ITASCA, IL (06.13.24) – Lucas Lighting, a Chicago based company, announces additional growth plans with the addition of automotive batteries as well as Jim Warren joining the executive team.

Mike Hong, Lucas ’president and founder said, “Lucas Lighting has really resonated with our
customers in North America. The reliability of our products combined with solid profitability
has been a very successful formula. We now have opportunities to expand outside of North
America as well as in our home markets.”

Jim Warren joins Lucas as Executive Director and will be leading many of these growth initiatives in tandem with the executive team, which also includes industry veteran Ken Wiseman, who continues as National Sales Manager. For the past seven years, Jim has led the Elite Distributor Alliance (EDA). Prior to EDA, Jim was Vice President of Merchandising at Car Toys (Seattle) and SVP Sales and Marketing at Harman International.

“I have had the distinct pleasure of working with Jim over the last three years in his prior position. His leadership and experience with national, international, major and key accounts will be a tremendous asset to our group and business partners as he takes on this new role. He has been fantastic to interact with both on business and personal levels,” states Steve Rogers, now Vice President over all of Lucas YH holdings.

Jim commented, “For the past several years I’ve watched Lucas Lighting’s leadership in the
rapidly growing lighting category. Lucas Lighting is the premium brand with unparalleled
performance. It’s super exciting to have the opportunity to help grow the brand both here in the
United States and worldwide.”

Find out more at www.lucas-lighting.com.

LIBERTYVILLE, IL (06.12.24) – Hifonics Colossus Classic amplifiers make playback with RICHER QUALITY audio powered through a classic-size Hifonics amplifier footprint. Infuse your Hifonics sound system with cleaner layers of power and higher-quality sound through Colossus Classic amplifiers. HEAR MORE. FEEL MORE.

With reinvented Colossus sound featured in every Colossus Classic amplifier – the Hifonics Colossus Classic line of amplifiers includes mainly monoblock amplifiers and a 4-channel amplifier that elevates sound to Colossus levels.

Every Colossus Classic amplifier includes innovative high-temperature impact-resistant nickel-plated connectors allowing for complete and secure termination of wire and create an erosion-resistant seal.

Pro-Fi™ Output Device Technology: The Ultra-Fi™ MOSFET is designed for music production vs. just electronics output power. It produces very musical high power with high efficiency for cooling and minimal distortion.

A heavy-duty aluminum alloy heat sink efficiently moves heat from the MOSFET for superior dissipation creating sound that is crisp and clean.

With a secure molded connection terminal for every Power, Ground, and Speaker, connection – the connection type is angled for ease of access while creating clean and organized wire management.

Super D-Class design utilizes high-speed microprocessors through critical proprietary D/A conversion algorithms – resulting in lower distortion playback, upping audio performance to Colossus standards of sound.

Control every Colossus Classic amplifier with a built-in/variable crossover to tailor specific frequencies to speakers and subwoofers and obtain variable bass boost up to +10dB with the bass equalizer (4-channel amplifiers only).

Additionally – an extruded aluminum heat sink minimizes heat buildup on Ultra-Fi™ output devices. Creating POWER FROM THE GODS performance in a classic Hifonics amplifier size, Colossus Classic amplifiers showcase audio in richer quality, adding layers of details and higher sound throughout every song.

Take in more from all of your audio and sound through incredible detail powered through COLOSSUS EXPECTATIONS. The Hifonics Colossus Classic amplifier line delivers cleaner performance in playback and power.

Feel Colossus change your Hifonics audio system forever.

Learn more HERE about the entire line of Colossus Classic amplifiers.

WASHOUGAL, WA ((06.11.24) – “The Show gonna be a party and we would love to have area dealers come and join us to take advantage of incredible deals, food & beverages and FUN!! We will have some manufacturers on site to present their products and answer any questions that you may have” Scott Chapin related.

Continuing “Demo vehicles will be onsite and we would love for you to bring your cars to show off while you are here! Of course there will be free goodies and some giveaways to be raffled off each day.
Please read the attached announcement for more details.”

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE SHOW : JUNE 13TH AND JUNE 14TH !

Scott Chapin, Mike Hall, Kam Frisbee and Dave Gates will be on site from Falcon Sales & Marketing. Tom Miller will be in the house from AM Merchandising.

Brands scheduled to be on site include Morel, Jensen, Dual, PowerBass, Wet Sounds, UTV Stereo, Sound Skins, KICKER, Massive Audio and Sony. Factory vehicles to be on site include KICKER, Alpine and UTV Stereo.

Massive Audio’s John Velez related “JR Mares and I are looking forward to our trip to the Falcon and AM Show. We will have info on new products coming plus a chance to win a new GTR8 sub.”

Jeff Petersen, with UTV Stereo, stated “The PowerSports category is hot and we have the widest selection of products and I look forward to crankin’ up the volume on Dave Gates’ Side x Side that is loaded with UTV Stereo gear.”

Industry veteran Doug Kern recently joined Dual and Jensen. Doug will be in the house looks forward to showing the latest product lineup.

DIAMOND BAR, CA (06.11.24) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has opened nominations for its prestigious SEMA Industry Awards at http://www.sema.org/awards. Comprised of Person of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year, Channel Partner of the Year, Gen-III Innovator of the Year, and Content Creator of the Year, the awards honor leading companies and individuals who have made significant contributions to the specialty-equipment industry over the past year. Nominations close July 12.

“SEMA Industry Awards are a testament to those who have enhanced the industry at remarkable levels through their ingenuity, service, or outstanding business practices,” said SEMA Manager of Recognition Programs Chris Standifer. “The nomination process is crucial as it helps us identify and recognize those who are pushing new boundaries in the automotive world.”

For award consideration, honorees must have exhibited professionalism, service, integrity, and ethics that propelled the industry forward. In 2023, Jon Delgado of Repairify was awarded Gen-III Innovator of the Year for leading the engineering of the patented asTech Rules Engine, which uses empirical data to present users with the most accurate and cost-effective diagnostic scan option specific to a given vehicle.

“Winning Gen-III Innovator of the Year validated my years of hard work and dedication to this industry,” said Delgado. “It felt like a milestone that not only celebrated my past achievements but also inspired me to aim higher and push the boundaries of innovation going forward.” Delgado said he was inspired by rapid advancements in technology and described winning the award as a “truly transformative experience.”

For other past SEMA Industry Award honorees, such as 2023 Channel Partner of the Year winner Summit Racing Equipment, the recognition highlights the importance of industry partnerships, a factor that is considered during the award selection process. “Our team works hard to provide world-class service to our customers and business partners alike,” said Summit Racing Equipment President and CEO Scott J. Peterson. “Not because they are trying to gain recognition or prove anything, but because they believe in and help drive our vision. They truly care, and their people-first attitude shows up in everyday actions and conversations.”

Nominations are now open for:

• Channel Partner of the Year: Honors a sales channel partner for its outstanding service to the sales, distribution, retail, and/or e-commerce channel(s) of the industry. This includes maintaining proper inventories to service its respective channel and exceeding standards in providing suppliers with input and regular communication to help their products and programs succeed.
• Content Creator of the Year: Honors a content creator for their outstanding contributions to the automotive culture and for creating a positive impact with automotive enthusiasts.
• Gen-III Innovator of the Year: Honors a young, entrepreneurial individual, 40 years old or younger, who is creating innovative breakthroughs within the area(s) of industry opportunities, advancement, best business practices, technology, and/or trends.
• Manufacturer of the Year: Honors a manufacturing company for its outstanding contributions and innovations.
• Person of the Year: Established to honor a person for their outstanding contributions to the automotive specialty-equipment market.

The SEMA Industry Awards will be presented during SEMA Show week, Nov. 5-8, 2024. The Kick-Off Breakfast, held on Tuesday, Nov. 5, will award both Channel Partner of the Year and Manufacturer of the Year. On Thursday, Nov. 7, the SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet will recognize Gen-III Innovator of the Year, Person of the Year, and Content Creator of the Year. Entries for Best Engineered Vehicle of the Year–a SEMA Industry Award that recognizes exceptional quality of engineering on a vehicle build– will open in September.

Learn more at www.sema.org/awards.

CHICAGO, IL (06.10.24) – The amazing Limo Jet, a Lear Jet 35 on wheels showcased at the recent House of Electronics Dealer Show, is a project Frank DeAngelo has been fostering for over 12 years.

DeAngelo related “My thought was to create a vehicle that was very unique and could be used to draw consumers to large consumer and public events. Over the years the Limo Jet has been through several make-overs. The Limo Jet we had on site at the recent House of Electronics drew very positive comments from all. We had the same reaction from all at the recent Tri-State Dealer show at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington TX.”

The Limo Jet is the shape of a Lear Jet 35 and placed on a limo frame with a Chevy pickup drive train. The overall length is 40’ and it’s trailered on the highway on a 44’ trailer. The interior was created as a comfortable lounge with a super sound system and video. The sound system with Zapco, ESB, Kenwood and Alumapro extends outside with Race Sport Lighting and amazing carbon hydro enclosures and graphics.

Teg Manchanda, House of Electronics, stated “I have known Frank for years and we have several friends and business partners in the Chicago area. Ernie Hudnal with Atrend and I have worked together on several 12volt products they produce and he has kept me up to date on the Limo Jet. He indicated how cool it would be to spotlight it at our recent 2024 Dealer Show. We put a deal in place and everyone definitely was amazed when they checked out the Limo Jet. It definittely was on the top of attendees list to check out as they saw the latest products from exhibitors and took advantage of show deals and fun filled Dealer Show.”

The Limo Jet is available for celebrity appearances or top social media companies to use for product events and grand openings.

For more see jetsetterus.com

Limo Jet images from Jason Prios Studios.