Tuner Market Mayhem: SEMA To Showcase Toyota And Lexus Vehicles

Toyota Motor Sales Inc., announced today that Toyota will be the official "Vehicle Manufacturer of the Show" for the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show in Las Vegas from October 30 to November 2.

"We are thrilled to be the official Vehicle Manufacturer of the 2007 SEMA Show," said Jim Farley, Toyota Division group vice president of marketing. "The SEMA Show has grown in leaps and bounds each year and has been instrumental to the growth of the aftermarket business and the ever-expanding partnerships between automakers and aftermarket suppliers. SEMA is very important to Toyota, and has become one of the key annual automotive events for us. In fact, in addition to being the official vehicle manufacturer, we are planning to stage a world premiere at this year's show."

The SEMA Show has been a significant showcase for Toyota and Scion project vehicles and important all-new product debuts. Last year, the all-new 2007 Toyota Tundra full-size pickup truck captured one of SEMA's prestigious design awards by being named the "most accessory friendly truck of the 2006 SEMA Show." SEMA has also been instrumental in helping Toyota demonstrate the vast accessory capabilities of vehicles such as the FJ Cruiser sport utility vehicle, the entire Scion model lineup, and many other products in the Toyota lineup.

Toyota's participation at SEMA continues to grow. This year, in addition to being the Vehicle Manufacturer of the 2007 SEMA Show, Toyota will expand its activity even further with official participation from its Lexus luxury division.

Bill - 4/17/2007 1:55:16 PM

+9 Boost

The aftermarket tuning industry is not something I would call "art". Rather, it's the distortion of elegant and beautiful cars into something that appeals to the hip hop crowd (the bling bling crowd).

The LS460 is classy, but in this picture, it looks like a "gangsta" car and that does not suit its character.

StepYaGameUp - 4/17/2007 3:05:19 PM

-1 Boost

I dont think aftermarket parts necessarily distort the elegance of an automobile. We all know that overdoing aftermarket parts could ruin the look of your car. However, aftermarket parts enable you to personalize your automobile and make it your own. It would be boring if every Lexus LS looked the same with the same type of wheels, etc. I would much rather the one in this pic over a stock LS(however id keep the LEXUS badge on the grill!)

david999 - 4/17/2007 4:38:44 PM

-1 Boost

Got that right!

EnnNorak - 4/17/2007 2:29:05 PM

+5 Boost

Agree with Bill. Aftermarket tuning is a waste of money as it involves overpriced parts and negative impact on resale value. Better to order a standard performance model available from the car manufacturer where economies of scale can be achived along with assured reliability.

answer - 4/17/2007 3:12:10 PM

+1 Boost

All aftermarket tuner stuff is tacky.

Example: every Gemballa Porsche ever made

Agent009 - 4/17/2007 4:29:06 PM

0 Boost

You guys are missing something here:

"In fact, in addition to being the official vehicle manufacturer, we are planning to stage a world premiere at this year's show."

Is this a new Lexus F model?

Will_ - 4/17/2007 4:39:41 PM

+1 Boost

Presumably so!

" "We are thrilled to be the official Vehicle Manufacturer of the 2007 SEMA Show,"


"...said Jim Farley, Toyota Division group vice president of marketing."

If it is a Lexus, I'm assuming it will be the finalized LF-A(?).However I think the vehicle will most likely not be from Lexus, but from Toyota.

david999 - 4/17/2007 4:40:37 PM

+1 Boost

RX-F

enthusiastx11 - 4/18/2007 1:40:23 AM

+2 Boost

there's only one F-model: the IS-F.

there is defintitely NOT an RX-F coming. first of all, the people who buy the RX don't care about performance. and second, there's a new RX coming in the '10 model year, so they certainly wouldn't introduce another version before then. the current platform couldn't even handle that kind of power.

budfrogS4 - 4/18/2007 10:21:54 AM

+1 Boost

World premiere usually means something we've never seen before...so GS-F? I don't see why not.

BigShow50 - 4/17/2007 5:03:22 PM

0 Boost

Actually the aftermarket scene whatever way you guys look at it, has help change/contributed the global automotive industry. Interms of styling, wheels, and audio entertainment. Think about it...

SupraNeverBack - 4/17/2007 5:05:54 PM

+2 Boost

"In fact, in addition to being the official vehicle manufacturer, we are planning to stage a world premiere at this year's show"

What will that be? My guess is the new Land Cruiser.

S4cabriofoxone - 4/17/2007 5:42:54 PM

+1 Boost

I don't think so. It will be something higher-profile. IS-F, LF-A, a new Supra, even!

enthusiastx11 - 4/18/2007 1:41:10 AM

+1 Boost

probably the IS-F

jt716 - 4/17/2007 10:21:45 PM

+1 Boost

Thats Lexus LS really screams "I'm 80 and I'm hip dawg!" Well LS looks fine as it is.

enthusiastx11 - 4/18/2007 1:38:19 AM

+3 Boost

why is lexus even at this tacky show?

it's a bad thing for a luxury brand. thought it works for honda, toyota and mass market brands.