Author: 12VoltNews

SEMA Accepting Scholarship and Loan Forgiveness Applications

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DIAMOND BAR, CA (01.07.2021) – SEMA is now accepting applications for the 2021 SEMA Memorial Scholarship and Loan Forgiveness Program at www.sema.org/scholarships. Scholarships are available to students pursuing a degree or certification that leads to a career in the automotive industry, and loan forgiveness is available to employees of SEMA-member companies.

Current students and recent graduates who are paying off student loans may now apply for the 2021 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, which helps support the future leaders of the automotive aftermarket industry.

“It’s no secret that this past year has had its challenges. Now more than ever, SEMA is available to help support future industry innovators by providing financial assistance to current students and recent graduates who have outstanding student debt,” said SEMA Senior Manager of Professional Development Gary Vigil. “There are thousands of talented, hard-working individuals seeking careers in the automotive aftermarket. The SEMA Scholarship is designed to support this next generation and allow them to focus on their studies and work, rather than be burdened with tuition costs. The Loan Forgiveness program is intended to provide financial assistance to employees of SEMA member companies with outstanding student loans.”

Awards of up to $5,000 are available to qualified individuals. Complete details and the online application are available until March 1, 2021, at www.sema.org/scholarships.

For more information, contact SEMA Project Manager, Member Services Byron Bergmann at 909-378-4859 or byronb@sema.org.

American Bass Partners with The Wholesale House as Exclusive US Distributor

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SOLON, OH (01.06.2021) – American Bass USA has partnered with The Wholesale House Inc. (Hicksville, OH / Jacksonville, FL), naming The Wholesale House as the exclusive distributor for American Bass and VFL Audio products.

Mark Yoder-The Wholesale House President, Hillary Carnahan- Marketing Manager and Bob Weatherhead- Executive VP-CFO (R to L) pictured with American Bass products. The setting is in a recently completed 5,000 Sq Ft expansion to the company’s very large warehouse layout in Hicksville, OH.

Bob Ahuja and Mohina Ahuja, owners of American Bass, are excited about the partnership and are looking forward to working with The Wholesale House to expand sales and the product mix for the brand.

Bob Ahuja stated, “We have a longstanding relationship with owner Steve Height and The Wholesale House which is why we chose to work with them. We will still be very involved with the American Bass and VFL Audio lines but will now have the ability to move product with one of the premier 12 Volt distributors in the nation.”

The Wholesale House president Mark Yoder stated, “This is a tremendous opportunity for both American Bass and The Wholesale House to expand the American Bass and VFL Audio lines. They have always been strong brands for us and we look forward to working with Bob & Mohina to make them even bigger players in the market.”

The Wholesale House looks forward to working with all American Bass dealers and ask that you please contact The Wholesale House directly at 800-722-5553 for all your American Bass needs.

Visit twhouse.com and americanbassusa.com for more.

Oracle Lighting Promotes Melissa Parker-Boudreaux to National Sales Manager

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METAIRIE, LA (01.06.2021) – Oracle Lighting has announced the promotion of Melissa Parker-Boudreaux to national sales manager. Parker-Boudreaux will be responsible for leading Oracle Lighting’s inside and outside sales teams and managing upper-level distribution accounts.

“We are pleased to welcome Melissa to her new position and look forward to her success in guiding our continued growth as we close out another record-setting year,” said Tiffanie Hartenstein, CEO of Oracle Lighting. “Pairing her dedicated experience with the company and our focus on innovation, we are confident that this positioning will be an integral part of reaching the ambitious goals we have set for our future.”

Melissa Parker-Boudreaux

Parker-Boudreaux recently celebrated 10 years with ORACLE Lighting, during which she rose through administrative and supervisory sales roles.

“Moving into this new position, I see a tremendous opportunity to continue growing key markets and look forward to building higher-quality relationships with current and future customers,” said Parker-Boudreaux. “Supporting our internal team and external representatives, I will focus on driving revenue growth as well as promoting brand awareness and improving the overall customer experience.”

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.

DS18 Introduces the New EN6SLIM Speaker Enclosure

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL (01.06.21) – Versatility at its best, the DS18 EN6SLIM 6.5” weatherproof speaker enclosures can be mounted to any hard surface! The options are virtually unlimited!

Need more speakers in a vehicle? How about multiple speakers for an outside patio or inside home entertainment system? The new EN6SLIM slim speakers with enclosures are small, weatherproof, and can be easily mounted just about anywhere people want some extra sound… or can be easily be used as your main stage of sound.

The EN6SLIM models are available in white or black and both come with RGB lighting to set the mood. The speakers are 4 ohm voice coils and take 25 watts RMS each which will undoubtable produce high fidelity sound for listeners when ever and where ever needed.

Visit ds18.com for more.

Sanford Sound Turned the Key on a New, Much Larger Location in Sanford, ME

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SANFORD, ME (01.05.2021) – Monday, January 4th, marked a ‘soft opening’ of the new Sanford Sound store in Sanford, ME. “We had a remarkably good day with people in the store and making sales. We still have a lot to do but all is coming together and we are excited” Owner Jack Bogard related.

After closing on the new property Jack Bogard began to let people know Sanford Sound was coming soon.

The new Sanford Sound location totals 8,000 square feet with a 2 level layout. The ground floor features showroom areas for Car and Home Audio, meeting room, office space plus customer waiting room and break area. The full basement area is set up for a large installation bay area, extensive fabrication shop plus large storage areas. Floors on both levels were steam cleaned and resurfaced.

The showroom is taking shape and the company’s RZR 900, decked with Memphis Audio in spotlighted.

In the showroom area there are raised areas to spotlight demo vehicles. The Sanford Sound RZR 900 is spotlighted and decked with Memphis Audio. “Since acquiring the RZR 900 as a demo vehicle our Powersports sales increased at least three fold. Another favorite is the Classic Sanford Sound Gremlin,” Bogard stated.

Jack Bogard stands beside the company’s Classic Gremlin. Look at the expanse of the showroom.

In a Facebook post Bogard thanked the many people who helped make the new location a reality. “I sincerely want to thank my incredible employees Andrew, Kevin, Matt and Nate. Also the almost endless volunteers that came to help. Duane Caron, Mark Therrien, Steve Vincent, Eric and Sam Cheney,Trevor Brown, Brian and Brandon Carroll, Kelly O’Malley, Scott, Cherry, Bailey and Noah Chretien, Celeste, Denise and Keith Clark, Trina, Terry Moore, Jeremy Desrochers, Randy Hall, Bill Pickering, Chad and Devin Boone from Memphis Audio, Bill French from JL Audio and Colette Beaudoin from Alpine.”

Team members are headed back after a short lunch break.
The showroom floor shines in this night time shot.

Continuing, “A huge thanks to my wife Christine and my kids Ashley and Ryan, Alissa and Trevor. You are forever in my heart. It truly warms my heart having seen everyone working together to hep me build this store. There is still a ways to go but thanks to each one of you we were able to open up on Monday, January 4th.”

A new sign went up in the show.
In the basement installation and storage area there is much remodeling in progress.

Sanford Sound has been ‘The Place’ for Home AV and Car Audio products in Sanford and the surrounding area for over 25 years.

Watch for more as Sanford Sound continues to finish out the company’s new location.

Visit www.sanfordsound.com for more.

Accele Electronics Intros Aftermarket’s Largest Flipdown HD Monitor

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SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA (01.05.2021) – Accele Electronics has announced a new flagship to their industry leading array of Rear Seat Entertainment solutions for Expeditors, Van Converters and 12 Volt Specialists. The Accele AXFA22HDMI 22” Flipdown DVD Monitor is the industry’s largest HD Monitor featuring both HDMI and DVD built-in. Installers will welcome that it’s enclosed in an attractive slim housing to integrate nicely in vehicle’s interiors. Passengers will have access to all their media in one device and will no longer ask, “Are We There Yet?”

 The AXFA22HDMI is not just large, it’s loaded with functionality and a “stunning” 1080P HD LCD Panel that will captivate viewers in any video format. The slot loading DVD player is compatible with all popular formats and all functions are accessible from the included wireless remote control.

These products join Accele’s already formidable lineup of Rear Seat Entertainment products including the VOD10 Video On Demand system with WiFi and Dual 10” Monitors and the DVD9850 with Built In Multimedia Player and High Res 9” Screen, both designed for quick back of seat installation without interfering with existing Passenger Restraint Systems. Accele has a complete lineup of Video solutions and accessories for Commercial, Industrial and Passenger vehicle use. 

 The AXFA22HDMI will be available January 12th pre-orders are currently being taken, contact your Accele Sales Representative.

Visit the new www.accele.com for more. 

Volkswagen Creates a Robot for Charging EVs

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This article was written by Joseph Szczesny for TheDetroitBureau.com

DETROIT, MI (01.05.2021) – Carmakers are scrambling to get electric vehicles out to consumers.

They are also working on simple solutions to deal with one of the drags on EV sales – keeping them charged. Volkswagen Group has developed a robot charger that moves from vehicle to vehicle to perform that exact task.

Volkswagen unveiled the prototype, which looks like a cross between metal trash can and R2D2 from Star Wars, this week. Describing it as a possible concept that could be used to expand the charging infrastructure, which is still inadequate in most parts of the world. Auto executives from a variety of companies have said they believe expanding the charging infrastructure is a critical factor in boosting sales of EVs.

Volkswagen developed a robot that can pull a mobile charging station and “juice up” an EV.

“A ubiquitous charging infrastructure is, and remains, a key factor in the success of electric mobility. Our charging robot is just one of several approaches, but is undoubtedly one of the most visionary,” said Thomas Schmall, CEO of Volkswagen Group Components.

Volkswagen executives suggest the charging robot could operate in parking garages or other defined areas where vehicles are parked regularly.

VW’s prototype robot looks like a cross between a metal trash can and R2D2 from Star Wars.

The robot operates autonomously, and it is activated by a smart phone. It finds the vehicle needing a charge and communicates with it, opening the charging socket flap to connect the plug and decouple it when charging is complete.

The robot also can charge multiple vehicles simultaneously by hauling a portable charger or chargers to each vehicle from a central station. When the charging is completed, the robot tows the portable chargers back to the central station.

Click here to read the full article on TheDetroitBureau.com

Wet Sounds Seeks Territory Sales Manager – North Dakota, South Dakota & Minnesota

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Wet Sounds continues to experience tremendous growth and is adding to our factory direct sales force to better serve our dealers in markets where significant growth potential exists. We are looking for a highly motivated individual to provide world class service to our current dealers. This individual will excel at prospecting new business and providing this same world class service to new accounts within the powersports, marine and traditional audio channels.

Essential Functions:

· Prospect and establish new dealers within the territory

· Service existing and new dealers within the territory

· Identify Growth Opportunities with existing customers

· Planning & Forecasting Territory Sales

· This is not a telemarketing position and requires extensive travel within the territory.

· Traveling on average 90 percent of the time.

Position Requires:

· Prior experience in sales within the mobile audio, marine and/or power sports industry.

· Valid driver’s license with clean driving record.

Candidates must:

· Reside within their assigned territory (centrally located within the territory is a plus)

· Background checks are part of the hiring process.

Benefits:

· Competitive base salary, with quarterly growth bonus (exciting new products coming to market to drive growth, in addition to growing business within existing dealers and new dealers)

· Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance

· Paid Vacation & Holidays

· 401K

· Company vehicle, cell phone, laptop and company corporate card for business expenses

· An industry leading inside sales team to support you and our dealers.

Submit your resume to careers@wetsounds.com

Saying Hello to 2021 Is Easy… Very Easy

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SHREVEPORT, LA (01.04.2021) – Saying Hello to 2021 is easy… very easy.

As the sun rose on Friday, January 1st, we began the New Year 2021. Even though it is a New Year, the world and the 12volt industry, will continue to face major challenges carrying over from 2020. Each individual and company will move forward in light of their respective resources at hand while observing area COVID-19 mandates.

The 12volt News is charting a course to continue to deliver positive news to the 12volt industry. With no in-person CES, and the traditional spring distributor show circuit in limbo, we are moving forward with The 12volt News Show. A presence in The 12volt News Show will provide a venue for vendors to showcase their products to members of the 12volt industry. The 12volt News Show will also be a vehicle for distributors put their products and activities in front of dealers in their respective territories.

The CES 2021 All-Digital Show will certainly provide an enormous amount of Consumer Electronics content to industry members attending virtually from around the world. To be certain there will also be content directed to the mobile electronics category.

The 12volt News Show will utilize image-based presentations to showcase new products. Products and activities will be posted on 12voltnews.com plus @12voltnews on Instagram and Facebook. Press releases, furnished by companies across the 12volt and aftermarket industries, will be posted on 12voltnews.com which has been the norm for now 27 years.

The twice weekly 12voltBeat newsletter, now marking 8 years, will also deliver industry news to over 5,000 industry members. The 12voltBeat is delivered early on Monday and Thursday mornings.

With a personal 12volt history, dating back to the early ’70’s, we know how important it is to be informed about what’s happening across the 12volt industry. That history includes the retail sales floor, distributor principal, rep, manufacturer and publishing. That history is also marked by attending over 40 CES shows beginning in the summer and winter at McCormick Place in Chicago.

12volt Vendors can very easily put their product (s) and news in The 12volt News Show with an email or the txt of an image to 318-465-0844.

Much more to come from the 12volt Central Studios as we kick off 2021 and The 12volt News Show. Let’s Get Our Shine On!

Visit instagram.com/12voltnews for more.

Sound FX Acquires Get Frogged Customs to Enhance Its Dealership Services

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LEWES, DE (01.04.2021) – Sound FX Automotive has acquired Get Frogged Customs, a vehicle customization sales and service center in Millsboro. The acquisition allows Sound FX to grow its dealership services division and expand its market share throughout the Delmarva Peninsula.

As part of the acquisition, Sound FX will continue to service existing Get Frogged Customs clients and dealerships under the Sound FX brand. The assets of Get Frogged Customs will transfer to the Sound FX facilities in Lewes and Bridgeville, Del., and its associates will be welcomed into the Sound FX family.

Brian Layton, president of Sound FX

Founded in 1992, Sound FX has grown from an aftermarket mobile electronics retailer to two full-service vehicle personalization facilities employing more than 45 dedicated staff members. The company targets customer and client needs with divisions that specialize in dealership fulfillment, commercial upfitting, law enforcement support, vehicle styling through its TomKat GraFX brand, and premium vehicle customization through its Musaic brand.

Started by the Preston Automotive Group, Get Frogged Customs opened in 2017 and quickly tapped into the demand for vehicle personalization in Millsboro and surrounding communities. Focusing on the dealership group’s customers as well as local consumers, its offerings included car electronics, style enhancement, commercial utility and performance products. With the acquisition, the Get Frogged Customs facility will be renovated and reincorporated into the dealership group as Millsboro Jeep.

“We are extremely pleased to complete the acquisition,” said Brian Layton, president of Sound FX. “Like Sound FX, Get Frogged Customs was built on the idea that vehicle owners can experience a complete driving experience through personalization. We anticipate a smooth integration as both companies offer similar services throughout the area, and we are happy to keep their staff of four hardworking individuals employed, especially during these uncertain times. The goal of myself and our team is to build on the success the company generated and welcome its customers into the Sound FX family.”

“I am excited about the Get Frogged Customs merger with Sound FX,” said David Wilson Jr., president and CEO of Preston Automotive Group. “With two convenient locations in Bridgeville and Lewes, Brian Layton and his team can serve our Preston Automotive Group customers. I have always been impressed with Sound FX’s commitment to superior customer service and follow up. Under Brian’s leadership, I know our customers will receive great service and selection.”

For more information, call (800) 454-AUDIO or visit sound-fx.net.