This article was written by by Maria Halkias and Dom DiFurio for DallasNews.com
DALLAS, TX (02.17.2021) – Walmart closed 415 stores and Sam’s Clubs and put together an interactive map to help Texas shoppers determine if their neighborhood location was open or not.
And if you didn’t see Amazon delivery trucks in your neighborhood Monday, the online retailing giant closed its delivery stations in Dallas-Fort Worth to protect its drivers from navigating treacherous roadways.
Businesses faced with unprecedented nasty weather across Texas, and elsewhere around the southern U.S., had to decide Monday if worker safety outweighed expectations that they’d be open for customers needing food and other essentials.
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“We assess the status of our facilities and will continue to operate as long as it is safe to do so,” Walmart said in a statement. Its closings spanned 10 states, including Texas.
Walmart recommended customers check an interactive map it’s continuing to update before venturing out. Some closed stores continued to operate curbside pickup and delivery.
The prospects of a second snowstorm makes decisions trickier during what’s shaping up to be a week of sub-freezing temperatures.
“The safety and well-being of our employees, customers and the drivers who deliver packages are our No. 1 priority,” said Amazon spokesman Daniel Martin.
A snow-covered Downtown Dallas seen from S. Houston St. on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021. (Juan Figueroa/ The Dallas Morning News)(Juan Figueroa / Staff photographer)
Amazon will continue monitoring the storm’s effects in Texas, and directed customers to check order status on its app or amazon.com. Martin said Amazon will continue to take orders, but the delivery promise date may be delayed depending on the item and location.
Grocery stores, one of the main stops for people riding out the storm, were open Monday but planned to close early.
Kroger, which usually keeps stores open until 1 a.m., was closing its doors at 8 p.m. Central Market’s Dallas-Fort Worth stores were shutting down at 6 p.m. Kroger will reopen stores at 8 a.m. Tuesday, two hours later than usual.
SHREVEPORT, LA (02.17.2021) – The 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel was created to have some fun across the 12volt industry. Fun for vendors with spaces and visibility on the wheel along with the weekly winners. Fun too for the 12volt News.
Spin 113 on Friday January 29h was especially fun. The Wheel landed on the NAVAtlas space. Sanford Sound in Sanford ME was the winner and Jack Bogard was very happy to hear the news that day.
A smiling Jack Bogard with the NAVAtlas Handheld prize Sanford Sound won on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel. Bogard is seated on a Polaris RZR demo in his amazing new Sanford ME location
A quick call to Patrick Brooks at NAVAtlas got the ball rolling that day. Patrick Brooks snapped an image of the NAVAtlas Handhelds in the company’s Brea, CA warehouse that were headed to Sanford Sound.
On Tuesday, February 16th, Jack Bogard received the NAVAtlas Handhelds. Bogard sent an image while seated in the company’s Polaris RZR on the showroom floor. The 12volt Spin-To-Win NAVAtlas prize had made the 3000 mile trip from Brea, CA to Sanford ME in spite of all the weather problems.
Patrick Brooks pictured in the NAVAtlas Brea, CA warehouse set to send the prize to Sanford Sound.
Bogard related “Got my NAVAtlas Handheld package and these things work great. I will get with Patrick Brooks to see about adding this product to our inventory.” Bogard has seen a recent increase in the sales of Powersports related products at his store.
Brooks, NAVAtlas National Sales Manager, offered “This Handheld product is going to be a big seller in the Powersports community. The Dual band radio is simple to program and also works with helmet headsets and push to talk kits. Riding Buds will be able to communicate on the trail.”
From the 12volt News perspective this is a great story for all. A real win/win/win…..with not one “Well you know” delay.
NEW YORK, NY (02.17.2021) – SiriusXM and Navy Federal Credit Union, the world’s largest credit union with 10 million members, have teamed up to deliver a three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM’s top-tier All Access package for qualifying Navy Federal members.
This benefit is available to Navy Federal members who own a vehicle with a factory-installed SiriusXM radio, including members who recently purchased a pre-owned vehicle and closed on a Navy Federal auto loan, members with an existing Navy Federal auto loan regardless of how far into the term they are, and members who own their vehicles outright. Eligibility restrictions apply.
“As member experience is always top of mind for us, we’re pleased to team up with SiriusXM to offer even more value for our members,” said Joe Pendergast, Vice President of Consumer Lending at Navy Federal Credit Union. “Whether driving in your car, using SiriusXM’s app on your phone or listening through a connected device at home, members can tune in to their favorite stations from anywhere.”
At the end of their three-month trial subscription, active duty, veterans and their families can take advantage of SiriusXM’s Military Discount, which offers a 25% discount on eligible subscription packages.
“In light of the very strong relationship that Navy Federal Credit Union has with its millions of members, we are very pleased and proud to work with them to make SiriusXM available as a benefit to those members,” said Gail Berger, Senior Vice President, Auto Remarketing for SiriusXM. “All Access is our best subscription package, and there’s truly something for everyone in our programming lineup. Navy Federal members can experience SiriusXM in their car, at home or on the go with our app and if they choose to subscribe after their trial, they may qualify for our Military Discount as a thank you for their service.”
SiriusXM All Access is SiriusXM’s most extensive offering, featuring Howard Stern, hundreds of channels of ad-free music, plus live sports, talk programming, comedy and more. All Access subscribers get satellite-delivered channels in their car, plus streaming access to SiriusXM programming outside their car on the SiriusXM app, and on a wide variety of connected devices and speakers. The SiriusXM app also delivers multiple additional streaming-only features like SiriusXM’s Personalized Stations Powered by Pandora, SiriusXM video, and more than 100 Xtra Music Channels that deliver the right music for your mood or moment.
MANITOWOC, WI (02.16.2021) – Alpine Brand Specialist Chris Reavis, and Mike Lewis with Echo Sales, made a swing to Wisconsin. Working with the 3 store Extreme Audio company, to conduct product trainings and help with store displays, was lead on the schedule. The Extreme Audio stores in Manitowoc, Green Bay and Appleton, were visited 3 days during the week of February 8th.
Alpine Brand Specialist Chris Reavis (R) pictured with Chad Nissen in front of Alpine products on the display. Nissen is a new member of the Extreme Audio sales team at the Manitowoc, WI store.
Reavis stated “Extreme Audio has a few new team members on the sales floor. We spent time bringing all up to speed with the latest Alpine products. For new sales members we also helped them get familiar with a sales presentation for consumers looking to upgrade audio in their rides. While at each location made sure the Alpine products on the display boards were 100%.
Chris Reavis at work on the Extreme Audio Alpine display at the Green Bay, WI store.
Extreme Audio’s Kurt Scherer related “Alpine is a key brand with our company and it was super to have Chris and Mike travel to our stores and spend quality time with our team members.”
Echo Sales covers 7 states in the upper MidWest for Alpine. Mike Lewis, area representative for a portion of the northern Echo Sales territory, offered “With no in-person trade shows it is very important to spend in-store time with Alpine dealers. During the time with sales staff members we really got a feel for what customers were asking for with regard to upgrading their rides. Smartphone connectivity and display size was a topic that continued to come up. Alpine is certainly at the very top of aftermarket upgrades in those areas.”
Tri-States Barry Beller (L) is pictured with Hudson Awad at Empire Sound… a very proactive dealer in the Dallas area and new ZZ-2 dealer.
FT. SMITH, AR (02.16.2021) – Tri-State Enterprises has announced the addition of ZZ-2 to their product lineup.
ZZ-2, a manufacturer and wholesaler of OEM Integration products focused on safety and convenience for the 12Volt industry, is incredibly happy to announce our first US distribution partner for our line of products. Tri-State Enterprises will be our exclusive distributor for their territory.
HOLLY HILL, FL (02.16.2021) – Metra Electronics is now shipping new Pro Series LED replacement headlight bulbs from Heise LED Lighting Systems. The Pro Series features five different bulbs that cover every application of HID currently available on the market, plus seventeen single-beam and four dual-beam lightbulb sizes. Matched with a brand new extreme LED chipset, these bulbs not only outlast but will outperform HID bulbs.
Heise has meticulously designed the bulbs to optimize the LED position in order to maximize the headlight housing optics for both projector and reflector systems. The result is a 16,000 lumens solution that is 260% brighter than other LEDs, using only 70 watts per set with a running temperature of only 115 degrees F. By running much cooler than traditional LED bulbs, the Pro Series has an increased lifespan compared to others on the market.
“The majority of failures with LED replacement bulbs come from not wicking the heat away from the LED chip. The faster a bulb can get the heat away from the LED chips, the longer the lifespan will be. In our new design, the copper substrate is very efficient at moving heat down through the heatsink and then to the fan away from the chip,” stated Jason Anderson, VP of Product Research and Development for Metra Electronics 12volt brands.
Anderson added, “When compared to two popular fanless LED bulbs on the market that are less than half the brightness of the Heise Pro Series, their internal running temperatures were significantly higher, at 160 and 170 degrees F,” says Anderson. “Heise’s new LED bulbs are much brighter, run cooler, and will last longer.”
Heise’s Pro Series bulbs feature a 2mm solid copper thermodynamic core, all-metal construction for the build material, a rotatable collar for beam pattern adjustment, instantaneous full lumen start-up, an IC thermal controller with a high-speed smart fan, built-in reverse polarity protection, and a side-cable connection for slimmer installation. A built-in EMI filter prevents the bulbs from affecting the vehicle’s radio reception and they will work with Heise’s existing CANBUS decoders, which, depending on the vehicle, may be required to stop the flashing of headlights or the “lamp out” message in the instrument cluster (sold separately). Due to their intense brightness, these bulbs are for off-road use only and not for use on public roads.
These solutions are in stock now and come with Heise’s 3-year warranty. Installers can visit HeiseLED.com for up-to-date, vehicle specific information and installation instructions.
LUBBOCK, TX (02.15.2021) – Creativity is a hallmark across the 12volt industry. JD Glassworks, a proactive 12volt retailer located in Lubbock TX, takes the standard shop toolbox to the next level. The JD Glassworks PitBox is a totally customized shop toolbox that connects with consumers by showcasing the company’s creativity.
The Mesquite Oil Tools Inc PitBox in the JD Glassworks shop.
The PitBox caught the12volt News eye at the recent KICKER AMA ArenaCross in Levelland TX. JD Glassworks, a longtime KICKER dealer, was an exhibiting retailer at the event with a customized pickup demo and a red PitBox project for Mesquite Oil Tools Inc. The red Mesquite Oil Tools Inc. PitBox drew attention at the event from afar with the red color, flashing RGB lights and crankin’ KICKER Livin’Loud sound.
Jimmy Davis, JD Glassworks owner, related “We came up with the idea of a customized shop toolbox for exhibiting at local shows for our store. We customized a standard toolbox from Harbor Freight as a mobile office area for us at a show. The word got out to some local companies and we have done several of the custom PitBoxes. The Mesquite Oil Tools Inc. PitBox is the wildest to date.”
KICKER Marine Speakers, along with battery and power supply, shown inside the PitBox.
The Mesquite Oil Tools Inc. PitBox is wrapped in custom red vinyl. The 8 KICKER marine speakers are framed and arranged around the PitBox. Inside the PitBox is a KICKER L715. Three KICKER Amps deliver the power. A KICKER Bluetooth Media center provides plenty of music source options. A Viking battery is aboard along with a power supply. The Mesquite Oil Tools Inc PitBox is on heavy duty casters for mobility at events. At 400 pounds plus the PitBox is a load put easily fits into a pickup truck bed.
The KICKER Bluetooth multimedia source unit provides many content sources.
“Off and on around the shop we probably spent a couple weeks on the Mesquite Oil Tool Inc project. The company is a regional oil field provider and utilizes their PitBox in the company”s HQ gym, at company events and tailgating at games. We have created PitBoxes for other companies and some are also around swimming pools and on patios. Depending on the gear we install, and level of customization, the PitBoxes are in the $3000 to $5000 range. The Mesquite Oil Tool Inc project was more.”
Concluding, Davis offered “We also have space in our showroom to display a PitBox and use the store’s PitBox at events where is works great as a mobile office. PitBoxes always start a conversation with consumers. We had several customers come into the store after the KICKER AMA ArenaCross who wanted more info on a PitBox and gear for their vehicles, boats and Side-by-Sides.”
See @jd_glassworks on Instagram to see a short video and images of the Mesquite Oil Tool Inc PitBox.
SHREVEPORT, LA (02.15.2021) – The 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel was created to have some fun across the 12volt industry. Fun for vendors with spaces and visibility on the wheel along with the weekly winners. Fun too for the 12volt News.
Spin 110 on Friday January 8th was especially fun. The Wheel landed on the AIS Lighting space. King Car Audio in Norwalk, CT was the winner and Mo Deura was very happy to hear the news that day.
Mo Deura with the AIS Lighting prize. The shop Jeep shines brightly behind Mo with the AIS Lighting Kit installed.
A quick call to Kelley Vickers at AIS got the ball rolling that day. The same day Destiny Akers snapped an image of the AIS Tech Series PLUS LED Lighting Kit headed to King Car Audio.
A few days later Mo Deura posted an image of the AIS Lighting kit installed on his store’s Jeep.
A smiling Destiny Akers, in AIS HQ in Marietta GA, with the AIS Lighting prize set to ship to Mo at King Car Audio.
Vickers followed up and learned Deura really liked the ease of installation and noted the AIS lights were superior to the brand being used at King Car Audio. In addition, Deura had positive comments about the product packaging and is looking forward to becoming an AIS Lighting dealer.
The King Car Audio winning slip for the AIS Lighting prize on January 8th.
From the 12volt News perspective this is a great story for all. A real win/win/win… with not one “Well you know” delay.
FULLERTON, CA (02.15.2021) – Vision Tech America, Inc. believes in providing customers with the state-of-the-art technology in automobile engineering with the best possible prices to modernize vehicles.
In this regard, BOYO unveiled VTB301CA, which is AHD/CVBS Heavy Duty Vehicle Backup Camera Systems. “Our new VTB301CA is an upgraded version of our current VTB301C. New VTB301CA is AHD 1080P and CVBS compatible camera with an excellent display quality. It is comprised of a IP69K waterproof camera and a great night vision for RVs, Trucks, Buses and Commercial Vehicles. It will help people to drive and park safely with confidence whether you have a big truck or a RV” said Richard Hong, VP Sales.
Key Product Features: • 1/2.9” AHD Sensor (GC2053 CSP) • High resolution: AHD 1920(H)x1080(V), CVBS 600 TVL • Wide viewing angle of AHD : 125°(H), 60°(V), 170°(D) ; CVBS: 80°(H), 40°(V), 100°(D) • Minimum Illumination: 0.01 Lux / 0 Lux with IR • Night vision distance of 26ft • Heavy-duty housing / Waterproof IP69K • Configurable using loop wires
AHD/CVBS selectable
1080P/720P selectable
Reverse/ Normal image selectable
Parking guide lines on/off selectable • High voltage tolerance 12VDC (Tolerance 8V ~ 35V) • Includes 65ft extension cable
SHREVEPORT LA (02.13.21) WTF…Win This Friday. Dynamic Car Audio won the Sketch My Ride prize on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel on Friday morning, February 12th.
The 12volt Spin-to-Win Wheel was created to bring an element of fun to the 12volt industry. Two months ago we celebrated the 2nd Anniversary of the weekly 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel.
The 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel rolled for 115th time on Friday morning February 12th. The Wheel landed on the Sketch My Ride space. The Dynamic Car Audio slip was drawn from the jar and an Instagram post of the winning slip was posted. A video of the Wheel spin was also posted. We have reached out to John Edwards at Dynamic Car Audio in Virginia Beach VA with the good news.
Sketch My Ride is a new company on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel. Sketch My Ride, with Brett Marek at the drawing board, is nationally known for creating custom automotive art. With a vehicle image from John, Brett will create a cool black and white line art sketch. See @sketchmyride on Instagram to see hundreds of posts featuring Brett’s great work.
This is an example of Brett’s cool Sketch My Ride work.
Spinning out a winner each Friday, the lucky 12volt retailer can win a cool prize and top brands receive visibility across the marketplace.
12volt brands with a space on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel include Kicker, NavAtlas, SiriusXM, Accele, PowerBass, CRUX, DS18, SoundStream, AIS, JBL, Design Engineering, Power Acoustik, JVC, ZZ-2 and Sketch My Ride. 12volt News $100. cash awards have spaces on the 12volt Spin-To-Wheel for a winning 12volt retailer.
Past winners of the 12volt Spin-To-Win include…Stereo & Video Center-Tyler TX, The Outlaw Garage-Franklin TN, Exotic Sounds-West Palm Beach FL, Endless Possibilities-Aurora IL., Go Auto Sound in Union City NJ, Al&Ed’s South Bay CA, No Limitz Car Audio in Upland CA, Neil’s Specialty-Eureka CA, Sturgess Customs-Lexington SC, Audio By Art-San Antonio TX, SMS Car Audio in Marreo LA and Sweet Wheelz in Mississauga Ontario Canada, Cartronics in Biscayne FL, The CarAudio Shop in St Louis MO, Exotic Sounds in West Palm Beach FL, High North Customs in Grand Prairie Alberta Canada and AMS Audio in Bakersfield CA, Team QRT in Abbeyville LA and California Sound in Fontana CA and Jackie Cooper Electronics, Oklahoma City OK, MARS Audio-Orlando FL, All American Audio in Nutley NJ, Proline Car Stereo in Brooklyn NY, Custom Shop Miami, Tunes and Tint in Lakeland FL, Mobile Concepts Inc in Mokena IL, Seismic Auto Sound in Concord CA, Brooklyn Car Audio in Brooklyn NY, Audio Solutions in Florence MS, Enhanced Customs in Largo FL, Rayco Auto Clinic, Audio Design in San Jose CA, Go Bass Mode in Florida, Avenue Sound in Freeport NY, Audio Plus in Riverview FL, Stereo Zone in Whittier CA, In-Phase Car Audio in Omaha NE, AutoLife Group, N&H Electronics, SK Customs, Land & Sea, The Audio One, NC Custom Shop,Tint World Orlando, Ricky Smith’s Audio, VIP Custom Woks, Mobile Audio Concepts, Audio Lad, Sound Sensations, Dave’s Stereo, Stereo Design, Badlands Customs, Custom Audio-Erie PA, Voltz Autosports-Bridgeport CT, Infinity Sound and Security-Kissimmee, Autosport Plus-Canton OH, Stereo City Pros in Carmichael CA, Devine Concepts in Naples FL, The Sound Shop in Indian Trail NC, Extreme Performance Audio in Fresno CA, Audio Depot in Arlington TX, Audio Security in Houston TX, Earmark Car Audio and Marine in Lewisville TX, Audio Jam in Bear DE, Stereo City Ontario, Ontario CA, Audio By Art, San Antonio TX, Code Zero Customs in Tulsa OK, Ken’s Car Tunes in Mobile AL, Soundz Plus in Naperville IL, Markland Designs in Lithonia GA, Electronics Plus in Salinas CA, Xtreme Autosports in Santa Clarita CA, Superior Audio Sounds in San Angelo TX and Model Electronics in Ramsey NJ, Texas Dreamz Customs in Spring TX, Wired Electronics in Linden NJ and Intense Car Audio in OKC, OK, Underground Auto in Sarasota FL, Car Toys Tulsa in Tulsa OK, Real Audio in Erie PA, Go Autosound in Union NJ, DFM Stereo in Ukiah CA, Impact Tint and Audio in Tyler TX, Mobile Sound Systems in Arlington TX, Redline Audio and Performance In Spindale NC, Car Audio Land in San Diego CA, Audio X Custom Car Audio in Florence AL, River Oaks Car Stereo in Houston TX, American Radio Orlando in Sanford FL, Illustrious Customs in Woodbridge VA, Remote Start Pros in Lawrence MA, HiPro Audio in Victoria TX, AudioPlanetNY in Huntington Station NY, Endless Possibilities in Aurora IL, Audio Finesse in Santa Monica, Drive Customs in San Luis Obispo CA, Custom Works, Noblesville IN, AtoZ Detail in West Haven CT, Cars 843 in Charleston SC, CarTunes Atlanta in Atlanta GA, Mobile Concepts in Garwood NJ, Duke’s Car Stereo in Flint MI, Infinity Auto Sound, King Car Audio in Norwalk CT, PopTronics in Baltimore MD, Sanford Sound in Sanford ME and Angelvip2474 in Draper UT. Congratulations to all.
WTF… Where’s the Fun. On next spin of the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel will be on Friday, February 19th.
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