METAIRIE, LA (04.04.25) – ORACLE Lighting, a leader in the automotive lighting industry, has broken ground on a new facility in Metairie, Louisiana. This multi-million-dollar investment will double the size of ORACLE’s current footprint in Jefferson Parish, supporting the company’s commitment to growth and innovation. 

The expansion will retain 30 jobs and create 13 new direct jobs, with the project also generating approximately 400 construction jobs. This marks another significant milestone for ORACLE Lighting and continues its contributions to the local economy. 

Founded in 1999 by Justin Hartenstein, ORACLE Lighting started from humble beginnings in a Metairie garage, driven by a passion for automotive lighting and design. The company’s dedication to innovation and excellence has made it a globally recognized brand, with thousands of products sold worldwide. 

Since relocating its headquarters to Metairie in 2009, ORACLE Lighting has been a driver of change and development in the area. The company has revitalized several properties and encouraged neighboring businesses to follow suit, further boosting the local community. 

“We’re thrilled to expand our presence in Jefferson Parish and continue to contribute to the growth of the area,” said Justin Hartenstein, Founder of ORACLE Lighting. “This new purpose-built facility will provide us with the infrastructure needed to support our future growth, create more jobs, and allow us to keep pushing the boundaries of automotive lighting innovation.” 

This expansion is also a direct response to the growing demand from ORACLE’s growing customer base and the overall evolution of the automotive lighting industry. As the market for innovative lighting solutions continues to grow, ORACLE Lighting is committed to meeting the needs of its customers while remaining at the forefront of technology and design. 

“We are excited to see ORACLE Lighting grow in response to the ever-expanding needs of our customers and the automotive industry,” said Tiffanie Hartenstein, CEO of ORACLE Lighting. “This investment is a direct reflection of our continued dedication to innovation, quality, and the community that has supported us for so many years.” 

Construction is expected to be completed in November 2025. 

Visit oraclelighting.com for more.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (04.0425) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) issued the following statement in response to the introduction of Senate and House resolutions to overturn California’s Clean Air Act waiver for the state’s Advanced Clean Cars Il policy:

“LFG.”

SEMA represents the automotive aftermarket industry, a third of which are businesses that are entirely dependent on products for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. To enact an ICE vehicle ban through EV mandates would represent a significant hit to the nation’s economy by causing irreparable harm to an industry that annually delivers a $337 billioneconomic impact and supports more than 1.3 million American jobs through domestic manufacturing and sales.

• 33% of the nation’s automotive aftermarket industry is ICE-dependent, representing over $100 billion in economic impact to the U.S. economy, and impacts roughly 330,000 jobs.

SEMA in January was among the first organizations to call upon federal lawmakers to utilize their authority under the Congressional Review Act to overturn the Clean Air Act waiver granted in the final days of the Biden-Harris administration to authorize the state’s Advanced Clean Cars Il policy. California’s action represents a regulatory land grab that will kill the nation’s economy by banning the sale of internal combustion engines in California and 11 other states.

And just this week, SEMA and a coalition of 335 small businesses from the automotive aftermarket urged House of Representatives and Senate leadership to hold votes to put an immediate stop to the implementation of the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II)regulation.

BACKGROUND
SEMA is not anti-EV; rather, it champions a technology-neutral approach that fosters innovation and ingenuity. The association will continue efforts to preserve Americans’ rights to vehicle choice and the automotive aftermarket industry’s ability to design, manufacture, and bring to market products that help solve the emissions challenge.

During the 2024 presidential campaign, SEMA, through its Driving Force Action SuperPAC, educated voters about the damaging impact of EV mandates, and the profound importance of empowering the automotive aftermarket to develop innovative solutions to carbon emissions using American ingenuity.

For more information, visit www.sema.org.

TORRANCE, CA (04.03.25) – Rydeen Mobile has re-launched its website to enhance customer communication and improve its online presence. The new site features straightforward navigation, product information, a dealer locator, and the latest news, all while reflecting the company’s corporate style.

The design includes a user-friendly navigation and a carousel showcasing videos of Rydeen’s new products, including R10-SPL, R10X-SPL, OED-01, PV8-A, PV8-B, and the Mirror Dash Cam TOMBO 360X.

“We strive to provide our customers with not only high-quality 12-volt products but also easy access to information about our company. Our new site is an important step towards improving our digital platform and better customer service,” says Ruben Torres, national sales manager of Rydeen Mobile Electronics.

The website also includes a streamlined search feature for users to find products compatible with their car models.

We have also implemented an ECO system scheme for the new website: Experience the Rydeen ecosystem! Rydeen AHD products are adaptable and interchangeable with all AHD cameras, digital mirrors, and mounts that can seamlessly substitute for one another while functioning within defined entry limits, allowing for a mix-and-match aproach.

Rydeen encourages visitors to explore its product lineup, which includes:

– 360 Digital Mirror Dash Cams

– OE Style Digital Mirrors

– Digital / Analog Hybrid Monitors

These products work with Digital AHD Cameras and accessories, allowing for customizable combinations, incuding newly launched Digital Mirror Dash Cams, R10-SPL and R10X-SPL, feature advanced technology:

**R10-SPL** features a 10-inch touchscreen, 1080P front camera, and IP67 waterproof rear camera with night vision.

**R10X-SPL** offers a 4K/2K front camera, waterproof rear camera, HDR night vision, timelaps recording and Wi-Fi for real-time streaming.

**OED-01** is a dash cam with 1080P HD recording and HD video output for optional PV8 digital mirror monitor, 140° wide-angle lens, app control, and loop recording. Including Wi-Fi connectability to your smartphone APP.

The site also features a dealer locator and a collection of press releases for easy access. For additional resources, visit www.rydeenmobile.com and purchase Rydeen products!

DALLAS, TX (04.03.25) – Audiopipe, a leading provider of car audio equipment, is excited to announce its participation in A&W Distributors’ highly anticipated Dealer Show at their facility in Dallas, TX. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 11035 Harry Hines Blvd #214, offering a prime opportunity for Audiopipe to showcase its latest innovations in car audio technology.

Audiopipe’s presence at the Dealer Show will highlight its commitment to providing top-tier audio solutions to both existing and new dealers. As a key partner in the car audio industry, Audiopipe is thrilled to strengthen its relationships with current dealers while introducing new customers to its premium products.

“We’re proud to collaborate with A&W Distributors for this exciting event,” said John Messer, Salesperson at Audiopipe. “This Dealer Show allows us to connect directly with our valued partners, demonstrate the quality of our products, and help shape the future of car audio retail.”

Audiopipe will also be contributing to the event’s excitement by providing a raffle item, offering attendees a chance to win one of their premium products. The raffle will be a highlight of the event, adding to the overall excitement and engagement.

“We look forward to seeing our partners in person, sharing our latest products, and contributing to an unforgettable experience at the Dealer Show,” John added.

For more information about Audiopipe and their product offerings, visit audiopipe.com

AUBURN HILLS, MI (04.02.25) – Alps Alpine North America, Inc. (“Alpine”) welcomes Pacific Coast Marketing as the new representative firm for the West Coast region, covering the Arizona, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Henderson (NV) markets. The markets were formerly represented by Tim Beason, who, after 14 years of exceptional service to the Alpine Brand, announced his retirement at the end of March.

“We’re very thankful to Tim Beason and his dedicated years to the Alpine brand, and we wish him a happy retirement,” said Dan Sparks, Director of National Sales for the Alpine Brand Aftermarket Division at Alps Alpine North America. “We’re excited to welcome Pacific Coast Marketing to our West Coast markets and know that our West Coast team is dedicated to making this a smooth transition for all.”

Founded in 1991, Pacific Coast Marketing is a full-service firm made up of five representatives that strive to provide superior service to their network of dealers. Alpine representatives will include Gary Sheagley, Rep Principal, Jon Ash, Sales Rep for the Arizona, Las Vegas, and Henderson (NV) markets, and Brian Bruining, Sales Rep for the San Diego, CA markets.

“Pacific Coast Marketing is honored to have been awarded the opportunity to represent Alpine, a line with such a great legacy and reputation in our territory and beyond,” stated Principal Gary Sheagley. “In this evolving market, our dealers are facing challenges that can only be overcome by equipping them with the right tools, knowledge, and vendor partners that will help them meet customers’ demands. We look forward to working with Alpine to offer our dealers these technology-driven products along with the necessary training and support to help them deliver the finest possible listening experience to their customers.”

An official communication announcing Beason’s retirement and Pacific Coast Marketing’s succession was distributed earlier last month to the Alpine Retailers in the West Coast markets.

Visit www.alpine-usa.com for more.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (04.02.25) – Citing the dire impact of California’s intended ban of internal combustion engine vehicles, a coalition of 335 small businesses, comprised of members of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), today urged U.S. House of Representatives and Senate leadership to put an immediate stop to the implementation of the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulation.

ACC II is currently subject to Congressional Review Act oversight due to the significant disruptions it would cause for the nation’s economy and the $337 billion annual economic impact of the automotive aftermarket industry. Congress has a short window to respond to the transmission of the regulation from the Environmental Protection Agency.

In the SEMA-led letter to Republican leadership in the House and Senate, small business owners stressed the importance of swift, definitive action to schedule a vote to overturn California’s regulatory land grab, which will limit vehicle choice for nearly 40% of American consumers.

“Congress is owed the opportunity to decide on the appropriateness of waivers granted in the waning days of the lame-duck Biden administration, just weeks after the American people resoundingly voted against candidates who favor EV mandates. 

“Congress is owed the opportunity to determine whether a single state should be empowered to enact a heavy-handed policy that requires 100% of new cars, SUVs, and small trucks sold in California and 11 other states to be zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV) by 2035. 

“And Congress is owed the opportunity to determine if a single state is allowed to eschew a tradition of American innovation and ingenuity in favor of a flawed technology that the American people don’t want, that our businesses can’t use, and that our economy can’t sustain.”

Read the full letter.

SEMA Says: “This is a classic ‘who decides?’ question,” said Karen Bailey-Chapman, SEMA’s senior vice president for public and government affairs. “We’ve seen a cavalcade of unelected bureaucrats trying to say that voters and their elected representatives can’t be trusted to make such decisions. But the decision about whether to ban the internal combustion engine doesn’t lie in Sacramento, or in the halls of the so-called ‘Government Accountability Office,’ or with an unelected parliamentarian, but with Congress itself.

“It’s time for Congress to exercise its lawful prerogative under the Congressional Review Act to stop the nonsense and let the will of voters be heard, to finally end California’s regulatory land grab over national automotive policy. This is a critical moment, and the American automotive aftermarket stands ready to develop innovative solutions to carbon emissions using American ingenuity.”

BACKGROUND
SEMA and the specialty automotive aftermarket industry are not anti-EV; rather, they champion a technology-neutral approach that fosters innovation and ingenuity. SEMA will continue efforts to preserve Americans’ rights to vehicle choice and the automotive aftermarket industry’s ability to design, manufacture, and bring to market products that help solve the emissions challenge.

California’s ICE vehicle ban through EV mandates would represent a significant hit to the nation’s economy by causing irreparable harm to an industry that annually delivers a $337 billion economic impact and supports more than 1.3 million American jobs through domestic manufacturing and sales. 
33% of the nation’s automotive aftermarket industry is ICE-dependent, representing over $100 billion in economic impact to the U.S. economy, and impacts roughly 330,000 jobs.

During the 2024 presidential campaign, SEMA, through its Driving Force Action SuperPAC, educated voters about the damaging impact of EV mandates, and the profound importance of empowering the automotive aftermarket to develop innovative solutions to carbon emissions using American ingenuity.

Visit www.sema.org for more.