SHREVEPORT, LA (05.26.26) – The 12voltBeat was on the Street this past week cranking it up across a 12 V industry.

On Sunday, May 17th, the SQ at HQ returned to KICKER’s Headquarters in Stillwater OK. This event welcomed the return of the Sound competition and Car Show 2026. Attendees experienced some of the best sounding cars around, had an opportunity to explore the KICKER Museum and enjoy a great food from local food trucks… All in one place. Competitors put their builds to the test in SQ judged events hosted in partnerships with IASCA, MASQ, EMMA and MCA.

The SSR Show in Dallas on May 17 was a record setter. Tracy Farr, SSR VP Sales and Operations, relayed “We had factory staff members travel from both the East Coast and the West Coast to spend time with dealers and present their products here in our Dallas location. We definitely had a lot of excitement throughout our 25,000 square-foot facility in Dallas and attendees had an opportunity to check out demo cars outside while networking and enjoying the outstanding food prepared by Nico‘s Cocina. It was so great and encouraging to see such a great turnout. Again this year our trainings continued to improve and the credit goes to our incredible manufacturer and rep partners as they continue to go up and beyond for us.”

“We are extremely proud of what our team accomplished and look forward to the SSR show in Houston later this year and the SSR Distributors 2027 Show in Dallas” Farr concluded.

The 2026 Pacific Northwest Expo was ground zero for the 12volt industry May 18 through the 20th in Seattle. Over 40 12volt companies exhibited on the show floor at The Doubletree by Hilton. Attendees spent time checking out the latest products, attending trainings and connecting with industry members during the event. Stay tuned for more to come from the Pacific

Northwest Expo and the12voltBeat on the Street in Seattle.

For more see 12voltnews.com.

DIAMOND BAR, CA (05.26.26) – The strength and momentum of the global automotive aftermarket are on full display in the 2026 SEMA Show floorplan, now live on the SEMA Show website (www.semashow.com/floorplan). Spanning the full spectrum of specialty equipment, from performance and racing to trucks, SUVs and off-road, powersports, accessories, tools and equipment, and emerging technology, the layout reflects an industry continuing to innovate, investing with confidence, and preparing to exhibit at this year’s Show.

Exhibitor commitments have already surpassed 1 million net square feet of exhibit space and include more than 2,000 brands ready to welcome a global audience to Las Vegas and the newly renovated convention center Nov. 3-6. Through the support and growth of the aftermarket, the SEMA Show consistently ranks as one of the largest and best attended trade shows in the country.

The floorplan reflects broad-based participation across segments and makes a clear statement about the specialty-equipment marketplace: companies are innovating, launching, and scaling. As the industry continues to evolve, the 2026 SEMA Show is designed to connect buyers with the brands, products, and people driving the aftermarket forward.

“The 2026 SEMA Show floorplan reflects a resilient, growing global aftermarket, one that continues to invest in innovation, product development, and new customer connections,” said SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso. “What you see on the floorplan is a powerful statement about the industry. Brands are showing up with purpose, and buyers are coming because this is where business gets done and trends take shape.”

Major OEM Participation Adds Momentum to 2026
The 2026 SEMA Show will feature strong participation from major automakers and performance organizations, reinforcing the event’s role as the global meeting place where OEM and aftermarket innovation intersect. Participating OEMs for 2026 include Ford Motor Company, Honda Racing Corp. (Honda/Acura), Mitsubishi, Nissan, Stellantis, (with representation from Dodge, Jeep, and Mopar), and Toyota North America.

“The enthusiast community is central to Ford Motor Company; we are a passion brand in every segment that we participate in. And the way we win with our audience is to meet them where they are, and they’re at SEMA,” said Ford Customization Executive Director Matt Simpson. “We are thrilled this year to increase our investment and presence at SEMA to show off what we’re working on, from our latest Ford Custom Garage offerings, to our growing Ford Racing Parts business, to our heritage crate engines.”

“This year, Ford will engage SEMA enthusiasts on a new level, offering consumers unprecedented opportunities to compete and customize directly with Ford,” said Simpson. “We invite you to visit our booth to connect with our team and partners, and to see firsthand how we are bringing vehicle customization to the masses at an impressive scale.”

Signature Experiences Return – Built for Discovery, Competition, and What’s Next
A strong floorplan is only part of the story. The 2026 SEMA Show will bring back key experiences that drive product discovery, spotlight craftsmanship, and explore emerging trends shaping the industry. The New Products Showcase will highlight the latest launches and solutions across categories. Battle of the Builders will return to celebrate elite vehicle builds and the creativity that defines the aftermarket. The FutureTech Studiowill offer a forward-looking window into advanced vehicle technologies and the ideas influencing what comes next for the aftermarket.

“Attendees are going to feel the momentum the moment they hit the halls: more product discovery, more hands-on experiences, and a layout that makes it easy to navigate and find the solutions they came for,” said SEMA Trade Show Director Andy Tompkins. “Whether you’re here to source new products, meet with suppliers, or see the industry’s best builds and latest tech, 2026 is set up to deliver a week that’s productive, energizing, and inspiring.”

“SEMA Week” Experience: Business First, Public Friday, and SEMA Fest Friday Night
The 2026 SEMA Show will anchor a broader “SEMA Week” experience, beginning with the business-focused trade show early in the week, transitioning to public access on Friday, Nov. 6, and concluding Friday night with SEMA Fest, a signature celebration of automotive culture and music that extends the energy of the show beyond the exhibit halls.

Qualified attendees can secure a SEMA Show badge for $50 through June 26. Attendees are also encouraged to make hotel reservations at the guaranteed lowest available rates through SEMA’s official hotel provider.

While space is limited, high-quality exhibit locations remain available. Visit www.semashow.com/exhibitor or email sales@sema.org for more information.

To learn more about the SEMA Show and to register, visit www.semashow.com.

DIAMOND BAR, CA (05.22.26) – The strength and momentum of the global automotive aftermarket are on full display in the 2026 SEMA Show floorplan, now live on the SEMA Show website (www.semashow.com/floorplan). Spanning the full spectrum of specialty equipment, from performance and racing to trucks, SUVs and off-road, powersports, accessories, tools and equipment, and emerging technology, the layout reflects an industry continuing to innovate, investing with confidence, and preparing to exhibit at this year’s Show.

Exhibitor commitments have already surpassed 1 million net square feet of exhibit space and include more than 2,000 brands ready to welcome a global audience to Las Vegas and the newly renovated convention center Nov. 3-6. Through the support and growth of the aftermarket, the SEMA Show consistently ranks as one of the largest and best attended trade shows in the country.

The floorplan reflects broad-based participation across segments and makes a clear statement about the specialty-equipment marketplace: companies are innovating, launching, and scaling. As the industry continues to evolve, the 2026 SEMA Show is designed to connect buyers with the brands, products, and people driving the aftermarket forward.

“The 2026 SEMA Show floorplan reflects a resilient, growing global aftermarket, one that continues to invest in innovation, product development, and new customer connections,” said SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso. “What you see on the floorplan is a powerful statement about the industry. Brands are showing up with purpose, and buyers are coming because this is where business gets done and trends take shape.”

Major OEM Participation Adds Momentum to 2026
The 2026 SEMA Show will feature strong participation from major automakers and performance organizations, reinforcing the event’s role as the global meeting place where OEM and aftermarket innovation intersect. Participating OEMs for 2026 include Ford Motor Company, Honda Racing Corp. (Honda/Acura), Mitsubishi, Nissan, Stellantis, (with representation from Dodge, Jeep, and Mopar), and Toyota North America.

“The enthusiast community is central to Ford Motor Company; we are a passion brand in every segment that we participate in. And the way we win with our audience is to meet them where they are, and they’re at SEMA,” said Ford Customization Executive Director Matt Simpson. “We are thrilled this year to increase our investment and presence at SEMA to show off what we’re working on, from our latest Ford Custom Garage offerings, to our growing Ford Racing Parts business, to our heritage crate engines.”

“This year, Ford will engage SEMA enthusiasts on a new level, offering consumers unprecedented opportunities to compete and customize directly with Ford,” said Simpson. “We invite you to visit our booth to connect with our team and partners, and to see firsthand how we are bringing vehicle customization to the masses at an impressive scale.”

Signature Experiences Return – Built for Discovery, Competition, and What’s Next
A strong floorplan is only part of the story. The 2026 SEMA Show will bring back key experiences that drive product discovery, spotlight craftsmanship, and explore emerging trends shaping the industry. The New Products Showcase will highlight the latest launches and solutions across categories. Battle of the Builders will return to celebrate elite vehicle builds and the creativity that defines the aftermarket. The FutureTech Studiowill offer a forward-looking window into advanced vehicle technologies and the ideas influencing what comes next for the aftermarket.

“Attendees are going to feel the momentum the moment they hit the halls: more product discovery, more hands-on experiences, and a layout that makes it easy to navigate and find the solutions they came for,” said SEMA Trade Show Director Andy Tompkins. “Whether you’re here to source new products, meet with suppliers, or see the industry’s best builds and latest tech, 2026 is set up to deliver a week that’s productive, energizing, and inspiring.”

“SEMA Week” Experience: Business First, Public Friday, and SEMA Fest Friday Night
The 2026 SEMA Show will anchor a broader “SEMA Week” experience, beginning with the business-focused trade show early in the week, transitioning to public access on Friday, Nov. 6, and concluding Friday night with SEMA Fest, a signature celebration of automotive culture and music that extends the energy of the show beyond the exhibit halls.

Qualified attendees can secure a SEMA Show badge for $50 through June 26. Attendees are also encouraged to make hotel reservations at the guaranteed lowest available rates through SEMA’s official hotel provider.

While space is limited, high-quality exhibit locations remain available. Visit www.semashow.com/exhibitor or email sales@sema.org for more information.

To learn more about the SEMA Show and to register, visit www.semashow.com.

WASHINGTON, DC (05.22.26) – In a groundbreaking first, legislation endorsed by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) to protect vehicle owners’ right to modify their cars and trucks is advancing out of committee and heading to a full vote in the U.S. House of Representatives. The House Committee on Energy and Commerce passed H.R. 7389, Motor Vehicle Modernization Act of 2026, Section 221 of which is an amended version of the bipartisan, SEMA-backed ADAS Functionality and Integrity Act. The bill would ensure that vehicle owners and the automotive aftermarket industry have necessary information needed to ensure advanced safety systems continue to operate as intended after common modifications of cars and trucks, including the addition of wraps, bumpers with winches, or even bike racks.

• The ADAS Functionality and Integrity Act (Section 221) directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to study the impact of common vehicle modifications on ADAS and empowers the agency to develop data-driven guidelines that specify how much a vehicle can be modified without compromising ADAS functionality.

“This is an important day for vehicle owners, the automotive aftermarket, and our collective efforts to ensure all vehicles are as safe as their technology intends,” said SEMA Senior Vice President-Public & Government Affairs Karen Bailey-Chapman. “Americans deserve the protection that advanced safety systems enable, especially when they modify their vehicles to support their businesses, family needs, and recreation choices. SEMA is thrilled that this bill will receive important consideration by the full House of Representatives, and we look to keeping it moving all the way to the Senate, and, eventually, President Donald Trump.”

ABOUT THE BILL

• Sec. 221 of H.R. 7389 requires NHTSA to study the impact that common modifications have on ADAS calibration, and it empowers the agency to establish ADAS guidelines to create modification ranges and tolerances for new vehicles based on the results of the study.
• Sec. 221 (a)(1) provides NHTSA with 18 months to complete a study and publish a report on its website that reviews the impact of vehicle modifications on ADAS functionality.
• NHTSA’s study must look at the 10 most common vehicle modifications and look at how they impact a vehicle’s ADAS performance.
• The report must provide information necessary to create industry guidelines, including allowable modification ranges and vehicle tolerances, taking into consideration ride height, wheel and tire dimensions, and sensor and camera function.
• NHTSA also would be required to review the information necessary to develop guidelines for proper calibration procedures of ADAS and other vehicle dynamics systems following modification and customization.
• Sec. 221 (b) of H.R. 7389 provides NHTSA with two years after publishing a report as required by (a) to issue ADAS guidelines if the agency determines that they are feasible and practical. It also enables NHTSA to develop a process for automakers to provide the agency with modification ranges for their vehicles.

BACKGROUND
As ADAS features become increasingly offered in new vehicles, they present both opportunities and challenges for vehicle owners and aftermarket businesses that modify vehicles in common ways, such as installing a wrap, an aftermarket bumper or winch, a bike rack, lifting a vehicle to navigate tough terrain, or installing larger tires to adapt to weather conditions. ADAS technologies, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning and forward-collision warning, add complexity when vehicles are repaired or modified.

Currently, there are no standards to properly calibrate the sensors and cameras that support ADAS features after a vehicle has been customized or modified.

Beginning in model year 2029, all new passenger cars and light trucks must be equipped with certain ADAS technology, specifically automatic emergency braking under NHTSA’s FMVSS 127 rulemaking. The ADAS Functionality and Integrity Act is critical to ensure that these advanced safety systems continue to work properly, even after vehicles are repaired or modified, and that pathways to compliance are clear as ADAS becomes standard on every vehicle.

SEMA has invested over $25 million in its SEMA Garage program to help the aftermarket stay ahead of rapidly evolving vehicle technology. With facilities in Diamond Bar, Calif., and Plymouth, Mich., the SEMA Garages provide advanced tools, OEM data, and dedicated ADAS labs that support product development and groundbreaking research on how modifications affect modern safety systems.

To better understand the landscape of ADAS calibration and the impact of modifications on these systems, the SEMA Garage has hosted dozens of professionals from the customization, collision, and repair industries for a symposium to address the most growing and pressing challenges associated with ADAS calibrations, creating a clear, industry-wide roadmap to ensure ADAS functions safely and reliably in every vehicle.

Based on its rigorous research, SEMA released a series of white papers examining how aftermarket modifications affect ADAS performance across popular vehicles, including the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ford F-150, Ford Bronco, Toyota Tacoma, and the Ram 1500. The research provides clear, data-driven insight into how changes such as lift kits, wheels, and suspension components influence sensor reliability. This research helps manufacturers, installers, and enthusiasts understand when recalibration is needed to preserve full ADAS functionality.

For more information, visit www.sema.org.

BROOKSVILLE, FL (05.21.26) — Prodigy Audio, a premier manufacturer of high-performance automotive audio solutions, is proud to announce a strategic distribution partnership with Ohio-based AudioSellerz. Under the new agreement, AudioSellerz will serve as the authorized distributor for Prodigy Audio products across a vital five-state territory, including Ohio, Michigan, Northern Indiana, Western Pennsylvania, and Western New York.

To ensure uninterrupted supply chains and immediate fulfillment for regional 12-volt retailers, AudioSellerz has already taken delivery of its opening orders. A comprehensive lineup of Prodigy Audio’s high-power subwoofers and amplifiers is fully in stock and ready for immediate shipment.

Syncing Up at Made of Steel

The partnership was finalized and celebrated this past weekend at the 12th Annual Made of Steel Show at the Hernando County Fairgrounds in Brooksville, Florida. Prodigy Audio Founder Johnathan Demuth and Aaron from AudioSellerz met face-to-face at the premier automotive and stereo event to map out the territory strategy and align on dealer support initiatives.

“We are incredibly proud to welcome Aaron and the AudioSellerz team to the Prodigy Audio family,” said Brett Barnes, National Sales Manager of Prodigy Audio. “Our brand’s mission is to provide top-tier, reliable, and loud audio gear backed by a sustainable business model for our partners. Partnering with AudioSellerz allows us to execute that mission seamlessly across the Midwest and Northeast. With product already sitting on their shelves in Ohio, regional dealers don’t have to wait to elevate their offerings.”

Driving Value for Regional Dealers

Through this partnership, car audio dealers across the five-state footprint will benefit from:

Rapid Transit Times:Centralized shipping out of Ohio means drastically reduced transit times and lower freight costs for regional independent shops.

Immediate Availability:No long lead times—AudioSellerz is fully stocked with Prodigy’s heavy-hitting product lines right now.

Dedicated Local Support:Dealers will receive localized customer service, hands-on tech support, and the peace of mind offered by Prodigy Audio’s industry-leading product warranty.

Dealers located in Ohio, Northern Indiana, Michigan, Western Pennsylvania, and Western New York are encouraged to contact AudioSellerz at (440) 782-1789 immediately to establish an authorized dealer account and secure inventory.

Learn more at prodigyaudio.com.

ST. GEORGE, UT (05.21.26) – SSV Works, The Original UTV Audio Brand, has launched its new Phased Audio Kits for the 2024-2026 Polaris Xpedition ADV with Ride Command®, giving Xpedition owners a major step up from factory audio with more power, better clarity, and deeper bass.

Previously, SSV Works introduced Xpedition audio upgrade kits designed to replace the factory speakers while continuing to use the factory amplifiers. The new Phased Audio Kits take the system much further by replacing the factory full-range speakers and factory 4-channel amplifier with premium aftermarket components and a powerful 1,400-watt 5-channel amplifier.

Every Phase-5 kit includes two (2) front 1-inch tweeters, two (2) front 6.5-inch full-range speakers, two (2) rear 6.5-inch full-range speakers, and the 1,400-watt 5-channel amplifier. The twist is that SSV Works keeps the factory front subwoofer and factory 400-watt subwoofer amplifier active, turning the Xpedition into a 7-speaker, 1,800-watt total system.

For riders who want even more bass, the Phase-7 kits add a rear-seat 10-inch subwoofer in a ported SSV Works enclosure. With the added rear subwoofer and the retained factory front subwoofer, the system becomes an 8-speaker, 1,800-watt total audio system with bass hitting from the front and rear of the cab.

“This is the Xpedition system we wanted to build for customers who like the factory Ride Command experience, but want real aftermarket output,” said Kelson Downes, Marketing Director of SSV Works. “The big win is that we’re not throwing away what Polaris already built. We replace the factory full-range speakers and factory 4-channel amp with a serious power upgrade, while keeping the front factory subwoofer and 400-watt factory sub amp active. Add the rear-seat 10-inch subwoofer, and you turn the cab into an 8-speaker, 1,800-watt system.”

The new Polaris Xpedition ADV Phased Audio Kits are available in four (4) configurations:

Phase-5 V-Spec: Retail $3,199.99 | SKU: 250-XPD-PHZ5VRC
Phase-7 V-Spec: Retail $3,799.99 | SKU: 250-XPD-PHZ7VRC
Phase-5 K-Spec: Retail $3,149.99 | SKU: 250-XPD-PHZ6KLRC
Phase-7 K-Spec: Retail $3,749.99 | SKU: 250-XPD-PHZ7KLRC

The V-Spec kits include SSV Works V6 speakers, while the K-Spec kits include Kicker KML speakers. All kits include SSV Works front tweeters, vehicle-specific mounting, plug-and-play wiring, and rugged components built for off-road use.

SSV Works enclosures and SSV speaker components are backed by the company’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.

The new SSV Works Polaris Xpedition ADV Phased Audio Kits are available now through authorized SSV Works dealers and at SSVWorks.com.

For more information, please visit www.SSVWorks.com, call 818-991-1SSV (1778), or email sales@SSVworks.com.