DIAMOND BAR, Calif. – Recognizing the top trend-setting vehicle models, the SEMA Awards will be announced and presented to winning automakers during the 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Through the program, SEMA exhibitors that make products for those trend-setting vehicles will identify the vehicle platforms they believe are best for accessorizing, and best for showcasing the industry’s coolest products.
 
“Each year, automakers come out with new and amazing models,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “SEMA Show exhibitors invest significant resources and time in developing products for the most promising new models. The SEMA Award is a one-of-a-kind award that recognizes the vehicle models that SEMA exhibitors expect will be the major trend-setters for the year ahead.”
 
Show organizers will take a tally of every booth vehicle at the show to identify the most prominent vehicle models in four categories (Hottest Car, Hottest Truck, Hottest 4×4-SUV and Hottest Sport Compact). With each booth vehicle representing one vote, the most prominent models will be named the SEMA Award winners for the year.
 
"SEMA Show exhibitors are among the true visionaries of the industry," said Kersting. "The decision to display their newest products on a particular new model is a statement about what they see as the year’s hottest new cars and trucks."
 
The SEMA Show typically includes more than 700 qualified booth vehicles. Last year’s SEMA Award winners were the Chevrolet Camaro as the Hottest Car, the Ford F-Series as the Hottest Truck, the Jeep Wrangler as the Hottest 4×4-SUV and the Fiat 500 as the Hottest Sport Compact.
 
The 2012 winners will be announced and presented during a press conference at the SEMA Show.
 
For additional information about the SEMA Award program, visit www.sema.org/semaaward.