I just spent four days at what should be the biggest automotive event of the year. Hundreds of cars, thousands of parts and everyone is there. Everyone being there may be the problem.

I have been going to SEMA years, about fifteen if I remember correctly. I remember when SEMA was focused on performance parts for serious automotive enthusiasts. It has been diluted over the years to include everything that is vaguely car related. The second problem I see, is that SEMA is dominated by trends. This year seemed to be the year of the V8. Everywhere I looked there was a giant lifted truck or another muscle car or street rod.

To be honest, I am more of a European Car guy than I am a Japanese import guy, but the show was weak for both camps. The star of the import show this year was the Fit. I can understand why. A stiff light weight chassis, a well established base of parts already established, cheap to buy and relatively cheap to mod. This really may be the Honda markets dream. The rest of the Honda scene at the show was rather disappointing. There just wasn't much new at the show.

The real stand out at the show was Mugen Civic Si. Finally a Mugen offering for the US market, and if that isn't enough, it's a four door. The only thing that concerns me is the price. Honda has promised the car to come in under thirty. Knowing the industry as I do, when someone says under thirty that means just under thirty. Knowing dealers the way I know them, I would guess since this is a limited edition car you will see dealer markup. How many people are really willing to pay thirty two for a factory modded Si?

Do I regret spending an entire week taking in the show, walking more miles than I would care to count? Not at all. There is still something special about SEMA, and I will be back again next year. I would even go if it was all street rods and trucks just for the experience.

 - Mike Febbo