SEMA 2025 Day One Brings New Hoonigan, New Products, and the Battle of Builders Round One
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 Click Here to Begin Slideshow
