AUBURN HILLS, MI (12.22.22) – Alps Alpine North America, Inc. (“Alpine”) will offer a choice of three, one-hour virtual training sessions for their U.S. Authorized Dealers. These sessions will focus on newly released and upcoming Alpine products. This is the third year in a row that Alpine has offered virtual product training sessions for their dealers.
Straight from the Source What started as a necessity during the virtual environment of the pandemic has evolved into an efficient method of communicating new product introductions, marketing promotions, and detailed product training directly to partnering businesses.
“We are proud to continue offering virtual product training in an effort to streamline communication and offer important updates and announcements from Alpine in a convenient and accessible format,” said Mike Anderson, Executive Director at Alps Alpine North America, Inc. “The virtual approach also allows us to deliver a pure Alpine brand experience to a wider audience in a way that equips and energizes our partnering stores.”
Led by Alpine National Trainer, Eric Brooks, the virtual training will highlight the new generation of High-Resolution sound and display audio family systems inspired by the technology and design of the Ultra High-Resolution AlpineF#1Status system. The webinar will also include effective selling and marketing techniques for the 2023 Alpine Product Line.
Registrants can choose from the following days to attend:
Tuesday, January 10, 2023 noon (EST) Wednesday, January 11, 2023 3 p.m. (EST) Thursday, January 12, 2023 6 p.m. (EST)
All U.S. Alpine Authorized Dealers are encouraged to register for this free webinar by contacting their Alpine Rep.
METAIRIE, LA (12.22.22) – After an incredibly successful launch at the recent 2022 SEMA Show, Oracle Lighting has announced that its new Fiber Optic ColorShift Wheel Liner Kit is now available for pre-order. Available at oraclelights.com with an MSRP of $339.95, the new kit (p/n 5898-333) is scheduled to ship January 2023.
“It did not come as a big surprise that our new Fiber Optic ColorShift Wheel Liner Kit probably gained the most attention during the recent SEMA Show in Las Vegas since it has such a unique eye-catching appearance,” said Justin Hartenstein, Oracle Lighting director of development. “This is a totally universal product…if your truck or SUV has wheel liners, you can install this kit. This kit allows you to convert your dull and boring wheel liners into the focal point of your vehicle, with the unique color-changing constellation offering a truly custom one-of-a-kind appearance.”
Oracle Lighting’s Fiber Optic ColorShift Wheel Liner Kit includes four individual ColorSHIFT LED light engines, each illuminating 150 strands of fiber optic cable to create a beautiful star-scape in otherwise dark wheel wells.
“This kit provides a really unique POP of color and turns plenty of heads,” Hartenstein continued. “It is a tedious installation since the fibers are individually punched into the plastic wheel liner. It’s more of an arts-and-crafts project to be honest, which is a great opportunity to enlist the help of your kids or nieces and nephews to help with the seemingly endless number of stars that need to be installed. They will love working on a project and there is no wrong way to arrange the constellations so it would be hard to mess up!”
Installation is pretty straight forward, and it really provides a unique, colorful look that will turn plenty of heads. The cables are individually inserted through drilled holes in whatever pattern you choose in the plastic wheel liners, and then glued from the back to secure in place. The light engines are then connected to 12V power, and the included remote control or the free app via Bluetooth on your smartphone allows you to select the LED effects, brightness, and colors.
With over 40 Watts of total LED light and 600 light fibers this kit makes a big impact which is sure to get your truck noticed at the next night show. The colors, brightness, and effects of the LED stars are controlled through the included remote control. The lights can also be controlled wirelessly through Bluetooth with the free app and any smartphone device. It is not recommended to use this product on-road without first checking with your local rules and regulations.
Additional features and specifications include:
4 x 10W RGBW LED fiver engines
600 x 0.75mm fiber optic cables
4 x 12V power cables
Housing material: aluminum alloy
LED rating: 50,000 hours
Warranty: 2 years
Louisiana-based Oracle Lighting has been designing innovative lighting products and technologies for the automotive/12Volt, powersports, motorcycle, and marine markets since 1999. Oracle’s philosophy is this: in today’s world of fly-by-night vendors, we think it is important to partner with businesses that you can trust to be there for you today, tomorrow, and for years to come.
MOBILE, AL (12.22.22) – Ken’s Car Tunes Custom Gift Cards make great gifts for Holiday Giving.
National news Tuesday announced gift cards are very popular as Christmas gifts this Holiday Season. Ken’s Car Tunes is ahead of the curve.
This image is the replica of the Ken’s Car Tunes gift card awarded during a post area high school graduation. On display in the store showroom customers can see gift cards are available.
Ken Stafford related “We have been offering our custom gift cards for a couple of years. It’s a super easy way for a parent to give a gift that will be appreciated by the recipient. That way the gift card recipient can select exactly what they want when adding to the vehicles audio system, bike, UTV or boat. Today’s selection of mobile electronics goes so far beyond just car audio with security, in-vehicle connectivity, lighting, portable Bluetooth products, headphones and more. With a Ken’s Gift Card in hand our customer certainly has a lot of options. The customer can always pay the difference if the item selected is more than the value of the card.”
The POS system at Ken’s Car Tunes actually tracks the amount of the gift card. The customer can come back to make an additional purchase and use the balance toward a new purchase.
“We actually sold a Ken’s Gift Card for a high school graduation gathering. The organizers of the event actually made a large replica of our gift card that was displayed at the event. We now have that large custom Ken’s Gift Card on display in one of our showrooms so it is easy for customers to see we offer gift cards” Stafford concluded.
Ken’s Car Tunes opened for business in 1983. In 2023 the company will celebrate 40 years in business. Ken’s Car Tunes operates stores in Mobile, AL and Pensacola, FL.
DIAMOND BAR, CA (12.21.22) – One of the annual SEMA Show’s many distinctions is its weeklong display of greatness. From new products and innovations to the groundbreaking people driving the specialty aftermarket to new heights, the SEMA Show reflects the industry’s reach for excellence. Perhaps that’s the reason the Show’s award ceremonies resonate so deeply with thousands of Show participants.
“We are pleased to congratulate all the winners that we celebrated throughout numerous events and competitions during the 2022 SEMA Show Week,” said SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola. “This is an industry founded on deep-seated passion and the constant enthusiasm to excel at one’s craft—and all our SEMA Show winners and honorees embody that spirit.”
SEMA Launch Pad WInner (Industry Banquet) Kevin Robinson, TRAC LLC
Sharing the Passion (Industry Banquet) James Lawrence, SEMA Chairman of the Board
The 2022 SEMA Show introduced several major updates to its traditional awards presentations. First, with e-commerce expanding and data-driven transactions becoming more routine, the SEMA Warehouse Distributor of the Year award evolved into a new Channel Partner of the Year award. The award honors the contributions of sales, distributors, retailers and e-commerce channel(s) in the industry as well as the distribution companies that support retailers.
Celebrating an Industry (Industry Banquet) Mike Spagnola, SEMA president and CEO
Chairman’s Service Award (Industry Banquet) WD-40
In addition, the Channel Partner of the Year and the Manufacturer of the Year award presentations were moved to the SEMA Show Kickoff Breakfast on Tuesday morning, November 1, at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. Held just before the Show’s official opening, the event was previously called the New Products Awards Breakfast. Under its new name, the 2022 event continued its tradition of honoring the Show’s best new products across numerous categories, including two new categories for electric vehicle and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) products.
Jarod DeAnda, known as the “voice of Formula Drift,” hosted the reformatted 2022 breakfast. He was joined on stage by Hoonigan driver Ken Block and Hoonigan Co-Founder Brian Scotto, who discussed “Electrikhana,” a new video featuring an all-electric Audi S1 Hoonitron that was shot on the streets of Las Vegas. “Electrikhana” is the latest video of the wildly popular “Gymkhana” series.
GEN-III Innovator of the Year (Industry Banquet) Mike Burns, ValvoMax
Influencer of the Year (Industry Banquet) Larry Chen, Photographer/Videographer
“Combining the Channel Partner of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year and New Product Awards into one event early in the week enabled winners to promote their honors throughout Show Week,” said SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso. “We were also very honored and excited to have Ken Block and Brian Scotto at the event. They are inspirational, and the ‘Gymkhana’ series and cars represent what our industry is all about.”
Person of the Year (Industry Banquet) Josh Poulson, Auto Additions Inc.
Industry Icons (Kickoff Breakfast) Jarod DeAnda, Brian Scotto, Ken Block
Meanwhile, the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, the traditional Thursday-night venue for major awards, also got a dynamic makeover, which included a novel center stage and a streamlined run time. Themed “Further. Faster. Together.,” the event featured the SEMA Person of the Year and GEN-III Innovator of the Year awards, along with the first-ever SEMA Influencer of the Year award designed to honor content creators who make a positive industry impact across social-media channels. The evening also included a tribute to industry icons Walker Evans, Jack Roush and Robert Eugene “Gene” Winfield, who were named to the SEMA Hall of Fame in the summer of 2022.
The banquet further made headlines with the announcement that the SEMA Show is going citywide in Las Vegas, starting this year. Another high point came with the audience of about 3,000 casting the deciding votes via text to name Kevin Robinson, inventor of the TRAC Tire Jack, as the ultimate winner of the 2022 SEMA Launch Pad competition. Winnowed from a field of five Show finalists, he and runner-up Susan Pieper, DMOS Collective CEO, got to pitch their product ideas before panelists Chip Foose, Jared Hare, Myles Kovacs and Alex Parker just before the audience vote.
Channel Partner of the Year (Kickoff Breakfast) Turn 14 Distribution Inc.
Manufacturer of the Year (Kickoff Breakfast) Baja Designs Inc.
“There were many changes to our Show’s recognition programs for 2022,” observed Gattuso. “All our awards and recognitions represent an extremely dynamic industry, so as our industry has evolved, we’ve been pleased to evolve with it.”
The photos above capture the winning moments and highlights of the Show’s many award presentations at the Kickoff Breakfast and the Industry Awards Banquet.
SAN DIEGO, CA (12.21.22) – Sony Car Audio has announced its Top 10 demo cars from its recent Sony Mobile ES demo car build contest:
• Absolute Electronix, Rockville, MD • All That Jazz – Philadelphia, PA • Audio Edge – Phoenix, AZ • Car Toys Tulsa – Tulsa, OK • Car Toyz – Richmond, VA • Kartele Mobile Electronics – Waterbury, CT • M&C Car Audio – San Antonio, TX • Ox Audio – Cheltenham, PA • Sound Decision – Johnson City, TN • Xtreme Auto Sound – Louisville, KY
The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will be announced early next week.
Contestants were tasked with building an effective Sony Mobile ES demo vehicle with the following expectations: • Use your installation creativity to highlight Sony Mobile ES benefits to consumers. • Highlight the Mobile ES name in the build. • Demonstrate how you’ll use the vehicle as a practical sales tool to sell Sony Mobile ES systems.
In addition to custom plaques and significant account credits for Sony products, the top prize winner gets high-end Sony wireless noise-canceling headphones for the whole crew and a staff dinner with their Sony Field Account Manager.
“Our Sony Mobile ES products are some of the best products we’ve made over the last 30 years. In this contest, more than 70 retailers submitted a demo car to be judged, so each of them now has a highly effective sales tool to show them off,” said Anthony Tozzi, Sony Car Audio Distribution Accounts Manager. “What better way to show off our great product and have a fully functional example of what your installation team can do with it? It’s a win-win! Congratulations to the top ten listed here, and we can’t wait to announce the winners next week.”
Reach out to Anthony Tozzi at Anthony.Tozzi@Sony.com for more information about Sony, the Mobile ES line, or how to connect to an authorized distributor.
CLEARWATER, FL (12.21.22) – The AudioControl ACX-3.2 all-weather sound processor is a high-output pre-amp, for all systems on-road, off-road or off-shore. The ACX-3.2 can serve as the main control unit in your audio system, allowing you to control the output to all of your amplifiers.
• 4-Band Stereo Graphic EQ • Parabass® Low Frequency Contouring • Variable 24 Db/Octave Linkwitz-Riley Crossover • Front, Rear, and Subwoofer Outputs • Master Volume, Fader, and Sub Level Control • Parabass® Bass Control • High-Gain Input Stage • Line Driver: 13-Volts Peak Output • Dash or Console-Mountable • Included Paging Microphone • Selectable Illumintation (red or blue)
SEATTLE, WA (12.20.22) – Firstech, makers of Compustar, DroneMobile, and Momento has announced its direct partnership with Tint World, America’s fastest growing auto accessories retailer.
Tint World franchise partners will gain direct access to Firstech’s catalog of vehicle remote start, security, and telematics solutions. Brands offered will include Compustar, iDatastart, DroneMobile, tesa tape, and Momento. On approval, select Tint World locations will also be eligible for selling Compustar Pro, which includes the company’s flagship remote starter with up to 3 miles of range, the Compustar Pro T13.
This announcement comes just in time for freezing temperatures and snow to sweep across North America, driving heightened consumer awareness for remote start.
“Firstech and Tint World’s company values align perfectly towards giving customers an amazing product experience backed by excellent service,” shares Firstech’s regional sales manager, Tanner Wilson. “We look forward to supporting each Tint World location and providing immense value and profitability to the categories of remote start and security.”
If you are a Tint World franchise partner and would like to learn more about this exciting partnership, please email Firstech atorders@myfirstech.com to be assigned an external and internal sales representative. All other inquiries regarding this release can be sent to Tanner Wilson at twilson@compustar.com.
DIAMOND BAR, CA (12.20.22) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is planning its 2023 education program and has issued a call for speakers for its annual SEMA Show–taking place in Las Vegas in November 2023–and its year-round virtual education program. Dynamic and entertaining presenters who can share new skills and ideas targeted to the automotive aftermarket are invited to apply at www.sema.org/speakers.
Organizers are seeking experts who can facilitate thought-provoking, forward-thinking seminars that will help industry members take their businesses and careers to the next level.
SEMA’s year-round virtual program provides relevant, engaging, and inspiring information on the industry’s complex issues and topics through online events and informational webinars. Likewise, the educational seminars make up one of the key pillars of the SEMA Show, where thousands of industry professionals come to learn new business strategies.
Topics of focus for 2023 include: Aftermarket updates and future trends Diversity, equity, and inclusion Electric vehicles Emerging and executive leadership Legal and regulatory Sales and marketing Small-business strategy Vehicle technology Specific industry segments Speaker proposals for the 2023 SEMA Show must be submitted by January 27, 2023. Virtual education proposals can be submitted at any time throughout the year. Submit proposals at www.sema.org/speakers.
For more details, contact Gary Vigil, Sr. Manager of Professional Development, at garyv@sema.org or 909-978-6738.
LOS ANGELES, CA (12.19.22) – The Microsoft Theater was packed on Friday night for the Metallica Concert. The Helping Hands Auction will be completed this coming week. PowerBass was proud to partner with friends at T-FRESH / TIMMY FRESH BRAND custom bicycles and their Metallica Themed Charity Auction Bike!
Metallica fans headed into the Microsoft Theater in LA on Friday, December 16th.
Erik Harbour holds his VIP Pass as the heads into the Metallica concert.
The Timmy Fresh Metallica bike was added as a charity raffle item for the All Within My Hands Foundation to be auctioned at the Helping Hands Concert & Auction in Los Angeles December 16th! A PowerBass BT-200 was added to Timmy Fresh Custom Bike and added to the value of that auction item.
Erik Harbour, PowerBass VP, was instrumental in arranging the BT-200 Portable Bluetooth Speaker 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 will happen in a couple days and the top bid on the Tommy Fresh bike is over $2500. The auction winner will certainly enjoy the PowerBass BT-200 Bluetooth” Harbour related.
Erik Harbour in the lobby with Lars Ulrich (R) is best known as a Danish musician, drummer and co-founder of the heavy metal band Metallica.
Metallica in concert with an amazing backdrop on the stage.
All Within My Hands 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 Brand Bike in the PowerBass booth at SEMA with the PowerBass BT-200 strapped to the lower bike frame.
The 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!
DIAMOND BAR, CA (12.19.22) – During the 2022 PRI Show in Indianapolis, thousands rallied to “Save our Racecars” at Lucas Oil Stadium to show their support for the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act and PRI’s Political Action Committee (PAC).
The 2022 Save our Racecars Rally, emceed by Johnny D, featured appearances by members of the Street Outlaws, Sage “Donkmaster” Thomas and Brent Leivestad from PFI Speed. Nearly $40,000 was raised for PRI’s PAC, including proceeds from a live auction featuring ticket packages to racing events, memorabilia signed by the Street Outlaws and ride-along experiences.
The PRI PAC allows individual PRI Members to contribute personal funds to help elect lawmakers who support the racing industry’s positions and priorities, such as the RPM Act. The RPM Act is common-sense, bipartisan legislation to protect Americans’ right to convert street vehicles into dedicated racecars and the motorsports-parts industry’s ability to sell products that enable racers to compete. The bill clarifies that it is legal to make emissions-related changes to a street vehicle for the purpose of converting it into a racecar used exclusively in competition. It also confirms that it is legal to produce, market and install racing equipment.
12VoltNews.com 