HOUSTON, TX (06.08.26) – House of Sound Car Audio has been a huge player on the SlingsShot scene in Houston for several years. Owner Alex Restrepo and team have participated in Sling Experiences in Houston starting in 2022. The company is continuing to drive the SlingShot experiences for enthusiast and now has taken that on the road to events around the country.

Most recently they were on site in Maggie Valley NC. The week prior they attended 3 Wheel Mania north of Jackson MS with the next stop being in Toledo OH June 11-14. At these events, the team offers on site installation of premium audio upgrades to make the rider’s experience louder, clearer and built for the road. In addition, the team offers custom LED lighting with under glows, ring lights, and more to stand out.

Restrepo related to the 12volt Central Studios. “We load our trailer with tents to set up for installations along with inventory, accessories, tools and everything we need to complete premium upgrades for SlingShot owners at SlingShot events”.

Concluding “Once everything is loaded 3 members and I head out for the event. Many of these events are now three or four days in length. So we will travel 1200 miles one way to Toledo. The team will have been at the event on the road for nearly a week when we return to Houston. As a team we love what we do and it is terrific to see the smile on the owner’s face when he cranks up the system and adjusts all the LED lighting!”

Stay tuned for more when the House of Sound returns to Houston from Toledo.

For more see houseofsoundtx.com

WASHINGTON, DC (06.08.26) – U.S. Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.) has been appointed co-chair of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus, an important, bipartisan group of lawmakers whose legislative work reflects their unwavering support for America’s car culture and the automotive aftermarket and motorsports industries.
As co-chair of the caucus, Harshbarger will partner with Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.) to educate lawmakers on policies affecting automotive enthusiasts, racers, aftermarket businesses, and the broader motorsports ecosystem.

“Motorsports and automotive performance are woven into the fabric of American culture and support an industry that drives innovation, fuels small businesses, and sustains more than a million jobs across the country,” said Harshbarger. “From manufacturers and suppliers to racers, collectors, and enthusiasts, this industry represents the ingenuity and craftsmanship that make America exceptional. I’m honored to serve as Co-Chair of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus alongside Congressman Bishop, and I look forward to working in a bipartisan way to support an industry that means so much to our economy and to communities like ours in East Tennessee.”

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) applauds this announcement, hailing Harshbarger as a tireless advocate for the interests of aftermarket small businesses and automotive enthusiasts nationwide.

“Rep. Harshbarger understands the economic and cultural importance of America’s automotive aftermarket industry and enthusiast community,” said SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola. “Her leadership and commitment to supporting small businesses, manufacturing, and consumer choice make her a strong advocate for our industry and the millions of Americans who live their best lives through their cars and trucks.”

Harshbarger’s appointment comes at an important time for the nation’s automotive performance industry, which delivers an annual economic impact of $337 billion to the U.S. economy and supports over 1.3 million American jobs.

Harshbarger is leading the effort to secure passage of the “ADAS Functionality and Integrity Act” (H.R. 6688), her bipartisan bill that would protect American vehicle owners’ right to modify vehicles with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The bill requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to study the impact of vehicle modifications on safety systems and empowers the agency to publish guidelines to ensure that life-saving technology, such as automatic emergency braking, continues to work as designed after a vehicle has been modified.

SEMA looks forward to working with Harshbarger, Bishop, and caucus members to advance policies that protect consumer access to automotive customization, support domestic manufacturing, and preserve the future of motorsports and enthusiast activities nationwide.

ABOUT THE CONGRESSIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PERFORMANCE AND MOTORSPORTS CAUCUS

The Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus is a forum for lawmakers to engage on issues impacting vehicle customization, motorsports competition, automotive innovation, and the specialty-equipment marketplace.

Formed in 1996 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the American automobile, the bipartisan Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus reflects America’s always-growing love affair with the automobile and motorsports. The SEMA-supported Congressional Caucus helps shine a spotlight on the significant economic and cultural contributions of the automotive performance and motorsports industries, as well as the innovation delivered by small businesses and manufacturers from every corner of the U.S. The honorary caucus also recognizes the important role that modifying vehicles and racing play in our daily lives, through advancements in safety, performance, and customization that supports the various needs of families and businesses.

For more information, visit www.sema.org.

ATLANTA, GA (06.05.26) – KICKER is once again working with SkillsUSA to eventually put installers into the workforce. KICKER Tech Force manager Aaron Malin and trainer Jacob Luckey are judging at the SkillsUSA Championships June 1-5, during SkillsUSA’s annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta. The SkillsUSA Championships is the premier showcase of America’s most highly skilled career and technical education students.

Chris Jack and Bryan Gary with SkillsUSA are on site. Bryan trailered his competition car from Oklahoma and is on doing demos.

The Mobile-Electronics Installation category tests competitors’ abilities to perform standard installation practices used by certified, professional mobile-electronics installers, and established for the Basic MECP certification by the Consumer Electronics Association. The competition includes a written exam, interviews, and multiple hands-on applications.

“We need these young men and women to join us in our quickly evolving industry,” said Malin, the supervisor of KICKER’s global training. “SkillsUSA’s competitive categories stress various aspects of the real-world workplace, so when students graduate, they are positioned to immediately contribute on the job.”

For consecutive years, KICKER has been involved with SkillsUSA’s mission on national and local levels, and this year the brand is donating more than $5,000 in prizes to the winners of the 12-volt competitions.

The SkillsUSA NLSC event is happening at the Georgia World Conference Center in Atlanta June 1-5.

Visit kicker.com for more.

TORRANCE, CA (06.05.26) – Rydeen Mobile Electronics today announced the commercial launch of the MiNy360 Series: two precision-engineered 360° Dash Cams built on the same patented radar and optical architecture as the TOMBO360X, Rydeen’s proven automotive safety platform. The MiNy360X is shipping now. The MiNy360 follows in early Q2 2026. What has protected road warriors, commercial fleets, and professional operators is now available to every vehicle on the road.

The MiNy360 Series is not a new technology; it is a new application of one. The TOMBO360X established the standard for professional-grade 360° vehicle awareness. The MiNy360X and MiNy360 are direct extensions of that platform: the same patented proximity radar, the same optical architecture, the same engineering discipline, now built into a form factor that any installer can deploy and any driver can use.

Two Models. Two Markets. One Platform.

MiNy360X – $289 MSRP  |  Shipping: Now

The MiNy360X is a hardwired, professionally installed unit designed for install shops, commercial operators, and fleet managers. It is not a 12V power outlet plug-and-play device. This dash cam is a permanently integrated safety system. Hardwired directly to vehicle power, the MiNy360X delivers continuous parking monitoring with proximity radar, even with the engine off. It is fully compatible with Rydeen’s AHD Ecosystem, enabling dealers to expand a single install into a complete multi-camera vehicle awareness system with side and rear camera options.

Initial inventory of the MiNy360X has been allocated to Rydeen’s established distributor network. Remaining availability is limited. Distributors not yet in conversation with our sales team should act immediately. Contact: (310) 787-7880.

MiNy360 – $199 MSRP  |  Shipping: Q2 2026

The MiNy360 is the plug-and-play extension of the TOMBO360X platform. This dash cam connects to the vehicle’s 12V power outlet with no tools or installer. Designed for everyday drivers who want professional-grade 360° protection without a professional installation, the MiNy360 expands Rydeen’s reach into the consumer market while maintaining the same patented optical and radar platform that defines the TOMBO360X.

MiNy360 Channel and Purchasing Policy
To ensure every dealer has immediate access to inventory and local support, Rydeen has structured the MiNy360 purchasing path to maximize flexibility:

• Distributors: Inventory is available in cases of 20 units to support high-volume regional fulfillment.
• Independent Dealers: Rydeen’s authorized distributor network provides agile inventory solutions with no single-unit or small-quantity minimums, allowing dealers to stock exactly what their customers need without a heavy upfront investment.
• MESA Member Dealers: As a core partner group, MESA members continue to enjoy direct ordering privileges with no minimum quantity requirements.

The Core of the MiNy360 Series

At the core of both models is a proprietary optical system that delivers true 360° horizontal surround vision. This is the same architecture proven in the TOMBO360X. Ultra-wide field-of-view, built from six precision optical layers. Sony imaging chip technology captures every angle in Ultra HD, day or night, with Wide Dynamic Range technology that handles light conditions other cameras miss entirely.

The MiNy360 Series records in three selectable display modes:

• 360° Mode – Full panoramic surround view, swipeable left and right on the touchscreen
• Split Mode – Simultaneous front and interior perspective on a divided screen
• Wide Mode – Super wide forward-facing view for maximum road coverage

Industry Voices

“The MiNy360 Series represents a defining moment for Rydeen. We have taken the patented radar and optical engineering from our TOMBO360X platform and made it available to every driver on the road — from the rideshare operator to the RV family watching over a $200,000 vehicle at an overnight stop. The TOMBO360X set the standard in commercial applications. This is not a dash cam. It is a safety system that happens to fit in your palm and conveniently placed on your windshield or dashboard.”

•  Phil Maeda, President and CEO, Rydeen Mobile Electronics

“The MiNy360 Series is arriving at exactly the right moment. Dealers who already know the TOMBO360X will recognize immediately what they’re selling. The MiNy360X hardwire model, in particular, builds the kind of customer relationship that lasts. One install becomes three when the customer discovers Rydeen’s AHD Ecosystem.”

• Rex Berfield, National Sales Manager, Rydeen Mobile Electronics

Availability

• MiNy360X ($289 MSRP): Shipping now.
• MiNy360 ($199 MSRP): Available now for pre-order. Shipping Q2 2026.

Both models are available exclusively through Rydeen’s authorized distributor network and MESA buying group members. For pre-order inquiries, contact your Rydeen sales representative or reach Rex Berfield, National Sales Manager, at (310) 787-7880.

DIAMOND BAR, CA (06.05.26) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has announced the result of the 2026-2027 SEMA Board of Directors election, with Jeff Hermann of the MagnaFlow Group elected as a board member.

SEMA Board members are industry representatives who volunteer their time to lead and guide the association. They are elected by SEMA-member companies and represent the key membership categories including, but not limited to, manufacturers, distributors/retailers, manufacturers’ rep, and services.

The SEMA Board of Directors for 2026-2027 will be as follows:

Board Officers

• Chairperson – Melanie White, President, Hellwig Products
• Chair-elect – Norris Marshall, CEO, BluePrint Engines
• Immediate Past-Chair/Secretary – Kyle Fickler, Director of Business Development, ProCharger
• Treasurer – Chris Douglas, President, MCD Enterprises

Board Members

• Bill Bader, President & Owner, Summit Motorsports Park
• Rich Butler, CEO, R&R Marketing Consultants
• Jeff Hermann, Vice President Strategy & Brand, MagnaFlow Group
• Brian Herron, President, OPUS IVS
• Doug Lane, President & Owner, Motor State Distributing
• Tim McCarthy, Founder/CEO, Hushmat & ZyCoat• Kelle Oeste, CEO & Owner, V8TV Speed & Resto Shop
• Kim Pendergast, CEO, Magnuson Superchargers
• Melissa Scoles, President & CEO, QA1
• Marcus Umlauff, General Manager Truck, Toyota Motor North America

Outgoing Board Member

• Ted Wentz, CEO, Quadratec

The entire 2026-2027 SEMA Board of Directors and outgoing Board member will be honored and recognized during the 2026 SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala in Newport Beach, Calif., on July 24. All SEMA members and industry professionals are invited to join the celebration by purchasing tickets at www.sema.org/gala.