DIAMOND BAR, CA (07.14.26) – SEMA has officially opened entries for the 2026 SEMA Battle of the Builders Presented by Mothers at www.semabotb.com. Now in its 13th year, the competition continues to stand as the automotive aftermarket’s premier platform for custom builders exhibiting at the SEMA Show, and for 2026 it will expand to include motorcycles, introducing an additional set of awards recognizing the Top 3 standout bike builders and an overall motorcycle champion.

“It’s always exciting to see builders push creative boundaries year after year, and the addition of powersports brings an entirely new level of energy and excitement to the program,” said SEMA Vice President of Marketing RJ de Vera. “Battle of the Builders continues to evolve alongside the industry, and we’re excited to see how builders push innovation at the 2026 SEMA Show.”

For 2026, the SEMA Battle of the Builders Presented by Mothers will again feature its four core automotive competition classes: Hot Rod & Hot Rod Truck; 4 Wheel Drive & Off-Road; Sport Compact, Import Performance, Luxury & Exotic; and BFGoodrich Young Guns. Class winners will advance through the competition, with one ultimately named overall Battle of the Builders champion.

“Mothers High Performance Car Care is proud to continue supporting the SEMA Battle of the Builders and the talented builders who make this competition one of the most anticipated events at the SEMA Show,” said Mothers Vice President of Marketing Shane Christman. “Every year, we’re inspired by the creativity, craftsmanship, and passion these builders bring to their projects. This program celebrates the dedication behind every build and gives the industry an opportunity to recognize the individuals pushing vehicle customization forward.”

The 2026 program will also debut a new side to the competition with SEMA Battle of the Builders: Bike Builder Shootout as a dedicated Motorcycle category, expanding the competition to include some of the finest custom two-wheel vehicles in America. Entries will be evaluated separately by motorcycle industry judges based on craftsmanship, design innovation, and overall execution, with the Top 10 finalists serving as judges to determine the Top 3 category winners and the overall Bike Builder champion.

In the automotive categories, a panel of aftermarket industry judges will again review all eligible submissions, evaluating build descriptions and photography before conducting in-person assessments on the SEMA Show floor. Judges will narrow entries to a Top 10 in each category, followed by a Top 3 selection. Those 12 finalists will then serve as judges to determine category winners and the overall champion.

“It’s been great to be back at the SEMA Battle of the Builders,” said Troy Trepanier of Rad Rides by Troy after winning the overall 2025 Battle of the Builders trophy last November. “It’s grown a lot since we first won the event eight years ago. We finally had a car worthy of being back in the competition. There were so many great cars this year. Everybody here is a winner, all 40, all 12, especially the Final Four.”

When asked what it’s like to win the SEMA Battle of the Builders for the second time, Trepanier said “It is always nice to be judged by your peers in the industry and get recognized.”

Supporting the Next Generation of Builders
The BFGoodrich Young Guns category highlights emerging talent, open to builders 29 years old and younger at the time of the SEMA Show. Entrants may be selected to participate in virtual Golden Ticket competitions held throughout the summer, with prize packages that include vehicle transportation to Las Vegas, plus travel and hotel accommodations. At the Show, the Top 10 BFGoodrich Young Guns finalists compete within their own field, narrowing to a Top 3. First introduced in 2024, the BFGoodrich Young Guns Top 10 competition format continues to expand opportunity and visibility for rising builders.

“BFGoodrich is proud to support the next generation of builders through the BFGoodrich Young Guns category at the SEMA Battle of the Builders,” said BFGoodrich Ultra High Performance Brand Manager T.J. Dennis. “Creating opportunities for young builders to showcase their talent, gain industry recognition, and compete alongside some of the best in the business is what makes this program so special. We’re excited to continue supporting the innovation, passion, and creativity that define the future of vehicle customization.”

For more information or to enter the 2026 SEMA Battle of the Builders, visit www.semabotb.com. For information on registration deadlines, rules, and additional details, click here.

The SEMA Show returns to Las Vegas, Nov. 3–6, 2026, bringing together the most influential brands, builders, and innovators in the automotive aftermarket industry. The Show remains the premier destination for discovering new products, technologies, and trends shaping the future of vehicle customization and performance. For more information or to register, visit www.semashow.com.

SHREVEPORT, LA (07.11.2026) – This subject is so important that we are reprinting an article by Bill Ward of CMIC Consulting that appeared in the August ’95 issue of the 12 Volt Advertiser. We had many favorable comments regarding the article… now over 31 years ago.

In 2026 Store Appearance and the In-Store Experience is even more vital. Online activity is impacting brick and mortar store in a very negative way. Small businesses have been the heartbeat of the retail category. Many manufacturers are now driving business through their websites and even offering drone delivery.

Below is the ‘Store Appearance Is Vital’ 12volt Advertiser August ’95 article directed to 12volt retailers.

Each day when you open your store and your customers walk in the door, they are making a new judgement about your store. Is the store clean and well merchandised, or is it cluttered and disorganized? How does it compare to nearby stores where they have shopped for the same product. In the first few seconds, they will form an opinion that will last a long time. Will it be a good impression or will it be a negative one?

The customer evaluation of your store starts as soon as they drive in your parking lot. Trash and clutter will not only affect today’s customer but your future customers who may be just driving down the street. The outside of your store is like a billboard that advertises your company. Does it make the statement you want to make? When your customer walks in your door he is your guest. At home when you know you are having a party or company, you make sure everything is clean and looks its best. When your store opens every morning, it should not be any different.

The 60 minutes before you open each morning is a critical time for every retailer to get ready for today’s customers. It’s a time that the owner or manager should be active and get involved with supervising his employees to be sure that the store is ready to open. Before you unlock your door, walk around and inspect the inside and outside and look at it through the eyes of your customer. How does it stack up?

• CHECK your parking lot and be sure it is clean and litter free.
• CHECK to be sure your door and window glass is clean and free of smudges.
• FILL in products from your stock room so your selection is complete and you displays full.
• RE-ALIGN and merchandise to maximize the impact of your product displays.
• REMOVE all empty cartons and packing from the sales floor.
• CHECK all your advertised merchandise and be sure it is priced and ready to go.
• MAKE sure your aisles are free and clear of clutter and boxed merchandise.
• HAVE your store and restrooms clean and ready to open.
• CHECK to see if your point of sale signs and pricing is all up to date and current.
• DELEGATE the responsibility to get the job done, but personally inspect the results each day before you open.

The In-Store Experience is so important. The MUSIC MATTERS and people can not experience the highs and mids, or feel bass in their chest, on a smartphone or laptop.

As an industry ‘Let’s Get Our Shine On’!

AUBURN, CA (07.10.26) – Amplified Sales & Marketing and Micah Boren, recently stopped by Auburn Car Tunes, a longtime supporter of the Rydeen brand and its reputation for quality and innovation.

To help customers make informed decisions, Auburn Car Tunes has three RYDEEN products on display that shoppers can interact with before purchasing: the Tombo360X, the R10X-SPL, and the all-new Mini360X dash cam.

Owner Brian Muenter explains, “We like to give customers different options at different price points. That’s why we have the Tombo360X, R10X-SPL, and the new Mini360X dash cam on display so customers can see how each product works before making a purchase.”

“Brian and Auburn Car Tunes are known for delivering industry-leading expertise, exceptional customer service, and complete transparency. They make vehicle upgrades easy and stress-free, making them a top choice for high-quality car audio, DSP tuning, automotive electronics and of course RYDEEN Dash Cams!” Micah offered.

With nearly 50 years of experience delivering top-tier sound systems, Auburn Car Tunes continues to set the standard for excellence in mobile electronics. “My Father stated the business in 1976 and and our goal has always been to deliver the best upgrade solutions for for our customers along with the best in customer service. That combination is working and we are planning our 50th Anniversary Celebration this month” Brian related.

“Please stay tuned for more as we work with Brian and Auburn Car Tunes” Micah concluded.

For more see 12voltnews.com.

SEATTLE, WA (07.10.26) – Firstech, the maker of Compustar and DroneMobile, today announced the release
of the Drone XC2 (model: XC2-LTE), the next generation of its LTE-connected dash camera ecosystem.
Engineered to bridge the gap between traditional vehicle security and cloud-connected video monitoring, the
Drone XC2 solidifies its position as the industry’s only dash camera that integrates seamlessly with aftermarket
remote start and alarm systems.

As auto insurance premiums have risen more than 40% in the last five years, the financial stakes of unproven
traffic disputes and parking lot incidents have never been higher. The Drone XC2 directly addresses this issue by
delivering indisputable video evidence, transforming a driver’s smartphone into a real-time security monitor.
Total Vehicle Surveillance

While maintaining the same low-profile form factor of its predecessor, the Drone XC2 introduces four sweeping
upgrades designed to improve driver security and reduce friction points experienced with other solutions.

• 3-Channel Video Support: The XC2 expands capabilities to support up to three simultaneous video inputs, allowing drivers to achieve coverage across front, rear, and interior angles.
• Driving Events with Auto-Cloud Upload: Incidents triggered by impact, sudden braking, or harsh acceleration are instantly uploaded to the secure DroneMobile cloud, ensuring critical evidence is preserved and accessible from anywhere.
• 20x More Cloud Video: XC2 delivers approximately 200 3-channel cloud preview videos per GB of cellular data—about 20x more than previous generations. The result is faster incident review, lower cellular usage, and more events available before data limits become a concern.
• Plug-and-Play OBD-II Harness Included: To streamlining installation for standalone dash cam buyers and 12-volt installers, the XC2 now includes a plug-and-play OBD-II harness (previously a $99.99 standalone accessory).

“Drone XC2 reflects our commitment to making connected vehicle security more practical and accessible,” shares
Firstech’s managing director, Jason Kaminski. “By combining 3-channel video, automatic cloud uploads, and
dramatically more cloud previews with lower cellular data usage, XC2 delivers a smarter dash camera experience
for both drivers and professional installers.”

Streamlined All-in-One Subscriptions
In tandem with the Drone XC2 launch, Firstech is debuting a simplified “Dash Cam” subscription tier starting at
$15.99/month, with deeper discounts when purchasing multi-year plans. This all-inclusive plan bundles LTE live
streaming with DroneMobile’s core suite of app features, including remote start, GPS tracking, and alarm
notifications. Existing Drone XC customers will also be able to take advantage of this simplified subscription tier.

Availability and Dealer Promotion
The Drone XC2 is shipping now to Firstech distributors and authorized retailers across North America.

For more information about Drone XC2 and other DroneMobile connected car solutions, please visit
www.dronemobile.com/products.