Author: 12VoltNews

Electric Vehicles Immersed Throughout 2022 SEMA Show

Posted on by in Featured and tagged .

DIAMOND BAR, CA (10.21.22) – As vehicle electrification increases, this year’s SEMA Show will include more features and activities to help Showgoers learn about the opportunities that the emerging technology offers the automotive aftermarket. In addition to SEMA Electrified – a 21,000-sq.-ft. area at the SEMA Show that is dedicated to solutions for electric vehicles (EV) platforms and conversions, the four-day annual B2B event will include EV-related seminars, programs, and activities throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Representing a small percentage of all vehicles on the road, electric vehicles represent a fast-growing market with huge potential for the aftermarket.

The 2022 SEMA Show will feature electric vehicle (EV)-related seminars, programs, and activities, including SEMA Electrified, a 21,000-sq.-ft. area dedicated to solutions for EV platforms and conversions

Collectively, SEMA Electrified (North Hall, Booth 11268) will feature more than 35 vehicles and close to 60 different exhibits. On display will be OEM vehicles, conversion components, late-model EV accessories, charging solutions, EV safety and service equipment, and education and training stages. In addition to seminars and training taking place in SEMA Electrified, there are EV-related seminars offered through the official SEMA Show Education program. With more than 70 sessions, the SEMA Show Education program includes a dedicated EV track that will help Showgoers learn about the U.S. infrastructure needed to support widespread adoption of EVs, the intricacies of converting classic cars to electric power, and where the growth opportunities are for the aftermarket.

Since debuting at the 2019 SEMA Show, SEMA Electrified has served as a place for EV-related businesses to connect and collaborate. The section has grown significantly, going from 2,500-sq.-ft. in 2019, to 21,000-sq-ft. this year.

“Everything about EV in the aftermarket is growing: Participation, interest, advancements,” said Luis Morales, SEMA director of vehicle technology. “This year’s SEMA Show will have more EV-related products and activities than ever before.”

A new Electric Vehicle category in the New Products Showcase will make it easy for attendees to find new EV-related products. For the first time, the best products in the electric vehicle category will also be recognized with SEMA Best New Product Awards, presented Tuesday morning, Nov. 1, at the SEMA Show Kickoff Breakfast. Additionally, an automaker will be awarded the first-ever SEMA Award for Electric Vehicle of the Year on Monday, Oct. 31.

“The SEMA Show is where you’ll be able to see a wide collection of EV products for the aftermarket, learn about the technology, and network with pioneers who are shaping the electric vehicle market,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “If you’re in the EV aftermarket, or simply thinking about it, you’ll want to be at the SEMA Show.”

To learn more about the 2022 SEMA Show, including a list of exhibitors, seminars, and special events, visit www.semashow.com.

JVC to Host 1st Ever EDA Hot Shots Sales Training Seminar

Posted on by in Industry and tagged , .

LONG BEACH, CA (10.21.22) – JVC Mobile Entertainment in conjunction with the Elite Distributor Alliance (EDA) have announced they will be hosting their 1st-ever “Hot Shots” sales training seminar October 21st-23rd in Orlando, FL. Headliners and demonstrations will be conducted by industry affiliates including Jim Warren (Elite Distributor Alliance), Matt Yerger (iDatalink), Dean Beyett & Fernando Lopez (5 Star), along with several internal JVC staff members.

Several “Hot Shot” sales personnel from EDA distributors across the country have been invited to experience this exclusive one-of-a-kind sales training. Through classroom-style presentations, hands-on demonstrations, and more, attendees will leave feeling confident in being able to successfully sell and support their retailers with the JVC mobile entertainment product line.    

“With JVC and the EDA’s shared mission of looking to improve the business of its members and retailers, providing this type of intimate training environment is essential to our collective growth,” said Ron Trout, Director of JVC Mobile Entertainment Sales. “Our mission is simple; we want to empower our EDA-member sales partners with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to feel proud about what they sell, what they do, and how they do it.”

For more information on JVC Mobile Entertainment, visit http://www.us.jvc.com/car.

Metra Electronics Launches New Products for Ford Bronco at SEMA

Posted on by in Industry and tagged , .

HOLLY HILL, FL (10.21.22) – Metra Electronics is introducing new products designed to fit select Ford Broncos at the 2022 SEMA Show. The manufacturer has launched its collection of Bronco accessories by adding Lighting Brackets with features such as a corrosion-resistant black powder-coated finish and plastic covers that conceal the mounting hardware.

Metra will also showcase new aftermarket audio accessories such as a Dash-Mount Tweeter Plate, Speaker Harnesses, and a Kick Panel Speaker Adapter Plate. In addition, they will introduce patent-pending Rear Speaker Pods that allow installers to easily upgrade the 4″ factory rear pods to considerably larger 6.5” or 6.75” speakers. New products launching at SEMA will include:

Designed to Fit Ford Bronco 2021-Up*

  • Roof Lightbar Bracket for 50″- 52″ Heise LED lightbar
  • Roof Trac Bracket for Heise LED cube lights, driving lights, or a lightbar
  • Bumper Lightbar Bracket for 42″ Heise LED lightbar
  • Fog Light Bracket for installing Heise LED fog lights within the front bumper
  • Dash-Mount Tweeter Plate for installation of 2.5″ dash speakers
  • Speaker Harness for left and right dash (non-B&O), center (B&O), or rear pod speakers
  • Speaker Harness for front kick panel speakers
  • Kick Panel Speaker Adapter Plate for installation of 6.5″ to 6.75″ kick panel speakers
  • Rear Speaker Pods to upgrade the 4″ factory rear pods to 6.5” or 6.75” speakers

Fits 2012-2022 Fords, Including the New Bronco

  • Rearview Mirror T-Harness to easily connect a DVR, radar detector, security camera, aftermarket auto-dimming rearview mirror, or other devices

*Visit MetraOnline.com for up-to-date vehicle-specific applications.

These products will be showcased at the Las Vegas Convention Center at Metra’s 2022 SEMA Show booths, November 1st-4th. The main booth will be #11139 in the North Hall, and its off-roading and powersports products will be on display at booth #60031 in the West Hall. More product details will be available at MetraOnline.com soon after the show.

MasterTech Expo 2023 Early Bird Registration Opens

Posted on by in Featured and tagged .

MESA, AZ (10.20.22) – Mobile Solutions announces early bird registration for the 2023 MasterTech Expo event located at the Mesa Convention Center in Mesa, Arizona, March 5-8, 2023. Created for Automotive Fabricators Trimmers, Designers, 12V Technicians and Business Owners, MasterTech Expo is a unique event combining professional education of aftermarket automotive professionals, peer-to-peer networking and a showcase of engaged exhibitors that provide specific value to the attendee audience.

Registration at the MasterTech Expo website opens at 12:00pm EDT on Thursday October 20, 2022 and early-bird discounted rates of $799 (regularly $849) will be available until November 18, 2022 with the coupon code EB2023.

New for the 2023 MasterTech Expo are numerous elements that make this another event not to be missed. For professional learning sessions, attendees can select one main education workshop track and, completely separate, two elective blocks of training. These electives can be complimentary to the workshop track, or something completely different to broaden the range of learning during the event. New presenters have been added, as well as a theme for the fabrication and design/automation tracks that carry through the entire 3 days of the MasterTech Expo experience.

Also included with in the 2023 MasterTech Expo enhancements are:

  • Welcome Reception and Live Concert at Mesa Amphitheater
  • More Training Rooms and Workshops
  • Enhanced Build-Off Competition
  • Clean Wire Challenge
  • Lighting Competition
  • All-New Demo Vehicles
  • Special Celebrity Guests
  • Onsite Meals Included
  • Partner Hotel Rates

“We listened to feedback from our attendees, presenters and exhibitors at our 2022 event and made additional investments in the enhancements that the 2023 MasterTech Expo will feature” explains event founder and host Bryan Schmitt. “Having an included breakfast, lunch and dinner for the event is a measure of added reassurance that once you’re at the event, you have everything you need for all day attendance. In addition, we’re working with the partner hotels to provide transportation to and from the Mesa Convention Center so it saves on on-the-ground transportation costs. We are proud to announce that we did not increase attendee registration costs in all of the process of implementing these enhancements” he continued.

Like the 2022 event, attendance is limited and will sell out well in advance. Do not miss this opportunity to secure your spot at the 2023 MasterTech Expo by registering with your early-bird discount today!

For questions or further information on the 2023 MasterTech Expo on March 5-8, 2023 at Mesa Convention Center in Mesa, Arizona, please email info@mastertechexpo.com or call 480 968-2074.

Watch MasterTech Expo’s Facebook, Instagram and website for ongoing updates, announcements of presenters and guests, as well as other important event details.

Visit www.mastertechexpo.com or www.mobilesolutions-usa.com.

ORCA and Focal to Host ‘Vibe in Vegas’ Event November 2-4

Posted on by in Industry and tagged , .

CAMARILLO, CA (02.20.22) – Orca Design and Manufacturing, working in conjunction with Focal France, will host an event to unveil Focal’s newest car speakers this November. “Vibe in Vegas” will take place at a soon-to-be-announced location, November 2-4 in Las Vegas. The event is open to all mobile electronics retail professionals via RSVP.

“Our relationship with Focal has been seamless since the beginning,” said Orca Sales Director Nalaka Adikari. “We’ve worked together to design, market and distribute some of the world’s best-performing
speakers. We are thrilled to once again present our industry with a new collection of high-end car audio
drivers, along with a wide array of new listening options for personal, home and office enjoyment.”

The three-day event will also feature the complete line of Focal powered by Naim products, which expand the Focal listening experience beyond the vehicle using the latest in wireless, amplification and driver technologies. The collection includes home speakers, amplified media centers, wired and wireless
headphones, and bookshelf audio systems with wireless integration.

Highlighting the headphones collection is the new Focal Bathys wireless headphones with noise cancelling technology. Bathys marries the sound quality of the Stellia and Celestee headphones with weight-saving build innovations and the latest Bluetooth technology. Bathys’ built-in batteries supply 30 hours of listening time, and add five more hours with just 15 minutes of charging,

Special listening rooms and stations will supply immersive listening experiences for attendees. Vehicles
will also be on hand to demonstrate Focal’s new automotive drivers. For convenience, shuttles will ferry
attendees between the location and the Las Vegas Convention center area.

To RSVP for the event, please visit https://focalvibeinvegas.eventbrite.com. For more information on Focal products, please visit focal-america.com.

Builds Featuring DEI Products Will Be Found All Over SEMA

Posted on by in Industry and tagged , .

AVON LAKE, OH (10.20.22) – Design Engineering Inc.’s (DEI) SEMA booth (20213) this year will display a 1987 Buick Grand National. The car will be in a half-built phase in order that the DEI products it features will be easy for attendees to see. The shop doing the work is Dutchboys Hotrods out of Vicksburg, Mich.

The Grand National will have a 427 C.I Mast Motorsports built LS7 featuring a Nelson Racing Engines Mirror Image T4 Twin Turbo set up (72/68) and a number of other custom mods. Those include a number of DEI products built into the car’s interior: Boom Mat Vibration Damping Material; Titanium Gen3 Turbo Blanket; Onyx Gen3 Turbo Blanket; Boom Mat Tape; Under Carpet Lite; D-Mat; Black and Regular Titanium Exhaust Wrap; Stainless Steel Heat Pads; Black Floor and Tunnel Shield; Black Seaming Tape; Titanium and Black Glass Fiber Protect-a-Boots; Black & Regular Titanium Plug Wire Sleeving; Easy Loom Split Wire Sleeving; Fire Sleeve; Sensor Covers; Vapor Block Sleeving and more.

In addition to featuring a custom-build in its own booth, DEI products were also included in a number of other high-end custom builds, including some top-secret vehicles (from Greening Auto Company, KTL Restorations and Hill’s Hot Rods) that will not be unveiled until the show is underway. Here is a list of the vehicles featuring DEI products, their builders and the booths where attendees can find them:

Roadster Shop
1970 Chevelle – BASF Booth #20365
Boom Mat, Floor & Tunnel Shield II, Titanium Wrap, Vapor Block, Reflect-a-Gold
1987 Buick Grand National – Roadster Shop Booth #22889
Boom Mat, Floor & Tunnel Shield II, Titanium Wrap, Vapor Block, Reflect-a-Gold

Dutchboys Hotrods
1987 Buick Grand National – DEI Booth #20213

The Hot Rod Shop
2022 Ford Maverick – MTX Booth #10539
Boom Mat
1971 Ford F100 – Procharger Booth #22525
Boom Mat, Titanium Wrap

Goolsby Customs
Dodge A108 Van – BASF Booth #20365
Boom Mat, Under Carpet Lite, D-Mat, Black Floor and Tunnel Shield II, Titanium Exhaust Wrap
Ford Mustang – Griots Garage #50217
Boom Mat, Under Carpet Lite, D-Mat, Black Floor and Tunnel Shield II, Titanium Exhaust Wrap

Eddies Rod & Custom
1963 Corvette – BASF Booth #20365
Boom Mat, Under Carpet Lite, Floor and Tunnel Shield, Titanium Exhaust Wrap

KTL Restorations
1970 Mercury Cougar – Spanesi #32205
Boom Mat, Titanium Exhaust Wrap, Titanium Sleeving, Floor and Tunnel Shield II
1969 Camaro “Operation Talent” – BASF #V033-TBD, build not started yet

ATC Racing
Audi RS3 TCR – Toyo Tires Booth #24499
Boom Mat Original Finish Headliner Material

Zociety
Datsun 280Z – Speedhut Inc. Booth #20150
Boom Mat, Under Carpet Lite, Black Floor and Tunnel Shield II, Black Seaming Tape, Onyx Turbo Shield, Fire Sleeve, Titanium Exhaust Wrap, Black Protect-a-Boots

Koruworks
Nick Noback’s Formula Drift Spec BMW E46 M3 – Koenig Wheels Booth #44063
Floor and Tunnel Shield II, Heat Sheath, Heat Screen, Fire Sleeve, Cool Tape

Carbuff Network
1979 Jeep Wagoneer – TREMEC Booth #81290
Titanium Wrap, Boom Mat, Floor and Tunnel Shield II, Easy Loom

Revision Rods & Rides
1958 Ford F100 – Mothers Booth #81040
Boom Mat, Floor and Tunnel Shield II, Titanium Wrap

Visit designengineering.com for more.

DOW Technologies Announces Hurricane Ian Relief Donation

Posted on by in Featured and tagged .

TAMPA, FL (10.19.22) – DOW Technologies has donated a percentage of their sales to the Hurricane Ian relief effort. DOW’s donation, in excess of $25,000, went to the Florida Disaster Fund.

As Hurricane Ian’s destruction had wide ranging impacts on the state of Florida, DOW wanted to provide assistance to those in need. DOW put together a plan to donate a percentage of sales which created an opportunity for its customers around the country to be involved. DOW announced that a percentage of sales from September 30th to October 4th would be donated on the behalf of participating customers. DOW’s customers can be confident that part of each purchase is going towards those impacted by the storm.  

“We recognize that our support for local, independent businesses extends to supporting local communities” stated DOW’s president & ceo, John Yodzis. “Our customers have great impacts on the communities they live in both professionally and personally, and we wanted a way to bring that support from customers across the country to help those affected. We’re very happy to have made the donation on behalf of all of our customers that participated.”

To learn more about DOW Technologies, please visit www.dowtechnologies.com or call 1.800.627.2900.

PowerBass Releases New GM Direct Fit Components

Posted on by in Industry and tagged .

ONTARIO, CA (10.19.22) – Making any stock factory sound system sound fantastic is now a simple task with our OEM drop in replacement speakers for many Chevy, GMC and Cadillac, trucks and SUV’s.

PowerBass OEM coaxials feature an Injection molded PP cone with a 1” silk dome tweeter, to deliver the music experience you have always wanted from your factory sound system.

The PowerBass OE-GM series 6.5″ coaxial features dual input terminal options made to work perfectly with early or late model Gm vehicles taking the worry out of which model fits your specific vehicle year.

With the PowerBass OE Series there is no need to drill holes, or cut wires thanks to our simple plug and play design that matches the factory bolt locations and plug styles for one of the fastest upgrades ever.

4-ohm System Impedance
Upgraded OEM Replacement Component Systems
OE65C-GM – 60 Watts RMS/120 Watts Max
OE69C-GM – 80 Watts RMS/160 Watts Max
Injection Molded PP Cone
Nylon OEM Speaker Adapter
OE65C-GM Multi – Year Fitment Dual Terminal Design
OE65C-GM Multi – Year Fitment Tweeter Adaptors
Factory Plug and Play Wiring

Visit powerbassusa.com for more.

Metra Electronics Introduces New Speaker Adapter Plates at SEMA

Posted on by in Industry and tagged , .

HOLLY HILL, FL (10.19.22) – Metra Electronics is introducing new speaker adapter plates at the 2022 SEMA Show, November 1st-4th at the Las Vegas Convention Center. These new products expand on the manufacturer’s line of audio system solutions and make it easy to install aftermarket speakers in an assortment of vehicles.

These adapter plates are sold as a pair in most cases and have innovative features such as breakaway tab designs and mounting that mirrors the factory location so that no drilling is required. New adapters launching at the SEMA Show include:

  • Dash-Mount Tweeter Plate – Fits Ford Bronco 2021-Up*
  • Rear Speaker Adapter Plate – Fits Toyota 4Runner 1996-2002
  • Premium Audio System Speaker Adapter Plate – Fits Tesla Model 3 2017-Up* and Model Y 2020-Up*, Porsche 2012-2020*, BMW 2003-2022*, and Range Rover 2013-2021*
  • Standard or Premium Audio System Speaker Adapter Plate – Fits Tesla Model X 2015-2021 and Model S 2012-2022
  • Standard or Premium Audio System Tweeter Adapter Plate – Fits Tesla Model X 2015-2021 and Model S 2012-2021
  • Premium Audio System Subwoofer Enclosure Adapter Plate – Fits Tesla Model 3 2017-Up* and Model Y 2020-Up*
  • Door Speaker Adapter Plate – Fits Mercedes 2014-2020*
  • Standard Audio System Speaker Adapter Plate – Fits Porsche Boxster 2013-2016, Panamera 2010-2016, Cayman 2013-2015, and 911 2012-2014
  • Kick Panel Speaker Adapter Plate – Fits Ford Bronco 2021-Up*

*Visit MetraOnline.com for up-to-date vehicle-specific applications.

These products will be on display at Metra’s main SEMA Show booth #11139 in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, along with many other new products. They will also be available to view online at MetraOnline.com shortly after the SEMA Show.

SEMA Research: Automotive Specialty-Equipment Businesses Remain Optimistic Despite Supply Chain Issues, Production Shortages

Posted on by in Featured and tagged .

DIAMOND BAR, CA (10.18.22) – The record-high sales growth over the past two years for the automotive specialty-equipment industry is beginning to level off or subside, according to the newest SEMA market research report. Despite ongoing economic uncertainty, supply-chain issues, and rising costs, companies remain optimistic as sales remain solid and above pre-pandemic levels.

“Businesses experienced record-high growth the past two years,” said Gavin Knapp, SEMA director of market research. “We saw growth that was above the industry’s norm, so it makes sense that we’re returning to more normal levels. It’s great to see that most companies are up from 2019 levels.”

Conducted every six months since 2021, the “SEMA State of the Industry” studies are designed to give companies clarity about the overall market during an uncertain time. The disruption from the pandemic made it difficult for members to understand what the market was going through and nearly impossible to forecast. Based on data from the automotive specialty-equipment industry, the reports give readers a barometer to gauge how they are currently doing and make predictions about what’s to come.

The newest Fall 2022 version finds that 47% of manufacturers, 48% of distributors, and 44% of retailers expect sales to increase in the coming year. Additional findings include:

  • Supply-chain issues continue to be disruptive for the industry. Over 90% of companies say that they are having a moderate or significant impact on operations.
  • Inflation and the supply-chain issues are resulting in higher costs for businesses. More than 90% of companies reported an increase in supplier or production costs; most (around 80%) are compensating for the high costs by increasing their prices. Despite this, consumer demand and revenue remain strong.
  • Ongoing supply-chain issues and high prices are slowing new vehicle sales. Sales are not expected to return to pre-pandemic levels until 2024 or 2025. Sales for 2022 are expected to fall about a million vehicles short of 2021, at 13.9 million total units. The average price of a new vehicle reached $48,301 in August 2022, a record high. The average price of an electric is even higher, at over $66,000.

The complete “State of the Industry—Fall 2022” report is available to download for free at www.sema.org/research, and it will be discussed in depth during the SEMA Show seminar “State of the Specialty-Equipment Industry: Trends and Directions,” on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 11:00 a.m. in Room N254.