DIAMOND BAR, CA (11.15.24) – The 2024 SEMA Show has officially concluded, solidifying its status as the global epicenter of automotive innovation. The event brought together over 2,400 exhibitors, including 580 first-time exhibitors, and attracted more than 160,000 attendees from 140 countries celebrating the industry at events throughout SEMA Week. Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from November 5-8, this year’s Show encompassed 1.2 million net square feet of indoor space and acres of outdoor exhibit space and activations showcasing groundbreaking products, cutting-edge technologies, and forward-thinking custom builds. The scope, energy and passion reaffirmed the SEMA Show as the premier automotive aftermarket event shaping the future of the industry.

“SEMA 2024 was a true celebration of where the automotive aftermarket industry is headed,” said Mike Spagnola, SEMA President and CEO. “This year, we saw a remarkable convergence of innovation, collaboration, and passion, with exhibitors, builders, and enthusiasts all coming together to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Innovation was the heart of SEMA Show 2024, driving the merger of creativity and technology across the Show floor.”

Whether it was the unveiling of next-gen products like the Revv ADAS Plus, Milltek Forge Motorsport E-DV electronic diverter valve solution, or innovative designs like the Kia EV9 ADVNTR Concept, the event demonstrated that SEMA is not just a trade show—it’s a catalyst for industry evolution.

INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS

• The 2024 SEMA Show was packed with visionary products and builds that underscore the continuous advancement of the aftermarket industry:
• Toyota GR86 Rally Legacy Concept: A nod to 90s rally heritage, this build merges modern day performance with vintage rally design, embodying Toyota’s commitment to motorsports innovation.
• Ram REV & Dodge Charger Banshee Concept: Electrification meets performance in these two bold concept vehicles, showcasing the growing trend of electric performance vehicles in the aftermarket space.
• SEMA Battle of the Builders: The category champions for the 2024 Battle of the Builders—including overall champion Noah Alexander’s ’68 Dodge Charger (Hot Rod/Hot Rod Truck), Bruce Yarnell’s ’65 Aston Martin DB5 (Sport Compact/Import Performance), Connor McElvain’s ’69 Datsun 2000 Roadster (Young Guns), and Rob Lindsay’s ’49 Willys Pickup (Off-Road)—demonstrated the artistry, craftsmanship, and forward-thinking approaches of the industry’s best custom builders.
• Custom Autosound’s USA-850 DigaDial™: The virtual screen radio allows user a choice of four distinct, one-of-a kind displays, from a classic analog look to all-digital RDS display, as well as improved audio refinements.
• FutureTech Studio: A highlight of the 2024 show, the FutureTech Studio presented next-generation technologies that are transforming the automotive world. From advanced EV innovations to autonomous driving systems, this space provided a glimpse into the future of the industry.

SEMA SHOW CELEBRITIES: STARS BEHIND THE WHEEL
A staple for celebrity appearances and star-powered moments, the 2024 SEMA Show attracted major attention from both the entertainment and motorsports worlds. Among the most anticipated reveals was country music sensation Kane Brown’s custom F250 King Ranch. Displayed at the American Force Wheels booth, the stunning build had crowds buzzing as fans lined up for a glimpse of the star’s personalized ride.

Chip Foose, legendary designer, brought his unmistakable touch to a number of custom builds, and Akira Nakai (known for his work with RAUH-Welt Begriff or RWB) created a one-of-a-kind Porsche 997—a milestone as his first-ever build at the SEMA Show, continuing his legacy of perfection and influence in the world of custom cars.

SEMA FEST & CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT: CONNECTING THE INDUSTRY WITH FANS
SEMA Fest expanded the Show’s reach by offering the public a chance to engage with cutting-edge automotive designs, live music, and motorsports. Featuring performances from bands like Cage the Elephant and Sublime, SEMA Fest brought together music, motorsports, and automotive culture for an unforgettable experience.

The SEMA Cruise was another crowd-pleaser, with more than 1,200 vehicles parading down Convention Center Drive, giving attendees a final chance to see some of the most innovative and jaw-dropping builds up close.

SEMA also opened its doors, literally and digitally, through the Friday Enthusiast Experience, an opportunity for the public to experience the Show on its final day, and SEMA Live, the Show’s first ever livestream, which attracted hundreds of thousands of viewers from around the world, giving the SEMA Show a true global audience.

SEMA SHOW 2024: MORE THAN JUST A TRADE SHOW
The 2024 SEMA Show was more than just a celebration of the latest products—it was an exploration of the future. The event served its role as the industry’s innovation epicenter, where attendees engaged in 80+ seminars, hands-on workshops, and networking events designed to keep them ahead in an ever-evolving industry.

SEMA’s advocacy efforts were also front and center, underscoring the importance of collaboration across the industry. With initiatives like the SEMA Action Network (SAN) and the SEMA Political Action Committee (PAC), SEMA continues to advocate for policies that protect and promote the automotive aftermarket, ensuring the continued growth and success of the sector.

THE ROAD AHEAD: A GLOBAL INDUSTRY POWERED BY INNOVATION
The SEMA Show 2024 closed with an electrifying sense of optimism. As the global leader in automotive innovation, SEMA once again demonstrated how the aftermarket industry is evolving.

By championing collaboration, sustainability, and next-gen technologies, the show remains the essential destination for professionals, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts eager to shape the future of automotive culture.

“We’re excited by the groundbreaking innovations showcased at SEMA 2024,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA Vice President of Events. “The future of the automotive aftermarket has never been brighter, and SEMA is where it all begins.”

For more information and show highlights, visit SEMA Show 2024.

DIAMOND BAR, CA (11.15.24) – The second decade of the SEMA Battle of the Builders Presented by Mothers, the aftermarket industry’s ultimate vehicle competition, got underway with Noah Alexander winning the contest with his ’68 Dodge Charger. Alexander won the Hot Rod/ Hot Rod Truck category and edged out the other class champions – Bruce Yarnell’s ’65 Aston Martin DB5 (Sport Compact/Import Performance), Rob Lindsay’s ’49 Willys Pickup (4-Wheel Drive & Off-Road), and Connor McElvain’s ’69 Datsun 2000 Roadster (Young Guns) – to secure the overall title.

The victory was a testament to the craftsmanship and fabrication skills of Alexander and the team at Classic Car Studio in St. Louis, Mo., whose ’68 Dodge Charger faced off against 171 other entries at the 2024 SEMA Show.

“The competition from this year’s Battle of the Builders was intense, and to come away with a win is something our shop will never forget,” said Alexander. “Some of the people we look up to the most in the industry have won this award, so to appear alongside those people is really incredible.”

The winning build came to fruition following a chance meeting with the car’s owner, Ed Ganzinotti, in the checkout line at a Barrett-Jackson auction six years ago. After owning the car for 20 years, Ganzinotti, a Houston native, reached out to Alexander to spruce up the Charger.

“We were going to fix some paint issues, do an interior refresh, and rebuild the engine. We said, ‘Ed, before we start, come to our shop, see what we’re capable of, and become somewhat of a regular as we work on this build,’ ” said Alexander. After visiting the shop, Ganzinotti commissioned the team to build him “the baddest Charger out there.”

The ’68 Dodge Charger features original sheetmetal that was refined with sharpened body lines, a relocated wheelbase, shaved drip rails, flush-mounted glass, custom hood and trunk skins, and a bespoke belly pan. Built on an altered wheelbase Roadster Shop chassis, all suspension components were body-worked and painted.

The car is powered by the original 440-cid Dick Landy engine with eight-stack fuel injection and a deburred, smoothed block. Inside the vehicle, a custom dash features one-off milled bezels, unique seats and door panels, and a package tray with Missouri black walnut accents.

“The best part about the build is that it has incredible drop-down lines from the factory, so we wanted to keep that intact. We set out to modify as much as possible while being subtle and keeping it timeless,” said Alexander. “It’s one of those cars where you have to step back to appreciate everything. There’s lots of crazy metalwork on there, but we wanted to keep it looking like a Charger. It’s a fully functional, nice driving car.”

To learn more about SEMA Battle of the Builders and this year’s finalists, visit www.semabotb.com.

BROOKLYN, NY (11.14.24) – The Proline Car Stereo Utica Avenue second floor meeting room was filled Tuesday night November 12th for a very detailed Kenwood Sales training meeting. Morris Hartman, Team Progressive area Kenwood representative, put the meeting together.

Sister Company, Brooklyn Car Audio, also had their staff members in the house. The Proline Car Stereo meeting room is maxed out with large video screens and multifunction connectivity options.

Hartman related “There were 18 staff members seated as Kelvin Rivera, Kenwood East Coast trainer, was on the screen and presented the training basics as I was able to interact with him to engage all in the audience. Store owners, Will Sullivan and Shef Sadik, are also in the house and food was supplied to enjoy sandwiches, salads, and desserts.

“Kelvin did a terrific job with his engaging presentation. The Kenwood product line covers so many product categories that have features-rich for consumers-behind the wheel, on a bide or in a boat, there is so much to learn. Following the Kenwood meeting our sales teams are ready to connect customers with Kenwood products” Sadik relayed.

Visit prolinenyc.com for more.

DIAMOND BAR, CA (11.14.24) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) announced the recipients of its Visionary 8 honor program, recognizing rising stars who are making a positive impact within the automotive aftermarket.

New for 2024, the SEMA Visionary 8 program honors eight young professionals aged 35 and under who are on track to change and/or advance the automotive specialty-equipment market. Criteria include having active industry involvement and the demonstrated talent, innovation, integrity, success, and leadership that is needed to become a driver of the industry.  

“This year’s honorees have a passion for the industry and a work ethic that is truly inspiring,” said SEMA Manager of Recognition Programs Jose Escobar. “We are proud to recognize their fresh perspectives, dedication to personal advancement, and out-of-the-box thinking that is pushing the industry forward.”

Each Visionary 8 recipient was recognized at the 2024 SEMA Show in Las Vegas and will be featured in an in-depth article in an upcoming issue of SEMA magazine.

The 2024 SEMA Visionary 8 are:
Cavan Cameron, Car Designer and Student, Horizon Motorsports
Joe Gregory, Project Engineer-TrailFX, LKQ Specialty Product Group
Nicole Hamilton, Director of Marketing, Engaged Media
Zack Hampton, Owner, Chromotize
Melanie Henry, Communications and Traffic Manager, Martin & Company Advertising
Solomon Lunger, Founder, Solos MFG
Kevin Sayo, Founder, Dongar Technologies LLC
Dan Ziegler, Business Partner Integration Manager, Turn 14 Distribution
“I’m honored. I’ve never won anything like this before,” said Hamilton. “This is a huge accomplishment for me and I’m very excited for it.”

Entrepreneurship, insight, integrity, responsibility, and demonstrated skill all weighed heavily in the judges’ decision-making process. Nominations for next year’s SEMA Visionary 8 will open in Summer of 2025.  

Visit www.sema.org for more.

DIAMOND BAR, CA (11.13.24) – The 2024 SEMA Show was a major success, drawing attention from across the automotive industry for its showcase of new innovations and product launches. Manufacturers seized the opportunity to introduce their latest technologies and offerings, setting the stage for trends in the year ahead. Industry professionals were able to experience these cutting-edge products firsthand, gaining valuable insights and networking in the vibrant setting of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The event solidified its status as the premier platform for automotive advancements, creating a dedicated space where industry leaders and businesses could connect and inspire for the year ahead.

Relive the highlights of the 2024 SEMA Show through recap videos of the inaugural SEMA Live livestream, which offered viewers around the world unprecedented, up-close access to the show floor.

Watch the SEMA Live recap videos on the SEMA Show YouTube, and see below for the Show Day 4 video. Want to relive the SEMA Show all year long? Visit semagear.com to stock up on your favorite designs from this year’s event! Free shipping on orders over $100 (restrictions may apply).

MANCHESTER, CN (11.13.24) – Tint World Automotive Styling Centers opens in Manchester, marking the third Connecticut location for the rapidly expanding brand.

Gregory Nussbaum, an experienced business development professional with a passion for the automotive industry, owns and operates Tint World Manchester. His location will provide daily commuters, road trippers and passionate automotive enthusiasts premium window tint solutions, custom audio upgrades, aftermarket performance services, security and safety enhancements and more.

“Manchester and its surrounding towns are a perfect fit for Tint World’s services,” Nussbaum said. “Events like the annual Cruisin’ on Main Street demonstrate a passion for automobiles in the area that matches my own, and our world-class tinting, paint protection and security upgrades will help families extend the life of their transportation. Tint World’s stellar reputation, extensive catalogue of automotive solutions and smooth onboarding made them the easy choice for me, and I’m excited to be a part of bringing the brand to drivers in the area.”

Nussbaum’s passion for cars began with his father, who introduced him to car shows and taught him how to drive a manual. This early exposure fueled a lifelong enthusiasm, leading him to join car clubs, organize rallies, and work in the automotive industry.

“We’re identifying new markets every day, and this third location in Connecticut serves to highlight the growing desire for the premium automotive aftermarket solutions we provide,” said Charles J. Bonfiglio, president and CEO of Tint World. “Drivers today want their vehicles to last, and quality-focused individuals want to personalize their vehicles with the very best upgrades. Gregory is a welcome addition to our family and the ideal owner to answer this demand in Manchester. I’m confident his professional business background and passion for cars will ensure customers receive the best service, and we’re eager to see his success at Tint World Manchester.”

Tint World Manchester is located at 29 Pavilions Dr, Manchester, Connecticut 06042 and serves drivers in Manchester, Glastonbury, Bolton, Vernon, South Windsor, Hartford and East Hartford.

To book an appointment, request a quote or learn more about Tint World Manchester, call (860) 423-6616 or visit the store online.