The Coolest Trucks at the Biggest Show in the World
The 2022 SEMA event marked the second year back after the show’s 2020 hiatus, and boy, the atmosphere was full of excitement! A tally of 3,000 exhibitors along with approximately 130,000 visitors were in attendance from Nov. 1-4, and they filled the show’s nearly 1-million-square-foot space within the Las Vegas Convention Center. That’s a lot of people—not to mention a huge amount of new products and freshly unveiled OEM vehicles as well as those that have been heavily customized for the big event.
SO MANY TRUCKS
Trucks are always in high attendance at the SEMA show, and 2022 definitely did not disappoint. There was a great deal of classic pickups of all types that spanned the spectrum from those slammed to the ground to those lifted up on big tires and everything else imaginable in between.
Trucks are always in high attendance at the SEMA show, and 2022 definitely did not disappoint. There was a great deal of classic pickups of all types that spanned the spectrum from those slammed to the ground to those lifted up on big tires, and everything else imaginable in between.
Classic truck stunners such as K5 Blazers, C10s galore as well as classic Ford pickups and several International models were there to represent for classic American metal. Later-model performance pickups (and countless new Broncos) as well as ever-ready off-road warriors touting extreme overland utility and more were also in full force just waiting to dazzle the adventure enthusiasts in the crowd.
ELECTRIC TAKES THE STAGE
The OEM electric vehicle market has once again shown up in a major way. In fact, a 21,000-square-foot area called SEMA Electrified (which actually debuted back in 2019) was dedicated to the newest plug-in vehicles to leave the production floor. EVs were looked at by some in the past to be nothing more than cute novelties of sorts, but even from last year’s event, there seems to be a much wider embrace of this fast growing segment.
The GMC Hummer EV, Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T, as well as an upcoming electric Chevy Silverado, are all real-world, heavy-duty trucks that are on the brink of breaking through to the mainstream vehicle market, which is a noteworthy landmark.
EVs were looked at by some in the past to be nothing more than cute novelties of sorts, but even from last year’s event, there seems to be a much wider embrace of this fast growing segment.
While on the subject, classic EV truck conversions are still proving to be extremely popular and even more impressive than ever. To help them to continue flowing from the ever-growing number of builders out there, the EV parts marketplace is beginning to blow up with all sorts of exciting new wares. If you were hoping to see these builds fizzle out and go away any time soon, we wouldn’t advise you to continue holding your breath.
There’s always a wide variety of vehicles to see at SEMA, but with the truck market being as expansive as it is, there’s never a shortage of things to see within our favorite automotive segment. Only the best pickups in attendance from SEMA 2022 will be featured throughout 2023 in upcoming issues of Street Trucks, C10 Builder’s Guide, F-100 Builder’s Guide, and EV Builder’s Guide, so stay tuned to each title so you don’t miss any of the action!
SEMA HISTORYÊ
The SEMA name used to stand for Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association back when it was first formed in 1963. Seven years later in 1970, the acronym was changed to represent Specialty Equipment Market Association in order to maintain a positive image during the changing climate of government regulations on autos in this era. This association was comprised of aftermarket, non-OEM companies that were looking to solidify and standardize the performance products they were manufacturing that catered to the boom of hot-rod builders of this time.
The first organized SEMA show took place in 1967 in Los Angeles underneath the grandstands of Dodger Stadium. Only 98 vendors were in attendance displaying their wares back then, but the exhibiting companies of that time, as well as the spectators in attendance, were all there for the common goals of making their cars go faster and fixing the issues they were running into while doing so.
As the SEMA tradeshow expanded, it eventually moved from Southern California to the Las Vegas Convention Center in 1977 where it has remained to this day. Now, SEMA is an event that is highly anticipated on a global scale each November. Aside from only having performance parts to examine, industry experts, buyers, and journalists can now preview the latest and greatest products in other aftermarket categories such as restyling, electronics, suspension, tools, safety, and so much more.
Those who work in the automotive field in one way or another, or have friends in the right places, may qualify for entrance to what is now the greatest automotive experience in existence.
While in its infancy, the SEMA show was open to anyone who wished to attend, but it is now a trade-only industry event that is not open to the general public. Those who work in the automotive field in one way or another, or have friends in the right places, may qualify for entrance to what is now the greatest automotive experience in existence.
For further information, visit SEMAShow.com