Ford wins big at SEMA awards

The awards for the hottest vehicles at this year's Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show have been announced, and Ford has won in three of the four categories.

The Blue Oval scooped 2015's Hottest Car for the Mustang, just like in 2014, but this year added to the haul with the Hottest Truck Award for the F-Series Pickup and the Hottest Sport-Compact car for the Ford Focus.

Rather than honoring a specific manufacturer, tuner or modifier's take on a 'stock' car, be it a sportscar, SUV or pickup, the SEMA's accolades are for those cars that, based on how creative this year's attendees have been, are clearly the best and most popular for accessorizing -- be it with something comparatively straightforward, like the 900hp engine in the Bisimoto EcoBoost Mustang, or as the base for creating a remarkable stretch limousine pickup, like Toyota's eight-door, 26-foot long Tundrasine concept.

And at this year's Las Vegas show, which opened its doors to the industry but not the public on November 3, more aftermarket specialists had plumped for a Ford for showcasing their talents in the three categories.

"Winning SEMA's hottest vehicle awards for Mustang, Focus and F-Series is a great affirmation of the popularity of Ford vehicles with this trendsetting part of the market," said Dave Pericak, director, Ford Performance. "We're proud the aftermarket has embraced these three vehicles with as much enthusiasm as our customers invest to personalize their Mustang, Focus and F-Series."

The Sports-Compact Award in particular is somewhat of a coup for Ford. Last year it was won by the Honda Fit, and by wrestling it away from Japanese manufacturers, especially with a car like the Focus, which was conceived and developed in Europe for European, rather than US customers, it shows there is clearly a growing appetite for the car's proportions, lines and capabilities across the Atlantic.