METAIRIE, LA (02.13.25) – Continuing its tradition of innovation, ORACLE Lighting is excited to debut its new Flush Style (Lensless) LED Tail Lights for the 2014-2023 Toyota 4Runner. Designed for a sleek, modern look and enhanced functionality, these tail lights bring a bold new aesthetic and improved illumination to one of the most popular SUVs on the market. 

Unlike traditional factory tail lights, the new ORACLE Flush Style Tail Lights feature a low-profile design that significantly reduces protrusion, providing a streamlined appearance while minimizing the risk of damage. This innovative, patent-pending lensless design incorporates high-powered reverse lights, a striking signature perimeter lighting band, and a dynamic sequential turn signal function, offering both style and superior visibility. 

“The ORACLE Flush Style Tail Lights are a game-changer for 4Runner owners looking for a sleek, customized look while maintaining top-tier functionality,” said Justin Hartenstein, Founder and Director of Product Development at ORACLE Lighting. “We engineered these tail lights with modular components to allow for custom painting, providing a seamless integration with the vehicle’s body color. Plus, the ultra-bright LED reverse lights deliver over 1,400 lumens of illumination, significantly enhancing nighttime visibility.” 

Designed to fit all 5th-generation Toyota 4Runner models, including SR5, Trail Special Edition, TRD Sport, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Limited, and TRD Pro, these tail lights offer a true plug-and-play installation with no additional wiring required. 

Key Features of the ORACLE Lighting Flush Style LED Tail Lights: 

• Unique Signature-Style LED Lighting Elements for a modern and aggressive look. 
• Easy DIY Plug & Play Installation with no additional wiring needed. 
• Sequential Motion Turn Signal Effect for enhanced visibility and style. 
• Sleek, Flush-Mount Design that reduces protrusion and risk of damage. 
• High-Powered LED Reverse Lights delivering over 1,400 lumens for superior illumination. 

Designed and developed by ORACLE Lighting’s expert team, these new flush-style tail lights exemplify the company’s commitment to innovation, quality, and forward-thinking design. These new flush-style tail lights exemplify the company’s commitment to innovation, quality, and forward-thinking design. 

The ORACLE Lighting Flush Style LED Tail Lights for the Toyota 4Runner are available now. For more information or to place an order, visit oraclelights.com. 

SUMTER, SC (02.12.25) – Car Stereo Plus in Sumter SC hosted the company’s version of Cars and Coffie on Saturday, February 8th. The event was a relaxed, no-frills, fun-filled morning where enthusiasts could showcase their rides. The company staff was on hand to meet and greet enthusiast and enjoy coffee and Murray’s donuts with all.

James and Dedi Rembert are the owners of Car Stereo plus which is a very active 12volt retailer for many years. Sumter has a population of 43,000 and is located about 45 miles to the west from Columbia the State Capital.

“We had about 40 enthusiast attend the event that started at 8 in the morning and lasted until 11. They were parked on all sides of our store. The weather was ideal so those on site raised the hoods and opened doors so all could check out their work. We are excited about the enthusiastic turnout and are planning a second event on Saturday March 8th” Debi Rembert stated.

Continuing “At this event, we had a raffle for people to enter once they purchased one of our new Custom Stereo Plus caps or bought a raffle ticket. Entries will be eligible to win one of three valuable prizes from the Tint To Tune Give-A-Way of 3 prizes valued at $2500. The raffle drawing will take place at our Cars and Coffee on March 8th.”

The 3 prizes are a $2500 Sundown Audio Bass Package, Clemson certified Blaupunkt E-Bike and full vehicle Ceramic window tint package.

Concluding “Our Cars and Coffee coincided with the Best of Sumter 2025 community event. James and I feel these events will really help drive our store traffic and business in 2025. Window tint is a growing portion of our business and this will drive awareness when the heat of summer arrives.”

Visit cspofSumter.com for more.

METAIRIE, LA (02.12.25) – ORACLE Lighting, a leader in high-performance automotive lighting solutions, is proud to announce the launch of its latest innovation: the Oculus™ Bi-LED Projector Headlights with Heated Lens for the 2021+ Ford Bronco. This new product is the first and only heated lens option for the Ford Bronco and is designed to address a critical safety concern for Bronco owners driving in cold and snowy conditions. 

LED headlights are highly efficient but do not generate enough heat to melt snow or ice buildup, which can reduce visibility and increase the risk of accidents. ORACLE Lighting’s new heated lens technology solves this problem by automatically activating a heating function when temperatures drop near freezing. This prevents ice and snow accumulation, ensuring clear and unobstructed light output for safer driving.

“The Oculus Bi-LED Headlamp system has been one of our best-selling products, and we are thrilled to introduce this new heated lens feature to better serve Bronco owners in colder climates,” said Justin Hartenstein, Founder and Director of Product Development at ORACLE Lighting. “Our goal is always to enhance both safety and performance, and this innovative solution ensures that drivers maintain full visibility even in harsh winter conditions.” 

The heated lens element is designed to seamlessly integrate with the headlight’s aesthetics while maintaining optimal light output. Unlike other heated lights on the market, the heating element does not obstruct illumination. The design complements the inner bezel features for a clean, factory-style appearance. 

 Key Features: 

• Automatic Heating Function: Activates when ambient temperatures approach freezing and turns off when optimal heating is reached. 
• Amber Status Indicator: Lights up when the heating function is active. 
• Advanced LED Projection: Provides 5,200 lumens of high-quality illumination for superior driver visibility in all weather conditions. 
• Energy Efficient: Offers increased light output while consuming less power than factory-installed lamps. 
• External Temperature Sensor: Mounted near the grille for accurate temperature readings and optimal performance. 
• DOT and SAE Compliant – 3rd Party Laboratory Tested for FMVSS and NHTSA Certification 
• Unique Modular Design allows smaller packaging size for lower shipping costs for the end user 

Designed for seamless installation, the Oculus™ Bi-LED Heated Projector Headlights offer unmatched performance and reliability. ORACLE Lighting continues to push the boundaries of innovation, delivering cutting-edge solutions for automotive enthusiasts worldwide. 

For more information, visit oraclelights.com. 

DIAMOND BAR, CA (02.11.25) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is accepting nominations for induction into the SEMA Hall of Fame, the Association’s highest honor, at http://www.sema.org/hof. The SEMA Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding persons in the automotive aftermarket who have enhanced the stature of, or significantly contributed to, the industry and/or Association’s growth.

“SEMA’s Hall of Fame is a tribute to the leaders and changemakers who have propelled the industry forward in extraordinary ways,” said Jose Escobar, SEMA Manager of Recognition Programs. “Each year, we seek to identify new individuals whose vision and accomplishments disrupted the status quo, set new benchmarks for excellence, and left an undeniable mark on the industry’s success.”

Established in 1969, the SEMA Hall of Fame is one of the Association’s longest-standing programs. To date, 180 individuals have been inducted, each exemplifying innovation, leadership, and positive change within the industry. These trailblazers have played a pivotal role in advancing the aftermarket industry through their dedication and passion.

Nominee qualifications include:

• The candidate must have made contributions that extended beyond the local level and reached throughout the national and/or international level.
• The candidate is and/or has been involved in the automotive specialty industry and/or SEMA for a minimum of 10 years, although 15 years is preferred.
• The candidate must have made outstanding contributions toward enhancing technology, professionalism, dignity, and/or general stature and growth of the automotive specialty industry.
• The candidate must have conducted himself/herself with a high degree of integrity both within and outside of the automotive specialty industry.
• The candidate must be at least 50 years of age prior to the SEMA Show during the year of induction or they may be at any age if deceased as long as the nomination is presented at least one year posthumous.

SEMA is also accepting nominees that have been employed by the Association or have served as a contractor and/or vendor of SEMA. In addition to meeting the above qualifications, the nominee must have no less than one year of total separation from SEMA in any and all capacities, arrangements, or relationships.

The 2025 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees will be announced in May and honored during the SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala in July.

Nominations are due by Friday, March 14, at www.sema.org/hof. Questions can be directed to Escobar at josee@sema.org. To view a list of SEMA Hall of Fame Inductees, visit this link.

LIBERTYVILLE, IL (02.11.25) – Turn up the LOUD on every song with CS Series speakers. Delivering speaker gains that bring out more details hidden away in any genre of music – the CS Series of speakers turn up the volume on quality sound and overall loudness.

The CS line of speakers is designed to handle any vocalist, guitar riff, or bass drop powered through them with sharper details and more defined layers of superior audio playback. Featuring Neo-Mylar soft dome tweeters, CS Series speakers deliver clear and LOUD audio balanced through a passive crossover, smooth midrange tones, and midbass frequencies.

Impact-resistant tweeter elements add new details of sound to every song.
Moisture-resistant rubber surrounds create higher bass impact gains so your audio will come alive when it matters the most. Silver Alpha-Cellulose poly cones produce midrange and bass tones while staying lightweight.

Cone/surround utilizes a high-temperature adhesive that assures the cone and surround do not separate in high-power listening sessions. Textured ABS gaskets ensure a ridged linear seal to the mounting surface while braided tinsel leads remain flexible during high-power applications.

An epoxy-infused natural fiber spider allows flexibility throughout rhythms and beats in every song and gives strength during the manufacturing process. A pure copper voice coil / former assembly is innovated with a very thin extrusion as the Kapton is lightweight and efficiently dissipates heat gains.

Ferrite magnet motor creates a strong magnetic field while remaining small enough to fit in nearly every application. The connectors are spade for the best style connection. Take in more of your sound with durability for years!

It’s your sound system – upgrade it with speakers that deliver crisp and sharp playback upon every beat. Take your audio game to the next level of speaker expectations with the CS Series of speakers! LOUDER. CS. SOUND.

Learn more HERE to see the entire line of Crunch CS Series speakers.

DIAMOND BAR, CA (02.09.25) – New research by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) sheds light on future and emerging trends impacting the automotive aftermarket, whose annual $337 billion economic impact is a key driver of the American economy.

The annual report delivers critical insights to SEMA’s 7,500 member businesses, which develop, manufacture, and market parts and accessories that improve safety, performance, and comfort for the nation’s automotive enthusiasts.

View the complete report here. Highlights and analysis of the report follow.

Industry and Economic Outlook

What’s Trending

• As we move further from the volatile pandemic era of sales growth spikes and downshifts, we should expect to see a more normal growth rate around 3%-4%, driven by:
  • Increased consumer spending on their vehicles.
  • A jump in sales and revenue expectations as interest rates improve and inflation cools.
  • Investments to diversify supply chains that pay dividends by preserving market stability.
• Challenges emerge from stagnant vehicle costs and interest rates, coupled with consumers fiscally stressed by cost increases for auto insurance and repairs.
  • Motor vehicle insurance jumped 14% for the 12 months preceding October 2024.
  • Costs of motor vehicle repair increase by 7.3% over the same period.
• Tariffs are an X factor and could dramatically increase costs and exert pressure on the automotive aftermarket industry.

SEMA Says
“A whole lot of our consumers took on vehicle projects and modifications during COVID, so you used up some of the demand that might have come a year or two later,” said Gavin Knapp, SEMA Director of Market Research. “Obviously, continuing inflation and high prices have also affected people, and there will be questions going forward about how long that will continue with possible tariffs and things like that. The expectation is we’ll stay at current growth levels in 2025 and then return to our industry’s usual 4%–5% growth rate next year and going forward.”

Vehicle Trends in the U.S.

What’s Trending

• Vehicle prices have stabilized, albeit at elevated levels, meaning continuously climbing inventory could drive down prices.
  • In October 2024, the average transaction price for a new vehicle was $48,117.
• Demand for electric vehicles will stall, with manufacturers adjusting accordingly.
• More cars will be equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and sensors, impacting how vehicle owners interact with their vehicles (including modifications and accessorizing).

SEMA Says
“As of last year, vehicle inventories had been climbing for a while, but there hasn’t been much demand,” noted Matt Byun, SEMA Market Research Manager. “If you keep getting cars on the lot, eventually you’re going to have to start selling them. But the surprise is OEMs aren’t lowering their costs. Instead, they’re scaling back their production a bit.”

Potential Tariff Impacts

What’s Trending

• Tariffs are a looming specter, with the potential to increase costs for OEMs, part manufacturers, and consumers.
• Most of the exposure is likely to small- and mid-sized parts manufacturers, who rely on international supply chains for some of their components and materials.
• Prices for parts affected by tariffs would be more extreme because of supply chains built around imports from Mexico and Canada, both of which are highly integrated into the U.S. auto industry.
• Between 2020-23, prices for parts imported to the U.S. increased 9%, due to higher prices for electrical and electronic equipment.
• Tariffs disproportionately impact businesses that pay upfront for goods and services, with small- and medium-sized companies potentially experiencing cash-flow issues, delayed payments, and reduced capacity and inventory.

SEMA Says
“It’s important to understand how President Donald Trump has historically used tariffs, which he sees as negotiating tools to create leverage against other nations on issues unrelated to trade, like immigration and defense spending,” said Karen Bailey-Chapman, SEMA Senior Vice President-Public & Government Affairs. “Tariffs with big numbers, like 25% or higher, are often introduced by President Trump at the negotiating table, or even publicly, but he also has shown a willingness to withdraw or suspend them when a deal is within reach. As a result, what you see in the headlines does not always materialize.”

Consumer Demographics

What’s Trending

• America is getting older but drivers are increasingly younger.
• There are more licensed drivers under the age of 25 today than there were two decades ago.
• Younger drivers are tapping into the used car market more frequently, due to rises in the cost of new vehicles.
• Young people drive the automotive accessories market and tend to live more enthusiast-oriented lifestyles.
• More than 60% of specialty-equipment sales in 2023 came from accessorizers under the age of 45.

SEMA Says
“If you look at the nation’s demographics, we are getting much, much older, and the 65-plus demographic is getting much larger,” Knapp said. “How that plays for our market is interesting. It keeps more cars on the road because there are more drivers over time. But that older demographic is also a lower-spending segment for our market. They have money but are less likely to wrench on their car.”

Alternative Powertrains and EVs

What’s Trending

• Automaker investments in electric vehicle (EV) powertrains persist, but consumer demands are spurring cuts in EV production.
• EVs continue to be viewed as luxury products, with the high upfront costs outweighing incentives in consumers’ minds.

SEMA Says
“The EV hype has been a bit overblown, and some of the electrification market’s growth has shifted into hybrids,” Knapp explained. “As Toyota Motor Corp. Chairman Akio Toyoda has said, for everything it takes to build one pure EV, you can make 10 hybrids, but it’s still an open question whether hybrids are an interim step or a long-term play.”

ADAS and Autonomous Vehicles

What’s Trending

• While fully self-driving vehicles remain a long way off, ADAS features are becoming increasingly prevalent in Americans’ vehicles.
  • While very few vehicles had automatic emergency braking capabilities in 2015, well over 90% of new vehicles from model year 2023 featured such system.
  • Automatic emergency braking, which was non-existent before 2015, can now be found in more than 67 million vehicles on the road.

View the complete report here. For more information, visit www.sema.org.