While walking through the Las Vegas Convention Center for the SEMA Show 2025, what I saw changed how I think about tuning culture and the car community. The SEMA Show delivered four days of proof that the aftermarket car community is still growing strong. Here's what stood out.European cars stole the showSEMA is a trade show meant to bring together car enthusiasts from around the world with one key purpose: to share their passion for cars in lovely Las Vegas.It becomes the epicenter of all-things car culture. During my trip, I met with some amazing people and saw some unique builds. I noticed a big jump in European cars at the show, from Porsches to record-breaking G80 M3s defying hypercar-power levels. I also saw crazy off-road builds made to push boundaries beyond my expectations.The Builds That Stood OutSteven Nádaskai’s Tunezilla-tuned Porsche Cayenne 3.0 TDIA rugged off-road/tow rig paired with his custom MK6 GTI widebody running his own Alko Motorsports kit. It’s a stellar example of European diesel done right.IG: TypicalstevennPQ Performance’s G80 M3A car that everyone saw shattering records online, and seeing it in person was even wilder. PQ Performance nailed this build, hitting a ridiculous 2.84 seconds in 60–130 mph.IG: pqperformanceFZP Euro’s Drift MacanWho said SUVs are only for family use? Powered by an Audi RS7 engine, caged, bucket-seated front and rear, and fully transformed inside and out, this Macan shows what true creativity and innovation look like.IG: fcpeuroHyer Solomon’s Bagged Wide Body Ferrari 355As a stance fan myself, this was easily one of my favorites. Walking into the courtyard and seeing a slammed Ferrari 355 aired out was unreal. I’m sure a few purists cried that day.IG: HyerislowerThe Downfall of Internal Combustion and Car Culture As We Know It?As I walked through the SEMA Show this year, one thing became impossible to ignore: the surge of electric and hybrid platforms. Teslas with wild LED bumper setups, widebody kits, and aero you’d expect on a time-attack car.Corvettes stripped of their iconic V8 and swapped with full electric drivetrains—it was a glimpse into the direction the industry is leaning, and might offer insight into what it could mean for the aftermarket world.A lot of enthusiasts still label EVs as “boring,” but the SEMA Show 2025 proved it doesn’t have to be that way. The number of booths now offering performance upgrades, visual mods, software enhancements, and full EV conversions illustrates one thing: the aftermarket is adapting, and there’s real excitement behind it.Now, don’t get me wrong, working at an aftermarket tuning company and being a car guy at heart, nothing will replace the feeling of a roaring V8 or the addictive flutter of a turbo. As much as we love these sounds and sensations, we also know internal combustion won’t last forever. Regulations, emissions targets, and shifting consumer behavior are pushing the industry forward.But there is hope. Kind of.Major manufacturers have been struggling with EV sales and production, and the market isn’t reacting as strongly as predicted. Because of that, many brands are actively searching for alternatives beyond just fully electric powertrains.Enter Hydrogen—The Middle GroundOver the past few years, hydrogen has become one of the most exciting innovations in the automotive world. Honda, Porsche, Toyota, and several others have been experimenting in the hydrogen space, trying to find a middle ground between traditional combustion and electrification. When I spoke with the team at Toyota about their Tacoma H2 concept, it really opened my eyes to how advanced this technology is getting. It’s not science fiction anymore. It’s happening.Auto Manufacturers Get It NowManufacturers may have shifted heavily toward electric and hybrid SUVs in the last few years, but enthusiasts haven’t been forgotten.Ford is still building V8 MustangsChevy is pushing performance with the C8 ZR1XBMW kept its twin-turbo V8 alive in the hybrid M5 wagonPerformance divisions like AMG, BMW M, Hyundai N, and Mazda Spirit Racing continue to push harderEven better, OEM + aftermarket collaboration is growing. More brands are partnering with tuning and performance companies, like the factory Akrapovič option on the MK8.5 Golf R.This signals something important. Manufacturers finally understand that people want cars with personality, not just another generic crossover.What This MeansThe SEMA Show 2025 in Las Vegas reminded me of something simple: The car community is growing stronger than ever.The future of cars runs through electrification, hydrogen, and hybrid systems; however, the love for cars will never change, and all the car enthusiasts at the SEMA Show proved this.
