The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) held its annual conference in Las Vegas this week.
Known as one of the largest car shows globally, the event generally gathers over 135,000 participants from the automotive aftermarket industry to look through the latest trends in vehicle repairs and modifications.
Though this year’s event didn’t feature as many electric vehicle (EV) concepts and custom builds as in prior years — understandable given the ongoing transformation in the auto industry, which is monumental yet progressing more slowly than initially expected — there were still some noteworthy electric models that deserve attention.
Stellantis’s parts and accessories division, Mopar, showcased several intriguing concepts at SEMA, but none stood out as effortlessly cool as the 1967 Plymouth GTX “electromod.”
This unique restomod takes its inspiration from the classic 1967 Plymouth GTX muscle car. This recent electric conversion hints at a future where classic cars can be reimagined as electric vehicles.
Mopar presented this concept to showcase a “potential future,” as described in the company’s press release, where Mopar’s e-Crate propulsion systems could make electric conversions accessible for vintage muscle cars and trucks.
With one of these kits, classic car fans could transform their cherished vehicles into battery-electric versions.Mopar also refreshed the Plymouth’s design with a carbon-fiber front splitter and a custom low-profile rear spoiler.
As a nod to classic designs, Mopar reimagined the iconic flip-top fuel caps from the 1960s and ’70s, repurposing it as a door for the charging port.
Kia’s three-row EV9 also received a rugged makeover for SEMA, turning it into an adventure-focused concept named ADVNTR.
Alongside this model, Kia presented the WKNDR concept, based on its Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) modular platform, initially showcased at CES earlier this year.
Both concepts are tailored for off-road adventures, with specially designed exteriors for challenging outdoor pursuits, whether climbing rocks or crossing rivers.
The EV9-based ADVNTR concept sits three inches higher than the standard EV9 and includes rugged tires and wheels. Meanwhile, the WKNDR is also equipped with off-road tires and a versatile interior for various outdoor activities.
Kia highlighted several modular features: an onboard compressor capable of inflating everything from tires to air mattresses for camping, a mobile pantry for cooking in the wild, as well as built-in solar panels and hydro-turbine wheels that can recharge the batteries.
That’s about all there was for EV enthusiasts at this year’s show. Other manufacturers brought an array of fossil fuel-powered concepts, including everything from an open-air Land Cruiser designed with a Jeep-like ruggedness to some intense-looking Nissan trucks.
They prefer to focus on EVs, letting internal combustion engines stay in the past where they belong.