Every year Consumer Reports tire engineers trek-out to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show held in Las Vegas usually in the first week of November. The show is the premier industry event for aftermarket automotive products. This non-public event attracts well over 100,000 people who work in the automotive industry.

We go there every year to meet with the tire manufacturers, discuss upcoming tire testing programs (including what tire models to test and trends and challenges facing the industry as a whole), and to view new tire-related products that might be interesting to evaluate. In previous years, nearly every major tire manufacturer would attend, each with their own flashy booth, exotic cars shod with their newest tire models, and sometimes have scantily dressed models to help draw in the floor traffic. 

This year, coming off the heels of the worst recession since the Great Depression, many tire manufacturers are struggling to make a business case to attend the show and as a result many won’t be there. BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, General, Goodyear, Kumho, Michelin, and Toyo will not exhibit this year. That will put the lime-light on Cooper, Hankook, Pirelli, Maxxis and Nexen.

We’ve seen the automotive landscape change this year in a historic way with the restructuring of GM and Chrysler. Maybe times are a changing in the tire industry, too, as reflected in the companies that will (and will not) be at the show.

We'll bring you the latest tires coverage from this year's SEMA show, which runs from Nov. 3rd through Nov. 6th.

—Gene Petersen