(NAPSI)—The next time you’re in the market for a new car or truck, you may wonder what’s hot and what’s not. What seals the deal for many buyers is the ability to individualize and personalize a vehicle.

While the $28 billion annual automotive customization market offers thousands of products to transform any car or truck, some models offer more options for personalization than others.

One way to learn which cars and trucks are the most accessory friendly is to check out the SEMA Award winners, presented annually by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). Whether you want to create a high-performance sports car or a rugged truck worthy of off-roading, these awards can help you identify which vehicles have the greatest potential for customization.

“Each year, manufacturers from the specialty and performance industry come to the SEMA Show with an array of new products and new styling trends displayed on the cars and trucks they view as the most popular trend-setting models,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA’s president and CEO. “The SEMA Award taps into the exhibitors’ unique ability to identify what’s hot, just as the trends are gaining momentum.”

This year’s awards were presented to the Chevrolet Camaro for the Hottest Car, the Fiat 500 for the Hottest Sport Compact, the Ford F-Series for the Hottest Truck and the Jeep Wrangler for the Hottest 4×4-SUV.

Hottest 4×4-SUV

The Jeep Wrangler was named the Hottest 4×4-SUV for the second consecutive year. Custom parts and accessories for the Jeep Wrangler remain in high demand as owners look for ways to make their Wranglers more their own. Enthusiasm for the Wrangler has lead to its winning of multiple industry awards, including the SEMA Most Accessory-Friendly SUV in 2007.

Hottest Truck

The F-Series is a perennial favorite with enthusiasts and specialty-equipment manufacturers. New F-Series designs have spurred even more parts and accessories for blue-oval fans, and all indications are that the trend will continue with the latest models.

Hottest Sport Compact

The Fiat 500 was named the Hottest Sport Compact at the 2011 SEMA Show, making it the first vehicle to take home the honor in the newest category and beating out a dozen competitors. After arriving in U.S. showrooms earlier last year, the Fiat 500 quickly became a favorite of auto enthusiasts, specialty manufacturers and customizers nationwide.

With beautiful Italian styling, timeless functionality, fuel efficiency and innovative technology—the same attributes that made the original version an icon—the 2012 Fiat 500 is relevant for an entirely new generation of drivers.

Hottest Car

Named the Hottest Car for the second consecutive year, the Camaro remains one of the most accessorized vehicles on the planet, and the list of available performance parts and accessories grows daily as its popularity increases.

The SEMA Award program provides valuable guidance to those looking for a top-quality vehicle that can be personalized.

Before purchasing your next vehicle, visit www.sema.org to learn more about the program and see how you can customize your new ride.

 

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