Enthusiasts seeking the perfect vehicle to personalise will hit the jackpot with this year’s GM portfolio at the 2006 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, which features all-new, full-size pick-up trucks, SUVs, crossovers and cars tricked out for the streets to the slopes and every conceivable surface in between. They include a one-of-a-kind Chevy Silverado off-road concept designed in conjunction with NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. – a successor to Junior’s “Big Red” Silverado – and a low-riding Orange County Choppers Silverado hauler concept inspired by the styling cues of the Teutul family.

This year’s GM SEMA lineup also heralds the return of three formidable numbers – 4-2-7 – as in the Chevy Silverado 427 – a concept that demonstrates the new Silverado’s powerful performance parameters. Under the bonnet of the Silverado 427 is GM Powertrain’s 7.0-litre LS7, the same Gen IV small-block V-8 that powers the Corvette Z06.

"Talk about American muscle – our all-new family of full-size SUVs dominates the segment, and our all-new, full-size pickups are positioned for similar success,” said Michael Jackson, GM North America vice president of marketing and advertising. “Our new pickups were designed and built with personalisation in mind, and it’s great that customisers and enthusiasts agree.”

Twenty-seven vehicles will be on display all week in the GM SEMA booth, including 14 Chevrolets; two Cadillacs; four GMCs; two Hummer H3s; two Pontiac Solstices; two Saturns; and one Buick Lucerne partner vehicle. There will also be a performance car, developed in conjunction with one of GM’s partners, in the stand.

Cadillac has a unique spin on the Escalade EXT. In addition to the three Silverado concepts, Chevy features pick-up trucks and SUVs decked out for both on- and off-road adventures and that pay homage to Chevy’s relationships with the U.S. Ski Team and Major League Baseball. GMC shows off a Sierra NFL Crew Cab with an NFL interior and exterior theme; a Sierra Texas Extended Cab to fend off competitors in the biggest-selling pick-up truck market in America; a Yukon Denali XL “Big Max” that’s the most capable, feature-packed, powerful Denali ever; and a Sierra All Terrain Crew Cab.

Crossover SUVs get their due at SEMA, too: The Cadillac SRX Sport, which receives a significantly redesigned interior for ’07, gets a Seventh Avenue makeover by clothing designer Dana Buchman. The Saturn Outlook Adventure shows how accessories can help the all-new crossover complement a customer’s outdoor lifestyle.

Hummer brings two H3s to Vegas – an E85 ethanol-capable model fitted with Hummer accessories; and the H3 Open Top, with a canvas roof by ASC and decked out with Hummer accessory products.

In addition to trucks and SUVs, GM will feature a 1969 Chevy Camaro customised by Reggie Jackson and Buick makes its first custom partnership appearance in the 43-year history of SEMA with Rick Bottom’s street-smart interpretation of the Lucerne full-size sedan, the CXX Luxury Liner. Buick has 10 other customised Lucernes spread throughout the show.

Two ultra-performance versions of the Pontiac Solstice will be on display, a GXP-R concept and a Sports Car Club of America race-prepared Solstice Club Sport Z0K. The newest star of SCCA, Solstice finished its debut season with three National Championships – one in Showroom Stock B Club Racing and one each in C Stock Open and C Stock Ladies Solo autocross competition.

The GXP-R is a concept of a new turbocharged Solstice model that would include restyled front and rear fascias, a more aggressive spoiler, 19-inch cast chrome wheels and other enhancements.

Saturn will show off Gravana Speed Shop’s interpretation of the Saturn Sky roadster. Gravana, working in conjunction with GM Design, has pushed the Sky’s styling to the limits with its highly customised concept treatment that enhances the sleek, crisp and modern lines of the production vehicle while providing a cutting-edge visual design appeal.

GM also will show off a growing portfolio of crate engines and accessories designed and engineered specifically for GM vehicles by GM. GM’s accessory portfolio for the full-size pick-up trucks and SUVs is proof that these vehicles were designed with personalisation in mind. It is the most comprehensive ever, with more than 100 products designed in concert with the trucks at the GM Accessory Design Studio.

New electronics offerings include the industry’s first application of noise-canceling headphones; a portable overhead DVD entertainment system with a 10-inch screen; an advanced, long-range remote start system with a LCD key fob readout that provides key vehicle information, such as fuel level and tyre pressure; and Personal Audio Link, an innovative iPod integration accessory that lets users tote their personalised playlist in their personalised vehicle.

Jackson said shows like SEMA help showcase the ingenuity of GM engineers and designers, and let customers know what they can develop in their own garages. "We're providing our aftermarket partners, our own accessories and Performance Parts operations and automotive enthusiasts with the best vehicle canvas on which to create parts, pieces and components that look cool and go fast,” he said. “These vehicles feature beauty, race-proven technology and production components that real people can buy and drive – today.”