LAS VEGAS, NV. (11.1723) – Top honors were awarded at the annual SEMA Industry Awards Banquet by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), the trade association representing the $51.8 billion automotive specialty equipment industry.

Winners of the prestigious awards are:

• SEMA Person of the Year: Ian Lehn, BOOSTane
• Gen-III Innovator of the Year: Jon Delgado, Repairify
• Content Creator of the Year: Vin Anatra, Hoonigan

Industry business owners, luminaries, and media celebrated the thriving industry during the Banquet. The ultimate networking and social event was attended by industry leaders, rising stars and volunteers.

The 2023 SEMA Person of the Year award went to Ian Lehn, founder of BOOSTane in Cincinnati, Ohio, in recognition for his volunteerism in the industry. Lehn has served in leadership positions for two different SEMA councils, works with the SEMA PAC and supports various charities. His company received the prestigious LaunchPad product of the year award in 2014.

The 2022 Gen-III Innovator of the Year award was presented to Jon Delgado, chief technology officer of Repairify. Delgado led 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. Delgado is also a key contributor and leader in ADAS calibration identifications with his adasThink solution. With the services he has delivered, shops can be confident that they are properly calibrating safety systems as required by OEM repair procedures.

Vin Anatra is vice president of business development and has over 200,000 followers on his personal Instagram page. Beginning as an inexperienced kid from New York with a passion for cars, Anatra helped build one of the most notable and influential brands in the automotive apparel and media space—Hoonigan.

The awards recognize outstanding commitment to the aftermarket industry and SEMA.

Visit www.semashow.com or www.sema.org for more.

RINGWOOD, IL (11.16.23) – Race Sport Lighting, a leading innovator in automotive lighting solutions, proudly announces the release of their latest product, the HOODKIT2 (PN# 1007752) LED Knight Rider Scanning Hood Brow DRL Flex Cool White Kit. This revolutionary lighting kit is designed to enhance the aesthetic appeal and visibility of cars and jeeps, providing a modern and stylish touch on any vehicle. The highly flexible light contours along the bottom of the hood lid and is very similar to some modern cars on the road. This comes months after the successful launch of their nationwide popular HOODKIT1 which is longer, in length, for Trucks and larger SUV’s.

“We are thrilled to introduce the HOODKIT2 LED Knight Rider Scanning Hood Brow DRL Flex Cool White Kit to the market to fit on cars, Jeeps, and smaller SUVs. The HOODKIT1 for trucks and larger SUVs launched over the summer has quickly grown in popularity and risen on our top-ranking product list nationwide. It was logical that we would launch a smaller version that fits up on smaller-width vehicles. We have already moved much of our opening production, as dealers had this product on pre-order for a few months now.” said Steve Jergensen, President at Race Sport Lighting.

3 Key Features of the HOODKIT2:

1.       Knight Rider Scanning Effect: The HOODKIT2 features a distinctive Knight Rider scanning effect upon ignition before the final transition into a solid daytime running light while running. This attention-grabbing feature adds a touch of sophistication and modernity to the vehicle’s appearance.

2.       DRL Flex Cool White Technology: Equipped with cutting-edge Daytime Running Light (DRL) Flex Cool White technology, the HOODKIT2 ensures optimal visibility and safety on the road. The cool white illumination not only enhances the vehicle’s presence and safety during the day but also contributes to a sleek and contemporary look.

3.       Weather-Resistant Construction: Built to withstand various weather conditions, the HOODKIT2 is constructed with durable silicone materials that ensure long-lasting performance. Whether driving through rain, snow, article sub-temps in the northern hemisphere, or intense heat in the southern hemisphere, users can count on durability.

The HOODKIT2 LED Knight Rider Scanning Hood Brow DRL Flex Kit is now in stock and shipping from their Ringwood, IL warehouse to distributors and dealers near you. Resellers are encouraged to stock the HOODKIT1 and HOODKIT2 to universally service all small to larger body-width vehicles seeking to add safety and modern light effects.

Visit www.racesportinc.com for more.

BOCA RATON, FL (11.16.23) – In most AUDI vehicles from 2009-2019, ZZ2 integrates wireless CarPlay & Android Auto, front and rear cameras and more. Additionally, we offer a factory handle camera which retains the factory trunk appearance.

With our AUDI ZZPLAY line we offer wireless CarPlay and Android Auto solutions, bringing your vehicle up to date with one of the most desirable features in the market.

You can access the most relevant apps from your phone like iMessage, Spotify, Waze, WhatsApp, Google Maps and more, directly from factory controls. In addition to mirroring your smartphone, the ZZPLAY lineup includes USB audio and video playback, as well as a YouTube app.

Features:
Wireless CarPlay
Wireless Android Auto
SmartPhone Mirroring
USB A/V Playback
Front View Camera input
Rear View Camera input (w/ Dynamic Parking Lines)
Plug and Play

Please CLICK HERE to access the Audi section on the ZZ-2 website and get a full compatibility list.

EDMOND, OK (11.15.23) – Petra Industries is pleased to announce Ed Lacy, currently District Manager of Outside Sales, will now also oversee the company’s B2B Store operations.

Lacy started his career at Petra in 2008 as an inbound call representative. He was promoted to Will Call Customer Service Rep, became the company’s 12V Sales Specialist, and then was promoted to District Manager of Petra’s 12V Division, later retitled as District Manager of Outside Sales.

In 2015, when Will Call and 12V Sales moved into the company’s newly built B2B Store, Lacy followed and has since become a familiar and helpful face to many. His new duties include Will Call Manager, managing the B2B Store and staff, merchandising of products on display, and acting as the primary liaison of the Store with the responsibility to communicate and coordinate customer needs within Petra.

Taking on this added role provides Lacy the opportunity to better serve Petra’s customers and the company itself. “I am eager to connect, reconnect, and enhance the total customer experience at the B2B Store,” noted Lacy.

Tate Morgan, Petra President, said, “Ed is widely known for his product knowledge and great rapport with our customers. We look forward to his taking The B2B Store experience to the next level.”

Visit petra.com for more.

NEWTON, NC (11.15.23) – Sundown Audio proudly announces the launch of its all new website, designed to enhance user experience and streamline warranty claims. Simultaneously, Sundown Audio introduces a new enhanced warranty program for Stocking Dealers and Distributors.

The revamped website offers a user-friendly interface providing all Dealers and Distributors with seamless platform for faster and expedited warranty claims. This initiative aims to empower dealers and distributors with a swift and efficient processes for warranty support.

With the launch of our redesigned website and the introduction of our new warranty program we are dedicated to providing our valued dealers and distributors with an enhanced and expedited experience said Scottie Johnson CEO @ Sundown Audio. “This is initiative reflects our commitment to customer satisfaction and reinforces our position as an industry leader.”

For more information about the new website and warranty program, please visit www.sundownaudio.com.

POOLE, UK (11.14.23) – CELSUS UK, Poole-based distributor for KICKER AUDIO Marine in Europe, is displaying a highly anticipated Kicker KMC6 at METS 15 – 17th November. 

Chet Weddle and Aziz Masri are traveling from KICKER HQ in Stillwater, OK to be in to work with the CelsusUK team during the event.

KICKER AUDIO will display their new-for-2024 flagship premium source unit KMC6 for the first time globally at METS. The KMC6 boasts a truly unique combination of features which includes Digital Radio (DAB+), NMEA compatibility, 6 channels 40W at 2 ohm, Zone control, Camera/video input with trigger, IP66 waterproof rating and a 3.5” colour LCD display. This highly anticipated source unit gives boat owners future facing technology, flexibility for system design and integration with other vessel electronics. Release expected Q2 2024 with suggest retail price of €599.95. A full list of features and specification can be found below. 

Paul Baker Celsus UK Managing Director commented, “We are thrilled to launch thus new product from the fantastic manufacturing partner Kicker Marine. The introduction is a great addition to their range, we believe it will be received well by our growing network of distributors & OEM partners in Europe.”

For demonstrations of this product along with many others, visit the Celsus UK booth 01-531 in Hall 1 at RAI Amsterdam. 

For further information please contact Mark Baker at marketing@celsusgroup.net 

celsusice.co.uk | kicker.com

METAIRIE, LA (11.14.23) – ORACLE Lighting, the market leader in innovative LED solutions and high-quality automotive lighting products, announces the winners of its first-ever ORACLE Customer Awards. The awards were presented at the ORACLE Lighting booth during the 2023 SEMA Show in Las Vegas and recognize impressive sales growth and significant investment in building brand awareness and serving its respective customers in unique and exciting ways.

Warehouse Distributor (WD) of the Year: Turn5
The e-commerce powerhouse behind AmericanMuscle, ExtremeTerrain and AmericanTrucks, Turn5 has experienced the largest sales growth among ORACLE WD customers from 2019 to the present. By continually expanding its offering and having its finger on the pulse of what car, truck and off-road enthusiasts want, the company has seen a more than 300% increase in ORACLE product sales in the past two years.

Pole Position Award: Turn 14 Distribution
“Pole position” is a fitting analogy for Turn 14 Distribution’s status as the fastest-growing wholesale distributor of ORACLE products, tripling sales since it began offering the brand in 2021. With 723,000 square feet of modern distribution center space, Turn 14 Distribution boasts ground shipping coverage to 45% of the U.S. population in one day and 100% within two days, ensuring fast delivery of ORACLE products to customers nationwide.

Installer of the Year: Joe’s Jeep Jungle
Maryland-based Joe’s Jeep Jungle is a one-stop shop for all things Jeep. From lighting and suspension upgrades to complete builds and restorations, Joe’s modifies several Jeeps daily based on its customers’ needs. Known for using only real-world-tested products, the shop relies heavily on ORACLE products for its individual and Jeep club customer projects.

Customizer of the Year: Distinction Applied
Friends and family-owned and operated Distinction Applied has made a name for itself among Jeep enthusiasts for customizing OEM parts and offering only the best aftermarket upgrades. The company has created a unique process of offering the majority of ORACLE products custom painted for a truly unique touch and elevated experience for the customer.

Showstopper Award: Vision Industries
A fixture in Las Vegas car culture, the team at Vision Industries also travels to shows and meets across the country, offering sealed beam, underbody and other ORACLE products to classic, muscle car and truck, and lowrider enthusiasts. The innovative retailer and shop builds its own displays and vehicles from the ground up to showcase the latest ORACLE products.

“We want to thank our customers for being ORACLE brand champions and trusting us to deliver lighting products that match their own standards for quality and performance,” said Tiffanie Hartenstein, ORACLE Lighting’s CEO and co-founder. “The growth and commitment to the aftermarket industry represented by these companies is astounding, and we are thrilled to be part of their ongoing success.”

For more information on ORACLE Lighting and its complete product line, visit www.oraclelights.com, call (800) 407-5776 or email info@oraclelights.com.