IASCA Worldwide Announces New SPL Format

Posted on February 23, 2023 by 12VoltNews in Featured and tagged IASCA.

EAST WENATCHEE, WA (02.24.23) – IASCA Worldwide creates a new SPL format called ‘Demo Boxing’. Based on the popular IASCA Bass Boxing rules, Demo Boxing comprises of two classes; Wall and No Wall. Competition determines the top two qualifiers in each class who battle against each other in a final 90 second round to generate the highest average SPL over that time frame. The highest average 90 second score will be the Event Champion.

“Demo Boxing is a simple and fun format designed to allow competitors to show off their systems to an audience and compete for awards and CAP points.” said IASCA President Travis Chin. “As the world of car audio competition evolves, IASCA Worldwide’s goal is to bring positive, challenging and fun competition formats to car audio enthusiasts and competitors and entertainment for all those involved.”

The format offers competitors the option to compete with any or all doors and windows open, whichever works best to increase their average SPL number over the time frame.

Demo Boxing will make its debut at SoundCheck Customs in Lafayette, IN on March 26th, 2023. Subsequent events are scheduled for April 1st, 2023 at Kollars Kallout in Niceville, FL. and Sight & Sound Audio Connections in Centralia, WA on April 16th.

For more information on IASCA Worldwide and the IASCA Demo Boxing, visit iasca.com or contact President Travis Chin at travis@iasca.com.

For the rules of Demo Boxing, go to https://iasca.com/download/spl/2023-BB-Rules.pdf

For more info on shows, go to iasca.com/events.

Celsus Appoints Avant Denmark A/S as Dynamat Distributor for Danish Market

Posted on February 23, 2023 by 12VoltNews in Industry and tagged Celsus UK, Dynamat.

POOLE, UK (02.24.23) – Celsus UK, European distributor for Dynamat noise and heat control materials, have chosen Avant Denmark A/S as representation in the Danish market.

The appointment will greatly strengthen Dynamat’s presence in the Danish market ensuring that consumers can benefit from the world’s best performing in-vehicle sound proofing and heat insulation materials. Dynamat is world renowned as setting the standard for damping materials in vehicles and the chosen products are high profile car restorers and car audio enthusiast alike.

*Pictured L-R: Thomas Schaarup – Purchaser, Avant A/S, Mike Keenan – European Sales Manager, Celsus UK, Lasse Thorbøll Juhl – Purchasing Manager, Avant A/S*

“We are very happy to welcome Mads and his team at Avant to the Dynamat family. Their passion for their work, knowledge of the market and their impressive operation gives me confidence we will achieve great things as our relationship develops in the coming years,” said Mike Keenan, European Sales Manager for Celsus UK.

With over 30 years of successful installations Dynamat® Xtreme® is the perfectly balanced automotive sound damping material. These five key features– adhesion, thickness, effectiveness, ease of installation and American made – are designed to work together to create the perfectly balanced sound damping material which leads the way in performance.

Mads Lund Jakobsen, Customer & concept manager for Avant Denmark A/S added, “It is with great pleasure that Avant Denmark A/S adds the Dynamat range of market-leading sound isolation and noise/vibration reduction to our product portfolio. The brand will complement our high-end car hifi products from Alpine, JVC and Sony, strengthening Avant Denmark as the total supplier of high-end car audio solutions. Dynamat will be sold through our varied multi-channel distribution network with a few specially selected brand stores in which the end-consumer can see, hear and feel the quality of the Dynamat products.”

Commenting on the appointment Mike Good, President of Dynamat Inc said, “The Dynamat team and I are very excited to welcome Avant Denmark on board! We very much look forward to a long and successful partnership in the Danish market. At Dynamat we have an unapologetic focus on quality and making your vehicle a better vehicle, and it gives me great pleasure to know that Danish car enthusiasts can experience this through Avant A/S.”

Visit dynamateurope.com and biludstyr.dk and celsusice.co.uk for more.

SEMA: Supply-Chain Insights and The Road to Recovery

Posted on February 23, 2023 by 12VoltNews in Industry and tagged SEMA.

DIAMOND BAR, CA (02.24.23) – The supply-chain issues that impacted the United States over the past few years largely peaked and are starting to recover.

According to the new “2023 SEMA Future Trends – January 2023” report, supply-chain issues are expected to improve in 2023, but it will take time to return to pre-pandemic levels, especially with supplies that affect the automotive sector like semiconductors (or chips).

According to the SEMA study:

The specialty-equipment industry has been affected. More than 90% of companies have been moderately or severely impacted by supply-chain issues. Most expect things to normalize by the end of 2023 or into 2024.
Ports are less congested. Container ports in the United States, like in Los Angeles or Long Beach, are no longer as congested with container ships waiting for berths. As a result, prices have returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Trucking is improving nationwide. Demand for cross-country hauling by truckers has eased and the number of trucks available to ship things has increased. Prices have also dropped from their record highs.
Semiconductor, or chip, shortages continue. Shortages, most notably for the automotive sector, continue to linger. Average lead delivery times for chips decreased but remain high, at approximately 25.5 weeks as of October 2022.

For an in-depth analysis on how port congestion has eased, projections for supply-chain improvement by manufacturer / distributor / retailer, and prices for shipping by truck, download the “SEMA Future Trends – January 2023” for free at www.sema.org/research.

Car Toys Tulsa Returned to the Starbird Show as the Trophy Sponsor

Posted on February 22, 2023 by 12VoltNews in Featured and tagged Car Toys Tulsa.

TULSA, OK (02.23.22) – The 59th Darryl Starbird National Rod and Custom Car Show filled the Tulsa Expo Square February 16th thru 19th. Car Toys Tulsa, the Trophy Sponsor, took a large 20′ x 40′ booth up front to highlight custom demo vehicles and products.

*The Trophy Sponsorship included a custom plaque that will be featured in the store.*

Charles Stewart, Car Toys owner, stated “Car Toys has been exhibiting at the Darryl Starbird show for years. On Saturday alone the attendance was reported to have topped 20,000. Total attendance topped 35,000 for the show’s run. There were other shows happening at the fairgrounds and a friend told me it took him over 30 to find a place to park. Our booth, as the Trophy Sponsor, was right up front so attendees checked us out when they entered and were leaving the event. Also as a sponsor we received a lot of play over the PA system during the show”.

*The Car Toys Tulsa booth at the Starbird Show was in a prime spot by the entrance.*

Car Toys Tulsa also received visibility on the heavy local radio and TV news coverage schedule that aired in the Tulsa area.

A special demo vehicle in the booth was Mark Adams’ Prius that was an entry in a recent Sony ES Build contest. Car Toys Tulsa did the extreme custom installation and the Car Toys Tulsa entry finished in the Top 10 entries from across the U.S.

*The Mark Adams’ Prius placed in the Top 10 in a National Sony Installation contest. Car Toys Tulsa did the extreme custom installation.*

*The Car Toys Tulsa pick up and motorcycle demos, both loaded with Rockford Fosgate kept attendees in the booth experiencing the amazing systems.*

Stewart added “Mark was in the booth all day each day of the show. During the event he did well over 100 demos for event attendees. Our loaded pickup and motorcycle in the booth also kept show goers in our booth to experience the maxed out Rockford Fosgate systems in those demos.”

*Charles Stewart holds one of the hundreds of custom koozies they passed out at the event.*

Concluding Stewart added “We got a ton of exposure for Car Toys plus a large number of very positive leads and scheduled appointment in the store. Five members of the Car Toys staff rotated in the booth during the show and really pitched in. We had the store open too so our staff members had a lot to handle. On Sunday everyone was in the booth and did great job as we finished the event and moved out. We definitely look forward to the 2024 Starbird show.”

A big 12volt News hat’s off to Car Toys Tulsa for participating at a major consumer event.

Visit cartoystulsa.com for more.

The RPM Team Traveled to the AIMEXPO in Las Vegas

Posted on February 22, 2023 by 12VoltNews in Industry and tagged RPM.

LAS VEGAS, NV (02.24.23) – “The AIMEXPO was the best one I have attended. The Powersports industry used to have a huge show in Indianapolis that went away years ago. AIMEXPO has moved around from Orlando to Columbus, OH to Las Vegas and I have been to most of them. This was larger and I think they sold out of space in the upper South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Attendance was running double last year” Scott Hochmuth, Real Performance Marketing Principal, related.

*The AIMEXPO took place on the upper level of the South Hall at the LVCC.*

*The new JBL Rally Bar grabbed a lot of attention along with Infinity Kappa products in the booth.*

Continuing, “I was there along with our SC/FL rep Joe Stelmack and our Mid-Atlantic rep John Gray. We bounced from booth to booth all through the show running to meet with dealers and learning more about the product lines on the AIMEXPO show floor.”

The AIMEXPO ran from Wednesday to Friday February 7th-9th. The 12volt footprint was about a 50-50 footprint in 12Volt Audio and Powersports along with a nice cross-section in the Powersports and Marine Audio segment. RPM had six lines there including JBL that had booths and met with four more RPM lines that were there but were not showing. Overall a very successful trip.

*Apparel is a growing category with motorcycle and Powersports enthusiasts.*

*E-Bikes is a growing category and RPM is seeing interest in the marketplace.*

Concluding, Hochmuth relayed, “Overall it was a very successful trip, We had a helmet line, a clothing line, three e-bike lines, and JBL showing the new Rallybar to Powersports dealers for the first time. None of them have heard a soundbar with that kind of sound quality and low-frequency response. Pre-orders have been brisk. Expected to ship in Q2.”

The JBL booth staff and RPM team capped a busy day at the event with a dinner. (LtoR) Joe Stelmack-RPM, Fred Isensee-JBL, Troy Carter-Vanevery Marketing, John Gray-RPM, Scott Hochmuth-RPM, Jon Kluiter-VMC Pros and Shawn Spedding-JBL.

Scott Hochmuth supplied content for this article.

Visit realperformancemarketing.net for more.

Crux Offers New Interface for Factory Camera Installation in Select Ram and Jeep Vehicles

Posted on February 22, 2023 by 12VoltNews in Industry and tagged CRUX.

RESEDA, CA (02.23.23) – Crux has released a radio replacement with SWC & Digital Camera Retention for select 2018 – up Dodge, Fiat, Jeep & Ram Vehicles. The SWRCR-59LV radio replacement interface retains steering wheel controls and digital camera retention.

Features:
– Retains factory features in select Dodge, Fiat, Jeep and RAM vehicles while functioning with an aftermarket radio.
– Retains Steering Wheel Controls via built-in, pre-programmed interface.
– Provides accessory power (2A Max).
– Retains factory backup camera (composite and LVDS)
– Retains factory Aux input in select vehicles
– Retains factory analog amplifier on select vehicles
– Retains factory SWC phone button functionality in select vehicles.
– EIA color coded wiring for easy installation.

Click for to view product details and vehicle compatibility

Visit cruxinterfacing.com for more.

KICKER Returns to Lone Star Throwdown with Award-Winning Rides

Posted on February 21, 2023 by 12VoltNews in Featured and tagged Kicker.

STILLWATER, OK (02.22.23) – KICKER will sponsor the Lone Star Throwdown (LST) for the sixth straight year, bringing its 83-foot rolling showroom – the XRV (Xtreme Recreational Vehicle). The XRV displays the complete line of KICKER audio gear and houses the “Boom Room” with an entire wall full of 15-inch, Solo-Baric L7S subwoofers and 40,000 watts. The show will take place Feb. 24-26 at the Lone Star Expo Center in Conroe, Texas.

KICKER will run two consumer contests simultaneously during the show as part of the brand’s marketing plan. One includes a 1,200-watt bass package giveaway consisting of a pair of CompRT 10-inch subwoofers with a 1,200-watt mono amplifier. KICKER will also partner with MTI Acoustics to give away a pair of MTI’s new universal sub enclosures with new KICKER Competition Gold™ subwoofers pre-installed.

Three demo vehicles will accompany the XRV – all loaded with KICKER gear. KICKER’s Special Projects manager Tim Smith will bring his custom 1994 Chevy C1500 to the show, which includes a KICKER KEY200.4 Smart Amplifier, KS midranges and the KSMT “Snowman” pods for the front stage. A pair of Solo-Baric L7T thin square subwoofers deliver the bass. In addition to the C1500, a 2002 Lightning and 1956 Chevy wagon will also park under the XRV’s awning.

More than 2,000 show cars have already pre-registered, and LST officials anticipate attendance exceeding 15,000 people. Top 100 and best-of-show awards will be presented, along with several cash prizes.

For more information on LST, visit www.lonestarthrowdown.com.

KENWOOD Conducted an In-Person Product Training at Sound Waves Memphis

Posted on February 21, 2023 by 12VoltNews in Industry and tagged Kenwood, Sound Waves Memphis.

MEMPHIS TN (02.22.23) – MEMPHIS TN (02.22.23) On Monday evening, February 20th, an in-person KENWOOD product training session took place at Sound Waves Memphis. John Irwin, Sound Waves owner, made the arrangements and set up an area in the installation bay. KENWOOD’s Josh Bowen, Product Specialist, conducted the session. Brian Cargile-Progressive SE, traveling with Bowen, also attended the session.

*Josh Bowen conducting the KENWOOD training in Memphis at the Sound Waves location. JC Audio, Jackson TN, also attended the session*

Team members from JC Audio, Jackson TN, traveled the 88 miles to Memphis and attend the KENWOOD training session. Brian Cargile made the invitation that Jeff Cantrell accepted.

“It was a great to have an in-store training…it had been way to long. Josh Bowen really knows his stuff. Getting an overview of new products from KENWOOD was truly welcomed by our staff of seven people. The new marine and Powersports products really caught our eyes. We have had the motorcycle camera system in stock for some time with not much sales activity. After Josh covered the product and installation process we will definitely see strong sales. The motorcycle season is here. As the customer’s motorcycle is torn down for an audio installation adding the motorcycle camera system is a natural” Irwin related.

Bowen added “The Sound Waves and JC Audio staffs were ready to learn about new offerings from KENWOOD. We focused on new receivers, Marine/Motorsports and motorcycle audio. They were all engaged and asked specific questions that will prepare them to drive sales… KENWOOD sales in particular.

Bowen is an avid motorcycle rider and has a KENWOOD motorcycle camera system on his bike. He revisits the rides on his phone in the evening hours.

The evening included delicious Memphis Buffalo Wings and an opportunity for two proactive area retailer staffs to network about in-store sales activities.

Visit kenwood.com and soundwavesmemphis.com for more.

Northwood University Opens Registration for Aftermarket 101

Posted on February 21, 2023 by 12VoltNews in Industry and tagged Northwood University.

MIDLAND, MI (02.22.23) – Registration is now open for Aftermarket 101, a two-day introduction to the automotive aftermarket industry.

“Students who attend this class will develop a firm knowledge of the breadth, depth, and scope of the Automotive Aftermarket including channels of retail, e-commerce and traditional distribution, sales development skills and opportunities, current and future industry trends, a brief introduction to heavy-duty segment, and the opportunities and challenges facing our service dealers,” stated Dr. Thomas Litzinger, executive director of the University of Aftermarket, Northwood University.

*The entrance to the Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies at Northwood University.*

This year’s Aftermarket 101 programming will cover:

An overview of industry basics, channels and terminology, presented by Ted Hughes, Aftermarket Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) executive director.
A discussion about major industry players, presented by Roy Kent, executive vice president of business development, member support and strategy for Federated Auto Parts.
An introduction to the heavy-duty side of the industry by Tinna Hubbard, president and CEO of HDA Truck Pride.
Structures and trends of retail and traditional distribution, presented by AWDA’s Ted Hughes.
How to develop a professional sales network, presented by Malcolm Sissmore, Borg Warner’s vice president of sales and marketing for the North American aftermarket.
Service dealer challenges and opportunities, presented by Jeff Kruse, former executive vice president and chief evangelist for Belle Tire Distributors Inc.

“This is a fantastic event for new hires in the automotive industry, from manufacturing and warehouse distribution to retail,” Litzinger stated.

The event will be held April 5-6 at Fisher Auto Parts, 24701 Hallwood Court, Farmington Hills, Michigan.

The cost is $1,150 per attendee, and they will earn 1.5 continuing education units (CEUs) toward their Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP, MAAP) professional designation.

To register, visit https://admissions.northwood.edu/corporate/uofa

Code Zero Customs Returned to the Starbird Show as an Event Sponsor

Posted on February 20, 2023 by 12VoltNews in Featured and tagged Code Zero Customs.

TULSA, OK (02.21.23) – Code Zero Customs had a major presence at the recent Starbird Show in Tulsa. The event, the 59th Annual, was held in the Tulsa Expo Center February 16th-19th. This was the 7th year for Code Zero Customs to exhibit and the company’s 6th year to be an event sponsor. As part of the event sponsorship 2500 Code Zero Customs VIP Lanyards were provided to be worn on the show floor by attendees.

*Code Zero Customs rolled into the Tulsa Expo Center on Wednesday to begin setup.*

*The upfront booth was packed with specials.*

Cody Landis, Code Zero Customs owner, related “Being on site up front with a 20 x 40 booth at the Starbird Show is always a real branding opportunity for our company. Attendees are serious automotive aftermarket enthusiasts and it’s a great way to showcase our brand, products and work to the right audience. JL Audio, Memphis Audio and Pioneer were brands we spotlighted. Our Code Zero Customs apparel also grabbed attention.”

*The Code Zero Customs apparel was another way for the company to continue branding after the event.*

Code Zero Customs had 2 vehicles in the booth and both received show awards. Alyanna Baker’s 2018 Toyota Tundra was loaded with JL Audio 12W7 subs plus JL Audio amplifiers. Alyanna is 16 yeas old and races Polaris sidexsides. The other vehicle was a stunning ’47 Chevy pickup that belongs to a Code Zero Customs customer.

*Alyanna Baker holds a show trophy by her decked out Toyota Tundra.*

*The award winning ‘47 Chevy pickup was a show stopper in the Code Zero Customs booth.*

“Showing 2 great project vehicles in the booth really let attendees see our custom work. Bob, Jenni and I stayed busy throughout the event. I totaled up over $75,000 in jobs we quoted” Landis added.

“At the Starbird shows our goal is to put our brand in front of the right crowd. Every year we quote packages to members of the crowd and that turns into business at our store. This event was definitely one of the busiest. We look forward to the 2024 Starbird Show” Landis concluded.