Tag Archives: SEMA Show

SEMA 2012: Winners and Highlights

With Hurricane Sandy and the election dominating the news cycle, it was easy to forget that the SEMA Show was last week. Auto enthusiasts from across the country descended on Las Vegas to see the latest technology, custom and concept cars, and celebrities like Chip Foose, Kenny Youngblood, and Gene Winfield.

While we were unable to attend the show, it was a lot of fun to stop by the show’s website, browse the cars that were on display, and check out the big winners of the show. Today, we’re bringing you the SEMA 2012 winners and a few of our favorite cars from the show.

SEMA 2012 Winners

Hottest Car – Ford Mustang
Hottest Truck – Ford F-Series
Hottest 4×4/SUV – Jeep Wrangler
Hottest Sport/Compact – Scion FR-S

The Ford Mustang might have been the hottest car at the 2012 SEMA show, but this 2011 Ford Mustang exhibited by GlossPro Car Care Products played it cool in blue.

The Scion FR-S was the most popular compact this year, but amongst a crowd of black, yellow, and elaborate details, this mint-colored Scion FR-S stood out in the crowd. It was stylish and sporty without looking too flashy.

The SEMA show is the place to go for the strange and unusual in cars, and this year did not disappoint. Our MVP was the Tanker Beer, a 1931 MAC C Cab which has been converted into a moving bar. The only downside to the Tanker Beer is that it will make any future tailgating parties look amateur by comparison.

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SEMA Show: Chevy Pushing Compact Concepts, Z-Spec Options

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show is coming up next week starting October 30 and running through November 2. Parts manufacturers from across the country will be descending upon Las Vegas to browse, network, and see the future of the auto industry. Prior to the show, however, some exhibitors like Chevrolet are giving early previews of what attendees can look forward to.

According to Autoweek, Chevy will be showing off 39 cars at the SEMA Show next week, and most of their focus will be on a number of compact concept vehicles. The Sonic Z-Spec 1, Sonic Z-Spec 2.5, Spark Sinister, Cruze Upscale, and Sonic B-Spec will all be on display, and Chevy will be officially announcing that Z-Spec options will be in production in 2013. Car shoppers can either purchase and install them, or if they are purchasing a new car, they can add the cost of the options onto the price of the car and have the dealership install them.

This news from Chevy shows again that car manufacturers are focusing on compact cars. It is especially telling that Chevy is pushing compact cars at SEMA Show, one of the biggest automotive shows of the year. Also, Chevy’s announcement that Z-Spec options will be available in 2013 proves that they are listening to car shoppers. People have latched onto the idea of their car being customizable and unique to their needs, something that has worked well for the Dodge Dart, and pushing the Z-Spec options is a smart move on Chevy’s part.

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War Veterans Restore Classic Cars, Rehabilitate Bodies and Souls

For soldiers coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan, the transition from military service to civilian life is a tough road both physically and psychologically. These difficulties are compounded for soldiers who sustained major injuries and have to re-enter civilian life with a physical handicap. In San Antonio, an auto garage has stepped up and is taking an active role in helping America’s veterans. Their goal? Restoring classic cars.

Automotivation was founded in 2006 by Operation Comfort, a non-profit organization dedicated to caring for wounded troops. Operation Comfort coordinate sports programs, woodworking classes, financial assistance/education programs, and car restoration programs for soldiers rehabilitating at the Brooke Army Medical Center. These programs give the soldiers joy and purpose in an otherwise difficult time, and it also provides a social outlet where soldiers can bond over a common interest.

Since 2006, Automotivation has made annual trips to the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas to show off their work. Thanks to generous donors, they have had plenty of work to show off. In the past few years, Automotivation has purchased and restored a 1984 Ford Bronco and a 1966 Cobra Kit Car. Their progress was documented on their website and can be seen here.

Besides the social aspect of the program, Automotivation’s organizers want to teach these soldiers practical skills that they can use in their professional lives. Returning soldiers can often have trouble finding work, and learning the ins and outs of a car can open new job opportunities to them. On the Operation Comfort website, one of the program’s organizers wrote, “Our hope is that these young men and women will find that they love working on cars and decide to go into the Automotive Industry.”

If you would like to donate to this fine organization, follow the link here. Also you can keep up with the latest auto news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube.