Alpine appoints GoFast Solutions as the Authorized Dealer Fulfillment Partnerfor New York Metro

MIDDLETOWN, CT (1.2.2023) – GoFast Solutions, is proud to announce that Alpine Electronics has appointed GoFast Solutions as the authorized dealer fulfillment partner for the New York Metro, Central & Northern NJ & Long Island Market.

“We are thrilled to partner with Alpine Electronics in NY” said David Prinz, CEO of GoFast Solutions. “Alpine is a premium, high-end brand long known for their innovative products and the high standards of excellence that they demand of their dealer network that represent the Alpine brand to consumers. To be hand-picked by Alpine as their authorized dealer fulfillment partner in NY Metro, Central/Northern NJ & Long Island is an honor and a validation that GoFast exemplifies the integrity, quality & commitment to excellence that Alpine embodies every day.”

David adds, “We knew from day one that it would take hard work, perseverance, and a commitment to add tremendous value to the retailers in NY to win. We invested in a satellite warehouse located centrally in Hicksville, NY and we have a delivery van travel thru the market weekly to stock our Hicksville warehouse and deliver orders to our customers. GoFast Solutions ability to supply dealers with same or next day inventory is a valuable benefit to dealers for a just in time need.”

Bob Hernandez Director of Sales added “We are excited to bring the GoFast Experience to the authorized Alpine Retailers in the New York Metro, Central/Northern NJ & Long Island. Having served Alpine as the authorized dealer fulfillment partner in New England & Upstate NY for several years, this is a natural extension… expect to see us early and often!”

Contact GoFast Solutions at Main Number (203) 641-0272, Info@gofst.com

2023… A New Year Filled With Opportunities

SHREVEPORT, LA (12.31.2022) – January 1st 2023 marks the beginning of a New Year filled with opportunities. Happy New Year to all across the 12volt industry!

The New Year 2023 presents an opportunity for all to start with a clean slate and implement a fresh set of goals for the year ahead.

There is an old saying “Nothing is more constant than change.” The fact that online commerce continues to capture sales from brick and mortar retailers has become a constant that won’t change – unless brick and mortar retailers change their approach to the marketplace. E-commerce sales during the 2022 holiday season were up nearly double digits over 2021. Between Black Friday and Christmas eve FedEx, UPS along with the US Postal Service combined to deliver over 2 billion packages. To be sure, not all of those packages were Christmas gifts. However, as online ordering surged, the majority were Christmas gifts.

Brick and mortar retailers across the U.S. closed thousands of stores in 2022.

In the evermore digital marketplace, all brick and mortar retailers must change their mindset and marketing approach to engage the consumer marketplace. To be successful retailers must create an overall experience consumers can not get from an online retailer. Hearing crisp highs, and feeling bass in the chest, just can not be experienced online. Seeing in-vehicle lighting plus power sports and marine installations first-hand will drive sales. Safety and convenience products, along with in-vehicle connectivity, are also categories where an exciting in-store experience can capture business for brick and mortar retailers.

Social media outreach is an extremely powerful vehicle through which 12volt retailers can develop a legion of loyal followers and engage consumers. Mobile devices are in the hands of virtually all consumers today. The smartphone is such a valuable tool for 12volt retailers to showcase their respective message to their followers and consumers.

New product arrivals, hot installations, new in-store displays and proactive staff members represent ideal content to highlight through planned social media posts. By the time the morning coffee is brewed a far sighted 12volt retailer could have made an engaging Instagram post for his followers to checkout. That post could feature a new product with an invitation to come into the store for an exciting demonstration. As the Instagram post was made that content could have been shared to Facebook and Twitter accounts also.

The Instagram Business Profile, which is free, features a contact tab. A follower can tap the contact tab and call the store from their smartphone as they view the post. Also, a follower can send an email to the store as well as get a map to the store. Making a post, with the opportunity to get an immediate response from a follower, is an amazing outreach 12volt retailers can’t pass up in today’s marketplace.

For the good of our 12volt industry, the community of suppliers must endeavor to inform the world of the benefits mobile electronics products offer consumers. It’s is well known the price driven “Race to Zero” has stripped marketing budgets. Recent emphasis on high end in-vehicle audio, along with power sports for UTV and marine plus lighting, is a terrific way to kick off the New Year.

We look forward to seeing your company’s brand and positive activities showcased in the 12volt Central Studios in 2023.

The Car Toys Tulsa Sony Mobile ES Contest Build Is Already At Work

TULSA OK (12.30.22) The Car Toys Tulsa Sony Mobile ES Build is already getting action in front of the store in Tulsa. Mark Adams, Car Toys Tulsa store manager’s 2023 Prius, was the retailer’s contest entry. “This was a 2-month project to complete. We finished just a day prior to the contest deadline. Already the Sony ES build is getting attention out front of the store…even in very chilly weather.”

Mark Adams with his Prius Sony ES Mobile build at Car Toys Tulsa.

The Car Toys Tulsa store is a free standing building across the street from a Walmart Super Center. Talk about possibilities for visibility for Sony ES Mobile products.

The custom work and presentation is amazing in the trunk of the Prius.

Contestants were tasked with building an effective Sony Mobile ES demo vehicle to show installation creativity highlighting Sony Mobile ES benefits to consumers. Spotlighting the Mobile ES name and outlining how contestants would utilize the vehicle in practical ways to sell Sony Mobile ES systems were added requirements to enter the contest.

Work on the ES Mobile build  was completed in the Car Toys Tulsa installation shop.

Car Toys Tulsa was selected as a Top 10 entry in the ES Mobile Build contest but did not place in the Top 3.

Car Toys owner Charles Stewart related “When our Sony rep Richard Wong told us about the ES Mobile build contest we saw the possibilities and started making plans. An employee’s personal car could be the build vehicle and Mark jumped at the opportunity to make the installation in his Prius. He and I have worked together for probably 20 years and I knew he would give the build his all.”

The ES Mobile 10” in the dash and tweeters custom mounted in the pillar.

“I worked on the build in the Car Toys Tulsa installation bay on Sundays as we are closed. Also, Tuesday is an off day for me, so I could work in the bay too. Charles and Chance, along with techs Frank and Gabe, were right there when I asked for input or needed a few extra hands” Adams offered.

Continuing Adams stated “We did a lot of planning to design the system. We wanted the Prius interior to look stock and demonstrate the sound quality of the Sony ES Mobile System. In addition we wanted to highlight in-vehicle LED lighting which we did in a couple ways. There is chasing LED’s around the top trunk interior plus under Mobile ES products installed in the trunk. One of the LED light patterns showcases the ES Mobile theme color. I was able to show the many aspects of the build in a video which I included with our contest entry. All in all we are very pleased with the Car Toys Tulsa Sony Mobile ES build.”

Stewart concluded “We thank Sony for creating the Mobile ES build program and the opportunity to participate. The program shows a lot of thought and in the end equips many dealers across the U.S. to showcase the Sony ES Mobile brand and possibilities in their area. We will definitely plan store activities around the build plus have the Prius on site at many local offsite events we do each year. Ultimately the build program will drive business for all ES Mobile retailers.”

The Timmy Fresh Bike With PowerBass BT-200 Auctioned For $6500

LOS ANGELES, CA (12.30.22) – The Microsoft Theater was packed for the Metallica Concert. The Metallica Helping Hands Charity Auction was recently completed. PowerBass was proud to partner with friends at T-FRESH / TIMMY FRESH BRAND custom bicycles and their Metallica Themed Charity Auction Bike!

The Timmy Fresh custom Metallica Auction bike in the PowerBass booth at SEMA 2022.

The custom Timmy Fresh bike brought a bid of $6500. The Timmy Fresh Metallica bike was a unique theme built one-off charity raffle item that was part of the All Within My Hands Foundation to help the Helping Hands Concert & Auction in Los Angeles on December 16th. A PowerBass BT-200 was added to Timmy Fresh Custom Bike and added to the value of that auction item.

The Metallica performance was a record setting at the Microsoft Theater.

Tim Garcia, Timmy Fresh owner, related “We have been doing custom bikes in our shop in Clovis CA for 8 years. We have participated in many charity auctions. Early this year I reached out to the Metallica All Within My Hands Foundation. When I heard back we made a presentation that was accepted. Our bike builds are special with matte finishes with different wheel sizes and more. We are waiting to learn the name of the winner so we can arrange delivery. The actual bike was in the PowerBass booth at SEMA and grabbed a lot of eyeballs which also led to visibility of the PowerBass BT-200 BlueTooth speaker.”

The workmanship on the TImmy Fresh bike is totally custom all the way.

Erik Harbour, PowerBass VP, was instrumental in arranging the BT-200 Portable Bluetooth Speaker on the Timmy Fresh bike and attended the concert. “The Microsoft Theater was packed and Metallica did not disappoint. Their performance was Emmy winning and the presentation on stage was second to none. The Helping Hands Auction saw a the top bid on the Tommy Fresh bike at an amazing $6500! The auction winner will certainly enjoy the PowerBass BT-200 Bluetooth speaker on their rides” Harbour related.

The Metallica themed Timmy Flesh bike was showcased in the PowerBass booth at SEMA 2022.

All Within My Hands Foundation is a non-profit, philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica, dedicated to creating sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services.

The Timmy Fresh Metallica Auction Bike was featured on display in the PowerBass Booth at SEMA and spotlighted the new Timmy Fresh Bike mounts for the PowerBass BT-200 SPLIT Portable Bluetooth Speaker which keeps the rider’s music secure so the ride keeps on rocking!

For more see powerbassusa.com.

ZyCoat, LLC launches ZyClear™ the automotive industries first high temperature high gloss clear coating

12-30-2022 Olathe, Kansas – ZyCoat, LLC announces the launch of ZyClear™, the game changing, high temperature, high gloss technology clear coating formulated for the automotive industry. ZyClear is a liquid thin film, single component coating that makes engine parts look awesome under the hood. ZyClear is spray applied or wiped on and is a mere 4 to 6 microns thick when applied. ZyClear is the first high temperature, high gloss coating for the harsh under the hood engine environment.

“The ZyClear coating is a continuation of ZyCoat, LLC’s development of high temperature, direct to metal, liquid coating that are easy-to-apply yet touch enough to withstand the harsh engine environment”, stated Tim McCarthy, Founder & CEO. “There are so many benefits related to ZyClear. The applications are endless, and we expect ZyClear to not only complement our ZyBar color coatings but also an outstanding standalone clear coating product for high temperature environments. We are incredibly proud to be the first to bring this technology to market”, McCarthy added.

ZyClear is the first high temperature clear coating technology to offer high gloss and high durability in the under-the-hood automotive environment. ZyClear hs very good corrosion resistance, is easy to apply and now gives us a clear, high-gloss topcoat for ZyCoat’s line of ZyBar® high temperature coatings. ZtClear’s hydrophobic properties which makes it an excellent clear top coat to make any engine compartment parts that have been painted with automotive paints easy to keep clean. ZyClear can be applied to chrome, stainless steel, cast, mild steel, aluminum, and many other substrates. ZyClear is currently being tested to be applied to heavy truck stainless stacks to make the removal of carbon build up and discoloration easy to do.

ZyCoat provides detailed application instructions and has numerous professional coater referral partners across the country. ZyClear brings a new technology that simply didn’t exist in this market up until now. To learn more about ZyCoat and the ZyClear technology visit the HushMat & ZyCoat booth #23195 located in Hot Rod Alley.

Record Cold And Social Media Drives Business At Audio Solutions

FLORENCE MS (12.29.22) As the Christmas Holidays approached weather forecasts called for record low temperatures in much of the south. In Shreveport LA the temperature dropped to a very chilly 8 degrees.

This post was created and posted as cold temperatures and Christmas approached Florence MS.

In Florence MS, close to Jackson, those record low temperatures were also forecast. Wayne Holton, Audio Solutions owner, decided to let followers know that a remote car starter would be a great item for Christmas gift giving. He put a social media plan in place to drive sales.

Holton related “We had a good inventory Viper products and got together with my graphics contact and put together an ad that we posted a few days before Christmas. On yes, it got some good action.”

This is the text that accompanied the audio solutions post.

Once customers came into the store the Audio Solutions team let all know there were more benefits to a remote starter than just keeping their vehicle warm in the winter. We informed customers about heated seats, security and convenience feature benefits in addition to keeping their vehicles cool when the summer heat arrives.

Audio Solutions and now at home in this new ground up facility in Florence MS.

Continuing Holton related “Across the board there are so many products available in the mobile electronics category that consumers are not aware of today. Professionally created social media posts can get the message across for proactive 12volt retailers. An example is window tinting for farm tractors as agriculture is big in our area. We made a post of a completed job which led to more tinting jobs, cameras and audio jobs too.”

Farm and construction equipment is at work from sunup to sunset. Window tinting can make it cooler and possibly lead to increased productivity.

In the past year Audio Solutions completed construction of a large new facility in Florence that is definitely driving business for the company throughout the area.

See @audiosolutions49 on Instagram.

Towing & Hauling Has Never Been Easier

NOVI MI (12.29.22) – Introducing Brandmotion’s New Wireless Transparent Trailer System. The Transparent Trailer Rear Vision System from Brandmotion consists of two HD digital cameras delivering HD video to a full-width digital rearview mirror screen. This allows you to see behind your trailer at all times – not just while in reverse – and continuously monitor your truck bed and the front of the trailer.

The system provides obstruction-free rearview visibility, solving the traditional visibility problems for pickup drivers who tow. The rearmost camera is wirelessly mounted behind the trailer and easily snaps into trailers with built-in camera brackets. The second camera, cleanly integrated into the third brake light of the pickup truck, provides an unobstructed view of the vehicle’s bed and the front of the trailer. When not towing, you will have a view of the vehicle cargo bed and the blindspots behind the vehicle.

Together, these camera views – easily selectable with a touch of the high-quality rearview mirror display – eliminate blind spots. Unlike any other towing camera on the market, the Brandmotion Transparent Trailer system provides continuous visibility and utility with or without a trailer, making it a versatile and high-value option for drivers who detach and reattach their trailers regularly.

• See behind the trailer at all times – not just while in reverse – with HD-quality video. See if you’re being tailgated or a vehicle is about to pass you.

• Watch the front of the trailer through the integrated third brake light cargo bed camera. Want a quick check on your boat, camper, or horse trailer? Simply touch the bottom of the mirror to switch camera views.

• Capture excellent daily utility beyond towing by watching your pickup bed cargo at all times AND eliminating blind spots around the rear of your truck when not towing.

• Thanks to the wireless trailer camera that snaps into most existing trailer camera brackets, installation of the entire system is simple, with no hole-drilling or loss of vehicle features (professional installation recommended).

Click to select your vehicle.

Recognizing the Leaders of SBN’s All-Female Bronco Build

Since 2018, the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) has raised awareness of successful women in the automotive aftermarket through its ‘She Is SEMA’ campaign. Every month features a new and exciting feature spotlighting what these women do, how they landed their careers and how they continue to thrive in a male-dominated industry.

This month’s She Is SEMA spotlight is raising awareness of the 11 women who led the SBN All-Female Bronco Build to success. Coming from various industry careers, these women put in countless hours of organizing and planning to ensure each of the 127 total SBN build volunteers had a hand in the build.  

Read about each SBN build lead below to learn about who ‘She Is’:

SBN Build Leads

Cathy Clark

Clark is the president of Bob Cook Sales, SBN chair and a 14-year veteran of the automotive aftermarket industry.

Sara Morosan

Morosan is the SBN chair-elect, president of BAJA Forged and SEMA’s 2021 Person of the Year. Raised in an automotive family, Morosan has been building cars since she was 13 years old and currently volunteers with several SEMA committees and initiatives including SBN, SEMA Cares, TORA and SEMA Education.

Build Week Leads

Jennifer Petraitis

Petraitis is employed at Driven Lighting Group. Petraitis takes pride working in the automotive aftermarket, focused on being the best in automotive lighting. When she is not at work or home, you can find her at the dragstrip with a camera or lending a hand helping a radial tire car.

Kathryn Reinhardt

Reinhardt is the senior vice president of marketing and events at Hemmings, a SEMA Board member and an automotive industry veteran with a passion for marketing aftermarket parts. Reinhardt’s dedication to the automotive aftermarket includes memberships with SBN, TORA, FLN and SEMA Cares.

Parts and Sponsorship Leads

Cora Jokinen

Jokinen is the president of Toq-Masters Industries Inc. With a design, engineering and project management background, Jokinen offers consulting services for business strategy, marketing and branding in the automotive and offroad industry.

Rebeca Olavarrieta

Olavarrieta is the CEO of Roxo 4×4. Olavarrieta got involved in the automotive industry when she was 16 years old by racing 1/4-mile with her supercharged Mustang Cobra. Her company is now present in Miami, Honduras and Spain, but even her busy business schedule can’t keep her off the wheel, as she has also competed in international off-road events in Venezuela, Honduras, Panama and Germany representing her business.

Event Leads

Tiffanie Hartenstein

Hartenstein is the CEO of Oracle Lighting. Hartenstein’s approach to business includes a heavy importance on culture and people. She enjoys infusing fun into the workplace while providing new and exciting products into the industry.

Aliceje Keyburn

Keyburn is a senior graphic designer at Race Winning Brands. She has been involved in the powersports and automotive industry for almost 10 years and has been a passionate fan all her life. Uniting her passion for creativity with her love for powersports and automotive is her dream come true.

Marketing Leads

Charlene Bower

Bower is the owner of Bower Motorsports Media. Bower has worked in the off-road industry for more than 27 years between multi-line motorcycle dealerships, the magazine industry, offroad education and event and media management. Her most recent project is Ladies Offroad Network that offers education for women in the off-road space.

Mandee Bradshaw

Bradshaw is senior marketing manager for Aftermarket for Vehlo. She has spent most of her career in the automotive industry and is focused on helping shop owners get access to the technology and knowledge they need to obtain success.

Beth Brennan

Brennan is the general manager of TREAD Agency, a part of Kahn Media. Brennan has a brand marketing background and has worked in outdoor and aftermarket automotive industries. She has been involved with SEMA for more than five years and volunteers for the SBN select committee.

Volunteer Leads

Haley Keelin

Keelin is in social sales at Driven Lighting Group. Keelin is passionate about all things automotive and started her career young as her father’s professional flashlight holder. She now works with the largest brands in automotive lighting and focuses on bringing the best products available to the industry.

Melissa Parker-Boudreaux

Parker-Boudreaux is a national sales manager at ORACLE Lighting. She recently celebrated 11 years with ORACLE Lighting, where she rose through administration and sales to land the position she has today. She oversees a dynamic sales and customer service team and creates relationships with distribution accounts.

Project Manager

Sherry Kollien

Kollien is a program manager at Motor City Solutions. Prior to her current role, Kollien worked at Ford Motor Company for 30 years where she worked in the Dyno Lab performing powertrain testing and managed the SEMA Project Vehicle program and Ford/SEMA Tech transfer program. Kollien has served on the SBN and TORA select committees.

To learn more about the SBN All-Female Bronco Build, and to view a list of all 127 volunteers, visit www.sema.org/sbn-build.

The 9th Annual Audio Concepts Toys For Tots Donations Delivered Christmas Day

FRESNO CA (12.28.22) On Saturday and Christmas Day Ray Aragon and his wife Maria delivered nearly 500 toys donated at the Audio Concepts 9th Annual Toys for Tots event in Fresno on Saturday, December 17th. BassWars, IASCA, USACi and EMMA competitions took place in the lanes. Competitors,144 strong, and others attending brought toy donations for the Toys For Tots drive.

Ray Aragon is with smiling faces at the Fresno Rescue The Children facility as he delivered Toys for Tots donations.

Ray Aragon, Audio Concepts owner, related “On Saturday and Christmas day we visited 5 organizations in the Fresno area dedicated to helping unfortunate children and families. There were big smiles on faces at Angel House, Naomi’s House, Fresno Mission, Fresno County Foster and Fresno Rescue The Chuldren. This year’s Toys for Tots event was right up toward the top of our annual events. We had 476 toys donated. We thank each sound-off organization that dedicated so much time and energy for this event and worthy cause.”

Audio Concepts has 2 Crew Cab Silverados. “Maria and I carried out the boxes and set them in front of each location and let the children pick out 2 gifts a piece. It is so great to see the smiles on the faces of the children and parents” Aragon stated.

The Fresno Mission was another stop to deliver Toys for Tots donations Ray and Maria Aragon made on Christmas weekend.

Linda Kobayashi and husband Richard were once again onsite conducting action in the BassWars and EMMA lanes. “The annual Audio Concepts Toys for Tots is a well attended event involving several sound-off organizations. Attendees from all around the state are generous in giving toys for a great cause. Richard and I are grateful to work with Audio Concepts on sound-off events at their Fresno location throughout the year with the Toys for Tots event being one we look forward to doing the most each year” Linda related.

Ray Aragon with all the 476 toys donated after the Audio Concepts Toys for Tots event on December 17th.

Concluding Aragon offered “Our two biggest and most important shows each year are our annual 9/11 Show where we donate to the Wounded Warrior Foundation and the Toys for Tots event. We have now been hosting the Toys for Tots event for 9 years and it gets bigger and better every year. A huge Christmas Thank You to all for their support.”

The 9th Annual Audio Concepts Toys For Tots Event Filled Santa’s Sleigh

FRESNO, CA (12.28.22) – Audio Concepts hosted the company’s 9th Annual Toys for Tots event in Fresno on Saturday, December 17th. BassWars, IASCA, USACi and EMMA competitions took place in the lanes. Competitors and and others attending brought toy donations for the Toys For Tots drive.

Ray Aragon pictured on Monday outside his store with all the toys donated plus his store’s competition Integra.
Are area surrounding the Audio Concepts store was filled tents from BassWars, IASCA, USACi and EMMA plus competitor‘s vehicles.

Ray Aragon, Audio Concepts owner, related “This year’s Toys for Tots event was right up toward the top of our annual events. We had well 476 toys donated. All with each sound-off organization dedicated so much time and energy for this event and worthy cause. Competitors on site with BassWars, IASCA, USACi and EMMA had an opportunity to have their systems judged, show off their projects plus donate to the Toys for Tots drive. Between the four organizations we had 144 competitors on site.”

Richard Papasin under the BassWars tent with a competitor in the lane.
 Ray Pimley working with IASCA competitors under the tent.

Richard Papasin was in charge of the BassWars competition and was setup under a large BassWars tent. Papasin also orchestrated the EMMA activities and ran the lanes for Sound Pressure. Nick Adams judged SQ for EMMA.

Ray Pimley handled the IASCA lanes for Sound Pressure as Linda Kobayashi judged SQ for IASCA.

Jose Ramos monitors a USACi competitor in the lane.
Nick Adams (R) headed the EMMA Competiton at the event and is pictured with Richard Papasin who assisted in the EMMA lanes.

Jose Ramos handled all of the action in the USACi lane for Sound Pressure.

The large area connected to the Audio Concepts facility was filled with tents from each organization. The early morning fog cleared by mid morning and the sun shined on the event for the rest of the day.

Ray Aragon holds a Certificate of Appreciation with Richard Papasin sharing a light moment for a fun image.
When the event wrapped Saturday evening many who worked the event gathered for a group image with the donated toys secured in the warehouse.

“No doubt our 9th Annual Toys for Tots event was a success. My wife Maria and I will spend time on this Saturday and Sunday visiting five or six area charity organization to personally deliver the toys donated at our Audio Concepts 2022 event. For us that is such a special occasion to see the smiles on the faces of children receiving the toys. We are looking forward to our 10th Annual Toys for Tots event in 2023” Aragon concluded.

A special thanks to Linda Kobayashi supplying images and info from the 9th Annual Audio Concepts Toys for Tots event.

Visit facebook.com/Audioconceptsfresno for more.