The 2026 SEMA Show highlighted an automotive aftermarket focused on turning emerging technologies into practical, market-ready solutions.\u00a0Thousands of products were entered in the New Products Showcase and debuted across the Show floor<\/strong>, reflecting advances in AI-enabled repair tools, advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) calibration equipment, connected technology and performance components.<\/p>\n Key trends included the growing use of artificial intelligence to streamline repair procedures and shop operations; greater integration of technology, durability and functionality into truck, off-road and powersports products; and continued improvements in performance and comfort for classic vehicles. Together, these innovations demonstrate how manufacturers are responding to evolving customer needs while creating new opportunities for aftermarket businesses.<\/p>\n Automakers Use SEMA As a Launch Platform \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Major automakers and performance organizations participated throughout the week, reinforcing the Show\u2019s role as the global meeting place where original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and aftermarket innovation intersect.<\/p>\n Expanded Powersports Section Broadens Business Opportunities<\/strong><\/p>\n The expanded Powersports, Side-by-Side (SxS) and Adventure Lifestyle section featured dirt bikes, motorcycles, side-by-sides, trailers, tow vehicles, gear and adventure-lifestyle products. The section brought together established brands and industry organizations, including Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki Motors Corp., Yamaha Watercraft, Kymco USA Inc., Inferno Eyewear, Denago, Shock Therapy, the National Powersports Dealers Association and more.<\/p>\n Its placement gave attendees opportunities to explore new business categories while providing a high-visibility platform for exhibitors such as Massimo Motor, a manufacturer and distributor of powersports vehicles, UTVs, ATVs and innovative mobility solutions.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re really excited to be here because we launched the Sentinel1500, as well as the Warrior 1500,\u201d said Massimo Motor Vice President of Dealer Development Ron Luttrell. \u201cIt was the first time the public had seen them, so launching at SEMA was important to us. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive for both of those units, the brand and the other units we displayed.\u201d<\/p>\n SEMA Battle of the Builders Presented by Mothers expanded in 2026 with the addition of the Bike Builder Shootout, recognizing standout motorcycle builds. More than 50 motorcycles were entered into the competition with Steven Iacona earning the inaugural championship for his customized Harley Davidson Knucklehead.<\/p>\n \u201cI am truly grateful for this honor,\u201d Iacona said. \u201cThe entire event was incredible. The competition was difficult, but I will absolutely be back next year. Thank you to everyone at SEMA for inviting custom bike builders to participate. It was amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n Developing the Next Generation of Skilled Professionals<\/strong><\/p>\n Preparing the next generation of industry talent was another key theme of the 2026 SEMA Show, with hands-on experiences and education connecting students with career opportunities in the automotive aftermarket.<\/p>\n In the inaugural Ford Custom Garage Ultimate Build Competition, six Washtenaw Community College students brought an attendee-designed Ford Bronco to life, building the vehicle live in the Ford booth before its Friday reveal.<\/p>\n The SEMA Show Student Program also reached a milestone, attracting more than 1,000 students, an all-time high. Education sessions highlighted workforce development strategies and ways companies can connect with emerging talent and recruit future employees.<\/p>\n The program was part of SEMA Education, which featured a multitude of education sessions across multiple SEMA-led and partner tracks, delivering the latest ideas and skills to business owners and professionals from across the world.<\/p>\n Eddie Pettus won the 2026 SEMA Battle of the Builders Presented by Mothers competition with his \u201870 Chevrolet Chevelle.<\/p>\n Thomas Kincer of Kincer Chassis won the 2026 SEMA Best Engineered Vehicle of the Year Award for his \u201877 Ford F-100. The annual award recognizes a feature vehicle at the SEMA Show that demonstrates exceptional engineering.<\/p>\n On Nov. 6, SEMA Show Friday \u2013 Open to the Public welcomed enthusiasts to experience the exhibit halls, vehicle builds and demonstrations. The SEMA Cruise carried Show vehicles out of the convention center, while SEMA Fest continued the celebration with performances by The Offspring, Jimmy Eat World, 311 and The Alive.<\/p>\n SEMA Live presented by AutoZone delivered 32 hours of scheduled coverage from the Show campus on SEMA\u2019s YouTube and Facebook channels. Coverage included product and vehicle reveals, interviews, outdoor demonstrations, Battle of the Builders and the SEMA Cruise. Highlights and on-demand coverage from the 2026 event are available through SEMA\u2019s\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0channels.\u00a0<\/p>\n As a catalyst for commerce across the aftermarket, the SEMA Show connects the people, products and ideas that help businesses grow and the industry prosper. The Show returns to Las Vegas Nov. 2-5, 2027, for its 60th anniversary, and exhibitors are encouraged to plan early: the priority booth-space application deadline has moved up to Feb. 1, 2027. Visit\u00a0semashow.com<\/a>\u00a0for more information.<\/p>\n This story was originally published on November 11, 2026. The post 2026 SEMA Show Convenes Global Automotive Aftermarket Around Innovation, Business, and Car Culture<\/a> first appeared on Drag Illustrated<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The 2026 SEMA Show concluded four days of product discovery, business development and automotive culture at the Las Vegas Convention Center, bringing together more than 150,000 industry professionals, media and enthusiasts from 140 countries and more than 2,200 exhibiting brands, including 400 first-time exhibitors. The event served as a global marketplace for the automotive aftermarket, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-105199","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105199","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=105199"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105199\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=105199"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=105199"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=105199"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
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