What is Changed at SEMA Through the Years

You probably know SEMA as the place where car trends start and new ideas take shape. Each year, thousands of people gather to see what is next in the world of cars. In 2014, the event drew 145,000 visitors, with 60,000 buyers and 2,400 exhibitors. These numbers show how much the show has grown. SEMA Through the Years shows you how the event keeps changing to lead the industry.

Year	Attendance	Buyer Attendance	Exhibitors
2014	145,000	60,000	2,400

Key Takeaways

SEMA began in 1963 to bring manufacturers together. It has become a world leader in the car industry. The name changed in 1970 to Specialty Equipment Market Association. This change made SEMA focus on more than just speed equipment. It now includes many parts of the car aftermarket. SEMA moved to Las Vegas in 1977. This move brought more people and companies to the event. It was a big moment for SEMA’s growth. The event now has hands-on activities and learning sessions. This makes it more fun and open to more people. Electric and green vehicles are shown more at SEMA now. This shows the industry is moving to new technology and caring for the environment.

SEMA Through the Years

Early Beginnings

SEMA started in 1963. Some leaders in the industry wanted to bring manufacturers together. They thought working as a team would help everyone. They wanted the industry to have a strong voice and grow. People say SEMA was first talked about in Culver City, California, at Elliott-McMullen’s office. Sally said Dick wanted SEMA to unite manufacturers and show a strong front. The first SEMA show happened in 1967. It was held in the basement of Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The event was small but mattered a lot. Manufacturers, buyers, and car fans came to see new products and cars.

Feature	Details
Year	1967
Location	Basement of Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
Number of Manufacturers	98
Attendance	3,000
Notable Cars on Display	1967 Ford GT40, drag-race-prepped Dodge Dart

This first show helped SEMA become bigger later. SEMA Through the Years has always tried to bring people together and help the industry move forward.

Name and Identity Changes

You may wonder why SEMA changed its name. In 1970, SEMA changed from Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association to the Specialty Equipment Market Association. This was not just a new name. It showed the group wanted to do more.Changing the name meant SEMA wanted to include more than just manufacturers. The word 'specialty' means SEMA wanted to reach more parts of the automotive aftermarket. The new name meant SEMA now included retailers, warehouse distributors, and other businesses. SEMA was not just about speed equipment anymore. It wanted to represent many people in the automotive aftermarket. This new name helped SEMA Through the Years grow. It welcomed more people from different parts of the industry.

Growth and Expansion

SEMA Through the Years grew a lot when it moved to Las Vegas in 1977. This move was a big change for the event and the industry.

• The first SEMA Show in Las Vegas had over 800 companies.
• This was much more than the first show, which had fewer than 100 exhibitors.
• Moving to Las Vegas made the SEMA Show bigger and showed the industry was growing.

The show became more exciting as more companies joined. In 1982, SEMA took full control of the show. This let SEMA make more decisions and react to changes in the industry.SEMA Through the Years has always changed with new trends and challenges. The show has grown in size, power, and importance. Today, SEMA is a leader in the automotive world. It keeps finding new ways to bring people together and help the industry move forward.

Event Format Changes

Trade-Only to Industry-Wide

SEMA started as a small event for trade people only. Now, it is much bigger and welcomes many more people. Younger people come to the event now. There are more fun and hands-on things to do. Some events are open to the public. These changes help SEMA reach more people and keep things exciting.

Evidence Description	Impact on Participation and Engagement
More young people are joining now	This brings in a group that is very connected.
Hands-on activities are added	People can meet and work together more easily.
Public events and livestreams happen	More people can watch and enjoy the event.
Focus on new ideas and learning	Attendees learn about the latest trends.

SEMA now cares a lot about new ideas and teaching. This helps everyone stay up to date with what is new in cars.

In-Person, Virtual, and Hybrid

SEMA has changed how people can join the event. You can go in person and meet others face-to-face. You can also join online if you cannot travel. Hybrid events let you do both. This way, more people can join and enjoy SEMA.

• In-person events let you see products and meet people.
• Virtual events let people from anywhere join in.
• Hybrid events give you more choices.
• You can join online if you are busy.

These choices help more people take part and make SEMA better.

SEMA Cruise and New Features

The SEMA Cruise is a favorite part of the event. Over 1,200 cars drive out of the convention center. You can see many cool cars up close. This makes the event more fun and special for everyone. New things like this help make SEMA a great experience.

Vehicle Trends

Hot Rods to Modern Customs

SEMA used to have lots of hot rods and old Corvettes. These cars were everywhere at first. Now, you do not see as many of them. Modern custom cars are more popular today. Builders use new materials and cool technology. Many cars have carbon fiber parts now. Some use engines that run on different fuels. Electric cars and off-road vehicles get lots of attention. This change shows car culture is always moving forward.

• Hot rods and Corvettes were common at early SEMA shows.
• Today’s custom cars use carbon fiber and new fuels.
• Electric cars and off-road vehicles are now very popular.

Import and Tuner Influence

In the 1990s, import and tuner cars changed SEMA a lot. Small cars and Japanese brands became very popular. The first Battle of the Imports in 1990 brought new excitement. Import Showoff in 1995 mixed cars, music, and fun. Japanese tuning brands like HKS and Greddy came to the U.S. This made tuner culture stronger and more popular. Now, you see many custom imported cars at SEMA. This shows how much the trend has grown.

• The first Battle of the Imports in 1990 made import cars popular.
• Import Showoff in 1995 mixed car shows with music and fun.
• Japanese tuning brands helped tuner culture grow in the U.S.

Off-Road and Trucks

More trucks and off-road vehicles show up at SEMA every year. Both old and new trucks get lots of attention. Many people want to change and add things to their off-road vehicles. The light-truck market keeps getting bigger. Experts say pickups, SUVs, and CUVs are over half of all cars in the U.S. By 2027, light trucks might be almost 80% of new cars sold.D. Brian Smith from Classic Industries said, 'We've definitely seen a major uptick in interest and sales.'

• Custom trucks and off-road vehicles are a big part of SEMA now.
• The market for truck accessories keeps getting bigger.

Electric and Green Vehicles

Electric and green vehicles are now a big part of SEMA. The show highlights new technology and eco-friendly ideas. Here are some important moments:

You will see even more electric and green cars at future SEMA shows. This trend will keep growing as technology gets better.

Industry Shifts

Technology and Digitalization

Technology changes cars every year at SEMA. Digital tools help you learn new things quickly. Many training sessions use online classes and virtual reality. You do not need to use pen and paper anymore. Digital tools make work easier and help you talk to others in the industry.

• Online classes and VR help you train as a technician.
• Digital tools make business smoother and help customers better.
• SEMA shows trends like vehicle electrification and ADAS.
• Classes teach you about new car technologies and tools.

SEMA always brings new tech to the show. You see how the industry changes and gets ready for the future.

Sustainability Focus

You see a big push for sustainability at SEMA. Many companies use recycled materials inside cars. Seats, dashboards, and trim often use upcycled materials. Paints and finishes have changed too. Low-VOC and eco-friendly paints are popular now. They protect the environment and still look good. Companies use materials that last and do not hurt the planet. You find more products made from recyclable or renewable resources. Eco-friendly chemicals help lower pollution and keep cars running well.

1. Sustainable materials and ways to make things are common now.
2. Recyclable and renewable resources are easy to find.
3. Eco-friendly chemical solutions get lots of attention.

Aftermarket Product Trends

Trucks and utility vehicles lead the aftermarket world. Pickups, CUVs, and SUVs make up most accessory sales. CUVs now make up almost half of new car sales. You see more products for these vehicles every year. The truck and off-road segment stays strong. Accessories like bed covers, steps, lifts, and wheels are always wanted.The overlanding trend grew after the pandemic. People want products for daily driving and adventure. High interest rates and inflation mean you buy more basic upgrades than fancy ones. In 2023, pickups made up 32% of accessory sales, reaching $16 billion. CUVs now make up 15% of specialty parts sales. This shows how much tastes have changed.

Attendee Experience

Growth in Attendance

SEMA gets bigger every year. More people come each time. In 2025, about 160,000 people are expected. Over 70,000 of them are serious buyers. More than 2,400 companies will show their products. People from more than 140 countries will attend. Now, 20% of the crowd comes from other countries. This shows SEMA is very important in the car world.

Interactive and Educational

At SEMA, you do more than look at cars. You can touch things and try them out. SEMA changed how you learn at the event. Before, you had to pay for many classes. Now, you can find free classes with good teachers. You can join workshops and learn by doing. These changes help you learn about new tools and trends.

Aspect	Previous State	Current State
Interactivity	Limited interactivity in displays and sessions	Increased interactivity with hands-on learning
Educational Session Fees	Many sessions required a registration fee	Introduction of free educational sessions
Engagement Methods	Traditional lectures with minimal interaction	Engaging sessions with qualified instructors
Learning Opportunities	Primarily theoretical learning	Hands-on technical sessions and practical learning

Tip: Try a hands-on session if you want to learn about new car tech. You will remember more if you do it yourself.

Notable Moments

Product Launches

Every year, SEMA shows off many new products. The New Products Showcase is a big part of the event. You can see thousands of new things there. This area helps you find out what is coming next in cars. It also helps you spot new trends and ways to grow. SEMA Connected lets you look for top parts online. You can check out the newest ideas from manufacturers. Resellers use SEMA Connected to meet buyers who want the latest products. These new launches help shape the future of the aftermarket. They also help you stay ahead of others.

• SEMA Connected is an online place to find new products.
• Manufacturers bring their newest parts and ideas to show.
• Resellers and buyers connect over the latest products.

Tip: Go to the New Products Showcase if you want to see what will be important next year.

Celebrity Appearances

You can meet famous people at SEMA. Their visits make the event more fun and exciting. Larry Chen, Adam LZ, Dai Yoshihara, and Maaya Orido have all come to SEMA. When these stars visit booths like Pit+Paddock, more fans show up. You can get autographs and meet your favorite car heroes. Influencers with lots of followers bring even more attention to SEMA. Their visits make SEMA a must-see event for car fans.

• Celebrity guests bring more people to popular booths.
• Fans get to meet and talk to their favorite car stars.
• Influencers help make SEMA a top spot for car lovers.

Media and Culture

You see SEMA in magazines, TV, and online videos. The event started small in 1967 with only a few cars and people. In 1970, SEMA changed its name to show it was getting bigger. The move to Las Vegas in 1977 made SEMA well known. Now, SEMA mixes car shows with celebrity visits. Media coverage helps you learn about new trends and see cool cars. SEMA is now a symbol of new ideas and fun in the car world.

1. SEMA started as a small show with not many cars or people.
2. The name change in 1970 showed SEMA was growing.
3. Moving to Las Vegas made SEMA a big part of car culture.

Note: Seeing SEMA in the media helps you keep up with what is new in cars. You have seen SEMA change from a small group in 1963 to a global leader in car trends. The table below shows some big milestones:

Year	Milestone Description
1963	SEMA was founded as the Speed Equipment Manufacturing Association.
2021	The SEMA Show returned to Las Vegas after COVID-19, marking a significant milestone.
2022	Continued industry support and momentum from the previous year, setting expectations for future shows.

• SEMA now helps you learn, connect, and see new ideas from over 100 countries.
• Experts say electric vehicles and new tech will shape what you see next.
• The market is growing, but you may face higher costs and new rules.

You can expect SEMA to keep leading the way, helping you and the industry grow for years to come.

SEMA — EVIL ENERGY Ignites the Stage

You probably know SEMA as the place where car trends begin and new ideas take shape. Every year, thousands of professionals gather to explore the future of the automotive world. In 2025, EVIL ENERGY will officially join this global stage of innovation, standing alongside top performance and tuning brands from around the world.

What We’re Showcasing:

A complete lineup of high-performance solutions, including:

• Fuel System Components: Fuel Pumps, Regulators, Filters, Oil Catch Cans
• Power & Intake Upgrades: Carburetors, Throttle Bodies, Cold Air Intakes
• Cooling & Hose Systems: Radiators, Heating Hoses, Stainless Steel & PTFE Lines

Why EVIL ENERGY Is Coming to SEMA

Because SEMA is:

• The launchpad for global automotive trends
• The most influential gathering of buyers, media, and industry leaders
• A showcase for cutting-edge technology, materials, and design
• The ultimate stage to prove brand strength and identity to the world

Booth Experience & Giveaways

• Free Merch: Stickers, keychains, hats, and limited-edition accessories
• Tech Talks: In-person discussions with our engineers about product design and tuning applications
• Social Media Giveaway: Follow us for a chance to win free SEMA tickets!

Follow Us:

• Website: https://www.ievilenergy.com/
• TikTok: @evil_energy_autoparts
• YouTube: @ievilenergy
• Instagram: @evil_energy_autoparts
• Facebook: EvilEnergyRacing

Feel the Power of the Red Devil

EVIL ENERGY sincerely invites car enthusiasts, distributors, and media from around the world to visit our booth at SEMA 2025 — and experience how we inject bold, fearless energy into every vehicle. Booth #20149 — See you in Las Vegas!

FAQ

What does SEMA stand for?

SEMA stands for Specialty Equipment Market Association. You see this name because SEMA wanted to include more than just speed equipment makers. The group now covers many parts of the automotive aftermarket.

Can you attend SEMA if you are not in the industry?

You usually need to work in the automotive industry to attend SEMA. Some public events, like the SEMA Cruise, let you join the fun. You can watch livestreams and follow updates online.

How has SEMA changed over the years?

You notice more electric cars, trucks, and new technology at SEMA now. The event moved from a small trade show to a global leader. SEMA added virtual and hybrid options so you can join from anywhere.

What is the SEMA Cruise?

The SEMA Cruise happens at the end of the show. You watch over 1,200 custom cars drive out of the convention center. This parade lets you see unique builds up close and meet other car fans.

How do you find new products at SEMA?

You visit the New Products Showcase to see the latest parts and accessories. SEMA Connected helps you search for new items online. You can talk to manufacturers and learn about new trends.