HOUSTON, TX (03.22.22) – Thursday March 15th, 2022, saw the resumption of in-person training for Alpine Electronics in Texas. The location was Electronic Custom Distributors (ECD) in Houston, TX. Alpine invited both ECD Alpine Dealers & Direct Alpine Dealers to the event.

The training was conducted by Alpine’s Texas based Brand Specialist Dan Greenwood and Andy Allen, Alpine Brand Representative, in the well equipped ECD training room. Greenwood also brought the Alpine Ford F-150 Demo Truck equipped with all the new gear for 2022, including Alpine’s brand-new Halo Truck Subwoofer Enclosure.

This unique truck subwoofer enclosure uses dual 8” woofers in a uniquely ported enclosure for optimal output and low frequency response. But the truly unique thing about this new enclosure is the adjustability. This one enclosure can be adjusted to fit RAM1500, Ford F-150, GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado, Nissan Titan plus Jeep Wrangler JK/JL and Jeep Gladiator models.

Dealers from as far away as Slidell, LA learned valuable information about all the new Head Units, Speakers, Subs and Amps Alpine has planned for 2022.

Alpine’s Houston-based Andy Allen related to 12Volt News, “The turn out for our first in-person training in over 2 years was amazing! Every dealer I spoke with at this event was excited about new products and grateful to Alpine and ECD for putting on the event.”

Continuing, Allen offered, “Our thanks go out to Larry Treibel and the entire Staff at ECD for providing their excellent training facility to host this event. The room was packed! Dealers were able to not just learn about the new product, but hear it installed in the F-150. 2022 is going to be a great year for Alpine dealers!”

Treibel, ECD Sales Manager, stated to the 12volt Central Studios, “Dan Greenwood made a terrific presentation. In all there were over 40 people attending the Alpine training session. We distribute Alpine across Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. The Alpine line will be strong in 2022 throughout our territory.”

Alpine Sr Manager Marco Bregenzer commented, “The feedback we have received from across the country on the new Halo Truck Subwoofer Enclosure has been amazing. The timing of the training at ECD is perfect as this new product is now shipping.”

Alpine is set to offer a series of Online Product and Sales Training Sessions for Authorized dealers. The trainings are April 4th, 5th and 6th. Please contact your Alpine representative for more information.

Visit alpine-usa.com for more.

TEMPE, AZ (03.21.22) – The premier MasterTech EXPO took place March 6-9 at the Mesa Convention Center in Mesa, Ariz. The combination tradeshow and tech training event welcomed hundreds of automotive aftermarket industry professionals to learn new fabrication and build strategies as well as experience products from exhibiting vendors. MasterTech EXPO will be back in the same location in 2023, spanning four days beginning March 5.

“Our first EXPO exceeded our expectations in every facet,” said Bryan Schmitt, event founder and producer. “We surpassed our audience and exhibitor targets while maintaining the unique learning and networking environment we wanted for everyone. We’re especially grateful to the staff at the Mesa Convention Center and the Delta Hotel for accommodating our needs due to expanded participation from the automotive aftermarket industry. Most importantly, we’ve built a new blueprint for process-driven, large-scale technical training unlike anything the industry has experienced.”

The 2023 MasterTech EXPO event will add more diverse exhibitors and hands-on activities for education workshop attendees. Since the workshop format is based on what one would find at a university, the 2023 curriculum will continue that direction by adding electives, so an attendee can choose an additional class outside of his or her selected core workshops. In addition, attendees will have more opportunity to use tools and emulate the steps and techniques taught by expert instructors.

In conjunction with the annual show, MasterTech-branded events will continue to educate professional technicians and fabricators. The monthly School of Fab series on YouTube, featuring Bryan Schmitt and Mark from the popular Car Audio Fabrication series, will continue on first Thursday of each month. Schmitt will also announce 2022 dates for the return of specialty training classes at the Mobile Solutions facility in Tempe, Ariz., under the MasterTech brand. Each in-house MasterTech session at Mobile Solutions will comprise more intimate, project-focused versions of the School of Fab and Master Design courses taught at MasterTech EXPO.

“For 2023 and beyond, we are committed to providing our attendees a broader range of technical expertise and exhibitors,” added Schmitt. “What we offer as an experience has to reflect the changes in the automotive aftermarket. Shops are diversifying to provide a single source of expanded services to their clientele. We want to continue to fuel that change with access to top-notch companies and focused education.”

For more information, visit MasterTechEXPO.com.

SHREVEPORT LA (03.019.22)  WTF…Win This Friday. The 12volt Specialist won the CRUX prize on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel 170 on Friday morning, March 18th.

The 12volt Spin-to-Win Wheel was created to bring an element of fun to the 12volt industry. The weekly 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel is now spinning in Year 4.

The 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel rolled for 170th time on Friday morning March 18th. The Wheel landed on the CRUX space and the 12volt Specialist slip was drawn from the jar. An Instagram post of the winning slip was posted. A video of the wheel spin was also posted.

We reached out to the 12volt Specialist in Newark DE and spoke with John Cataldi. He was excited and very happy to hear a CRUX prize will be heading his way. “That’s super. My birthday was last week and business is rocking. All is great” said.

Spinning out a winner each Friday, a lucky 12volt retailer can win a cool prize and top brands receive visibility across the marketplace.

12volt brands with a space on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel include Kicker, NavAtlas, SiriusXM, AIS, PowerBass, CRUX, DS18, SoundStream, JBL, Kenwood, Power Acoustik, JVC and USASpec. 12volt News $100. cash awards have spaces on the 12volt Spin-To-Wheel for a winning 12volt retailer.

Past winners of the 12volt Spin-To-Win include…Stereo & Video Center-Tyler TX, The Outlaw Garage-Franklin TN, Exotic Sounds-West Palm Beach FL, Endless Possibilities-Aurora IL., Go Auto Sound in Union City NJ, Al&Ed’s South Bay CA, No Limitz Car Audio in Upland CA, Neil’s Specialty-Eureka CA, Sturgess Customs-Lexington SC, Audio By Art-San Antonio TX, SMS Car Audio in Marreo LA and Sweet Wheelz in Mississauga Ontario Canada, Cartronics in Biscayne FL, The CarAudio Shop in St Louis MO, Exotic Sounds in West Palm Beach FL, High North Customs in Grand Prairie Alberta Canada and AMS Audio in Bakersfield CA, Team QRT in Abbeyville LA and California Sound in Fontana CA and Jackie Cooper Electronics, Oklahoma City OK, MARS Audio-Orlando FL, All American Audio in Nutley NJ, Proline Car Stereo in Brooklyn NY, Custom Shop Miami, Tunes and Tint in Lakeland FL, Mobile Concepts Inc in Mokena IL, Seismic Auto Sound in Concord CA, Brooklyn Car Audio in Brooklyn NY, Audio Solutions in Florence MS, Enhanced Customs in Largo FL, Rayco Auto Clinic, Audio Design in San Jose CA, Go Bass Mode in Florida, Avenue Sound in Freeport NY, Audio Plus in Riverview FL, Stereo Zone in Whittier CA, In-Phase Car Audio in Omaha NE, AutoLife Group, N&H Electronics, SK Customs, Land & Sea, The Audio One, NC Custom Shop,Tint World Orlando, Ricky Smith’s Audio, VIP Custom Woks, Mobile Audio Concepts, Audio Lad, Sound Sensations, Dave’s Stereo, Stereo Design, Badlands Customs, Custom Audio-Erie PA, Voltz Autosports-Bridgeport CT, Infinity Sound and Security-Kissimmee, Autosport Plus-Canton OH, Stereo City Pros in Carmichael CA, Devine Concepts in Naples FL, The Sound Shop in Indian Trail NC, Extreme Performance Audio in Fresno CA, Audio Depot in Arlington TX, Audio Security in Houston TX, Earmark Car Audio and Marine in Lewisville TX, Audio Jam in Bear DE, Stereo City Ontario, Ontario CA, Audio By Art, San Antonio TX, Code Zero Customs in Tulsa OK, Ken’s Car Tunes in Mobile AL, Soundz Plus in Naperville IL, Markland Designs in Lithonia GA, Electronics Plus in Salinas CA, Xtreme Autosports in Santa Clarita CA, Superior Audio Sounds in San Angelo TX, Model Electronics in Ramsey NJ, Texas Dreamz Customs in Spring TX, Wired Electronics in Linden NJ and Intense Car Audio in OKC, OK, Underground Auto in Sarasota FL, Car Toys Tulsa in Tulsa OK,  Real Audio in Erie PA, Go Autosound in Union NJ, DFM Stereo in Ukiah CA, Impact Tint and Audio in Tyler TX, Mobile Sound Systems in Arlington TX, Redline Audio and Performance In Spindale NC, Car Audio Land in San Diego CA, Audio X Custom Car Audio in Florence AL, River Oaks Car Stereo in Houston TX, American Radio Orlando in Sanford FL, Illustrious Customs in Woodbridge VA, Remote Start Pros in Lawrence MA, HiPro Audio in Victoria TX, AudioPlanetNY in Huntington Station NY, Endless Possibilities in Aurora IL, Audio Finesse in Santa Monica, Drive Customs in San Luis Obispo CA, Custom Works, Noblesville IN, AtoZ Detail in West Haven CT, Cars 843 in Charleston SC, CarTunes Atlanta in Atlanta GA, Mobile Concepts in Garwood NJ, Duke’s Car Stereo in Flint MI, Infinity Auto Sound, King Car Audio in Norwalk CT, PopTronics in Baltimore MD, Sanford Sound in Sanford ME,  Angelvip2474 in Draper UT, Dynamic Car Audio in Baltimore MD, Hi-Pro Audio in Victoria TX, Car Stereo Max in Houston, Pro Audio Center in Richland MS, Rhodes Off-Roads in Farmington MO, Model Electronics in Ramsey NJ, Class A Sounds in Athens OH. Just Audio Video in North Providence RI, CT_Custom in Philadelphia, Audio Solutions in Florence MS and The Audio Shop RC in Rapid City SD, DG Motorsportz in High Point NC, ST Mobile in Texarkana TX, AR Custom OC in Orange CA, Temecula Mobile Sound in Temecula CA,  Unique Auto Sound in Lindenhurst NY, D’s Garage in Corona CA and DS2 Mobile Solutionz in Tomball TX, C G Car Audio in Kissimmee FL, California Audio in West Valley City UT and The Action Audio Store in Wethersfield CT, Eclipse Car Audio in Vancouver WA, Electronics Depot Car Audio in Altamonte Springs FL. Car Audio Garage in Pearland TX, Pinnacle Autosound in Lake City FL, J H Audio in Bowling Green VA, The Car Audio Shop StL in High Ridge MO, Anthonys Car Stereo in North Highlands CA, Flynn Audio in Middleton WI, Living Loud Car Audio in Pelham AL, Trail Star Audio in Minnesota, On The Spot Audio in Pennsauken NJ, Animated Car Audio in Essex MD, West Coast Car Audio in Citrus Heights CA, Modified Auto Sound in East Alton IL, Star Car Audio in Hermiston OR, VapeNAudio in Clovis CA, SoundWorks in Millersville MD Eclipse Car Audio in Vancouver WA, J A Custom Audio in Houston TX Jose Electronics in North Hills CA,  Sound Proof Car Stereo in Douglasville GA, Auto Additions in Springfield IL, Elite Car Audio in Hollywood CA, Masters Car Stereo in Greenville SC, Audio Plus in Eden NC, Seismic AutoSound in Novato CA, Car Audio Addicts in Pittsburgh PA and AudioKing Tinting in Yakima WA, Arias Tint and Alarms in Duncanville TX and Odeh Car Audio in Gadsden AL. Congratulations to all.

WTF… Where’s the Fun. On the next spin of the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel… on Friday, March 25th.

This article was written by Paul A. Eisenstein for TheDetroitBureau.com

DETROIT, MI (03.18.22) – If you’re planning to cross an intersection you should be extra careful if a pickup or SUV is about to make a turn, according to a new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Drivers of big vehicles are more likely to hit pedestrians than those behind the wheel of a sedan or coupe, the new study found. With pickups and SUVs taking to the road in ever-increasing numbers, this may help explain why there has been a steady increase in pedestrian injuries and fatalities.

“The link between these vehicle types and certain common pedestrian crashes points to another way that the increase in SUVs on the roads might be changing the crash picture,” said Jessica Cicchino, the IIHS vice president who authored the new study.

Pedestrian fatalities on the rise
The number of pedestrians killed in motor vehicle incidents has risen by more than half during the past decade. Data released by the Governors Highway Association shows 6,700 fatalities in 2020, a 5% increase despite the sharp drop in traffic due to the COVID pandemic. Adjusted for vehicle miles traveled, pedestrian fatalities rose 21 percent.

Final figures for 2021 have yet to be released but preliminary numbers suggest there was another increase.

The recent spike appears linked to a noticeable increase in vehicle speeds during the pandemic, but that’s not the only factor, the new IIHS study would demonstrate, as it focuses on pedestrian fatalities that occurred when vehicles were turning at intersections.

Turning the corner
The IIHS looked at both federal crash data and North Carolina police reports. According to the Associated Press, “pickups were 42% more likely than cars to hit pedestrians while making left turns. SUVs were 23% more likely to hit people than cars. There was no significant difference in the odds of a right turn crash for the different types of vehicles, the study showed.”

But there was a disproportionate rise in vehicle/pedestrian crashes outside of intersections, as well. Pickups showed the biggest gap, IIHS reporting they were 80% more likely to strike a pedestrian than a passenger vehicle. SUVs were 61% more likely, while minivans had a 45% increase compared to passenger cars.

The question is why? The new study cites prior research pointing to the large blind spots created by vehicle A-pillars. Federal rollover and roof crush standards have been updated over the past few decades to make it more likely passengers will survive such crashes. But that has resulted in larger pillars, particularly those framing the windshield.

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