NASHVILLE, TN (12.14.2021) – In the early morning hours of Saturday, December 11, a devastating tornado that was on the ground for a record 200+ miles ravaged parts of Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Some of our Automotive Aftermarket brothers and sisters’ homes and businesses were lost.
“It is going to be a long road to recovery. With your help, P&E would like to lend a hand during these tough times. We will be using these funds to directly help our partners in the industry.”
ITASCA, IL (12.14.2021) – “We are pleased to announce that our highly anticipated MX Series of forward lighting replacement bulbs are now in stock and shipping”, says Steve Rogers, National Sales Manager for Lucas Lighting. “This is a series that our dealers have been requesting. The MX bulbs are designed with federal requirements in mind (not yet certified). These guidelines revolve around the specifics of size aft of the mounting collar and not causing undesirable glare artifacts. While we have always engineered our products to avoid glare, these are the first that will meet the strict size restrictions.”
Consistent with all other Lucas Lighting product offerings, special attention has been paid to inventory efficiency. Examples include the MX-9005/6 and the MX-H11, that allow one model to work in what traditionally requires several. The line offers fifteen models that cover what would otherwise require more than 20 types. “Dealers want to service the most customers with the least amount of inventory necessary, and we can help. We have a very strong reputation for a wider, even beam pattern with a large center sweet spot. The MX series is consistent with this design philosophy,” added Rogers.
MX bulbs are a fanless design with several advantages. These will not require the traditional bulb adaptors needed for vehicles such as BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes Benz, etc. and will fit just as an OE halogen bulb while offering three times the light output. Another feature of note is the advanced CANBUS support that will alleviate the need for decoders most often needed in European vehicles to avoid bulb error messages. A Mercedes GL series installation can be seen on the website at www.lucas-lighting.com.
“Dealers now have a product line that they know will fit in all situations, regardless of vehicle type. We expect that these will be very popular for the notoriously tight-fitting motorsports applications as well. Our torture testing for vibration, temperature, run-time, etc. yielded incredible results, with reliability predicted at well over 10,000 hours of use. Now everyone has the opportunity to experience better lighting.” says Rogers
Lucas Lighting products are available through direct dealers nationwide, as well as our distribution partners serving all 50 states. Every model of this exciting new series, retailing at $159.95 per pair, has arrived in stock at the Lucas Lighting warehouse in Itasca, IL.
METAIRIE, LA (12.14.2021) – Oracle Lighting has launched the 7-inch Multifunction 60-Watt LED Spotlight for Jeeps, trucks, and off-road vehicles (p/n 2915-023). The round post mount is 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 seven-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:
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.
For more information on Oracle Lighting and its full product line, visit www.oraclelights.com, call (800) 407-5776, or email info@oraclelights.com.
SHREVEPORT, LA (12.13.2021) – Following KnowledgeFest in Dallas, December 10-12, the 12volt Central Studios will continue to showcase activities from Big D. In these times it is more apparent than ever the need for companies to let the members of the 12volt industry know about their news products. Also, the positive activities that companies utilize to showcase their efforts to create interest across the marketplace to drive business.
We applaud the efforts of the MEA, the MEA staff, exhibitors, seminar presenters and dealers for making the trip to Big D to participate in the event. In-person training sessions, experiencing new products first-hand and networking opportunities are truly missed during these continuing COVID times.
Recently the 12volt Central Studios introduced the 12voltSTP Tool. Snap and Txt an image with a smartphone to 318-465-0844. Presto, your company’s products and activities could be in the 12volt News.
From the event in Big D over a dozen companies utilized the 12voltSTP Tool. On Instagram #12vnn_dal to see their posts. We plan more posts in the coming days and encourage any participants in Big D to send an image to extend the ROI on their time at the event.
Many members of the 12volt industry are already seeing the advantage of utilizing the 12voltSTP tool. On instagram #12voltstp to see over 500 examples.
As we approach 2022, let’s reboot and all work to create positives across the 12volt industry.
Happy Holidays 2021 to all from the 12volt Central Studios.
HOLLY HILL, FL (12.13.2021) – It is with great sadness and tremendous respect that Metra Electronics Corporation® announces the passing of its founder and innovator, Mr. Michael M. Somma. Metra’s president, Bill Jones, offered the following words as a tribute to honor the life of Mr. Somma:
“As Metra is celebrating its 75th year in business, his passing is even more bittersweet. But, we at Metra choose to celebrate his life rather than posting a simple obituary. His life was much more than that. His life was Metra, and thus, if you will indulge me, I’d like to offer you a kind remembrance of a man that meant so much to me and all of us, but especially the industry he helped to father and promote. Michael Somma was a man of simple means born to a hard-working Italian immigrant family living in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, New York. He was brought up with six sisters and his father worked at Steeplechase Park from 1913 until its closing in the 1960s. His mother tended to the upbringing of seven children and kept a loving household. Michael Somma was a true pioneer and a genius of the 6volt and 12volt car radio industry. He will be missed by his family, his friends, and the industry as a whole. Somma was 94 years of age at his passing. He saw the tremendous changes in our business since Metra’s founding in 1946 on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn, New York.
Somma started out by opening a television sales and service shop with his brother-in-law, Sal Izzo, after serving proudly and with honor in the United States Navy in World War II. He was a graduate of Brooklyn Technical School, where he learned electrical and mechanical engineering skills. Somma built and sold his first television while attending school, which became his first official TV sale. It must have worked well! After the war, where he served as a radioman, he knew where his passion and interests would be best utilized, and thus, Metra Radio and TV was founded.
In the 1940s, Metra Radio and TV initially focused on selling television sets and home radios more so than car radios, as the demand for TVs was much greater and more lucrative at the time. Nevertheless, they went on to sell and install numerous car radios because cars at this time did not come equipped with a radio and the option from the factory was, as it is now, an expensive addition. Installing a car radio was a time-consuming and complex undertaking. These trials and tribulations gave Somma the idea of standardizing the design and creation of kits instead of tackling each installation one at a time.
Several innovations at the time pushed Metra’s focus more towards automotive. From the beginning, Metra was a Blaupunkt car radio dealer. Blaupunkt made great car radios and was the first to introduce FM to their units. Although not many FM stations existed at the time, the ones that did, offered a clearer and static-free broadcast. Although AM technology was still the rule and FM the exception up until the 1970s, Somma’s forward-thinking saw the potential on the broader bandwidth of FM and its ability to attain Hi-Fidelity sound, as it was called at that time.
Somma’s other innovation was the manufacturing of car radio installation kits, which greatly facilitated an easier installation of car radios. At the beginning of car radio installations, it could take two men several hours to install the earlier and primitive units. Somma used his considerable mechanical skills to fashion Metra’s earliest kits out of metal and find whatever way he could fasten the radio to the car. As a perfectionist, the installations were always top-notch.
One of the events that genuinely catapulted Metra to its glory was the change in New York regulations by the Taxi and Limousine Commission, allowing taxi cabs to legally have radios in their cabs. Prior to this, many states and municipalities outlawed radio use as they felt it would be a distraction to the driver. This change led Metra to pre-fabricate kits as their radio and installation business took off!
Soon, the car radio side of the business became more lucrative than selling TVs, and thus was born the new division, Metra Electronics. As more installations kept coming in, the need for a bigger facility became apparent. The solution was to move to a larger headquarters on McDonald Avenue in Brooklyn. This was the time of the “two Metras,” and the original store remained open and focused strictly on television repair and sales, run by Sal Izzo. Izzo was cautious of betting on just car audio and felt better suited to TV repairs and sales.
As the 1950s rolled on, more and more installations meant fabricating more radio kits. This is where Somma’s talents came into play, thinking of the bigger picture outside of Brooklyn. He reasoned early on that there were 48 other states going through the same hassle to fabricate brackets and trim panels for radio installations. Metra’s complete car radio installation kit for dealers was born. This is not to say that Metra was the only company thinking the same thoughts. Still, Somma’s boldness led him to eliminate the installation bays and fill them with machinery and equipment to manufacture the myriad of kits required to fit the many different types of cars on the road. He hired engineers and designers, set up a shipping department, and hired a sales and marketing staff to take Metra nationwide. Although it wasn’t always easy, his persistence paid off and Metra Electronics became a great success!
As time went by, Metra went full circle and introduced a line of car radios called MetraVox in the early 1960s that included 4-track players, AM and FM radio, and eventually became a public company in 1969. It was a highly successful line until the field became very crowded and technology-laden. MetraVox’s radios, which were manufactured in Italy and Japan, were discontinued as Somma determined that the true profit center was in the installation kit business.
In closing, let’s not forget the true pioneer who was way ahead of his time. Michael M. Somma ranks up there with Armstrong, Lear, Shalam, and the rest,” says Jones. “May he rest in peace and I hope he is smiling down upon us watching his creation thriving after 75 great years,” he concluded. Metra’s complete line of 12volt brands can be seen at MetraOnline.com. Additional information about the history of Metra Electronics is available at http://www.metraonline.com/news-post/408.
NEW YORK, NY (12.13.2021) – Howard Stern and SiriusXM have announced a star-studded line up of guests for Howard’s final live week of 2021, including first-time guest Ben Affleck, Billie Eilish joined by FINNEAS, and legendary musician Neil Young. The three live shows will air starting on Monday, December 13.
Howard Stern is regularly credited as the best interviewer in the business for his deep, wide-ranging long-form discussions with legends of entertainment. Recent guests to join The Howard Stern Show include Kate Beckinsale, Coldplay from the Apollo Theater, Dave Grohl, Billy Joel, Jimmy Kimmel, Steve Martin with Martin Short, Sir Paul McCartney, Metallica with Miley Cyrus and Sir Elton John, Emily Ratajkowski, Ed Sheeran, and Kristen Stewart.
To finish the week, as a follow up to Ed Sheeran’s November interview on The Howard Stern Show, Howard 101 will air Ed Sheeran’s exclusive recent performance from SiriusXM and Pandora’s Small Stage Series in its entirety. The Sheeran special was recorded at The Belasco in Los Angeles and features songs from =, including his hit singles “Shivers” and “Bad Habits,” which recently received a GRAMMY nomination for Song of the Year, alongside older fan favorites. The special will air on Howard 101 on Thursday, December 16 at 5:00 pm ET and 8:00 pm ET.
The Howard Stern Show Week of December 13 Schedule:
Later in December, listeners will also be able to tune in to a special Howard Stern Best of 2021 on SiriusXM’s Howard 100 and Howard 101. Howard 100 will feature the biggest, funniest and most dramatic moments from the past year on the show. Howard 101 will spotlight interviews with top comedians, actors, musicians and newsmakers from the past year.
The Howard Stern Best of 2021 will air Monday, December 20 through Friday, December 31 on Howard 100 and Howard 101 via satellite and on the SXM App. Fans can also watch videos from The Howard Stern Show on the SXM App.
Howard Stern’s SiriusXM channels are available to subscribers in their car, on their phone and connected devices at home with the SXM App. Streaming access is included for most subscribers. Go towww.siriusxm.com/ways-to-listen to learn more.
SHREVEPORT LA (12.11.21) WTF…Win This Friday. J A Custom Audio won the Silencer prize on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel on 157 Friday morning, December 10th.
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 157th time on Friday morning December 10th. The Wheel landed on the Silencer space and the J A Custom Audio 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 J A Custom Audio in Houston via Instagram message as we could not locate a telephone number. Jose Arredondo replied and we gave him a call. He was very happy to hear the good news that a Silencer Remote starter will be headed their way.
J A Custom Audio does an amazing amount of custom fabrication and installations. Make sure to check out their Instagram @jacustomaudio.
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, Silencer, PowerBass, CRUX, DS18, SoundStream, JBL, Kenwood, Power Acoustik, JVC and Magnadyne. 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 and Eclipse Car Audio in Vancouver WA. Congratulations to all.
WTF… Where’s the Fun. On the next spin of the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel… on Friday, December 17th.
ARLINGTON, VA (12.10.2021) – The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) announced that in the last 10 days, 200 additional companies have signed up to exhibit and an additional 10,000 attendees have registered to attend CES 2022 in person in Las Vegas on January 5-8, 2022. Cenntro Automotive, HTC, Micron, NVIDIA, TikTok and others are the latest companies to announce their participation showcasing cutting-edge technologies and product launches.
“The excitement continues to build as we get closer to the moment where the world’s most influential technology innovators meet in person with customers, media, investors and policymakers,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA. “We are thrilled to now welcome over 1900 exhibitors from all over the world to show how tech is improving our lives and transforming industries.”
Over 2400 members of the media, have now registered to attend CES in person and plan to interact with brands like Amazon, AMD, Boston Consulting, Hyundai, IBM, Intel, LG Electronics, Magna, Meta, Microsoft, Oracle, Panasonic, Procter & Gamble, Qualcomm, Razer, Samsung Electronics, Scosche, Sierra Space, Sony and more. A full exhibitor directory and floorplans can be accessed at CES.tech.
CES 2022 will feature new categories including Food Tech, Space Tech and NFTs. The automotive sector is tracking for record growth and has over 200 exhibitors, a 30 percent increase over CES 2020. Several new companies will be there including TuSimple, who will showcase its self-driving semi-truck, and VinFast, a first-time Vietnamese car manufacturer.
A snapshot of who is coming to CES:
1900+ exhibitors
2400+ members of the media
195 Fortune Global 500 Companies
77 Interbrand 100 Companies
66 top 100 retailers (Based on Twice 2020 Top Retailers)
55% of registered attendees are senior-level
160 countries represented
200+ automotive brands
Safety, security and health are a priority at CES. CTA will continue to monitor and evaluate the health situation and may announce additional protocols closer to the show. CES was early in announcing attendees must be fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the FDA or World Health Organization (WHO). Those who may be unable to travel to Las Vegas, will be able to access CES digitally. Registration for digital only access opens Dec. 9. The latest CES health protocols information can be found on CES.tech.
EDMOND, OK (12.10.2021) – Petra Industries, the consumer technology authority and wholesale electronics distributor, is pleased to announce the addition of DS18 speakers and amplifiers to their lineup of premium automotive audio products.
By using the slogan “We Like It Loud,” DS18 sets itself apart from old-school brands. Unafraid to push the envelope, it was created and developed by a team of young, determined professionals who understands the needs of today’s car audio industry. As a result, it is one of the freshest lines in the industry.
The DS18 goal is to deliver what they feel previous companies have failed to do—a sophisticated, trendy product line that continually upgrades itself. One reason the company is continually innovating is that they consider customers part of their team. DS18 takes customer feedback as a command to constantly improve products. The end results are the most-relevant, coolest-looking designs and technologies on the market.
“DS18 brings a whole new attitude to car audio,” said Tate Morgan, President, Petra Industries. “Think of them as the new, cool kid on the block ready to shake things up. Their staff is passionate about sound. They eat, sleep, and breathe audio. And they design the most outstanding products technology can offer while remaining sensitive to pricing. Installers and retailers in the automotive audio space should take a hard look at DS18. The brand will appeal to the most experienced audio enthusiast as well as the everyday motorist.”
To learn more about Petra’s DS18 lineup of automotive audio components including amplifiers, coaxial speakers, subwoofers, midranges, and tweeters, visit order.petra.com
RAPID CITY, SD (12.10.2021) – Stop by the DEI Booth at PRI to get an up-close look at NASCAR’s new Next Gen racecar, built by road racing icon Pancho Weaver.
DEI has partnered with Pancho and his team for several years on projects in the Trans Am and road racing world, an area that NASCAR is becoming more involved in. So, when Pancho and his team started working on a Next Gen, DEI captured 3D scans of the car to provide custom heat solutions for the racecar.
| See the latest evolution at the DEI Booth (#301) |
“Controlling temperatures inside the cockpit keeps the driver more aware and sharper, and that’s a big benefit,” Pancho said. “During the testing, the comfort of car was better, we recorded external temperatures and interior temperatures and they had substantial drops.”
Pancho uses DEI’s Dimpled Aluminum Sheet (with separate glass insulation), Heat Screen, Floor and Tunnel Shield, Reflect-a-Cool and Titanium Knitted Exhaust Sleeves in the Next Gen, which will be on display at DEI’s PRI Booth (#301).
Visit designengineering.com for more.
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