ANAHEIM, CA (1.15.26) – PowerBass was on site at the AMA Supercross event at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Saturday January 10th in the Privateer Paddock. Erik Harbour, along with Juan Quintana and PowerBass models Serra Amanda and Morgan were set up in a large booth that attracted a lot of traffic at the family friendly event. PowerBass sponsored the Privateer Paddock area and had a display set up underneath the large tent.
The Monster Energy AMA SuperCross Round 1 Angel Stadium in Anaheim took place in front of a sold out crowd. The consumer event was on the grounds adjacent to the stadium where many people also enjoyed the vendor booths.
Action on the track.
The event packed throughout the day on the Angel Stadium grounds.
Erik Harbour, PowerBass VP, related “We were back at the event in Angel Stadium again this year and the turnout was terrific. We want to do as much as we can this year to maximize PowerBass’s presence at these events that provides so many branding opportunities for us.”
PowerBass portable Bluetooth products were spotlighted in the booth.
This winner is all smiles with his prize.
Continuing “The PowerBass Bluetooth product category was a huge hit as PowerBass did live Instagram posts to find winners for product giveaways in the booth during the day. The winners wore their PowerBass lanyards with big smiles walking around the event. We had tunes rockin’ in the booth too.”
Serra connecting with attendees.
Morgan is flanked in the booth by Serra and Amanda (R).
This event followed the AIM EXPO help the previous 3 days at the Anaheim Convention Center that was the largest Powersports Trade Expo in North America. Powersports is a growing category for 12volt industry members.
DIAMOND BAR, CA (01.15.26) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is accepting nominations for its Hall of Fame, honoring individuals whose career-long contributions have enhanced the automotive aftermarket industry.
The SEMA Hall of Fame has a long-standing tradition of recognizing individuals whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness, and accomplishments have left a profound mark on the specialty-automotive market. Established in 1969, it pays tribute to business leaders, innovators, media members, and volunteers across the SEMA ecosystem who have shaped progress and created opportunities for future generations.
“The SEMA Hall of Fame represents those who have dedicated their careers to making a difference, both on and off the road,” said SEMA Manager of Recognition Programs Joe Escobar. “Without their passion and commitment to progress, the industry would not be where it is today.”
Nominations are open until Friday, March 13, at http://www.sema.org/hof. Nominations should provide detailed examples of the nominee’s impact on the industry, including specific achievements, leadership roles, and contributions that demonstrate long-term influence and distinction.
Nominee qualifications include:
The candidate must have made contributions that extend beyond the local level and reach throughout the national and/or international level.
The candidate is and/or has been involved in the automotive specialty industry and/or SEMA for a minimum of 10 years, although 15 years is preferred.
The candidate must have made outstanding contributions toward enhancing technology, professionalism, dignity, and/or general stature and growth of the automotive specialty-equipment industry.
The candidate must have conducted him/herself with a high degree of integrity both within and outside of the automotive specialty-equipment industry.
The candidate must be 50 years of age or older by the 2026 SEMA Show or they may be any age if deceased and the nomination is presented at least one year posthumous.
The Hall of Fame inductees will be announced in May and honored during the SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala in July. Contact SEMA Manager of Recognition Programs Joe Escobar at josee@sema.org for more information.
LIBERTYVILLE, IL (01.15.26) – The flagship amplifier line will push your playback into new boundaries of BIG POWER and CLEANER PERFORMANCE — while creating unmatched audio detail and concert-like soundstage quality.
Get ready to experience your sound like never before.
With cutting-edge amplification technology and a modern chassis footprint, the ALL-NEW BRUTUS BRL amplifier series is engineered to maximize power efficiency while providing raw, clean power to drive subwoofers and speakers to their full potential output.
Every BRUTUS BRL amplifier is innovated with a built-in VU Meter —whether it’s the BRL1200.4D for high-fidelity multi-channel setups or the thunderous BRL3000.1D for bass-heavy builds, the Hifonics BRUTUS BRL series is built to dominate your audio setup.
ORLANDO, FL (01.14.26) – Join Directed for a targeted training session designed to help you get up to speed on the new DIRECTED BP1 GM Global B Interface. This session provides practical guidance on system integration, installation efficiencies, and programming workflows.
Key Takeaways: ☑️ How the BP1 integrates with DIRECTED digital remote start and security systems ☑️ How the interface simplifies installations on GM Global B vehicles ☑️ Plug and play functionality and digital immobilizer communication through D2D2.0 ☑️ How the BP1 eliminates the need for a customer to give up a key on newer GM models ☑️ Step-by-step programming overview using the DKPROG tool
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA (01.14.26) — Leading car audio integrator Automotive Entertainment has announced a three-day, all-inclusive Digital Fabrication Class, scheduled for January 23–25, 2026. The intensive seminar is designed to equip industry professionals, fabricators, and technicians with the digital manufacturing proficiencies required for modern, high-precision vehicle customization and aftermarket component production.
“Vehicle fabrication is rapidly moving beyond traditional hand-built methods,” states JT Torres, Owner of Automotive Entertainment. “Digital fabrication is the necessary evolution for shops looking to achieve increased speed, repeatable accuracy, and superior quality control on every project. Our class is designed to guide participants into these data-driven workflows.”
The upcoming digital fabrication seminar will take place in a setting similar to this previous seminar.
The hands-on curriculum will provide foundational and practical training in core digital manufacturing processes, including:
3D Scanning
3D Printing
Laser Cutting
CNC Machining
Attendees will also be introduced to industry-standard software such as Autodesk Fusion, CorelDRAW, and LightBurn, illustrating how digital design, data management, and automated tooling integrate for consistent results.
Instruction will be provided by a team of respected industry veterans, including Lino Morales, Ata Ehdaivand, Jason Tzintzun, Andrew Esparza, JT Torres, and Kent Izuka, with additional support from Chris Yato, and Jeremy Katz, Ben Hermance of Hermance Design.
Project Spotlight: Breathing New Life into the 1971 Ford F100 with Digital Fabrication
A key focus of the seminar is the application of these technologies in a real-world production environment. Automotive Entertainment will use the class time to demonstrate the entire digital workflow by building complex door panels and kick panels for a 1971 Ford F100. This project-based approach emphasizes the importance of owning the digital data to ensure future projects can be replicated with maximum efficiency and consistency.
Sponsor Acknowledgment
The class is supported by sponsors Orca Manufacturing and AmplifyAM, who are committed to advancing fabrication standards within the aftermarket. A 3D printer and other digital fabrication-related items will be given away during the event.
The Digital Fabrication Class is an essential opportunity for fabricators, builders, and technicians who need to update their skill set to remain competitive in an industry increasingly defined by data-driven manufacturing.
Seats are limited. For detailed information, class schedule, and registration, please contact Automotive Entertainment directly or connect with them on Instagram.
STAMFORD, CT (01.14.26) – HARMAN International, a global leader in automotive technology and lifestyle audio, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) business of ZF Group, comprising leading automotive compute solutions, smart cameras, radars and ADAS software functions. The transaction is valued at €1.5 billion.
A Strategic Step toward an Integrated, Centralized Vehicle Architecture
HARMAN’s “Consumer Experiences. Automotive Grade.” strategy focuses on bringing the speed, intelligence, and intuitive experiences consumers expect from leading technology brands into vehicles, while also meeting the highest standards for automotive safety, reliability, and long-term platform support. As automakers accelerate toward software-defined vehicles (SDV), this approach enables experiences that seamlessly connect safety and assisted driving functions with comfort, connectivity, and in-vehicle intelligence. With this acquisition, HARMAN has secured strategic inroads in the ADAS and central compute platforms markets, reinforcing a foundation that anchors and advances its role in the fast-growing SDV market.
By integrating ZF’s ADAS capabilities with HARMAN’s flagship Digital Cockpit offerings within a centralized compute design, the acquisition bolsters HARMAN’s roadmap for next-generation vehicle architectures. The combination creates a foundation for future central compute solutions that bring assisted and automated driving solutions, safety and user experiences on a shared platform. This approach streamlines system design, reduces integration complexity, and supports more efficient innovation cycles, allowing HARMAN to enable OEMs to scale differentiated, context-aware vehicle experiences.
“The industry is at an inflection point where safety, intelligence, and in-cabin experience must come together through a unified computing architecture,” said Christian Sobottka, Chief Executive Officer and President, Automotive Division, HARMAN. “With this agreement, we take a strategic step to expand our portfolio with complementary ADAS capabilities that unlock a new class of cross-domain experiences ranging from perception-informed audio cues to more personalized, situation-aware driving. Combined with HARMAN’s long-standing automotive expertise and supported by Samsung’s broader technology leadership, this positions us to help OEMs design the next generation of intelligent, empathetic, and connected vehicles.”
“With HARMAN, we have found the ideal partner to fully unlock the growth and innovation potential of our ADAS business,” said Mathias Miedreich, CEO of ZF Group. “At the same time, this deal makes an important contribution to reducing our company’s debt and allows us to focus our resources on the core technologies in which ZF is a global leader.”
“Samsung has a successful record of strategic acquisitions that accelerate innovation and expand what’s possible for our customers,” said Young Sohn, Chairman of the Board of Directors, HARMAN and Senior Advisor, Samsung Electronics. “Since acquiring HARMAN in 2017, the company has scaled its automotive and audio business from $7 billion to more than $11 billion today. Adding ZF’s ADAS capabilities builds on that momentum. HARMAN will further expand its technology foundation to deliver safer, more intelligent, and more intuitive in-vehicle experiences. This acquisition reinforces HARMAN’s leadership in the industry’s transformation and underscores Samsung’s long term commitment to the future of mobility.”
“This transaction marks a major milestone in the execution of HARMAN’s long-term strategy and further strengthens our portfolio,” said Carolin Reichert, Chief Strategy Officer of HARMAN. “Throughout the process, we worked in a very constructive collaboration with ZF and demonstrated our ability to successfully execute a highly complex carve-out.”
As part of the agreement, approximately 3,750 ZF employees across Europe, the Americas and Asia are expected to transition to HARMAN upon closing of the transaction. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to receiving necessary regulatory approvals.
Upon closing, HARMAN will integrate ZF’s ADAS capabilities into its centralized compute and digital cockpit roadmap, enabling OEMs to deploy more scalable, safety-integrated vehicle architectures. The companies will maintain strong support for existing programs while aligning engineering, ADAS and compute teams to accelerate innovation for next-generation platforms.
TORONTO, ON (1.13.26) – The International Centre in Toronto was packed the weekend of January 9-11. The North American international Motorcycle SuperShow and the AMA North America ArenaCross event packed the International Centre filled with exhibitors, demos and products enthusiast could check out leading up to the bike season. The AMA ArenaCross was an added benefit as enthusiast could see riders navigating tight turns and flying high over mounds on the dirt track.
KICKER was on site with a large presence showcasing the latest products and connecting with enthusiast with KICKER Distributor GEMSEN. The large KICKER presence was in a high traffic area connecting the large different halls.
ArenaCross made all the arrangements for KICKR to be on site. Lorin Morrell, Maddog Media, was on site in the booth along with GEMSEN partners Dave Singh and Mike Danbrook.
The KICKER booth had a lot of visibility at the event.
GEMSEN’s Mike Danbrook and Dave Singh give a big thumbs up with Lorin Morrell (LtoR).
“As with ArenaCross events across the US there was so much excitement with attendees at the event at the Toronto Centre. We had a chance to show many new KICKER products as attendees spent time in our booth. In addition, there were a large number of KICKER banners around the track plus the PA announcers spotlighted to KICKER brand and announced the T-shirt toss contest. One of the wrapped KICKER T-shirts had a certificate for a free KICKER BULLFROG to be picked up at the booth and a happy young man and his family came by to pick up the BULLFROG. Having Dave and Mike in the booth was terrific” Morrell stated.
A KICKER T-shirt toss winner picking up his BULLFROG prize from Lorin.
Portable bleachers were moved in for attendees to watch the racing action on the track.
Dave Singh related “KICKER is a major brand on our linecard for dealers across Canada. Seeing enthusiast at this big show will certainly put the KICKER brand front and center for upgrades for motorcycle products, Powersports products and of course Car Audio products for consumers at our dealers across Canada.”
Riders were flying high on the track!
The next ArenaCross Round 6 is in Memphis, January 24 with around 7 happening in Calgary AB January 30th and 31st. Stay tuned for more as KICKER will continue Livin’ Loud on ArenaCross Championship Circuit.
DIAMOND BAR, CA (01.13.26) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is accepting nominations for its Hall of Fame, honoring individuals whose career-long contributions have enhanced the automotive aftermarket industry.
The SEMA Hall of Fame has a long-standing tradition of recognizing individuals whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness, and accomplishments have left a profound mark on the specialty-automotive market. Established in 1969, it pays tribute to business leaders, innovators, media members, and volunteers across the SEMA ecosystem who have shaped progress and created opportunities for future generations.
“The SEMA Hall of Fame represents those who have dedicated their careers to making a difference, both on and off the road,” said SEMA Manager of Recognition Programs Joe Escobar. “Without their passion and commitment to progress, the industry would not be where it is today.”
Nominations are open until Friday, March 13, at http://www.sema.org/hof. Nominations should provide detailed examples of the nominee’s impact on the industry, including specific achievements, leadership roles, and contributions that demonstrate long-term influence and distinction.
Nominee qualifications include:
The candidate must have made contributions that extend beyond the local level and reach throughout the national and/or international level.
The candidate is and/or has been involved in the automotive specialty industry and/or SEMA for a minimum of 10 years, although 15 years is preferred.
The candidate must have made outstanding contributions toward enhancing technology, professionalism, dignity, and/or general stature and growth of the automotive specialty-equipment industry.
The candidate must have conducted him/herself with a high degree of integrity both within and outside of the automotive specialty-equipment industry.
The candidate must be 50 years of age or older by the 2026 SEMA Show or they may be any age if deceased and the nomination is presented at least one year posthumous.
The Hall of Fame inductees will be announced in May and honored during the SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala in July. Contact SEMA Manager of Recognition Programs Joe Escobar at josee@sema.org for more information.
NEW YORK, NY (01.13.26) – Pandora revealed its highly-anticipated annual list, Artists to Watch 2026: The Pandora Ten. For the past decade, the streaming platform has identified a group of ten emerging artists across all genres that it believes will break through in the coming year and shape the sound of 2026 and beyond. Pandora continues to put its support behind the next generation of rising stars and remains dedicated to discovering and amplifying artists throughout their musical journey. This year’s Pandora Ten showcases the artists whose voices embody the creativity, innovation and passion of the future of music.
By leveraging a combination of advanced listening data analysis, along with human curation and insight by Pandora programmers, the platform was able to accurately predict artists’ launch to stardom and lasting impact. Over the years, Pandora’s predictions have included Post Malone in 2016; Lizzo and Dua Lipa in 2017; H.E.R. and Ashley McBryde in 2018; Summer Walker and Rauw Alejandro in 2019; Doja Cat, Roddy Ricch, and Tones & I in 2020; The Kid LAROI and Tate McRae in 2021; PinkPantheress in 2022; Kim Petras and Coco Jones in 2023; Tyla and Reneé Rapp in 2024, Alex Warren and Zach Top in 2025.
“Pandora has long been a destination for music discovery, and we’re proud to continue elevating the next wave of breakthrough artists,” said Steve Blatter, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Music Programming at SiriusXM and Pandora. “Powered by human tastemakers and data-driven listener insights, this year’s selections feature a variety of artists we believe are ready to break out and resonate in a big way.”
Along with the Pandora Ten, Pandora highlights emerging artists across various genres such as Country and Latin.
Here is the next Pandora Ten, the artists to watch in 2026 and beyond. Listen to all of them HERE.
The 2026 Pandora Ten:
Cil- Singing with the kind of soul you can’t teach, Cil isn’t afraid to pour her heart out on a track as she untangles messy relationships, the turbulence of mental health, feelings of betrayal, premonitions of lust, and life-changing epiphanies without filter or apology. The Colorado-born and Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter has unassumingly emerged as a phenomenon on her own terms with a hard-hitting, yet hypnotic R&B Pop sound. Following support slots for the likes of Stevie Nicks and Dua Lipa, Cil is “on the cusp of Pop stardom” (V Magazine) and ready to take center stage. Cil has connected strongly with the Pandora audience on multiple songs from her latest EP, don’t hold me accountable.
CORTIS- CORTIS is the first boy band in six years to debut under BIGHIT MUSIC, the powerhouse label behind global groups like BTS and TOMORROW X TOGETHER, and is bringing a fresh new take to the K-Pop genre. Their debut album, COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES, is a dynamic five-track body of work that showcases their versatility and bold artistic vision, reflecting their commitment to defy expectations and create music on their own terms. Their first official single, “What You Want,” was released on August 18th of this year and since the album’s release, Pandora has seen almost all of their songs, especially “GO!,” perform very well across the platform and resonate with listeners.
EJ Jones- Memphis-based soul singer EJ Jones is the next rapidly emerging artist to enter the Southern Soul genre, which has exploded throughout 2025 with viral moments, and he has gained popularity since releasing his captivating single “Too Good.” EJ’s unique sound blends a powerful, passionate voice with a timeless old-soul feel, showcasing a sound that resonates across generations. His new original single “Gas Station Love” is a heavy hitting emotional ride through EJ’s mind and soul and is getting dedicated support and spins on Pandora’s R&B stations like PLATINUM and R&B/Soul.
Florence Road- What makes Florence Road so instantly magnetizing isn’t just frontwoman’s Lily Aron rich, oaky vocals, but the dynamic she shares with her best friends, guitarist Emma Brandon, bassist Ailbhe Barry and drummer Hannah Kelly. Shortly after the four of them became alternative music’s most thrilling new band, they garnered a strong social media following with the mixture of silly videos that displayed their friendship and cover songs performances. Since opening for Olivia Rodrigo in their homeland of Ireland, Florence Road has seen strong momentum with their songs “Break the Girl,” “Goodnight” and “Miss” resonating with Pandora listeners across stations like Alt XL, New Alt, The Stack and Alt Pop.
Gavin Adcock- With over 135 million streams on Pandora and dedicated support on The 615: Today’s Country and Country Grit stations, Gavin Adcock is quickly becoming the face of the Country Rock revival. SiriusXM’s The Highway also had early support of five of his songs, and his explosive momentum throughout 2025 has made him one of the genre’s fastest-rising and most talked-about new artists. Gavin was hand-selected by Morgan Wallen himself as the direct support on his 2025 and 2026 tour run and brings a bold, rebellious energy to the country scene with his mix of Southern rock grit and unapologetic lyricism. Known for his viral rise and rowdy live shows, Gavin channels the raw spirit of the South.
Ian Asher- Ian Asher has rapidly risen in the Dance music scene with his signature blend of house beats, catchy vocals, and global influences. The 24-year-old producer gained massive recognition in 2023 with his viral remix of Jain’s Makeba, which became the most-used sound on Instagram and TikTok, surpassing 3 billion plays online. Following up on his success, Ian has since worked with chart-topping DJs like Oliver Heldens on their rework of “Mas Que Nada” and Galantis on their cover of “Runaway (U&I),” as well as global hitmakers like Phantogram on their rework of “Black Out Days (Stay Away).” MIXR, Pandora’s flagship EDM station, first discovered Ian in 2023, with his collaborations now having reached 4.5 million streams on the platform.
Kami Kehoe- Kami Kehoe has never been one to wait for permission. At just 22 years old, the Los Angeles–based singer, songwriter, and drummer has blazed a fearless musical path with her chameleonic, hard-charged Rock sound. Her latest EP Kandy, out now via Atlantic Records, Coup D’Etat Recordings, and 10K Projects, showcases her continued evolution as an artist, driven by the same freedom and fearlessness that have defined her journey so far. Also, appearances with Daughtry and P.O.D. this fall have gone viral, resonating with fans everywhere. Kami has earned approximately 1.2 million streams on Pandora, driven by Hard Rock flagship station, DECIBEL!, as well as continued spins of her single “Dopamine,” on SiriusXM’s Octane.
Kane Rodriguez- Kane Rodriguez, a rising star from Houston, Texas, is one of the artists representing the new wave of Regional Mexican music, gaining the most recognition both among industry peers and within the music community. Kane has spent 19 weeks on Pandora’s Top Spins chart with his hit, “Se Volvieron Locos” and has hundreds of millions of global streams. Inspired by his roots and community, he connects with a bicultural generation through authentic and heartfelt storytelling and his music blends traditional corridos with contemporary sounds. Kane was also one of the top thumbed-up artists on Pandora’s Activados station in 2025, which highlights the next generation of artists pushing the boundaries of Música Mexicana.
Peter Burton- Peter Burton is a California-based singer-songwriter and worship leader whose music leads listeners to hope. Drawing from his own journey of overcoming mental illness, his songs reflect the tension between blessing and suffering, pointing to the faithfulness of God. Through heartfelt lyrics and melodies, Burton shares a message of hope personified in Jesus Christ—the foundation of his life and artistry. Peter has sustained strong streams on Pandora’s New Christian and Today’s Christian Hits.
Pluto- Pluto, born and raised in Atlanta, started writing rhymes at 14 and began self-recording music shortly thereafter. She gained popularity from her 2025 viral single, “Whim Whamiee,” which helped land a deal with Motown Records. Additionally, Pluto has several other viral hits including “Pull Yo Skirt Up,” and “What Da Fuk,” which were all supported heavily across Pandora’s Hip-Hop stations. This past October she released her debut project, Pluto World, and her raw talent, distinct voice, and self-made style resonate with listeners and fans on Pandora.
LIVERMORE, CA (1.12.26) – “We had an incredible night for Northern California on Tuesday, January 6th, as GS Distributing officially kicked off the new year with a full house of KICKER dealers from across Northern California and Northern Nevada” Shams Nabi, President Nabi Industries Inc, related.
This decked out KICKER demo vehicle welcomed dealers when they arrived at the GS Distributing location.
Dealers traveled from more than two hours away to be part of a special evening that marked the first KICKER training held in Northern California in over 10 years. The strong turnout highlighted the demand for in-depth product knowledge and the commitment dealers have to continuing to grow their businesses with industry-leading brands.
Nearly 80 dealers packed the meeting area for in-depth presentations from KICKER staff members that included VP Tom Heath, Regional Tracy Focht and Senior Global Trainer John Myers.
Attendees had the opportunity to meet face-to-face with KICKER’s leadership and training team, including Tom Heath, Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, Tracy Focht, Western Regional Sales Manager, and John Myers, Senior Global Trainer. The session delivered valuable insight into KICKER’s product lineup, along with hands-on training designed to help dealers confidently sell and support KICKER products in today’s competitive market.
Dealers gathered outside to check out this loaded KICKER demo.
With nearly 80 people in attendance, the room was packed with energy, engagement, and meaningful conversation. Dealers were able to ask questions, share feedback, and connect not only with the KICKER team but also with retailers from across the region. The event reinforced the importance of education, strong partnerships, and collaboration within the 12-volt community.
“This event really set the tone for what we want to accomplish in 2026,” said Ron Vinoya, Area Sales Manager for GS Distributing. “Seeing dealers travel long distances to attend and engage at such a high level shows how valuable hands-on training and direct access to our vendor partners truly are. We’re proud to host events like this and look forward to continuing to support our dealers with education, access, and opportunities to grow.”
“We’re extremely encouraged by the level of participation and enthusiasm shown by our dealer base. This event set a strong foundation for the year ahead, and GS Distributing looks forward to hosting more trainings, dealer events, and collaborative opportunities as we continue building momentum into an exciting and successful 2026” Nabi concluded.
12VoltNews.com 