2006 SEMA Show in Las Vegas ( 11.09.2006 )
SEMA can simply be described as the largest automotive aftermarket show in the world. With over thousands of cars, trucks and product covering over 2 million square feet, SEMA remains the dominate leader of all auto shows, PR and industry functions and automotive influenced nightlife. For one week automotive related individuals arrive in Las Vegas to increase their business and showcase their product to the world!
SEMA has traditionally been the venue for the emergence of new trends or new products that reach the automotive aftermarket. This SEMA was no difference then years past. Gone are the crazy paint jobs and extreme body conversions. In its place has come the execution of a clean complementing paint work and performance oriented vehicles? Whether it’s Hot Rods, Muscle Cars or Trucks, this theme has surfaced many times throughout the show floor. Adding to that roster would be Belltech’s own 2007 Chevy Avalanche.
The Belltech Avalanche held its own center stage in the KW automotive booth receiving attention from both the consumer and media. The Avalanche enticed consumers to attend the Belltech section of KW’s booth where they had the opportunity to learn more about Belltech’s new products line up for 2007 as well as view the new catalog on hand.
The KW and ST suspensions section welcomed the Pontiac Solstice of famed sport compact builder Mark Arcenal. Mark also had his chance in front of the tube as he conducted his TV interview for a popular sport compact website on KW/ST property.
Standing ground on the opposite end of the booth was the Belltech/Styling Concepts Ford F150 give away truck, representing the popular LSD brand. During the course of the show the same comments was heard again and again from consumers and most of all – installers. Praising the build quality and reinforcing that LSD-Doors is the leader in the Lambo Style Door marketplace. Even, automotive star Will Castro – of Unique Whips on Speed TV stopped by to express his interest in a continued working partnership with the LSD brand.
With the many difference sections such as the Performance Hall, Restyling Hall, Truck and Wheel Tire halls, KW automotive brands made their mark. Just walking around you where bound to come into contact with one of the brands on project vehicle.
Earlier we mentioned the initiation or continuation of trends at the SEMA show. Such trends we have noticed was the strong push of the sub-compacts in the industry. Major manufactures such as Honda with their Fit model and Toyota with their Yaris where two popular cars with the Tuner market. These models pose a perfect medium for the re-launch of ST suspensions into the Tuner marketplace.
The often talked about sport of “Drifting” received more exposure due to the inception other drift series and the of and participation of OEM companies. This past SEMA we saw the tradition Nopi Drag Series release their intentions of Drift Series of their own. International Drift Series has also made their presence felt conducting the Drift demo on the SEMA Proving grounds and looks to host their 2007 schedule throughout the United  States. Formula D came by the booth and expressed interest of our participation for 2007 season. During meetings throughout the week we heard of news of participation of manufactures such as Saturn and Lexus entering the drifting marketplace. KW looks to expand their support of the popular Mopar Drift Charger which has garnered its fair share of media. If it all comes to fruitition, 2007 will be an interesting year for the sport.
The popular vehicles for the performance orientated enthusiasts’ remains the EVOs, Subaru’s and S2000’s and KW’s hard work has paid off as we see a growing presence amongst this performance oriented enthusiast.
As the show winded down and business meetings dwindle near the end of the week it would be here where we could see if our choice of vehicles, proper booth presentation and attention to detail would pay off. We noticed a strong amount of swipes through our card reader, requesting more information from our products. We distributed a large amount of the brand new Belltech catalog proving the brand is high in demand and secured photo shoots with major publications for our featured vehicles.
The 2006 SEMA Show proved to be an instrumental tool for KW automotive in the North American marketplace. Whether it was staying in contact with their rep groups, or making new business contacts and providing a platform to launch new products. The 2006 SEMA was a success for KW automotive’s presence in the automotive aftermarket!
