Massive Audio Celebrates 25th Anniversary

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LOS ANGELES CA (10.25.24) – “Folks, let me tell you, the GT12 -inch Subwoofer is fantastic—one of the best, believe me! It’s not just about sound; it’s about power output and detailed bass reproduction. With 500 watts RMS and a peak of 1000 watts, this subwoofer delivers massive, crystal-clear bass—trust me, nobody’s going to beat it. Made with top-tier materials like dual stacked Strontium magnets, Long throw motor design and high-grade direct tinsel leads, this sub is a total powerhouse,” John Velez related.

Continuing “Look, this is quality. The heavy-gauge steel basket, the custom high-roll surround—hand crafted greatness. You want that deep, rich bass that shakes the room, right? Well, this subwoofer brings it, folks. And the 2-inch high-temperature voice coil—that’s American craftsmanship at its best. They don’t make them like this anymore, and that’s the truth.”

John Velez, Sales Manager, pictured with the new Massive Audio GT 12 in the company’s Los Angeles HQ.

“This isn’t just for casual listeners. The GT12 is for serious audiophiles and enthusiasts. When you install this in your car, you’re going to dominate the streets, believe me. It’s got everything: durability, style, and raw power at a value. Everybody’s talking about it, and everyone wants it.”

“So, if you’re looking for the best subwoofer at an authentic price, you’re looking at it right now. The GT12 is a game changer, get the most from your cars stock charging system. Folks—Massive Audio has done something incredible here. Don’t miss it, get it while you can, because once it’s gone, people will be asking, “Why didn’t I act sooner?” …Get Massive, Massive Value, Massive Durability, Massive Performance.”

See Massive Audio at the 2024 SEMA Show, North Hall Booth 10321

Visit massiveaudio.com for more.

Heise LED Lights Up SEMA with New Products

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HOLLY HILL, FL (10.24.24) – Heise LED Lighting Systems by Metra Electronics will display new vehicle lighting and accessories at this year’s SEMA show. On display will be an assortment of new chasing ambient interior accent lighting, a chasing 12V power injector, solder-on adapters, accent light covers, and more. Show visitors can see these products from November 5th to 8th at the Las Vegas Convention Center at Metra’s main booth, #10439, in the North Hall and at its off-roading and powersports booth, #24743, in the Central Hall.

Chasing Ambient Interior Lighting
Four new chasing ambient interior lighting expansion packs will be at the booth that quickly and easily expand the Heise LED ambient lighting system in the interior of any vehicle. These sets all work with the Heise Connect chasing controller (HE-CHASE-CB), sold separately, allowing users to control their lighting via the free downloadable Heise Connect mobile app for smart devices. Four new chasing LED expansion packs are available:

  • 36″ Ambient strips 2-pack (HE-AMB-STR)
  • Ambient footwell lights 2-pack (HE-AMB-FWL)
  • Ambient door pocket lights 2-pack (HE-AMB-DPL)
  • Ambient door handle lights 2-pack (HE-AMB-DHL)

Chasing LED 12V Power Injectors
The HE-CHASE-PIH is a package of four 12-volt power injectors that make it possible to install Heise LED chasing lighting kits as a single loop of LED lights that encircle the entire vehicle and control it all from one Heise Connect chasing controller. Simply add one of the power injectors in line with the LED strip installation every 15 feet or every 16 rock lights. This will increase the length, eliminating the problem of splitting the installation to either side of the vehicle. These
power injectors work cohesively with all Heise chasing LED lighting, including strip lights, rock lights, tube lights, wheel rings, lightbars, cube lights, underglow kits, and grille lighting kits, as part of the Heise Connect Universe (HCU).

Solder-On Adapters
New 4-packs of Heise Connect solder-on adapters will be introduced, allowing installers to customize and expand chasing LED installations using their existing controller. They can extend

Heise LED lighting by connecting one of these adapters at the end of an LED strip or in-line at any point in the harness by simply cutting the strip or extension cable connector, soldering the adapter’s male and female connectors, and inserting wiring for a Y adapter, rock light, or other Heise lighting product. Four new options are available:

  • Chasing, works with HE-CHASE-CB controller (HE-CHASE-4PT)
  • Low voltage chasing, works with HE-CHASELV-CB controller, not compatible with HE-CHASE-CB (HE-CHASELV-4PT)
  • RGB, works with HE-RGB-CB controller (HE-RGB-4PT)
  • RGBW, works with HE-RGBW-CB controller (HE-RGBW-4PT)

Accent Light Covers
New black (HE-RLC-4B) and white (HE-RLC-4W) rock light cover 4-packs will be shown at SEMA that can be positioned to divert light downward for accent lighting or to diffuse the strength of the light when direct lighting is not needed. They are made from durable molded plastic that boasts high impact strength to ensure lasting performance, and stainless steel mounting hardware is included. These covers are compatible with Heise LED rock lights, and are installed easily over the existing lights, so drilling additional holes to mount them on a vehicle is unnecessary.

More product details are available at MetraOnline.com or by contacting a Metra Sales Representative.

Hifonics Is Going To SEMA

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LIBERTYVILLE, IL (10.24.24) – SEMA Show 2024 is almost here and Hifonics is joining in on all of the sights and sounds in Las Vegas. Taking place at the Las Vegas Convention Centerfrom Tuesday, November 5th – Friday, November 8th, get ready to feel audio with PRO PERFORMANCE AND PRO POWER innovated through ALL-NEW Colossus PRO and Mini amplifiers at the SEMA Show 2024!

Hifonics is bringing harder-hitting sound with some awesome builds this year at SEMA. This year you will find us at two different locations – Booth #81270(located in the Silver Lot – outside) and Booth #24963 (located in the Central Hall – inside). You will not want to miss out on ALL-NEW products that include Colossus PRO and Mini amplifier lines.

Colossus PRO amplifiers take your Hifonics car audio system to the next level with Ultra-Fi MOSFETS designed for High Output power and clean thermal dissipation, while Colossus Mini amplifiers still create PRO POWER but in a compact footprint and offer ultimate audio installation flexibility!

90,000+ attendees and 1,300+ exhibitors will be making their way to take part in the SEMA thrills. We hope to SEE YOU THERE under the Vegas sun!

Follow the link HERE for complete SEMA Show 2024 details.

HCI Equity Partners Announces the Launch of Driven Distribution Group and Completes Acquisition of Chicago Parts & Sound, LLC

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WASHINGTON, DC (10.24.24) – HCI Equity Partners (“HCI”), a leading lower middle market private equity firm, today announced the launch of Driven Distribution Group (“Driven Distribution”), a new automotive aftermarket distribution platform. The launch coincides with Driven Distribution Group’s acquisition of the auto parts and accessories distribution business of Chicago Parts & Sound (“CPS” or the “Company”), following the recapitalization of Tri-State Enterprises, Inc. (“Tri-State”) in November 2023. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

By bringing together CPS and Tri-State under the Driven Distribution Group umbrella, HCI aims to establish a leading platform in the automotive aftermarket industry by equipping its brands with shared resources, strategic vision, investment, and advanced technology to enable its companies to deliver best-in-class customer service. Both CPS and Tri-State will continue to operate under their respective brands while benefiting from the shared resources of the Driven Distribution Group platform.

Scott Gibaratz, Partner at HCI, said, “We are thrilled to welcome the CPS team to the Driven Distribution platform. Consistent with our original platform thesis, CPS represents a geographically strategic beachhead in the Midwest and is a great complement to Tri-State’s existing product categories. We look forward to working together to achieve our shared vision for growth.”

Based in Elk Grove Village, IL, with additional locations in Illinois and Wisconsin, Chicago Parts & Sound is a warehouse distributor focused on automotive aftermarket parts, batteries, consumables, and accessories. The Company serves auto dealerships, independent repair shops, municipalities/governments, and company fleets.

Chicago Parts & Sound was founded in 1978 and acquired by Bob and Jackie Lederer in 2002. Under their management, CPS has achieved a track record of success with excellent, value-added products and services and expanded capabilities through several acquisitions. Bob and Jackie Lederer are reinvesting in the Driven Distribution platform as part of the transaction and will continue to own and operate Police Department Systems (police and emergency vehicle upfitting services) and Coachcraft & Precision Services (specialty auto restoration services).

Bob Lederer, Co-Owner of CPS, said, “the growth of Tri-State Enterprises parallels that of CPS – just in a different part of the country. Opportunities to combine businesses of such similar backgrounds, culture, and customer focus make tremendous sense for all stakeholders in each company.”

“We are extremely impressed with the stellar business and established market reputation Bob and Jackie Lederer have built over the past 22 years. The combination of CPS and Tri-State as part of the Driven Distribution Group platform will enable us to expand our resources and capabilities to better serve our employees and customers,” said Tristan Taylor, CEO of Tri-State.

Dickinson Wright PLLC served as legal counsel to HCI and Driven Distribution.

Visit www.hciequity.com for more.

Musway KIA East Coast Road Tour Wrapped Week 3

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MUSWAY KIA TOUR (10.23.24) – Friday, October 18th, wrapped the third week the Musway KIA was rolling down the East Coast with Joseph Norton at the wheel making dealer stops. During the road trip the Musway KIA made stops with dealer accounts scheduled by area rep firms and existing dealers. The first 2 weeks of the road trip members of the Real Performance Marketing team John Gray and Scott Hochmuth were in the co-pilot seat… one week each.

Week 3 began Monday with a visit at Xtreme Concepts in Albertville, AL as a follow up to a meeting with the dealer at the Car Audio Championship in Birmingham. Prashant Patel is a Musway dealer and plans to expand his Musway products after hearing the Musway KIA demos in Birmingham.

On Tuesday Norton connected with Nelson Pierantoni, Tri-Star Marketing, who is the Florida area rep. Their first stop was to see Dean and Fernando at 5 Star Car Stereo in Clearwater. Dean and Fernando were at the Car Audio Championship in Birmingham and Joseph set plans to visit their store.”The meeting was very informative and it was terrific for us to see the facility where they produce their social media posts” Norton related.

The next stop was at Evolution Garage in Eustis Florida for a meeting with owner, Justin Vaughn. “Nelson arranged the meeting and the KIA demo went very well. Justin really liked the demo and was shocked that the staging and imaging was accomplished without a center channel” Norton offered.

Justin Vaughn at Evolution Garage is flanked by Nelson and Joseph as they got together for the meeting in Eustis FL.

The next stop was to see Anthony Marasco at 12 Volt USA in South St. Cloud, FL. The last stop of the day on Thursday lasted until 9:30. “Anthony agreed to stay until after 7 for us to arrive. He was very impressed with the staging and imaging also. He is an existing Musway dealer and plans to expand his product selection” Norton stated.

Screenshot

Hi Joe’s Electronics in Auburndale and existing retailer, was also impressed with the sound of the Musway KIA. John and Mike both had lengthy demos in the KIA. John commented on the impact of the mid-bass drivers especially at high volume. Mike noted the staging and quality of sound was superb” Norton related.

Swan Lake Customs in Lakeland, the last stop on Friday, is also an existing retailer that loves the mid bass. “Trevor and Greg are a father-son duo from my home town area in Northwest Arkansas. It was terrific getting to meet people from home but so far away. It is definitely a small world” Norton concluded.

Nelson and Joseph flank Trevor and Greg (R), the father son duo that drive business at Swan City Customs in Lakeland FL.
Nelson and Joseph celebrated a very productive and scary week as the Musway KIA left the last stop at Swan Lake Customs on Friday evening. For the tour, the Musway KIA has logged nearly 6000 miles.

“We wrapped a very productive week across the Florida area. At every stop we made, dealers were so happy to see factory representation in the field. All had very positive input about the demos in the Muaway KIA. The 2 recent hurricanes in Florida definitely are impacting retail store traffic. The dealers we visited now have a positive Musway experience and can utilize social media posts to create interest from followers and consumers” Pierantoni stated.

The final week of the tour will wrap Friday October 25th with David Tolliver, Synergy Marketing, with dealers in the Houston area.

Visit www.muswayusa.com for more.

Metra Electronics Introduces New SpeakerAdapter Plates and Harnesses at SEMA

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HOLLY HILL, FL (10.23.24) – Metra Electronics is introducing new speaker adapter plates and vehicle-specific speaker harnesses at the 2024 SEMA Show, November 5th to 8th, in the Las Vegas Convention Center. They will be located at the manufacturer’s main booth, #10439, in the North Hall. These new products expand on the manufacturer’s line of audio system solutions and make it easy to install aftermarket speakers in an assortment of vehicles.

Metra’s new speaker adapter plates are sold as pairs and have innovative features such as breakaway tab designs and mounting that mirror the factory location so that no drilling is required. New adapter applications launching at the SEMA Show include:

Select 2018-2022 Hyundai Accent, Select 2005-up* KIA
Select 2002-2014 Acura & Honda
Select 2021-2024 Toyota
Select 2000-2006 Mercedes
Select 2017-2023 Audi
Select 2016-2022 Volvo
Select 2022-2024 Toyota

Metra’s vehicle-specific speaker harnesses allow audio professionals to install aftermarket speakers faster. These wiring harnesses plug right into the vehicle’s factory speaker harness. A convenient plug-n-play design eliminates the need to cut, splice, or solder any wires. New speaker harness applications debuting at SEMA include:

Select 1999-2013 Acura
Select 2005-2018 Audi
Select 1998-2024 BMW
Select 2002-2024 Chrysler, Dodge, & Jeep
Select 2019-2023 Ford Bronco & Lincoln Navigator
Select 2013-2023 Ford
Select 1994-2015 & 2022-2024 Honda
Select 2013-2024 Lincoln
Select 2006-2023 MINI
Select 2012-2024 Tesla
Select 2020-2024 Toyota
Select 2000-2023 Volvo

*Visit MetraOnline.com for up-to-date vehicle-specific applications.

More information about these products is available online at MetraOnline.com or by contacting a Metra sales representative.

ESPN and SiriusXM Team Up to Offer Subscribers Even More Ways to Access the Content They Love

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BURBANK, CA & NEW YORK, NY (10.23.24) – ESPN and SiriusXM have announced even more ways for their subscribers to access the content they love, with select SiriusXM subscribers in the U.S. now able to get up to a 6-month subscription to ESPN+, and new and existing ESPN+ subscribers in the U.S. will be eligible to get a 6-month subscription to SiriusXM’s streaming-only service beginning later this month[1].

Through this offer, ESPN+ subscribers will be able to access SiriusXM’s full library of content on the SiriusXM app, including hundreds of expertly curated, ad-free music channels, the most extensive lineup of live pro and college sporting events in audio, and more than 20 sports-focused channels that deliver reactions and analysis from industry experts and insiders 24/7. They’ll also be able to stay informed and entertained with the latest in news and politics, entertainment, comedy, and beyond with celebrity interviews, iconic hosts, trusted opinions, non-stop laughs, and so much more, available only on SiriusXM.

Eligible SiriusXM subscribers, beginning with Platinum VIP and expanding to additional tiers next month, can access ESPN+, the No. 1 sports streaming platform, where they can view thousands of live sports events and replays, on-demand original content, premium articles, and more. ESPN+ offers sports fans more than 32,000 live sports events each year, including exclusive UFC events; more than 50 exclusive and 1,000 out-of-market NHL games per season; college sports including football, basketball and nearly a dozen other sports from 20 conferences, top domestic and international soccer, golf, Top Rank Boxing, Grand Slam tennis, MLB games, international cricket, exclusive ESPN+ Original series and studio shows, and access to the entire library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films.

“Collaborating with SiriusXM on this offer will not only provide ESPN+ subscribers with access to their vast entertainment offerings, but it also opens the door for SiriusXM customers to experience our premium sports content on ESPN+,” said Sean Breen, Executive Vice President, Platform Distribution, Disney Entertainment and ESPN. “This deal underscores our commitment to providing consumers with unparalleled access to best-in-class programming spanning all genres and interests.”

“ESPN and SiriusXM are powerhouses in sports news and entertainment, and we’re thrilled to expand upon our longstanding relationship with this new agreement,” said Jeff Dallesandro, Senior Vice President, Streaming Distribution Partnerships, SiriusXM. “Designed to bring listeners and viewers closer to the personalities, players, teams and leagues they love by combining both SiriusXM’s and ESPN+’s live sports programming, exclusive analysis, and extensive on-demand content, this collaboration will deliver value for fans while also potentially driving growth for each brand.”

Throughout this college football season, ESPN and SiriusXM are also teaming up to deliver fans great programming on ESPN Radio’s College Campus tour. The tour features ESPN Radio and SiriusXM College Sports Radio shows broadcasting live on Saturday mornings from a customized Airstream trailer at prime tailgating locations. ESPN Radio and SiriusXM hosts will be at some of the season’s biggest college football matchups, including this Saturday’s SEC matchup between Texas and Vanderbilt in Nashville.

Visit siriusxm.com for more.

iBEAM Launches Video Signal Noise Filter at SEMA

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HOLLY HILL, FL (10.22.24) – iBEAM Vehicle Safety Systems by Metra Electronics® will display a new safety and surveillance solution, its TE-VSF video signal noise filter, at the 2024 SEMA show. Attendees can see this product from November 5th to 8th in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center at Metra’s main booth, #10439.

The TE-VSF is designed to improve the image quality of a factory vehicle camera on an aftermarket radio display. It converts the differential video signal to a single-ended composite video signal, minimizing or eliminating video noise. The input RCA for this video signal noise filter features twisted pair wiring, allowing for a simple hard-wired connection at the aftermarket radio when needed. This product fits a wide range of vehicles, including select*:

  • Ford (ideal for trucks and SUVs)
  • Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep
  • Toyota
  • Honda
  • BMW
  • Mercedes-Benz
  • Nissan
  • Subaru
  • Volkswagen

*Visit the Vehicle Fit Guide at MetraOnline.com for up-to-date vehicle-specific applications. More information about this product is available at iBEAMusa.com or by contacting a Metra sales representative.

Tint World Maintains Top Automotive Franchise Ranking With 885 FRANdata FUND Score

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BOCA RATON, FL (10.22.24) – For the second year in a row, Tint World® Automotive Styling Centers™ is the #1 automotive opportunity for franchisees, based on an in-depth independent evaluation of the company’s financial performance and reliability by franchise market intelligence firm FRANdata.

Tint World once again attained a remarkable 885 in its most recent FRANdata FUND score, reflecting its position as proven investment opportunity for potential franchisees.

“This score is solid proof of our financial stability and our commitment to growth, strong performance, and operational success across all franchisees,” said Charles J. Bonfiglio, president and CEO of Tint World. “FRANdata’s extensive research shows that Tint World continues to be a strong and trusted investment opportunity for anyone seeking a dependable brand during uncertain economic conditions. Our evolving, forward-thinking strategies ensure franchisees have a strong, sustainable business model as their foundation.”

FRANdata FUND scores evaluate 12 credit risk categories, such as franchise business success rates, franchise unit profitability, and franchisee support. Top-scoring brands such as Tint World excel in every metric, making it easy for lenders to do business with them.

FRANdata FUND scores are widely regarded as the best predictor of the future performance of a franchise system. Tint World’s high score is a result of the company’s continuing strong growth, driven by strategic partnerships with leading global brands that enhance the company’s ability to deliver innovative services and support franchisees.

“We’re proud Tint World still has the top score of any automotive franchise opportunity,” Bonfiglio said. “Our whole team, from franchisees to corporate leadership, is committed to sustained success. This score demonstrates the trust we’ve earned from investors, partners and customers, allowing us to consistently operate at the highest level.”

FRANdata is an industry-leading research and consulting firm offering market intelligence that enables clients to grow their business in franchising.The FUND scoring system is embraced by banks of all sizes that collectively represent over $5 trillion in assets.

FUND Reports quantify for a lender how a franchise system’s performance and characteristics affect the likelihood of a loan default. FRANdata produces hundreds of FUND Scores annually for lenders that represent the majority of SBA franchise financing and supports commercial lending to franchising as well.

Visit www.TintWorld.com for more.

It’s Official: CMA EXPO is Back for Another Year!

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TORONTO, CANADA (10.22.24) – The 3rd annual Canadian Mobile Electronics Event will once again be held at the Toronto Congress Centre on April 4-6, 2025. With a focus on the fastest growing categories in the mobile electronics segment including Powersports, Marine and Motorcycle, the CMA Expo will look ahead to the future, examining current trends, technologies, and best practices in the industry.

The 2025 event will introduce additional training tracks to include, 50+ Manufacturer trainings, 10 Business Workshops, 8 In-Vehicle Sessions, and 3 technology-based seminars designed to grow your business.

EARLY BIRD registration is now open for attendees and will feature a special discounted rate along with an exclusive SiriusXM swag bag.

Visit www.cmaexpo.ca for more.