DIAMOND BAR, CA (01.02.22) – SEMA Launch Pad, the automotive industry’s product-pitching competition that has propelled inventors and entrepreneurs to successful, thriving businesses since 2013, will be featured for the first time on a nationwide television special on February 13 on the History Channel.
The 2021 competition included a record-high 200-plus competitors vying for the program’s largest grand prize ever, valued at $100,000. The program features 15 semifinalists who competed live in Las Vegas, where they pitched their products and ideas to a panel of industry experts and icons that included Chip Foose (Foose Design), Jared Hare (Addictive Desert Designs), Myles Kovacs (DUB), and Alex Parker (Redline Detection).
The 2021 SEMA Launch Pad, the automotive industry’s product-pitching competition, will be featured for the first time on a nationwide television special on February 13 on the History Channel.
“We’re excited to bring the SEMA Launch Pad to a nationwide television audience,” said Ted Wentz, SEMA Board Member and Chair of the SEMA Launch Pad Task Force. “For years, the SEMA Launch Pad has encouraged and supported product innovation and new ideas. The television program will give a new audience the opportunity to see the depth of the industry’s innovation.”
The automotive industry has been following the 2021 competition through a five-episode YouTube miniseries that generated almost half a million views. The upcoming television special includes brand-new, exclusive coverage of the finale, with the top two finalists competing in front of thousands of industry professionals at the world-renowned SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Viewers will watch as competitors both triumph and falter along the way, with judges asking hard questions and providing candid feedback.
“The Launch Pad is a competition designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs succeed and grow,” said Wentz. “To see the competition unfold on television is inspiring. We hope that it encourages others to bring new products to the marketplace as well.”
DANIA BEACH, FL (02.02.2022) – TURY USA is shipping its first of many new products. FAST, a throttle response enhancement module gives the driver the boost their car needs. With 36 different levels of adjustment, FAST will be sure to make the driving experience a lot more fun!
“This is a must-have for those smaller engine cars and diesel truck owners. WIth the added anti-theft and valet modes, this throttle response kit is perfect for every application!” stated Marty Deane, National Sales Manager.
RINGWOOD, IL (02.01.22) – Race Sport Lighting 2022 Full Line Catalogs are now shipping to the industry. These 80-page catalogs contain thousands of Lighting Category solutions, which helps resellers grow their business and find the right lighting solutions for outfitting customer vehicles. Distributor and Dealers can start requesting these B2B catalogs to ship with their orders or from their RSL territory sales rep. Requests can also be sent via email to sales@racesportinc.com.
The 2022 Full Line Catalog has multiple nationwide best sellers that the industry already loves, however it also features some NEW patented technologies like their High Performance GEN4 LED Headlight Kits, and their new Solar Wireless Cab Roof Mount Light kit. The New Product section also features some products already HOT to the market like:
“It’s always exciting each year to get out the full line catalogs out to the Reps, Distributors, Dealers, and ultimately to the consumer to make a buying decision. There are truly some amazing new technologies that are patented that every dealer should be adding to their line up and positioning themselves for major growth in 2022. Make sure to check out display section in the back and display up. Displays in your store sell more lighting” – Steve Jergensen, President of Race Sport Lighting
Want to view the 2022 Catalog digitally? Click Here Now or check out some of their updated Industry specific catalogs:
METAIRIE, LA (02.01.22) – Oracle Lighting has announced the launch of the 9-inch Multifunction 120-Watt LED Spotlight for Jeeps, trucks, and off-road vehicles (p/n 2917-023). The round post mount is now available with an MSRP of $289.95. Oracle’s 7-inch Multifunction 60-Watt LED Spotlight (p/n 2915-023) is also now available with an MSRP of $199.95.
“Whether you are conquering the off-road or just enjoy exploring at night, having adequate lighting is important to spot obstacles in your path,” explained Justin Hartenstein, Oracle Lighting director of development. “This new auxiliary light from Oracle Lighting is designed to offer superior illumination for any Jeep, truck, or off-road vehicle.”
Incorporating both TIR (Total Internal Reflection) and LED Reflector Facing Technology, this design creates a high-quality light output with a precision beam pattern. By combining both optic technologies, this light provides an average 30 degree beam pattern and projects up to 500 yards away.
“The integrated LED marker lights feature both white and amber LEDs which can be used for parking lights, DRL, and/or turn signals,” Hartenstein continued. “This multifunctional automotive spotlight is the perfect solution to your lighting needs. With an Ingress Protection Rating of IP68 and a heavy-duty blacked-out housing, this nine-inch spotlight is rugged enough to last through all of your adventures with an LED lifespan of 80,000+ hours.”
Additional features and specifications include: • 4x 20w LEDs + 4x 10w LEDs • Draw: 8.5 Amps @ 12VDC • Raw/Effective Lumens: 12000lm / 9600lm • Peak Intensity: 282500cd • Input Voltage: 9V – 36V DC • Warranty Period: 1 Year • ETM Thermal Management Technology • Compliant with ECE R112/R7/R10 • Heavy duty U mounting racket • Stainless Steel 304 mounting hardware • Under/Over voltage protection • Reverse polarity protection
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.
CAMARILLO, CA (02.01.22) – ORCA Design and Manufacturing announced it is currently shipping the latest models of its popular Focal Auditor line. Rebranded Auditor EVO, the line adds two slim versions of its 6.5-inch component and coaxial speakers as well as a redesigned tweeter.
The 2022 Auditor EVO line consists of six coaxial kits ranging from 4 inches to 6×9 inches, along with three component kits in five-inch and 6.5-inch sizes. The inverted-dome tweeter in each has been redesigned with the stylish Focal logo in black and the component versions come with surface mount cups and flush-mount bezels.
The 6.5-inch ACX 165 coaxial and ASE 165 component set gain slimmer counterparts in the ACX 165S and ASE165S. The speaker depth is reduced by 25 percent thanks to a redesigned basket and magnet structure. The resulting technology maintains quality midbass performance while enabling fit into doors and panels with limited depth.
“Auditor has been a great addition to the Focal line, especially as more customers opt to perform value-focused upgrades to their factory systems,” said Nalaka Adikari, sales director for ORCA. “We’ve worked closely with Focal to bring new options to our retailers that fit more applications. The addition of shallow drivers let more drivers experience Focal’s superior audio performance.”
All models of the 2022 Auditor EVO line are currently shipping to authorized Focal retailers. For more information, visit focal-america.com.
GREENSBORO, NC (01.31.22) – The KICKER AMA Pro ArenaCross 6-City Series, with 10 races, raced into The Greensboro Coliseum Complex on Saturday, January 29th, for Round 6. In spite of very cold temperatures and forecasts of snow the 24,000 seat arena was alive with an enthusiastic crowd.
The crowd filed into the Greensboro Coliseum Complex for Round 6 of the KICKER ArenaCross on Saturday night, January 29.
“It was cold outside but inside the action on the track was red hot as riders and attendees were Livin’Loud. The KICKER display setup in the lobby area attracted enthusiasts through the evening. Dennis Montgomery, with KICKER area rep firm Tech Marketing, spent time showing KICKER products to members of the crowd. In addition Nate Hair from area retailer Sound Solutions talked KICKER with consumers throughout the night,” Lorin Morrell, Maddog_Media who orchestrates KICKER’s presents at the events, stated.
It was an action packed night on the track.
Sound Solutions showcases the KICKER brand in their stores in Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem NC. One attendee at the event had just had a KICKER system installed in his Tahoe by the Sound Solutions High Point store. He let Dennis Montgomery know how happy he was with his new KICKER system.
Enthusiasts checked out KICKER products in the lobby display.
Continuing, “Throughout the Carolinas its truck country so the new KICKER L7T under seat drew a lot of attention. Powersports is strong in the area too so the KICKER PowerBar grabbed eyes when we cranked it on the display… Kicker Marine and Lifestyle products drew interest too,” Morrell related.
KICKER audio, Powersports, Marine and lifestyle products were on display.
For Saturday night’s event the stands were nearly full with attendees very engaged with action on the track. Amateur riders took to the track during the day and pro riders took the track through the evening from 6 until well after 10PM.
This lucky crowd member caught the special KICKER T with the certificate and picked up the BullFrog prize.
In addition to the action on the track KICKER T-shirts were fired into the crowd during Pro Race breaks and track maintenance periods. A special T had a certificate wrapped inside for a KICKER BullFrog to be picked up at the KICKER display in the lobby. A lucky member of the crowd had a big smile when the Bullfrog was picked up.
Sound Solutions worked the event and has a store in Greensboro as well as stores in High Point and Winston-Salem.
Concluding Morrell added, “The KICKER AMA Pro ArenaCross got off to a great start in Loveland. Successful events in Amarillo and Oklahoma City/Guthrie OK preceded Greensboro. Each event has added excitement to the 2022 Series. Next stop is Reno NV, February 4th and 5th, with Rounds 7 and 8. The KICKER AMA Pro ArenaCross is Livin’Loud in 2022.”
MIAMI, FL (01.31.22) – Last month, Diplomat Trading hosted Robin McNeal and Jason Proios at their Miami headquarters for several days of meetings. The meetings were capped by a video conference with the sales and marketing staff from Nakamichi Asia which featured virtually remote representatives from Singapore, Hong Kong and China.
Pictured left to right are Jason Proios, Robin McNeal and David Bradman in the Nakamichi showroom.
Topics of discussion included new models, market trends, sales projections and of course product availability. Production schedules were finalized for products that would ship before the Lunar New Year. “I feel better now about Q1 inventory,” noted Robin McNeal, National Sales manager for Nakamichi Car Audio. “To date we have introduced five new 2022 head units; two Double DIN (one with CarPlay and Android Auto) and three single DIN models. We should have several new CarPlay-Android Auto units to show at the February KnowlegdeFest in Las Vegas.”
Award for an Outstanding Job was presented to Robin McNeal.
During the trip McNeal was presented with a special award For an Outstanding Job in 2021. “I am very honored to receive this recognition and want to thank everyone involved that helped grow the Nakamichi business,” stated McNeal. ”A special thank you goes to David Bradman at Diplomat for giving me this opportunity.”
Since returning to the U.S market in 2020, Nakamichi Car Audio has expanded its dealer network both direct and through select distribution to car audio retailers in all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii.
PHOENIX, AZ (01.31.22) – MTX Audio, of the MiTek Electronics and Communications Group, is announcing pre-order for their new audio kits and components for Polaris RZR Pro XP Side-by-side vehicles is now available through their website and authorized dealers. The new products are compatible with all 2020 and newer models.
The four main Thunder audio kits consist of three and five speaker options with power coming in at a thundering 1000 watts RMS for vehicles equipped with and without the Polaris Ride Command system. These complete audio solutions feature all wiring and hardware needed to quickly get you behind the wheel enjoying the industry-leading sound quality and trail tested durability you’ve come to expect from MTX Audio.
In addition to these, MTX is also offering two OE add-on audio kits that can expand or improve an existing factory audio system. First is the add-on subwoofer kit that comes complete with a loaded 10” ported subwoofer enclosure, 600-watt monobloc amplifier, amplifier mounting system and complete plug and play wiring. The second is the rear speaker kit to add a set of 6 1⁄2” coaxial cage mount speakers with integrated RGB lighting. This kit includes the speakers, mounting hardware, RGB lighting controller, plug and play harness and OE interface.
Also available for pre-order are the new PROXP-20-FS front component speakers with integrated RGB lighting and the PROXP-20-SW subwoofer enclosure for the same series of vehicles. The front speaker system features an all-weather 6 1⁄2” midrange driver preinstalled in a rotationally molded enclosure that mounts in the factory location beneath the dash. Combined with that is a high output, soft dome tweeter that mounts in the existing housing on the top of the dash. These components have been engineered to maximize your audio experience without sacrificing legroom or sound quality while riding. The PROXP-20-SW features a high output 10-inch subwoofer in a high mounted, ported design that installs in the dash. The enclosure is intended to be coupled with the MUD600-1 mono-block amplifier and features a front firing design to maximize bass output. The port allows it to produce deep vibrating bass while the high mount placement prevents water intrusion in most riding applications.
With an expected shipment time of mid-March, you won’t want to delay in getting yours secured today and be the first in your group to show off the next best audio solution in UTV audio systems. For more information and to find an MTX dealer near you visit them at www.mtx.com.
SHREVEPORT LA (01.29.22) WTF…Win This Friday. Audio Plus of Eden won the JVC prize on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel 163 on Friday morning, January 28th.
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 has now rolled into Year-4.
The 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel rolled for 163rd time on Friday morning January 28th. The Wheel landed on the JVC space and the Audio Plus 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 Audio Plus in Eden NC and gave Neil Shelton the good news that the store won a 12volt Spin-To-Win JVC prize. Neil chose a JVC KS-GA100 HEPA Air Purifier. That JVC prize will be headed their way.
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 and Masters Car Stereo in Greenville SC. Congratulations to all.
WTF… Where’s the Fun. On the next spin of the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel… on Friday, February 4th.
PITTSBURGH, PA (01.28.22) – Team Nutz, a very proactive 12volt retailer in the Pittsburg area, had a very strong showing at the recent MAX Motive World of Wheels this year at the David Lawerence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh Friday – Sunday, January 21st-23rd.
End Result and Team Nutz members at the entrance to the booth on Sunday. End Result’s Rusty North (L) and Ed Dalesandro flank Tom Mays (2nd) and Ed Nuttall.
The Team Nutz 70’ x 80’ booth was filled with demo vehicles, tents, show car displays, live installations and importantly consumers. End Result, with Ed Dalesandro and Rusty North, was onsite with the Team Nutz staff of 20 who worked the show. The End Result rep firm brands Hertz, Audison, Memphis Audio, Race Sport Lighting and Nakamichi were installed in several demo vehicles and experienced by thousands of attendees.
High School students loading up on Swag Friday morning.
Dalesandro shot a video tour of the booth as Nuttall led the trip around the booth with input from North. Nuttall gave a background and details of over a dozen customized vehicles were spotlighted in the booth in addition to free-standing product displays.
Play the video below: Ed Nuttall leads Ed Dalesandro and Rusty North on a 10-minute video tour around the Team Nutz booth.
Ed Nuttall, for Team Nutz, stated, “The attendance was reported to approach 20,000 and members of the crowd were really interested automotive consumers. We had literally over 10,000 customized swag items including pens, stickers, tote bags, screw drivers and lanyards to hand out to attendees. We gave out over 1500 tote bags.
Ed Nuttall set to start the booth video tour. Play the full video above.
The visibility for Team Nutz at the event led to very active days at the store following the World of Wheels event.
“Snow and very cold temperatures certainly did not stop our phones from ringing at the store. Phones have been ringing off the hook scheduling installation appointments and answering questions. Many registered for contests we offered and checked out info from QR Code we spotted around at the event. Mike Gosnik posted a number of videos to draw attention to products in the booth and posts of those videos are creating visibility for us after the event,” Nuttall offered.
Mike Gosnik in a screenshot of the All Ways Safe International loaded with Memphis Audio, lighting and custom interior. This rig by Team Nutz debuted at SEMA 2021
This Jeep was loaded with Sony from Davis Distribution.
Continuing, Nuttall offered “Friday was high school day and we had 800 students at the show. I was scheduled to address the students in a conference room before the show opened. On my way up to the conference hall the elevator stopped and left me trapped inside for over 45 minutes. By the time maintenance got the damn thing fixed the students had already left for the show floor. The good news is they visited our booth and are carrying Team Nutz tote bags in the halls at their schools.
Following the show Saturday night Team Nutz hosted a dinner for exhibitors and crews at a restaurant across the street for over 100 who contributed to the success of the show.
This tow truck featured Team Nutz graphics.
This is a custom bike display built from bike parts and placed on a TV stand for in store sales presentations. Ed Nuttall on the left with Rusty North.
“All at Team Nutz certainly put a lot into pulling off this event. We worked over 3 days to set up and tear down took 3 hours. We put our company and products in front a very large number of people. Literally thousands went home with some swag with our name on it too. We look forward to more big events at the David Lawrence Convention Center,” Nuttall concluded.
Utilizing the 12voltSTP Tool, with images supplied from End Result and friends, the 12volt Central Studios delivered fresh news to members of the 12volt industry.
12VoltNews.com 