The 2011 SEMA 2show has now come to an end and what a show! For Carbonetic it was a first time back in over 4 years, but more importantly it was the official launch of the new Blade clutch range. I had heard and read great things about SEMA in the past, but nothing prepares you how large the show is, with 135,000 attendees and 2,100 exhibitors spanning 950,000 square feet of exhibit space there is a lot to see and do! The good news is this year the show saw an 11-percent increase in exhibitors and a 10-percent increase in size, compared with 2010.
Talking to customers, tuners, magazine editors and other industry members, there was a very positive vibe in the show and tuning scene as a whole in the USA. Many reporting a come back in tuning and an increase in business, with both a growth in the JDM, German and of course US vehicle tuning. Many said that the end customers are now more educated and have a much better understanding with tuning and what will work on their vehicle. It also seems that the USA makes it far more accessible for the “Grass roots” guys to get into motor sport compared to the UK for example, track days in particular are less than half the price compared to the UK equivalent!
The quality of the vehicles at the show was extremely impressive, the level of detail and workmanship was at the highest of levels. With a vast array of imports, German and US vehicles all equally impressive in their own right. It seemed though the engine of choice at the moment is the awesome LS V8, it was being dropped into various vehicles, Germany, JDM and even a classic 190 SL Roadster, the build looked extremely factory! I was also happy to see Nakai-sans RWB965 Pandora One and the FT86! (even though it was a mock up)
Carbonetic
We used SEMA to launch our latest clutch range, the Blade clutch. We have a lot of visitors to our booth and the reception of the Blade was extremely positive, everyone we spoke to could not believe that you can get a carbon clutch for the same price as a Stage 1-2 Organic/sintered priced clutch. We had been asked by many people for a clutch to fit the LSV8, VAG vehicles, BMW E36/46 M3 and the 911. Good news is we will be releasing VAG and the 911 Blades early next year, followed shortly by the BMW and a seriously looking into the the LS engine.
But that is our plan a long, to make a carbon/carbon clutch available to the mass market without the extremely high price tag that carbon carries, fortunately we are able to do this as we are a carbon/carbon manufacturer.
The price wasn’t just the biggest point people where excited about, comments about how well engineered the product was, how good it looks and how easy the clutch will be to use in day-to-day situations, with easy modulation, no judder, an all-round, easy to live with clutch.
On display was our new single plate kits and twin plate kits, both being raved about, especially the new twin Blade which will be able to hold 1000BHP and cost £1250 RRP. All the new Blade kits are now conversion free, this means they are a direct OEM replacement, there will be no need for a push/pull conversion and the clutches can be installed by a home mechanic.
Overall we believe it was a great success, for us and all the exhibitors at the show.
If you want to see all the pictures of the show please go to our facebook fan pages: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carbonetic/100304493329
