Author: 12VoltNews

Alpine Names the 2020 Rep Firm of the Year

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AUBURN HILLS, MI (12.17.2020) – Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. named their 2020 Rep Firm of the Year for the Brand (aftermarket) Business Unit during the virtual Brand Summit held on Dec. 10, 2020. The Rep Firm of the Year awards recognizes independent and direct reps who have shown a strong commitment to the Alpine brand, providing exceptional sales and marketing growth.

 Mike Anderson, Alpine Vice President and General Manager-Business Unit, with Dennis Montgomery, Mark Barber, Richie Holtzman and Steve Paul from Tech Marketing (L to R) pictured at a previous Alpine event.

“During this unprecedented time, our independent and direct reps have remained consistent in providing support to our Alpine Authorized Retailers,” said Mike Anderson, Vice President and General Manager, Brand Business Unit, Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. “We recognize their commitment to Alpine’s business strategy and commend them for their contribution to growing the brand in 2020.”

The Santa Fe Team members Jeff Henshaw, Eric Balzer, Anthony Rawlings and Matt Macias (pictured from top left) in social distanced settings.

During the ceremony, Santa Fe and Tech Marketing were named the 2020 Co-Independent Rep of the Year. The team from Santa Fe, Jeff Henshaw, Eric Baltzer, Matt Macias, and Anthony Rawlings, was recognized for their strong sales growth in the sound system category and a focus on driving sales initiatives and loading effective sound system displays and products at their dealerships.

The team from Tech Marketing, Richie Holtzman, Mark Barber, Steve Paul, and Dennis Montgomery, were also recognized for their growth in sound system sales that contributed to Alpine’s overall growth in the category. They also maintained consistent communication with their dealers and drove Alpine sales and marketing initiatives and content.

Colette Beaudoin the 2020 Alpine Direct Rep of the Year

Colette Beaudoin was named the 2020 Direct Rep of the Year for her tremendous sales growth in the sound system category. Colette was also praised for her consistent communication with her dealers, embracing a new way of promoting the brand through social media. Colette recently celebrated her 25th anniversary with Alpine.

Award recipients were chosen by Alpine senior leadership based on an evaluation of their sales, marketing, customer service, and communication for 2020.

Visit alpine-usa.com for more.

DS18’s High Excursion ZXI12.4D Is Being Heard Worldwide

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL (12.17.2020) – Do you want more excursion, more thumping power, and to shake everyone’s mirrors around you? DS18 has the perfect subwoofer to satisfy all your bass head needs in the newly designed for 2021 ZXI12.4D high excursion subwoofer. This monster sub packs a 3-inch coil made to withstand high amounts of power with the utmost efficiency while producing thunderous distortion free bass.

This sub has a low FS so it can be used in large boxes with lower than normal tuning. Not only will this subwoofer slay the lows, it is versatile enough to also play higher frequencies in the bass zone of sub frequencies. Most subs that produce this much bass have very deep mounting depths which limit the applications in which they can be used.

The ZXI12.4D has a mounting depth of only 7.5 inches so It can be used in most instances where you need a lot of bass but not you don’t have to worry about the setup taking up all the real estate in your vehicle. The ZXI12.4D has been conservatively rated at 1000w rms and 2000w peak power so this makes it the sub that can handle any task put to fruition.

Visit DS18.com for more.

Mobile Solutions Presents “Up Front Fab” Training

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TEMPE, AZ (12.16.2020) – Join Mobile Solutions’ founder and CEO Bryan Schmitt along with Sage Weir from ORCA Design and Manufacturing for UP FRONT FAB; a 90-minute web-based training on Friday December 18, 2020 at 10am Pacific/1pm Eastern. The fabrication-centric training session focuses on speaker placement for premium sound quality builds, including addressing creation of speaker locations and finishing techniques required for custom A-pillars, dash grilles and tweeter pods and more.

Speaker placement is the key and the challenge to achieve a sound experience with depth and realism. This training demonstrates how to overcome acoustic challenges, how to utilize fabrication tricks and participants will discover the top three upholstery techniques that elevate the finished quality of the installation.

UP FRONT FAB Online Training Session Highlights:

  • Optimization of front high frequency speaker placement, using dash and A-pillar examples
  • Creating rings with Mobile Solutions’ new SFS Shape Kit
  • Using profile router bits to save time, add style and facilitate ease of upholstery
  • Advanced 3D router techniques to elevate fabrication work
  • Painting, faux wood and texturing techniques
  • Texturing and finishing techniques for a factory-like dashboard appearance 
  • Learn how to bond to OEM and dissimilar plastics
  • Upholstery techniques with materials like vinyl, suede and leather
  • Aluminum routing and forming
  • Machining without a CNC (Live Demonstration)
  • Polishing and finishing (Live Demonstration)

Throughout the training, Bryan and Sage share tricks and tips for building A-pillars, dash grilles and tweeter pods using step-by-step techniques proven over multiple installs to deliver results for the incredible sound while observing integrated cosmetics. It’s the intersection of the right tools, materials and using efficient processes. The training aims to help attendees build amazing sound systems with OEM styling, quickly and efficiently.

The Friday December 18 UP FRONT FAB training (10am Pacific/1pm Eastern) streams live from the Mobile Solutions training facility in Tempe, AZ and will be broadcast via Zoom. It’s free to attend online for anyone, whether or not they are a dealer of the ORCA or Mobile Solutions products.

To register directly click here.

For more information, visit the Mobile Solutions social media sites at Facebook or Instagram, or visit ORCA Design Family of Products on Facebook. Registration is required to attend.

AudioControl Wins 2020 MEA Vendor of the Year Award at KnowledgeFest

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SEATTLE, WA (12.16.2020) – AudioControl (audiocontrol.com) has been recognized by the Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) as their 2020 Vendor of the Year. The prestigious MEA award “recognizes the vendor that best exemplifies the characteristics of professionalism, service and expertise, as voted by peers, staff and judges throughout the Industry Awards process.”

Matthew Palumbo and Chris Bennett from AudioControl providing virtual training to 2020 KnowledgeFest attendees, where AudioControl was named Vendor of the Year.

“Everyone here at AudioControl is excited and proud to be recognized by the MEA with this award,” stated AudioControl CEO Alex Camara. “We would like to thank everyone who voted for AudioControl as well as our very dedicated, hardworking dealer and rep network for their support. I also want to strongly express my appreciation to the team here at AudioControl who, each and every day, take enormous pride in the work we do. We have all found a way to thrive as a community through a challenging year, and AudioControl will continue to be here, strongly supporting our amazing dealers with innovative solutions as well as award-winning support and training.”

In 2020, AudioControl launched several new products that provided dealers with critical opportunities in the Car Audio, Marine and Powersports market segments while remaining out in front of supply chain and manufacturing challenges associated with a global pandemic. Additionally, AudioControl’s engineering team forged ahead with the development of new solutions, while technical support and training initiatives continued, delivering an unmatched level of service to dealers throughout the channel.

Visit audiocontrol.com for more.

Oracle Lighting Debuts White Underbody Wheel Well Rock Light Kit

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METAIRE, LA, (12.16.2020) – Oracle Lighting has announced the debut of its new White Underbody Wheel Well Rock Light Kit (p/n 5875-001). Now available with an MSRP of $99.95, these new highly durable and intensely bright white LED rock lights easily install for applications on trucks, Jeeps, trailers, powersport vehicles, and more.

“Featuring more than 2,400 Lumens of output making them brighter than most headlights, you can drive with confidence using these white rock lights with high quality components that withstand any terrain you put them through on the streets or off-road,” explained Justin Hartenstein, Oracle Lighting director of development. “With multiple options on the market, you want the best quality for a good price when choosing white rock lights.”

Using quality Cree XQ-E chips and expertly-engineered components, Oracle Lighting offers four intensely bright white rock lights in an easy-to-install kit for a fraction of what some other brands charge.

The kit includes everything needed for installation, including:

  • (4) white LED rock lights
  • (4) mounting gasket sets
  • (4) sets of mounting hardware
  • (1) 4-to-1 easy wiring hub  

Additional specifications include:

  • Kelvin Color Temperature : 6000K
  • Lumens (each): 600LM/PCS
  • Watts (each): 6W/PCS
  • Amps (each): 12V*0.14A/PCS
  • Ingress Protection: IP67
  • Operating Temperature: 65 Degree
  • Input Voltage: 9V-18
  • High temperature Protection: Yes

Having celebrated its 20-year anniversary in 2019, Metairie, LA-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.

SiriusXM’s New SXM-7 Satellite Performing Properly After SpaceX Launch

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NEW YORK NY (12.15.2020) – Maxar Technologies, SiriusXM, and SpaceX have announced that the SXM-7 satellite was successfully launched and is performing properly.

SXM-7, a high-powered digital audio radio satellite, was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida earlier today. Shortly afterward, SXM-7 deployed its solar arrays and began receiving and sending signals. Next, SXM-7 will begin firing its thrusters to commence its journey to its final geostationary orbit.

SiriusXM’s SXM-7 ready for launch. Credit: SpaceX

SXM-7 will provide continuous, reliable delivery of SiriusXM’s audio entertainment and information services to consumers in the United States, and will expand SiriusXM’s coverage area in Canada and the Caribbean, for years to come. SXM-7 will deliver the highest power density of any commercial satellite on-orbit, sending more than 8,000 watts of content to the continental U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, increasing the power and reach of the signal for SiriusXM.

This rendering shows what SiriusXM’s SXM-7 will look like when fully deployed on orbit. Credit: Maxar Technologies

“Maxar and SiriusXM have worked together for more than two decades to build world-class digital audio radio satellites that bring entertainment to almost every new car in America,” said Megan Fitzgerald, Maxar’s Senior Vice President of Space Programs Delivery. “We are proud to have built the latest addition to the SiriusXM constellation and look forward to the launch of their next Maxar-built satellite, SXM-8, next year.”

“SXM-7 plays an important role in bolstering the continuity and reliable delivery of SiriusXM’s audio entertainment, as well as our traffic, weather, data and information services for years to come,” said Bridget Neville, SiriusXM’s Senior Vice President of Satellite and Repeater Systems Engineering and Operations. “With the addition of SXM-7, our satellite-delivered service coverage area in North America is larger and more powerful than ever before. We congratulate our engineering team, Maxar and SpaceX on a successful launch.”

“We had a beautiful Falcon 9 launch today, safely delivering SXM-7 to orbit,” said Lee Rosen, SpaceX’s Vice President of Customer Operations and Integration. “This was the seventh flight for this rocket’s first stage booster, and we are grateful SiriusXM chose our flight-proven hardware to help broaden its coverage area.”

SXM-7 weighs almost 7,000 kg and is built on Maxar’s 1300-class platform, the world’s most prevalent geosynchronous spacecraft platform. The satellite is designed to provide service for greater than 15 years. Maxar has previously built a total of seven satellites for SiriusXM, including its first-generation Sirius satellites that launched in 2000 and its second-generation Sirius satellites that launched in 2009 and 2013.

SXM-7 joins XM-3, XM-4, XM-5, FM-5, and FM-6 in SiriusXM’s active satellite fleet. SXM-7 and SXM-8 together will replace XM-3 and XM-4, extending SiriusXM’s satellite delivered services through at least 2036.

Visit siriusxm.com for more.

The 12Volt Spin-To-Win Wheel Keeps on Spinning

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SHREVEPORT LA (12.15.2020) – The 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel was created to bring an element of fun to the 12volt Industry. Four weeks ago the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel, that spins each Friday morning, celebrated its two year anniversary.

CarTunes Atlanta was the winner of the 12volt Spin-To-Win 106…winning a Power Acoustik amplifier.

There are 18 prizes up for grabs on the wheel for a lucky 12volt retailer to win each Friday. The wheel spins at 10AM each Friday and a 12volt retailer’s slip is drawn from the jar. 12volt retailers, that have included a #12voltspin on their Instagram posts, have their store’s name placed on a slip in the jar. When the 12volt Spin-To-Win when stops on a space a slip is drawn from the jar. That retailer will then receive a prize from that company.

A smiling Leroy Anderson with the Power Acoustik amplifier he won on the Spin-To-Win Wheel Number 104.

JVC and Accele recently joined other top brands on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel. The JVC XX Xtreme Xplosives Wireless Headphones prize will certainly make a winner happy.

The new JVC Wireless Headphones are a prize on the Wheel.

The Accele Electronics Spin-To-Win Wheel Prize is a new Qi Wireless Charging System. The BU-WCPH is a universal application that eliminates wire clutter featuring an elegantly designed silicone rubber Qi charging pad that is trimmable and hardwired maximum charging capability. A winner of the Accele prize can always have a full charge on the road.

An Accele Qi Charger installed underneath a console armrest.

Brands on the Spin-To-Win Wheel include Kicker, Power Acoustik, DS18, Soundstream, PowerBass, CRUX, ZZ-2, JBL, SiriusXM, NavAtlas, AIS, JVC, Accele, Speed Junkie, a CES Backpack and 12volt News prizes.

We encourage all retailers making Instagram posts to #12voltspin to make sure they have a slip in the jar. There are currently over 2600 Instagram post with #12voltspin.

The 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel in the 12volt Central Studios showing the jar with dealer slips along with prizes for future spins.

The 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel will roll on Friday, December 18th, for the 107th time.

Browse instagram.com/12voltnews for more.

Fortin Shipping Exclusive Mazda Immobilizer and Remote Start Solution

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BOUCHERVILLE, QUEBEC (12.15.2020) – Fortin has announced an exclusive “No Key Sacrificed” immobilizer bypass and remote start solution for MAZDA specific vehicles.

Covering MAZDA 2019+ and CX-30 2020+ vehicles, the solution uses the Fortin EVO-ONE platform to offer a secure cost effective solution.

The solution also supports the remote start from the OEM remote function and covers alarm and security features. RF Kits and compatible smartphone/telematic devices can also be connected directly to the EVO-ONE module to extend the operating range if desired.

Fortin Electronic Systems is a world leading developer and manufacturer of integrated consumer solutions for vehicle control and connectivity.

Visit www.Fortin.ca to discover more remote starter, immobilizer bypass and security system solutions.

DOW Electronics Announces the Acquisition of Phoenix Based Audio Video Warehouse

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TAMPA, FL (12.14.2020) – DOW Electronics has finalized an agreement with AV Warehouse to acquire certain assets of the Scottsdale, AZ based distributor.

The parties are closing the transaction today, Friday, December 11, 2020. DOW will open for business Monday the 14th in both of AV Warehouse’s former locations. This acquisition brings new customers and new vendors, as well as increases territory agreements with current DOW vendors to cover Arizona, New Mexico, the Metro Las Vegas area and more. The acquisition sets up DOW for future growth with new vendors, territory and customers.

“This acquisition continues DOW’s growth and expansion in the custom integration industry,” stated president & ceo John Yodzis. “We are very excited to start building lasting relationships with new customers and vendor partners. Our team is ready to show customers the benefits and support available when doing business with DOW. In addition, I want to thank our existing vendor partners, who’s support has been tremendous in helping us achieve our vision.”

“We appreciate DOW’s commitment to the industry and to its customers,” said Patrick Boyer, general manager of AV Warehouse. “With new product opportunities and DOW’s customer service, we believe our customers are in good hands. We look forward to continuing to support the customers and DOW in our role as manufacturer reps.”

“We are excited to welcome AV Warehouse’s customers to the DOW Electronics family,” added executive chairman Chip Yodzis. “These new customers will experience the great level of service, commitment, and dedication that has been our hallmark for over 60 years.”

Visit www.DOWElectronics.com or call 1-800-627-2900 for more.

Nakamichi Airs in More Head Units to Meet Demand

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MIAMI, FL (12.14.2020) – Last Thursday, three more pallets of Nakamichi CarPlay head units arrived at Diplomat Trading in Miami. Several times now Diplomat, the exclusive U.S. agent for Nakamichi, has aired in head units to try and keep up with demand.

“Our two CarPlay/Android Auto pieces continue to sell extremely well”, commented Robin McNeal, National Sales Manager for Nakamichi Car Audio. “We are fortunate that we have a good working relationship with Nakamichi Asia to help offset some of the transportation costs. We are also fortunate that Diplomat has the resources to continue to invest in the brand and allow us to grow our business in the States”.

Nakamichi CarPlay head units arriving by plane.

McNeal and Diplomat have been working closely with the factory to forecast business and future growth. “It has been crazy, just when you think have a handle on product supply something unexpected pops up,” stated McNeal.

Currently, demand still exceeds supply as Nakamichi Car Audio continues to make inroads in the U.S. market resulting in a surge of popular models.

For more information visit www.nakamichicaraudio.com