Author: 12VoltNews

AutoNation and Automatic Labs, a SiriusXM Company, to Expand Coverage of Connected Car Program to Additional Stores and Customers

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NEW YORK, NY (02.18.2020) – AutoNation, Inc., America’s largest and most recognized automotive retailer, and Automatic Labs, Inc., a SiriusXM company that brings the power of connectivity to most cars available at AutoNation, are expanding the AutoNation Connected Car Program to additional markets.

The AutoNation Connected Car Program is powered by Automatic’s in-vehicle adapter and app, and was initially launched at five AutoNation USA stores in April 2019. Customers who take advantage of the program have access to important safety services such as Crash Alert and timely vehicle health notifications in vehicles without built-in connectivity, when choosing AutoNation to purchase their vehicles. Since launch, 97% of customers who activated at point-of-sale remain engaged with Automatic month over month. In turn, AutoNation has benefitted from higher retention of customers’ vehicle maintenance and service business.

Automatic’s Dealer Insights platform and customized analytics deliver daily reports to AutoNation, including information such as lists of customers with active recalls, engine light check alerts, service recommendations, and various data points about the health and performance of customer vehicles. AutoNation uses this valuable information to send targeted communications to its customers specific to their vehicles’ service and maintenance needs.

“Following the successful launch of the AutoNation Connected Car Program, we are excited to expand the program in additional markets across the country. Our customers have recognized and appreciated the value of Automatic, and now we will be delivering that value to many more customers,” said Marc Cannon, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at AutoNation.

“This expansion of the AutoNation Connected Car Program powered by Automatic reflects its success at the AutoNation USA dealerships and the positive response from customers who appreciate the value of Automatic’s connectivity features,” said Joe Verbrugge, Executive Vice President and Division President, Connected Vehicle for SiriusXM. “This service establishes a strong and lasting connection between dealers and their customers long after the sale.  We are very excited to continue building on the program’s success with AutoNation.”

For more info, visit siriusxm.com, automatic.com, and autonation.com.

RPM & Midwest Sales Group Earn JVC Rep of the Year Awards

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LONG BEACH, CA (02.17.2020) – JVC Mobile Entertainment announced its rep of the year awards during their annual rep meeting held last week.  Dominating the western territory was RPM Sales Group, with Midwest Sales Group capturing the eastern territory recognition. 

Midwest Sales Group, based in Yorkville, IL, has been independently owned and operated by Steve Fahlmark – who has been taking pride in providing the best in customer relations to his dealers since its onset in 2002.  Steve prides himself in being very information driven, keeping dealers in tune with everything that’s current and staying in constant contact with them.  “By continuously visiting my dealers in person, I can ensure that our goals align, maximizing their sales programs to ensure that they can be profitable and provide their customers with the best in mobile electronics product offerings”, stated Fahlmark.  “Steve takes customer service to the next level, engaging with his dealers on a regular basis and providing support whenever and wherever they need, which aligns perfectly with the heart of JVC’s culture,” added Steve Cote, JVC Eastern Regional Sales Manager. 

From Downing, CA, RPM Sales Group was honored to receive the rep of the year award for the western territory.  Maria Perez, Eddie Ramirez, David Lopez, and Mike Fox all team up to represent the RPM Sales Group, which began in 2004, centering themselves as having an extreme passion for the industry of which they came from. “It’s really exciting to recognize such an impressive group of individuals that make up the team at RPM Sales Group,” stated Ron Trout, JVC Director of Sales. “This award is not just given away, but rather earned by those that create an environment for their dealers to become successful, of which RPM Sales Group team members focus on daily.”

“JVC would like to extend a HUGE Congratulations to both rep firms, and also recognize its entire rep force for their extraordinary efforts in 2019,” added Trout.  “We are looking forward to an exciting and productive year ahead!”

Visit us.jvc.com/car for more.

The 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel Is Rolling In 2020

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SHREVEPORT, LA (02.17.2020) – WTF… Win This Friday. The 12volt Spin-to-Win Wheel was created to bring an element of fun to the 12volt industry. Just over 3 months ago we celebrated the first anniversary of the weekly 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel.

Click here to view this Bite video on instagram.com/12voltnews

The latest 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel winner, Number 63, is Extreme Performance Audio. The Wheel landed on the Cadence space and a cool Cadence product will be headed to the Extreme Performance Audio Team in Fresno, CA.

Spinning out a new winner each Friday a 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, Cadence, PowerBass, Sony, CRUX, DS18, SoundStream, AIS, Precision Power, JBL, Power Acoustik, Farenheit, Wilson Electronics and Image Dynamics. SpellBrite, a manufacturer of in-store signage, also has a space. 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 and the Sound Shop in Indian Trail NC plus the latest winner Extreme Performance Audio. Congratulations to all.

Click here to view this Bite on instagram.com/12voltnews

WTF… Where’s The Fun. On the next spin of the 12volt Spin-to-Win Wheel Friday, February 21st.

Want to enter for future spins? It’s easy – when making an Instagram post for your store include the hashtag #12voltspin. A slip for your company will be added to the slips in the jar.

With 18 chances to WIN, the 12Volt Spin-To-Win Wheel is ready to shower a lucky weekly winner with one of the cool prizes.

Stay tuned to 12voltnews.com on the web and @12voltnews on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for 12volt Spin-To-Win winner announcements every Friday!

JL Audio Introduces JD Car Amplifiers

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MIRAMAR, FL (02.17.2020) – JL Audio has introduced the JD Series car audio amplifier line. Four models are being announced for 2020, including three monoblock subwoofer amplifiers and a four-channel full-range amplifier. All models are available for purchase through JL Audio’s network of specialty car audio retailers or on jlaudio.com.

JL Audio Vice President Electronic Engineering, Dr. Stephen Leigh stated “The JD amps deliver tremendous value, combining JL Audio’s NexD Class-D technology, advanced auto turn-on features, and a very handy clipping indicator for accurate level setting. These are technologies never before offered at these price points.”

JD amplifiers also include JL Audio’s dual-range differential-balanced technology, for superior noise rejection and excellent compatibility with a wide range of input signal voltages. Automatic turn-on is another welcome feature, selectable between Signal Sensing and DC Offset Sensing modes. LED clipping indicator rings surround each input level potentiometer. With the use of a CD or an audio file with a fullscale sine wave, installers can use these LED indicators to quickly establish the correct input sensitivity setting, without the need for additional test equipment.

A sleek new industrial design with molded end caps and an aluminum extruded chassis give the JD’s a tough, purposeful look. Power indicator and protection LED indicators shine from behind a simple black logo bar on the top surface of the amplifier. Installers are sure to appreciate thoughtful ergonomics and wire management considerations in the end cap designs, as well as beefy, well-protected power and speaker connectors.

JL Audio VP-Marketing, Manville Smith said: “The outgoing JX amplifiers were a massive success at these price points. With the additional features and performance added to the new JD’s, we predict these will be an even bigger hit with car audio enthusiasts looking for JL Audio performance at a very nice price.”

The new JD Amplifiers are currently shipping to dealers in the USA.

Visit jlaudio.com for more.

The Wholesale House Distributes Over $1 Million in Profit Sharing for 2019

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HICKSVILLE, OH (02.14.2020) – The Wholesale House (TWH), in Hicksville, Ohio recently closed the books on a record-setting 2019 and are proud to issue profit sharing checks totaling more than $1 million to company employees. This marks the 4th consecutive year of distributing a percentage of their net profit to employees.

DCIM100GOPRO

“We are proud to be able to share our continued success with our 65 dedicated team members who work tirelessly to make TWH a leader in the industry. Our crew is committed to providing a variety of 12Volt electronics and consumer products, at the highest service level to our thousands of dealers nationwide,” stated Steve and Mary Height, TWH Owners. “Our customers are why we are here, and our family of employees is who makes it all happen.”

The profit sharing program started in 2016 and in 4 years has distributed over 2.5 million dollars to TWH employees.

President Mark Yoder commented, “This is a point of pride for all of us here, especially the Heights. They built this company from nothing over 40 years ago and they are pleased to be able to share in the success of the business. We wouldn’t be the company we are today without all of them.”

Visit twhouse.com for more.

Oracle Lighting Announces New Oculus Bi-LED Headlight Choices for Select Jeeps

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METAIRE, LA (02.14.2020) – Oracle Lighting now offers additional choices for its popular Oculus Bi-LED headlights for 2018-2020 Jeep Wrangler JL and 2020 Jeep Gladiator JT. Now available, the Oculus Bi-LED headlights have an MSRP of $689.95.

“Our Oculus bi-LED headlights are now available in a RGB+W ColorSHIFT,” explained Justin Hartenstein, Oracle Lighting director of development. “Our customers asked, and we listened! You can now have your Oculus headlights change colors without sacrificing the White Daytime Running Light (DRL). Oculus headlights feature advanced focused LED projection that outshines all the competition (including the factory LED headlights). With 3,200 Lumens of high-quality Bi-LED projection, these headlights provide enhanced driver visibility in all weather conditions.”

Light focus is very important for driver safety and for others who can have their vision obstructed by glare. Oracle Lighting is proud to offer the most focused and lowest-glare LED headlights for the JL and JT on the market.  ColorSHIFT Oculus Headlights feature 3-Tiered RGB features in the lamps, including:

  • Outer Halo Ring (RGB+W)
  • Inner Halo Ring (RGB)
  • Projector Demon Eye (RGB)

“Each LED feature has a separate cable output and can be connected together so all three create the same color or set up as three separate channels or ‘zones’ depending on the user preference and the ColorSHIFT controller selected,” Hartenstein continued. “The Pure-White DRL has its own wiring harness (same as the original Oculus) that connects to the fuse box with an add-a-circuit for easy and safe integration. The DRL will come on when the engine is running or can be connected to a switch (including the factory Aux switches) for additional user control.”

Oculus bi-LED headlights product specifications:

  • Headlight Wattage: 36W
  • Headlight Total Lumens: 4800LM
  • Headlight Color Temp: 5500K
  • Certification: DOT SAE 5839-504 HL VOR 19
  • Warranty: 2 Years

Oculus bi-LED headlights package contents include:

  • 2x Oculus ColorSHIFT headlights
  • Headlight aiming tool
  • DRL wiring harness
  • Add-A-Circuit fuse adapter
  • 6x RGB wiring extensions
  • RGB controller not Included

Please note that these features are intended for off-road “show” use only and are not compliant for street use.

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.

SCOSCHE Congratulates Nic Ashby of Rockstar Performance Garage for Being Named “SuperJeep Builder Of The Year”

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OXNARD, CA (02.14.2020) – Scosche congratulates their partner Nic Ashby
of Rockstar Performance Garage (RPG) on this prestigious and well-deserved honor.

Nic Ashby and Rockstar Performance Garage have partnered with Scosche since 2016. In addition to completing several vehicle builds with us, including our 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, they test, use, and create content for Scosche products including: smartphone mounts, powersports mounts and mirrors, chargers and cables, vehicle jump starters, backup batteries, power inverters and more.This product testing is carried out by Nic, the RPG Team and their ambassadors in their vehicle builds, everywhere from daily drives to extreme off road environments such as trail runs, and races, like King of the Hammers.

On February 12, 2020, MotorTrend magazine announced that Rockstar Performance Garage’s owner Nic Ashby has been named Builder of the Year by MotorTrend’s American SuperJeep Challenge. As part of the inaugural competition, the American SuperJeep Challenge invited the top custom modified Jeep Builders in the country to compete for the title of SuperJeep Champion Builder of the Year. Entries were required to pass pre-set modification requirements to qualify, and were judged by an elite panel of diversified industry leaders, including Courtney Hansen, Terry Madden and Greg Henderson.

“We scoured the country looking for some of the most exciting and unique rigs and builders in America. Our goal is to highlight the incredible skill that exists among today’s builders who have mastered working with a uniquely American platform – The Jeep Wrangler,” said Tony May, Executive Producer, American SuperJeep Challenge. “We could not be happier with the competitors for our first series, and while all of the participants deserve recognition for their many contributions to the off-road community, GRDLOC’s marriage of form, function and creativity ultimately earned Nic Ashby and Rockstar Performance Garage the top spot.”

The winning builders and their one-of-a-kind builds were ultimately measured by the highest standards, based on custom modifications, fabrications and its craftsmanship as well as creativity, presentation, overall functionality – and put to the test during a series of challenges at the 2020 King of the Hammers in Johnson Valley, California.

GRDLOC – A 1983 CJ7 Jeep was redesigned and built to be a dream rig on and off the road. “GRDLOC is my personal build and a passion project that has involved nearly every member of the team at RPG, I’m proud to share this recognition

with my team and honored that we had the opportunity to compare our work head-to-head with the work of colleagues and fellow shop owners who we all hold in such high regard,” said Nic Ashby, Proprietor of LDRSHIPdesigns and Rockstar Performance Garage. “I’m thankful to American SuperJeep and MotorTrend for creating this platform and I look forward to following along as the series grows and more builders have the opportunity to showcase their passion.”

Visit scosche.com and rockstarperformancegarage.com for more.

DS18 Partners with A&W Distributors

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL (02.13.2020) – DS18 has again opened another major distributor, this one is in Dallas, TX. A&W Distributors will be serving Dallas, Ft. Worth and the surrounding areas for the fastest fulfillment for all DS18 products. Mobile Audio, Marine and PowerSports from DS18 is in stock at the company’s Harry Hines location. Brothers Maher and Maged Awad began their car audio electronics distribution business in 1979. Over the past 30 years A&W has grown into one of the largest 12Volt distributors in the nation.

DS18 CEO Sasha Susterman stated “We are very proud to have A&W as a part of the DS18 family. Now customers and dealers can experience their excellent customer service and receive DS18 products much faster than being shipped from Miami.”

With a highly qualified staff, A&W provides their dealers with the best customer service and the latest product technology and support. A&W doesn’t just see their dealers as a customer, they see everyone as a business partner. Every decision they make and deal with, A&W keeps in mind every customer’s needs and to make sure what they are doing is in the dealers best interest.

Visit ds18.com and awdistributors.com for more.

Nakamichi Gets in Front of Dealers at Long Beach KnowledgeFest

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LONG BEACH, CA (02.13.2020) – Nakamichi Car Audio made the most of its first appearance at Knowledgefest this past weekend by talking to dealers from California plus bordering Western States and making a case for carrying the relaunched line.

Local reps Jerry Zemming (Sound Sales & Marketing) and Scott Schmidt (Cardoza & Company) showing the Nakamichi line up to interested California dealers.

Present at the Long Beach show were California reps Sound Sales & Marketing (So Cal) and Cardoza & Company (No Cal). Both were on hand to take dealers through the range of new products and discuss the Nakamichi brand philosophy and profit potential.

Dealers saw the production unit first hand.

Of particular interest was the new 2020 single DIN mechless (no CD) model NQ-721BE. This new short chassis addition features RGB multi color 2-line VA (Vertical Alignment) display, 10-band EQ, 2 phone connection for Bluetooth pairing, Nak Control APP smart phone compatibility for iOS and Android along with 4-volt front and rear line outputs. The NQ-721BE has a MSRP of $89.95 and is ready to ship this month.

Robin McNeal-Nakamichi National Sales Manager and Orestes Ordaz-Diplomat Trading Sales Manager host a dinner with staffs from Sound Sales & Marketing and Cardoza & Company.

Friday night exclusive U.S. agent for Nakamichi, Diplomat Trading, hosted an appreciation meal at a nearby steakhouse for the local reps that helped work the Long Beach show. In attendance for dinner were Jerry Zemming—Sound Sales & Marketing and the crew from Cardoza & Company—Mark Cardoza, Scott Schmidt and Micah Boren.

“We were very happy with the quality of the dealers we saw in Long Beach,” stated Robin McNeal—National Sales Manager for Nakamichi, “and are looking forward to even a bigger turnout in Indianapolis next month.”

Visit nakamichicaraudio.com for more.

Earmark Car And Marine Audio Made Waves at the Dallas Boat Show

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DALLAS, TX (02.13.2020) – Earmark Car and Marine Audio exhibited at the recent Dallas Boat Show at Dallas Market Hall. The event was held over 2 weekends, January 31 – February 2 and February 6 – 9.

Earmark’s Captain, Joe Parker, related this was the 13th year the company has exhibited at the Dallas Boat Show. The company’s Lewisville location is located just north of Dallas in ‘Lake Country.’ Jim Johnson worked the booth with Parker to show the company’s marine offerings to members of the crowd.

Joe Parker pictured in the install bay area with a $4,500 job just finished for a customer from the Dallas Boat Show.

Parker stated “The investment in exhibiting at the Dallas Boat Show is very good. We receive tremendous exposure for the Earmark brand and the manufacturers that are presented in the booth. JL Audio, Wet Sounds and Kenwood Marine were featured in out 10×20 booth. With a staff of 2 working the booth it made for long hours but will prove, once again, to be a very good investment. Mark Couch, from Team Sales our JL Audio rep, was in the booth with us and a great help.”

As a direct, and immediate, result of exhibiting at the boat show Earmark has just completed a $4500. boat job. That will go quite away to paying for the cost of the booth at Market Hall.

Click above to view this video on Instagram via @earmarkcaraudio_lewisville

During the show Parker kept a notebook noting the names and contact information of attendees that were ‘real potentials’. That list to followup with topped 3 dozen.

While speaking with Parker, on his cellphone, a call came into the store’s line. That call ended with an appointment for the caller to bring his boat in for a new system.

Hat’s off to Earmark Car and Marine Audio for seeing the value of participating in an offsite event.

Visit earmarkcaraudio.com and dallasboatexpo.com for more.