WASHINGTON, DC (07.17.26) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is enthusiastically backing the nomination of Keith Sonderling as Secretary of Labor, submitting a letter of support to the leadership of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions that urges his swift confirmation.
As a public servant, Sonderling, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) current Acting Secretary, has exhibited the strong leadership qualities needed to oversee one of the federal government’s most important agencies, with a keen understanding of labor and employment policy.
“It is vital that the individual who leads DOL be someone who will champion career pathways that support a diverse array of industries, engage with the private sector to train our nation’s evolving workforce, and can connect the dots between the activities that enhance Americans’ lives and the robust, job-creating industries that support them. Keith Sonderling is that individual,” the letter says.
SEMA Senior Vice President for Public and Government Affairs Karen Bailey-Chapman expanded on the letter’s sentiments: “D.C. functions best when our cabinet-level leaders walk the walk, and our experience is that Keith Sonderling gets it – he’s shown serious acumen for understanding how to build up industries where innovation is a direct pathway to sustainable job growth and American prosperity.”
SEMA connected in person with Acting Secretary Sonderling last week, and we were excited by his passion for the automotive community and knowledge of motorsports and racing.
The automotive aftermarket industry that SEMA represents employs more than 1.3 millionAmericans and pays wages and benefits in excess of $104 billion; the motorsports industry represents a career path for more than 300,000. These economically significant sectors of the economy employ more Americans than the U.S. airline industry.
BARRIE, ON (07.16.26) – NORTH OF NINE took place July 10th and 11th at the ESSA AGRIPLEX. The event featured Dirt Drags, Burnouts, Truck Pulls a Show and Shine with awards, vendors, beer garden, food trucks and more!
The Audio Pros loaded Chevy Pickup was spotlighted in the booth.
Mike O’Conner’s classic pickup ‘Rusty’ was up front in the booth.
Ryan Pite’s Audio Pros Chevy pickup lights up the bed!
Area retailer Audio Pros, with GEMSEN and KICKER, had a major presence at the event with a large tent, demo vehicles, product, demos, and swag for attendees.
Mike Danbrook, Sales Manager along with VP of Sales and Marketing Mike O’Connor, were GEMSEN Team members supporting Ryan Pite and the team from Audio Pros. Two of the hottest demo trucks that grabbed attention were Pite’s bright red truck and Mike O’Connor‘s classic pickup named ‘Rusty’.
There was plenty to see at the Audio Pros, GEMSEN, KICKER booth at the North Of Nine Truck Show.
This Audio Pros social media post encouraged followers to come to the North of Nine Truck Show.
Danbrook related to the 12volt Central Studios “The Audio Pros booth was crazy busy! Demos were taking place throughout the event and this is certainly truck country so the KICKER truck products grabbed attention from attendees. Our booth was set up right by the burnout area so there was a lot of action around the booth… with a whole lot of smoke.”
Stay tuned for more from Audio Pros, a proactive 12volt retailer north of the boarder, Livin’Loud!
ABILENE, TX (07.16.26) – Kingdom Audio and Whitten Automotive are family owned businesses rooted in Abilene, TX. Kingdom Audio is the mobile electronics retailer and Whitten provides automotive services for members of the community. Kingdom Audio recently relocated to a standalone retail store on the main street in the downtown Abilene.
Kingdom Audio is open for business!!
A well merchandised showroom greets customers.
Inventory is rolling in.
The sales counter ready to go.
This custom installation lets customers see quality work is available at Kingdom Audio.
Behind the showroom, there’s a large installation bay.
Drew Whitten related “We had our grand opening on June 29th and action in the store has been very strong. We have 5300 ft.² and did a lot of custom work to create an in- store experience that our customers would enjoy and tell their friends. Our staff at the store includes Willie Johnson, Chris and my wife Stephanie. We worked on the concept of the new location for sometime. We think it really came together and will drive business going forward. Walk in traffic on the main drag has been very good.”
Stay tuned for more as Kingdom Audio drives business in the Abilene area.
NEW YORK, NY (07.16.26) – SiriusXM has announced its live broadcast coverage of The 154th Open this July 16-19 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England.
SiriusXM will air more than 40 hours of live on-course coverage of golf’s original championship across all four rounds of play on The Open Radio channel, which is available to listeners in their cars on channel 92 and on the SiriusXM app. Championship broadcasts will begin on SiriusXM on Thursday and Friday at 2 am ET, and on Saturday and Sunday at 4 am ET, and will continue through the conclusion of each day’s play.
Listeners will hear The Open Radio broadcast, produced by The R&A, which will feature Marcus Buckland, Sue Thearle, Robert Dinwiddie, Dave Farrar, Matt Adams, Sophie Walker, Raymond Burns, Amy Boulden, Paul Eales, and Harry Ewing, as well as SiriusXM’s Brendon de Jonge and Emilia Doran and talkSPORT 2’s Rupert Bell.
Immediately after each round, SiriusXM will present a live two-hour post round show, hosted by Gary Williams, Fred Albers, Will Haskett and Robert Damron, to recap what happened that day on the course and look ahead to the following day’s play.
Royal Birkdale, located in Northwest England, will be hosting The Open for the 11th time. The most recent Open at the historic venue, in 2017, was won by Jordan Spieth. The win placed Spieth alongside Jack Nicklaus as the only players to secure three different major championships prior to age 24.
In the days before and after The Open, and every week throughout the year, SiriusXM’s weekday golf programming lineup delivers golf fans the most in-depth audio coverage of the game, with live shows that offer news, analysis, expert instruction and more.
Listeners will hear from hosts and former tour pros Rocco Mediate, Johnson Wagner, Brendon de Jonge, Carl Paulson, Dennis Paulson, Colt Knost and John Maginnes; top instructor Michael Breed; as well as experts Drew Stoltz, Gary Williams, Taylor Zarzour, Chantel McCabe and Brian Katrek. For a full schedule of SiriusXM’s programming go to SiriusXM.com/golfonsxm.
BURLINGTON, WA (07.15.26) -On Saturday July 11th Mobile Music hosted the 50 Year Celebration by inviting all 103 past and present employees, factory reps and owners to their store in Burlington WA. Drinks and snacks were provided.
Shawn Gunnells “The celebration went great with lots of memories, smiles, and hugs for sure! The 50 years went by for some of us in a blink of an eye!”
The large Burlington store was filled for the evening with the honored guests checking out the showrooms and displays in Mobile Music’s most recent store opening.
The Mobile Music Burlington Blvd location.
John Manso and his wife Vickie, on the right, joined John Gunnels and his wife Doriane at the 50th Celeration. John and Vickie were the previous owners who sold Mobile Music to John and Doriane 8years ago.
Bruce Gilsdorf was in the house and related “ people shed in 1976. There was no reason to sell car radios… Half the cars already came with radios! Mobile music said let’s put radios in the other half! A business was born 50 years ago that is thriving today that I am pleased to have as a very successful client.
Dan McMillan was also in the house celebrating with friends and industry members. I first met Sean over 30 years ago and quickly realized he is a great operator. His stores are diversified and well merchandised. One of the things that I’ve always marvel about Shawn is his ability to hire a great personnel, both on the sales floor and in the shop. This gathering was fantastic and was great catching up with the industry folks.
This group image is of the reps who have worked with Mobile Music and they are pictured from left to right based on how long they’ve been in the 12volt industry.
“This group image is of the people that came to the event. This is such a great group of people and without them Mobile Music would not be where we are today” John Gunnels related.
“Personally, I would like to say a large thank you to all that have promoted and helped Mobile Music Unlimited with our journey including our Staff, Manufacturers and Representatives… both past and present!” Shawn Gunnels concluded.
DIAMOND BAR, CA (07.15.26) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), producers of the SEMA Show, today announced the musical lineup for SEMA Fest, taking place Friday, Nov. 6, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Headlined by multi-platinum punk rock icons The Offspring, the lineup also features anthemic alt-rockers Jimmy Eat World, genre-blending rock reggae outfit 311, and California rock band The Alive. Together these chart-topping, arena-caliber acts will bring their catalog of massive hits to SEMA Fest, delivering the ultimate intersection of high-octane and high-decibels, a one-day celebration of the long-standing bond between music and car culture that closes out SEMA Week with an unforgettable public experience.
Early bird pre-sale tickets are available July 15, with the general on-sale kicking off this Friday, July 17, at 10 am PT via www.semafest.com. General admission and VIP concert access tickets are available, as are combined tickets, offering entry to both SEMA Fest and SEMA Show Friday public access. This exclusive bundle gives automotive enthusiasts rare access to the world’s largest automotive aftermarket trade event – typically reserved for industry insiders – alongside performances from some of today’s biggest bands.
“SEMA Fest represents where our industry is headed, at the crossroads of innovation, lifestyle, and cultural relevance,” said SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso. “By bringing together the world’s premier automotive gathering with iconic music, immersive automotive experiences, and enthusiast access, we are creating a powerful platform that expands the reach of car culture, strengthens engagement with new audiences, and sends SEMA Week out on a high-energy, high-impact note.”
SEMA Fest serves as the official “closing ceremony” of SEMA Week, transforming the world’s premier automotive trade show into a massive public celebration and extending the energy of the SEMA Show into a day-long experience.
The day begins inside the Las Vegas Convention Center, where attendees can explore the SEMA Show floor, including 2,000-plus exhibiting brands and vendors, thousands of custom builds, and the latest in automotive products and technology.
As the day continues, the action moves outdoors for the legendary SEMA Cruise and high-intensity motorsports demonstrations that keep the excitement building throughout the afternoon.
Then, as the sun sets, attention turns to the SEMA Fest Stage, where live music and automotive adrenaline come together in one immersive environment. The automotive excitement continues into the evening with featured vehicle displays and motorsports performances that keep car culture front and center through the final encore.
2026 Musical Lineup Multi-platinum punk rock icons The Offspring bring decades of Southern California punk-rock energy to SEMA Fest. Formed in Garden Grove in 1984, the band is known for their generation-defining hits such as “Self Esteem,” “Come Out and Play,” “The Kids Aren’t Alright,” and “Pretty Fly (For a White Guy).” Widely credited with helping revive mainstream interest in punk rock during the 1990s, The Offspring has sold more than 45 million records worldwide.
Jimmy Eat World adds its signature anthemic alternative-rock sound to the lineup. The band broke through globally with “The Middle,” which reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart and became one of the defining rock songs of the early 2000s.
311 brings its unmistakable blend of rock, reggae, funk, and hip-hop influences to the main stage. The band has released 14 studio albums, sold more than 10 million records in the United States, and remains known for crowd favorites such as “Down,” “Amber,” and “All Mixed Up.”
The Alive rounds out the bill with a fresh California rock sound rooted in surf, skate, and hard-driving live performance. The band cites influences including Black Sabbath, Nirvana, Rush, and Queens of the Stone Age, making them a fitting addition to a lineup built on energy, edge, and attitude.
Featured Experiences The evening’s adrenaline will be amplified by world-class automotive demos, including drifting demonstrations from OPTIMA and the high-energy Globe of Death.
Supercar Saturdays Florida returns to SEMA Fest with a curated showcase of rare hypercars and exotic vehicles following its debut SEMA Fest appearance in 2025, where it presented an exclusive hypercar and supercar display.
For the latest updates, follow @SEMAFestOfficial on social media or visit www.semafest.com.
POMPANO BEACH, FL (07.15.26) – Our website was redesigned to help you find products, vehicle compatibility, and technical information faster than ever.
What’s New?
✨ Cleaner, More Intuitive Design Navigate with ease and find the products you’re looking for in fewer clicks.
⚡ Faster Performance Spend less time searching and more time serving your customers.
📂 Enhanced Product Pages Access detailed product information, features, and specifications — all in one place.
🚗 Smarter Product Search Quickly find the right ZZ2 solution for the vehicle you’re working on.
📰 More Resources at Your Fingertips Stay updated with our latest News & Blog posts, listen to the INZZIDER Podcast, browse FAQs, and quickly access product manuals from our new Manuals page.
Everything was designed with one goal in mind: helping dealers work more efficiently and grow their business.
PHILADELPHIA, MS (07.14.26) – Casey Woods and his family opened Casey’s Custom Audio in September last year. Casey left the 12volt industry several years ago and his passion brought him back to opening the new store in Philadelphia MS with his wife Brandi and son Garrett.
“It has been a terrific year since we opened. We are having fun and working with consumers throughout a wide area. I’ve always had an interest in Car Shows and Car Audio Competitions. Recently we struck a deal with Melissa Hall, and MECA, to host some competitions in Mississippi. Our first event was May 30th and we had over 25 competitors plus many people in the parking lot checking out show cars and enjoying the music. We have our second show scheduled for July 26th and already we are getting competitors signing up plus making reservations at area motels. The State Finals on September with wrap the MECA Series on September 5th.”
Prodigy Audio is a sponsor of Meca‘s series.
Since opening in September of 2025 Casey has enhanced showroom displays. Casey’s Custom Audio now provides a strong in-store experience for customers and enthusiasts in the region. Becoming an Authorized KICKER Dealer is also major news.
This copy of the Queen City News in Meridian MS featured an article spotlighting Casey at Hoover’s Stereo from March 1995.
Recent staff member additions add to the customers experience also. Allen Hancock, an excellent box builder and fabricator, will create a custom enclosure to the specification of your build’s.
Rockford Fosgate and DS18 are featured in this section of the showroom.
“Casey’s Custom Audio is building a one stop shop for everyone’s needs. Don’t forget professional lighting…even starlights. I am happy to say my son Garrett is the man for that.”
The well-stocked showroom provides comfortable seating also as installations are being completed.
Concluding “Based on the turnout from our first event, and the growing buzz in the territory, we are excited and plan to be Jammin’ N July and beyond. Stay tuned for more from MECA and Casey’s Custom Audio” Casey stated.
Stay tuned for more from MECA and Casey’s Custom Audio” Casey stated.
CHANDLER, AZ (07.14.26) – Full-coverage fiberglass door panels for 1988-2000 OBS crew cab trucks and Suburbans Fesler USA is now shipping a set of four hand-laid fiberglass door panels for 1988-2000 Chevy and GMC OBS crew cab trucks and Suburbans. The panels cover the complete factory door area front and rear, ship in smooth gel-coat, and are built in Phoenix, Arizona.
What they are and how they’re built Each panel is hand laid in fiberglass with a smooth gel-coat surface, ready to go straight to your upholstery shop or paint booth. The full-coverage design wraps the entire factory door panel area, which eliminates the lower-door gaps and rough edges common on cut or modified shells.
The layout is optimized for power windows, with switch and lock locations designed to move to the center console. Door mounting is possible with customer modification. Both front and rear doors accept 6.5-inch speakers without cutting door metal, and Fesler offers a no-cut speaker kit using Morel components, including an optional 3-way configuration, sold separately.
Specs at a glance
Fitment. 1988-2000 Chevy/GMC OBS crew cab trucks and Suburbans
Included. Four panels: front left, front right, rear left, rear right
Material. Hand-laid fiberglass
Finish. Smooth gel-coat, ready for upholstery or paint
Speaker cutouts. 6.5-inch, front and rear doors
Window configuration. Designed for power windows (components not included)
Dash clearance note. 1996 and newer stock dash may contact the front panel edge; shaving the panel edge provides clearance
Lead time. 1 to 3 business days when in stock
Made in. Phoenix, Arizona
Why we built them OBS crew cabs have been a popular build platform for years, but full four-door interior solutions for these trucks have been short supply. Fesler designed these panels to pair with the forthcoming Fesler OBS dash and billet interior door handle and armrest kits, giving builders a complete interior system built to consistent in-house standards rather than pieced together from multiple suppliers.
“These trucks deserve a real interior solution, not a patchwork of parts that almost fit.” — Chris Fesler
The full product listing, fitment notes, and speaker kit options are available at shopfesler.com.
DIAMOND BAR, CA (07.14.26) – SEMA has officially opened entries for the 2026 SEMA Battle of the Builders Presented by Mothers at www.semabotb.com. Now in its 13th year, the competition continues to stand as the automotive aftermarket’s premier platform for custom builders exhibiting at the SEMA Show, and for 2026 it will expand to include motorcycles, introducing an additional set of awards recognizing the Top 3 standout bike builders and an overall motorcycle champion.
“It’s always exciting to see builders push creative boundaries year after year, and the addition of powersports brings an entirely new level of energy and excitement to the program,” said SEMA Vice President of Marketing RJ de Vera. “Battle of the Builders continues to evolve alongside the industry, and we’re excited to see how builders push innovation at the 2026 SEMA Show.”
For 2026, the SEMA Battle of the Builders Presented by Mothers will again feature its four core automotive competition classes: Hot Rod & Hot Rod Truck; 4 Wheel Drive & Off-Road; Sport Compact, Import Performance, Luxury & Exotic; and BFGoodrich Young Guns. Class winners will advance through the competition, with one ultimately named overall Battle of the Builders champion.
“Mothers High Performance Car Care is proud to continue supporting the SEMA Battle of the Builders and the talented builders who make this competition one of the most anticipated events at the SEMA Show,” said Mothers Vice President of Marketing Shane Christman. “Every year, we’re inspired by the creativity, craftsmanship, and passion these builders bring to their projects. This program celebrates the dedication behind every build and gives the industry an opportunity to recognize the individuals pushing vehicle customization forward.”
The 2026 program will also debut a new side to the competition with SEMA Battle of the Builders: Bike Builder Shootout as a dedicated Motorcycle category, expanding the competition to include some of the finest custom two-wheel vehicles in America. Entries will be evaluated separately by motorcycle industry judges based on craftsmanship, design innovation, and overall execution, with the Top 10 finalists serving as judges to determine the Top 3 category winners and the overall Bike Builder champion.
In the automotive categories, a panel of aftermarket industry judges will again review all eligible submissions, evaluating build descriptions and photography before conducting in-person assessments on the SEMA Show floor. Judges will narrow entries to a Top 10 in each category, followed by a Top 3 selection. Those 12 finalists will then serve as judges to determine category winners and the overall champion.
“It’s been great to be back at the SEMA Battle of the Builders,” said Troy Trepanier of Rad Rides by Troy after winning the overall 2025 Battle of the Builders trophy last November. “It’s grown a lot since we first won the event eight years ago. We finally had a car worthy of being back in the competition. There were so many great cars this year. Everybody here is a winner, all 40, all 12, especially the Final Four.”
When asked what it’s like to win the SEMA Battle of the Builders for the second time, Trepanier said “It is always nice to be judged by your peers in the industry and get recognized.”
Supporting the Next Generation of Builders The BFGoodrich Young Guns category highlights emerging talent, open to builders 29 years old and younger at the time of the SEMA Show. Entrants may be selected to participate in virtual Golden Ticket competitions held throughout the summer, with prize packages that include vehicle transportation to Las Vegas, plus travel and hotel accommodations. At the Show, the Top 10 BFGoodrich Young Guns finalists compete within their own field, narrowing to a Top 3. First introduced in 2024, the BFGoodrich Young Guns Top 10 competition format continues to expand opportunity and visibility for rising builders.
“BFGoodrich is proud to support the next generation of builders through the BFGoodrich Young Guns category at the SEMA Battle of the Builders,” said BFGoodrich Ultra High Performance Brand Manager T.J. Dennis. “Creating opportunities for young builders to showcase their talent, gain industry recognition, and compete alongside some of the best in the business is what makes this program so special. We’re excited to continue supporting the innovation, passion, and creativity that define the future of vehicle customization.”
For more information or to enter the 2026 SEMA Battle of the Builders, visit www.semabotb.com. For information on registration deadlines, rules, and additional details, click here.
The SEMA Show returns to Las Vegas, Nov. 3–6, 2026, bringing together the most influential brands, builders, and innovators in the automotive aftermarket industry. The Show remains the premier destination for discovering new products, technologies, and trends shaping the future of vehicle customization and performance. For more information or to register, visit www.semashow.com.
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