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Tag: auto repair shop technology

  • Conference Whispers: AAPEX & SEMA 2026

    Conference Whispers: AAPEX & SEMA 2026

    TBW advisors Logo stating fact based research and advisoryConference Whispers SM: AAPEX & SEMA 2026

    Las Vegas, NV  November 3-6, 2026

    Published:  November 7, 2026                                                         ID: TBW2289

    Analyst(s): Dr. Doreen Galli

    Photojournalist(s): Dr. Doreen Galli

    ABSTRACT

    AAPEX & SEMA 2026 brought automotive aftermarket professionals, manufacturers, distributors, repair specialists, and technology providers to Las Vegas. Discussions spanned diagnostics, repair workflows, vehicle data, parts distribution, shop operations, warehouse automation, customization, and technician enablement. From precision alignment and advanced diagnostics to supply chain automation and aftermarket innovation, exhibitors showcased technologies supporting the entire vehicle lifecycle.

    Computer Talk Radio Edition.

    The Conference

    • AAPEX & SEMA 2026 brought automotive aftermarket professionals, manufacturers, distributors, repair specialists, and technology providers to Las Vegas. The event leveraged over a million square feet of exhibition and hosted over 150,000 people.    

    Cautions

    • Friendly reminder: this research provides examples of what was shared with us at the event, not an evaluation, validation, or recommendation of the given technology.

    Exhibits

    Nothing is worse than one’s car not working properly but you cannot figure out what’s wrong. Pico Technology leverages high-speed automotive oscilloscopes which display voltage signals over time to get detailed analysis of electrical waveforms. Oscilloscopes are similar to a voltmeter you might be more familiar with; however, multimeters are a one-time measurement as opposed to continuous changes with graphical displays. This in turn enables observation of waveform shapes, amplitude, rise and fall times, and transient events – critical to diagnostics. The sophistication of their products enables non-intrusive mechanical diagnostics. That means no engine tear downs, which lead to lower costs, and reduced downtime.

    Moving to the under belly of the car, Hunter Engineering Company is a well-known exhibitor at Joe’s Garage at AAPEX. Hunter’s HawkEye Elite alignment system leverages high-definition cameras and reflective targets mounted to tires to measure all 4 wheels. These reflective targets avoid rim contact and enable accurate measurement in under 90 seconds! To ensure the tire is truly balanced even under real-world conditions, they leverage the Road Force Elite balancer which applies a load roller against the spinning tire enabling better pinpointing of any structural tire defects and vibration issues others miss.

    Getting the best fuel economy is always on everyone’s mind when gas prices are soaring! Engine management includes ECUs (electronic control unit), MAF/MAP sensors (mass air flow/ manifold absolute pressure), O2 sensors and fuel injectors. Together they maintain the air-fuel ratios to maximize fuel economy and minimize tailpipe emissions. For this critical function, quality matters. Low grade replacements will have slower response times or signal drift causing your vehicle to be wasteful as opposed to optimal. Astemo is a worldwide leader and dedicated to quality. They bring this same passion to quality to everything they manufacture spanning throttle bodies, ignition coils, MAF (mass air flow) sensors, CPS and crankshaft sensors, Showa, Nissin, Keihin carburetors, Tokico shocks.

    Sometimes one is not trying to customize their vehicle or anything fancy – one just wants a simple replacement part. They don’t want the part to be cheaper and fail to function but rather desire the quality of a new car part. Intermotor produces OE (original equipment) replacement fit and calibration components. Their parts are extensively engineered and tested to ensure they match original European, and Asian import factory calibrations. These calibrations help ensure phantom trouble codes won’t appear with their aftermarket components.

    Schaeffler is a Tier-1 engineering powerhouse that supplies original equipment, engineering and system-level manufacturing to major global automakers. These are distributed through brands such as LuK, INA and FAG. They also offer complete repair solutions including every nut and bolt required for successful execution.

    Operating the aftermarket and ride performance business of Tenneco, DRiV is home to brands such as Monroe, Moog, Walker, and FelPro. Their dominant focus is on the evolving vehicle platforms. Their new products announced spanned electronic suspension struts, pre-assembled strut assemblies, steering linkages and EV-specific braking/chassis solutions.

    Seeking a massive dataset that includes all automotive and light-duty vehicles in North America for the last three decades? Meet DataOne whose dataset is leveraged to power workflows across automotive portals, dealer management systems (DMS), insurance verification, and even warranty platforms. Including details such as trim, safety, and equipment data, their VIN decoding and vehicle specification data set is one to evaluate.

    Boosting pick accuracy to reduce turnaround time and optimizing floor footprints for automotive part distributions in the industrial supply chain, Siggins was on site. Their turnkey warehouse automation, conveyor systems and automated storage retrieval systems (ASRS) for sortation lines is worth exploring.

    For some, understanding the difference between a flathead and Phillips (cross-head) screwdriver is an accomplishment. For mechanics, it is not about the right tool but the quality and features of the tool. In fact, Infar tools are meant to be multigenerational lifetime tools that you can hand down generation by generation. Infar has been crafting their tools for 50 years and even have a wrench that can work if the bolt is rounded off by almost 80%. Their quality is immediately obvious by looking at or holding a piece in your hand. You might just be afraid to get them dirty!

    If you are driving an older American made car, you may find yourself envious when you get a ride in a newer model because of those fancy head units in the dashboard. The new ones have so much more functionality and make the entire interior seem modern. Have no fear Dasaita is here with replacements for most makes and models.

    Conference Vibe

    Aftermarket Week is what the automotive industry refers to when AAPEX (Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo) and SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association) take over Las Vegas. Leveraging more than a million square feet of exhibition, there is not a single hall or parking lot that is not an exhibit space. For example, the walkway from North to West Hall hosted the Battle of the Builders – talk about custom bikes. Registration is spread-out throughout the event. AAPEX held registration on the lower level of the Venetian. For SEMA one could get their badge at West Hall or at South Hall, lower level in the back just inside of the Vegas Loop Station.

    Globally, most seek automotive replacement parts as good as new. In the USA however, culturally, we celebrate individuality which translates to customizing our vehicles. AAPEX rearranged exhibits from 2025; admittedly we really like how they moved things around. The standardized international booths were relocated from the beautiful Caesars Forum to the basement of the Venetian. AAPEX Forum was hosted at Caesars Forum and home to all the big engineering firms with their stunning booths under the chandeliers. These firms are just as likely to engineer things for the major OEMs as they are for aftermarket. The Venetian 2nd story hosts the rest of AAPEX including the famous Joe’s Garage as well as training for mechanics. Venetian Bistro and all of Venetian eateries were open for those requiring a refill while the truck stop is specially created eatery just for exhibitors.

    The excitement continued at the Las Vegas Convention Center where SEMA is hosted. West hall hosted vendors for restyling, trucks, SUVs, off-road, powersports and lifestyle. North Hall also hosted restyling, trucks, business services, mobile electronics, and technology! Seeking racing technology or hot rods? Central Hall was the place for you! SEMA parking lots are loaded with custom vehicles everywhere you look. South Hall Upper features collision repair, refinisher, and all related tools and equipment. Finally, South Hall Lower is the place to be if you are thinking about upgrading your wheels, Rims, need new tires or simply seeking collision repair and the tools required for those in the business of repairing vehicles. Much like AAPEX, SEMA also had all the eateries open for when you got hungry. The largest eateries are at West Hall when you first enter. South Hall largest eatery is just outside South Hall Lower. Perhaps the largest eatery is between Central and North Hall food court.

    We always try to bring you fresh vendors in our coverage but you will recognize many brands in the walkabout from our prior coverage such as the AAPEX & SEMA 2025, and AAPEX & SEMA  2024 and our coverage of related events such as Advanced Clean Transportation or ACT Expo 2026  and CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026.

    We once again live streamed from on site both at AAPEX and SEMA to share the experience. Be sure to catch coverage on my syndicated segment on the nationally broadcast edition of Computer Talk Radio.

    We conducted research for additional forthcoming Whisper Reports. The playlists are unlisted but available with the video version to be distributed via YouTube Whisper Club upper tier membership area on our YouTube Channel.

    1. Whisper Report: Where is AI already useful in car repair?
    2. Whisper Report: What in the shop workflow is still manual?
    3. Whisper Report: What gets the right part to the shop fastest?
    4. Whisper Report: What skill matters most in a repair shop?
    5. Whisper Report: What do shops do to keep up with new car tech?
    6. Whisper Report: What changes most when shops service EVs?
    7. Whisper Report: What do customers ask for that surprises you?
    8. Whisper Report: What’s the most overrated thing in auto tech?

    Readers and viewers wishing to experience the entire event are encouraged to view the Conference Whispers: AAPEX & SEMA 2026 Playlist in its entirety. The playlist will be cited in the end screen, description, and as a pinned comment of the video edition.

    The video edition will conclude with gratitude towards those that contributed and a montage of responses to Bonus Question, “What’s the best part about attending AAPEX & SEMA live in Las Vegas?”.

    Next Year’s Conference  

    The AAPEX & SEMA will once again return to Las Vegas. AAPEX 2027 will run from Tuesday, November 2 to Thursday, November 4, 2027, and the SEMA Show 2027 will run from Tuesday, November 2 to Friday, November 5, 2027. It will once again be held at the Sands Convention Center, Caesars Forum, and Las Vegas Convention Center.

    *When vendors’ names are shared as examples in this document, it is to provide a concrete example of what was on display at the conference, not an evaluation or recommendation. Evaluation and recommendation of these vendors are beyond the scope of this specific research document. Other examples products in the same category may have also been on display.

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