Like aftermarket product manufacturers, OEMs use SEMA to showcase their creativity, even their wild side

There was a time when automotive OEMs were disdainful of the annual exhibition of the Professional Equipment Market Association, which was a group of companies that formed the automotive aftermarket and provided things that made cars and trucks faster or looked better.

Earlier, the Detroit automaker would send someone to participate in the annual SEMA show, but very quietly looking for emerging trends. But as the auto show became an ideal place to showcase all of the car’s products, automakers in Detroit, Japan, and Europe realized they had the opportunity to showcase the personalization and customization capabilities of their own designers and engineers. 

Original equipment manufacturers realized that the SEMA show provided a focus group opportunity for car enthusiasts to enter the potential market for prototype parts before actual production costs.

Although the coronavirus pandemic has restricted overseas participation in the 2021 SEMA show, several original equipment manufacturers were still present, not only showing their own ideas, but also showing how others use their vehicles as a canvas for car creativity .

Dodge Challenger Saint Guacamole Concept

Mopar showed off the 2020 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody inspired by the 1970s, in Rotten Avocado color, with a "Gold School" Shaker hood scoop, lowered Mopar spiral suspension and staggered 20-inch Forgeline wheels. The interior is decorated with green and yellow lattice seats and door inserts and wood panels, just like going back to the 70s. And, yes, it has a Hemi.

1988 Chevrolet Camaro ZZ632 Hoonigan concept car

In cooperation with Hoonigan, Chevrolet demonstrated Chevrolet's latest and most powerful crate engine ZZ632/1000, with a rated power of 1,004 horsepower and a torque of 876 pound-feet. The Jerico 4-speed transmission relay that powers the rear wheels of American Racing VF530, as well as a custom 4-link rear suspension and Baer brakes help maintain some control.

As early as the mid-1960s, Bill France banned Ford's 427cid "Cammer" V8 engine because it was too peculiar for NASCAR racing cars. This prototype was designed by Matranga Hot Rods and Brown Auto Design. Imagine that France has given him a license for the engine, and Ford has manufactured the 500 cars required for certification. The body adopts a teardrop hood and a reshaped and narrowed bumper. Since this is a street machine rather than a racing car, it is equipped with leather seats, old-fashioned air conditioning and an 8,000 rpm Ford tachometer, so the driver knows when to change gears with the 6-speed Tremec manual transmission.

Ford Maverick XLT Supercrew 

Ford showed off this Maverick modified by Tucci Hot Rods of Marcy, New York. Tucci said that this car was inspired by racing cars of past generations. Personally, I think this is the coolest vehicle I have seen at the show. The colors are spectacular, as are the unique wings above the rear cover of the pickup truck (with a similar but smaller 3D printed lip spoiler on the front), and then those 20-inch wheels with custom white turbofans. Borla exhaust is exhausted from the center of the rear end, helping to extract all the power that the 2.0-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine can produce. 

The Bronco Badlands, also modified by Tucci Hot Rods, is installed on a triangular track by Mattracks for driving on snow to the top of the mountain, where your passengers can use the snowboard installed on the roof, while you can enjoy driving back Fun in the ski hut.

Chevrolet said that based on a full-size 4×4 pickup truck chassis, although the track has been widened by 90 inches, Chevrolet said that the beast is designed to demonstrate power and off-road capabilities. Components include a supercharged Lt4 6.2-liter crate V8, rated at 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque, custom suspension, 20-inch lock ring wheels with 37-inch AMP tires, and quadruple Recaro off-road vehicle seats, 4 -Point constraints.

Stretch the 4-door Jeep Wrangler Sahara by one foot, raise the roof with a multi-window free canopy, add a third row of seats, and take an adventure with friends, family, or both.

A 2-inch suspension lift kit with Fox shock absorbers, 20-inch wheels and 37-inch BFGoodrich tires help off-road.

I have prepared media reports, claiming that this modern interpretation of an old Toyota campervan is the best thing at the show, but I disagree. In fact, I was almost unmoved. The name of this car comes from the old nickname "Taco" of the compact Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, and the way it carries the camping shell on the bed during the day. Toyota said that this update is based on the mid-size Tacoma TRD Sport model and pays tribute to the early camping units and the current micro-house boom. The campervan part is provided by Complete Customs of McKinney, Texas. It has a sleeping space above the cab, a full bathroom with shower, and a kitchen with a 3D printed dining table, which can be converted into backlit wall art when not in use.

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