SEMA 2025 Day One Brings New Hoonigan, New Products, and the Battle of Builders Round One

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Photos: Courtesy of Richard King



The 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas kicked off with a slew of vehicle reveals, the more recent Gymkhana vehicle from Hoonigan -- the first since the passing of founder Ken Block, the new product awards, the first round of Battle of the Builders and more. The SEMA show was buzzing with buyers, exhibitors, media, influencers and builders, and the mood was decidedly...robust. It's clear that the industry has been holding its breath since tariff talk (and implentation) has been dominating the conversation, but none of that inhibited the enthusiasm of the aftermarket enthusiasts here to check out what's new. There has also been a palpable sigh of relief as the electric market shifts, in part due to SEMAs efforts to rally against electric legislation while encouraging a culture of "choice", something echoed in the opening breakfast as Stellantis' Tim Kuniskis spoke to Jay Leno about horespower and what's next.

The push this year seems to be embracing the excitement instead of focusing on efforts to electrify, diversity or become more inclusive. And while the growth of the auto industry is something we can all benefit from, it would have been nice to see some of the efforts of the past few years continue, but the show is clearly growing and thriving.

In terms of vehicle builds, the evolution of design thanks to 3-D printing, new materials, digital rendering and more means that if you can dream it, you truly can build it. Just ask some of the Battle of the Builders nominees. Speaking of, congratulations to the Top 40:

HOT ROD/HOT ROD TRUCK

Jason Berland — 1968 Chevrolet C10

Randy Borcherding — 1968 Plymouth Road Runner

Willie Davis — 1957 Chevrolet Truck

Jonathan Goolsby — 1966 Chevrolet C10 Step Side

Troy Gudgel — 1959 Chevrolet Impala

Kyle Kuhnhausen — 1966 Chevrolet Corvette

Jason Smith — 1970 Dodge Challenger

Joshua Sanders — 1970 Dodge Charger

Troy Trepanier —1936 Ford Roadster

Paul VanNus — 1969 Ford Torino


SPORT COMPACT/IMPORT PERFORMANCE

Brian Dilley — 1965 ISO Rivolta

Jack Diramarian — 1970 Porsche 911

Tim Franklin — 1960 Porsche Custom 356

David Guadagnoli — 1967 Ford GT 40 MKIV

Phil Nguyen — 1997 Nissan Skyline GTR

Alyxzander Prohaska — 1988 Toyota AE86 Corolla

Javier Reyna — 1997 Ferrari F355

Phillip Tieu — 2012 Porsche 911

John Sarkisyan — 1971 Mercedes Benz 600 Pullman

John Sarkisyan — 2019 Tesla Model 3 "300SL"



OFF-ROAD

Bryce Adams — 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer

Tyler Adams — 1985 Chevrolet K10

James Amerson — 1946 Dodge Power Wagon

Cody Dabney — 1973 International Scout

Michael Dascoli — 1969 International Scout

Woody Ferrebee — 1966 Ford Bronco

Ron Jones — 1973 VW Thing

Jason Noel — 1959 Ford F100

Garth Redifer — 1974 Ford F250 Crew Cab

Chris Von Ritter — 1968 Ford Bronco



YOUNG GUNS

Tyler Adams — 1972 Chevrolet Blazer

Scott Anderson — 1961 Chevrolet Impala

Christopher Cairo — 1967 Ford Mustang

Cameron Cocalis — 1988 BMW E30 325i

Dustyn Dell — 1969 Chevrolet C10

Thomas Dickerson — 1967 Chevrolet C10

Justin Fields — 1972 Chevrolet C10

Bennett Ford Lisenby — 1968 Ford F250

Roberto Munoz — 1938 Chevrolet Canopy Express

Rockford Smith — 1976 Chevrolet K10

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This Subaru BRAT is the latest Hoonigan build for Gymkhana.