Trip Report
SEMA 2013 is over. Done, fold the chairs and lock the doors. What a whirlwind. Not really sure where to start this trip report – between all the new products and vehicles it was a sensory overload.
We’ll start with the good: vehicles are getting better than ever. The modifications available are of the highest quality they have ever been. Two things stole the show – Jeep Wrangler JK’s and LED light bars. In fact, it was more rare finding a vehicle (yes, even cars and boats) at SEMA that did not have some sort of aftermarket lighting. Virtually every Jeep Wrangler at the show had the new Rugged Ridge upgraded/vented hood – which looks fantastic.
If a vehicle wasn’t a Jeep it was a Ford. Not only did our blue oval partners have a massive indoor booth featuring heavily modified F-series trucks and their line of compact fuel efficient cars, but they also set up an outdoor race track for their drift team of both classic Fords and modern Mustangs. Raptors were everywhere but all seemed to have the same assortment of parts. Vinyl wrap companies really made up the differences – otherwise the Raptor world didn’t differ too much.
Falken did unveil their new Mud Terrain WildPeak tire which the industry has been waiting for.
If we had to criticize anything it would be the lack of “wow” life changing developments. Perhaps it’s because the current Jeep Wrangler body has been on a long production run – but it seems that only a few of the thousands of vendors participating merely found ways to make parts more efficient or streamlined, not offer up something new. We may be a little jaded after going to dozes of off road events this year, but for us, SEMA was more about who has a cooler vinyl wrap than new gadgets.
As far as the event – the Las Vegas Convention Center was busting at its seams. Every square inch was occupied by a vehicle or booth. Countless international guests were there – from heavy equipment tire manufacturers to a very unique West Coast Customs training school where vehicles were modified on location.
Cliffs Notes? SEMA was good. Great? No. To be great we wish there were more new products. Smittybilt did a great job developing new armor, but availability on some of it is still a month away – cutting it close to the holiday season.
We’ll start with the good: vehicles are getting better than ever. The modifications available are of the highest quality they have ever been. Two things stole the show – Jeep Wrangler JK’s and LED light bars. In fact, it was more rare finding a vehicle (yes, even cars and boats) at SEMA that did not have some sort of aftermarket lighting. Virtually every Jeep Wrangler at the show had the new Rugged Ridge upgraded/vented hood – which looks fantastic.
If a vehicle wasn’t a Jeep it was a Ford. Not only did our blue oval partners have a massive indoor booth featuring heavily modified F-series trucks and their line of compact fuel efficient cars, but they also set up an outdoor race track for their drift team of both classic Fords and modern Mustangs. Raptors were everywhere but all seemed to have the same assortment of parts. Vinyl wrap companies really made up the differences – otherwise the Raptor world didn’t differ too much.
Falken did unveil their new Mud Terrain WildPeak tire which the industry has been waiting for.
If we had to criticize anything it would be the lack of “wow” life changing developments. Perhaps it’s because the current Jeep Wrangler body has been on a long production run – but it seems that only a few of the thousands of vendors participating merely found ways to make parts more efficient or streamlined, not offer up something new. We may be a little jaded after going to dozes of off road events this year, but for us, SEMA was more about who has a cooler vinyl wrap than new gadgets.
As far as the event – the Las Vegas Convention Center was busting at its seams. Every square inch was occupied by a vehicle or booth. Countless international guests were there – from heavy equipment tire manufacturers to a very unique West Coast Customs training school where vehicles were modified on location.
Cliffs Notes? SEMA was good. Great? No. To be great we wish there were more new products. Smittybilt did a great job developing new armor, but availability on some of it is still a month away – cutting it close to the holiday season.