I'm at the Specialty Equipment Market Show, or SEMA, in Las Vegas, the enormous trade show for all things aftermarket. It's pretty big if you've never seen it before, but if you've visited in healthy years, you'll really notice the hit it's taken because of the economy.
So far I've only spent time in the tires-and-wheels building, which is only half the size it normally is -- much of the hall is divided by curtains, and there's nothing behind them. The parking lot display is easily half its regular size, as well. The crowds are much smaller, and in past years I've fought to get a chair in the media lounge; this time around, it's a case of picking which one I want. Last year you could see the cutbacks; this time, you feel it.
Still, it's a must-see event; that Subaru pictured is just one of an enormous number of far-out vehicles on display. You can certainly see trends, especially in the tire area, where there are more Chinese tire companies than I've ever seen before. New products are geared more toward the useful than just fluff. The big automakers are here, though, and I'm going to check out their booths, especially Toyota's, where the new LFA is on display.
Vegas overall is definitely feeling the downturn, as I discovered during my walk last night. I'm staying right on the Strip, at the Flamingo, for as low as $50 a night. There are four empty stores in Caesar's Palace Forum Shops. And everything looks a little less maintained than before. This is definitely where a lack of disposable income really shows its face.
