(November 5, 2014) LAS VEGAS — The winners of the 2014 SEMA Awards were announced today at the SEMA Show, recognizing the vehicles specialty-equipment manufacturers believe are the best for accessorization.

For the third year in a row the SEMA Award for Hottest Car was presented to the Ford Mustang. In the 4x4-SUV category, the Jeep Wrangler again took top honors. The Chevy Silverado pickup won in the Truck category and in the Sport Compact category the Honda Fit won the day.

The awards were presented to company executives Nov. 4 at a SEMA breakfast attended by nearly 3,000 industry representatives, business owners and working press in the Westgate Hotel and Resort. The selection was made by surveying all exhibitors in regards to the vehicles they are displaying in their booths.

"The SEMA Show has always been the premier event where the newest and most innovative automotive aftermarket products and trends are seen first," said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. "With the SEMA Award, SEMA recognizes the vehicles they consider the top enthusiast prospects for the coming year."

The $33B specialty equipment market is not only big business. In 2013 the availability of accessories influenced more than 1.7 million new-vehicle purchases. Nearly a third of new-vehicle purchase decisions were driven by the availability of accessories for a particular model, and nearly 1 in 10 consumers decided to buy a particular vehicle after seeing a modified version of it.

"Our advice to OEMs and specialty equipment manufacturers is to collaborate through the SEMA Vehicle Technology Center to develop more aftermarket products that will help sell cars and parts," said Kersting.

The 2014 SEMA Show features nearly 2,500 exhibiting companies that manufacture thousands of products designed to improve performance, safety and convenience, as well as those that enhance appearance and comfort.