FLOWER MOUND, TX (09.18.26) – SSR Distributors and DOW Technologies teamed up for a successful Compustar dealer training event Wednesday evening at the Firstech facility in Flower Mound TX drawing more than 70 dealers for an evening of education, product knowledge, and industry networking. Dealers came from as far away as Houston and Austin.
The joint training came together through Tracy Farr, VP of Sales and Operations for SSR Distributors, and Justin Roberts, Territory Manager for DOW Technologies. Both companies are members of the Elite Distributor Alliance (EDA). Farr and Roberts saw an opportunity to partner to provide dealers with valuable training and direct access to the Compustar team.
70 dealers were in the audience when Josh Woodie made the training presentation at Firstech in Flower Mound, TX.
The training was held at Firstech’s 61,000 ft.² facility.
Jimmy Bradfield, Tracy Farr, Justin Roberts and Josh Woodie (LtoR) coordinated the evening training.
The event was held inside Firstech’s impressive 61,000-square-foot facility, which features the latest technology supporting research and development, new-product planning, technical support, and customer service operations.
Leading the evening’s training was Josh Woodie, Firstech’s head training manager, who oversees a team of approximately 10 technical staff members. Dealers remained highly engaged throughout the presentation, asking numerous questions and discussing real-world applications they could take back to their businesses. “The goal was for every dealer in the room to walk away having learned something new that they could take back to their store and apply—whether that’s with the consumer, on the sales floor, or in the installation bay” said Farr. “Based on the engagement and the number of questions throughout the evening, I believe we accomplished the goals.”
Also in attendance was Jimmy Bradfield of Momentum Marketing, the area manufacturer’s representative, along with Justin Roberts and Taylor from DOW Technologies. Representing SSR Distributors were Tracy Farr, Rostom, Arturo, and Mike.
Jimmy Bradfield, Momentum Marketing, taking questions from dealers alongside Josh Woodie.
Justin Roberts on his way to deliver a Compustar prize to a drawing winner.
Tracy Farr hands a DRONE prize to a drawing winner.
The evening concluded with numerous prize giveaways and every attendee left with a Firstech hat. For SSR and DOW, the turnout demonstrated what can be accomplished when two EDA distributors work together to support and educate their dealer base.
“This was truly a joint effort between DOW and SSR,” Farr added. “We’re both EDA members, we’re both committed to supporting our dealers and partnering on an event like this simply made sense. More than 70 dealers showed up ready to learn and the night went off without a hitch. There is power in numbers.”
The successful Flower Mound event reinforced the companies’ shared commitment to dealer education, technical training and continued investment in the 12-volt industry.
QUEENS, NY (09.18.26) – Talk to someone who has owned a BMW for ten years and you will rarely hear complaints about the car itself. The engine still pulls the way it did on the test drive. The seats and materials have worn in, not worn out. The steering still communicates the road the way BMW intended. These are vehicles engineered to be kept, and their owners keep them, often well past the decade mark.
Then there is the screen.
If you drive an older BMW, you have probably asked at least one of these questions: Can I add Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to my BMW? Can I replace the small factory screen with something larger? Is there a way to modernize the technology without tearing out the factory radio and losing iDrive? The answer to all three is yes, and it does not involve compromise. This article explains how BMW infotainment upgrades work, why BMWs are uniquely suited to them, and what to look for in a solution.
Why BMW Owners Keep Their Cars
BMWs age exceptionally well. The powertrains are built for the long haul, the interiors hold their look and feel, and the driving dynamics that convinced you to buy the car do not fade with the odometer. A well-maintained 3 Series or X5 from the early 2010s still feels special in a way few of its contemporaries can match.
A well-kept BMW still looks and feels special years later. The interior wears in rather than wearing out.
The technology inside it is another story. Infotainment moves on a consumer-electronics timeline, not an automotive one. A dashboard that was state of the art when the car was new can feel a full generation behind within five or six years. The result is a strange mismatch familiar to almost every long-term BMW owner: a car that still drives like new, paired with a screen that reminds you of its age every time you start it.
The Screen Problem Every BMW Owner Knows
The frustrations tend to pile up in the same order. The factory display, often just 6.5 or 8.8 inches, looks small next to any modern smartphone. It is not a touchscreen. There is no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, so calls, messages, music, and navigation all run through an interface designed before those services existed. The factory navigation maps are outdated, and updating them is neither cheap nor convenient. Menus that once felt responsive now feel sluggish.
Then there are the screens that fail outright. Many BMW owners know the dreaded black dot: a dark blotch that appears near the center of the display and slowly spreads as the screen’s internal layers separate. It is a well-documented issue, and dealers typically quote a full screen replacement at a price that makes owners wince. Add in fading, delamination, and dead pixels, and plenty of otherwise excellent BMWs are driving around with displays their owners actively avoid looking at.
The dreaded black dot. Internal layers separate and the blemish spreads across the factory display.
The car is still fantastic. The infotainment is not.
Why Swapping the Radio Is the Wrong Answer in a BMW
In an older truck or an economy car, the traditional fix is simple: pull the factory radio and install an aftermarket head unit. In a BMW, that approach falls apart quickly, because a BMW is not built like those vehicles. It is engineered as one integrated system.
The iDrive controller on the console, the vehicle settings menus, the parking sensors, the steering wheel controls, the factory Bluetooth, and the factory microphone all run through the same electronics that drive the display. Remove the factory radio and you are not just replacing a stereo; you are cutting into a network the rest of the car depends on. Aftermarket workarounds exist, but they trade away the seamless integration that makes a BMW feel like a BMW. As we covered in our overview of screen replacement technology, the smarter path for integrated luxury vehicles is to upgrade the display and leave the factory electronics alone.
These systems all run through the same electronics as the display. A screen upgrade leaves every one of them in place.
Replace the Display, Not the Vehicle
This is exactly the philosophy behind the DIZZPLAY line of BMW screen upgrades from ZZ2. Instead of replacing the radio, a DIZZPLAY system replaces only the screen with a larger, modern 10.25-inch HD touchscreen designed for your specific BMW, while the factory electronics keep doing their jobs.
Modern Technology. Factory Experience.
Everything you rely on stays factory:
The iDrive controller
Vehicle settings and menus
Steering wheel controls
Factory Bluetooth
The factory microphone
The OEM appearance of the dashboard
And everything you have been missing gets added:
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Wireless Android Auto
A large anti-glare HD touchscreen
zOS, ZZ2’s fast-booting Linux-based operating system
Full touch operation alongside the iDrive controller
USB media playback
Optional front and rear camera support on supported models
Touch operation, an anti-glare panel, camera support, and full iDrive controller operation.
Every DIZZPLAY system is backed by a three-year warranty with U.S.-based technical support, and installation through an authorized retailer is plug-and-play, with no cutting or splicing of the factory harness.
Fit and Finish That Belongs in a BMW
For most BMW owners, the deciding factor is not the feature list. It is the question of whether an upgrade will look like it came from the factory. Plenty of aftermarket products work well enough but announce themselves the moment you open the door: mismatched trim, odd angles, a screen that looks bolted on rather than built in.
A BMW display upgrade has to clear a higher bar, and this is where DIZZPLAY separates itself. The housing follows the factory lines of the dash, the finish matches the factory styling, and the larger display complements the dashboard rather than dominating it. Passengers notice a bigger, sharper screen. What they do not notice is anything out of place. The goal is a vehicle that looks the way BMW would have built it, if this technology had existed when the car was designed.
Which BMWs Can Be Upgraded?
DIZZPLAY covers the four infotainment platforms BMW used across two decades: CCC, CIC, NBT, and EVO. In practical terms, that means support for a broad range of vehicles from the 2004 through 2023 model years, including the 1 Series, 2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, and 7 Series, the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, and X6, and the Z4.
DIZZPLAY covers the CCC, CIC, NBT, and EVO platforms across the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 Series, the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, and X6, and the Z4.
Whether you need an NBT screen replacement for a 2015 3 Series, an EVO screen upgrade for a 2018 X3, or a CIC upgrade for an older 5 Series, the fastest way to confirm exact fitment is ZZ2’s BMW compatibility guide, which matches systems to specific models, years, and platforms.
Your BMW Still Drives Like New. Now It Can Feel Like New.
BMW built your car to last, and it has. There is no reason the technology inside it should force the issue. A DIZZPLAY upgrade modernizes the one part of the vehicle that ages fastest while preserving everything that made you keep it: the factory integration, the factory character, and the drive itself.
LIBERTYVILLE, IL (09.18.26) – Introducing the ALL-NEW Can-Am Maverick R Tuned Audio Kits.
Get ready to bring serious sound to your Can-Am Maverick R vehicle (2024 — Current) with the MBQMAVR-STG5-1 five-speaker system that features 1,120 watts of STAGE 5 power.
Included in the kit are two 6.5-inch dash-mounted coaxial RGB speakers, two 8-inch door-mounted coaxial RGB speakers, one 10-inch subwoofer in a sealed enclosure, two powerful waterproof IP67 amplifiers (520-watt 4-channel and a 600-watt monoblock) and four LED amber turn signals. Turn every outdoor ride into a concert!
In addition, sold separately as options, the MBQMAVR-SUB-1 includes a 10-inch tuned under-seat sealed subwoofer enclosure for deeper, harder-hitting bass, while the MBQMAVR-DASH-1 provides the GMR-7V1.2 source unit and dedicated dash installation solution for a clean, factory-integrated upgrade.
NORTH BRANCH, MN (09.17.26) – The Sno Barons Snowmobile Club welcomed a strong crowd to the 59th Hay Days event that happened in September 12 and 13. The exhilarating event is the largest snowmobile event in the world and a premier Powersports show. During the event there was a swap meet, grass drags, freestyle expo and UTVs participating in mud events.
On the massive grounds there were hundreds of vendors set up under tents. Trail Star Audio was one of those vendors that returned for a very exciting event.
Trail Star Audio had several loaded rides available for demos.
Products were available for sale in the booth.
Chuck Holey related “Once again this was a terrific event and was a very, very busy day for my wife, family and friends. We had great support from D-Source Distributing with Josh Burris as they provided assistance in the booth as well as inventory. During the event we sold a lot of PowerBass powerbars and portable Bluetooth speakers along with SSV Works, JBL, ExoGear Sunglasses and LED whip products and more.
Josh Burris related “Working with Chuck and his team is important to connect enthusiast with products vendors across the 12volt industry offer. In the Trail Star Audio both D-Source brands included PowerBass, Rockford Fosgate, SSV Works and Let Freedom Ride 605 that offers a UTV window protective screen ideal for transporting UTVs on a trailer. Once again it was a fun event and we look forward to next year.”
Once again, Chuck Holey was having fun with his cardboard stand-up. Attendees also liked taking images with Chuck.
Check out this crazy track project. TRIIX Customs was a partner on the project.
This Trail Star Audio KICKER project was definitely Livin’ Loud and grabbing eyeballs.
Some of the products we had on display attendees were not aware of and that helped us drive sales for other products. Our decked out Trail Star Audio UTV was loaded and drew a lot of attention during the event. Our store in Eagan is about 50 miles from North Branch and we set a lot of appointments for installations and the phone has been ringing off the hook this week.”
OXNARD, CA (09.17.26) – DSP Solutions Inc., a leader in lifestyle and solution-based audio infotainment technology for vehicles, has appointed Kristen Mauricio Senior Brand Manager for Modus, effective immediately. Mauricio will report to Vice President of Marketing, Joz Wang, and will own the long-term strategy, equity, and growth of the Modus brand and its award-winning luxury and high-end audio solutions.
“Modus is shaping the future of the industry through performance and engineering for an unprecedented experience on the road and in the water,” said Mauricio. “I am pleased to join a team that is passionate about moving the needle. Through strategic growth and leveraging the unique technology that Modus boasts, I am excited to help Modus make a continued impact in the industry.”
Mauricio is a marketing veteran with more than 16 years of global experience, including previous roles with AT&T, Seagate, and Guitar Center.
“Specializing in analytics-based strategy and high-impact brand development, Kristen’s addition to Modus reflects our mission to revolutionize the in-vehicle experience with premier audio technologies,” added Wang. “We are excited to have her on the team.”
For more information about Modus products and partnership opportunities, request more information on the web at www.modusglobal.com.
NEW YORK, NY (09.17.26) – SiriusXM announced that the Company’s SXM-11 satellite is now operational, following successful in-orbit testing and handover by Intuitive Machines. SXM-11 is the most powerful satellite in SiriusXM’s high-powered fleet and is designed to improve signal reception, expand Alaska coverage and support reliable service across North America.
“Bringing SXM-11 into service strengthens our next-generation satellite fleet and reinforces the long-term resilience of our network,” said Sean Gibbons, Chief Product and Technology Officer at SiriusXM. “For listeners, that means a premium in-car experience with broad, reliable coverage, including where cellular service may be limited. Through SiriusXM with 360L, we combine that reach with the choice, personalization and interactivity of streaming, to bring the best of both technologies together in millions of vehicles.”
210 million SiriusXM-equipped vehicles across North America are on the road today and rely on the proprietary satellite infrastructure supporting SiriusXM’s in-vehicle listening experience. Built on the Intuitive Machines IM 1300™ satellite platform, SXM-11 weighed more than 15,000 pounds, or nearly 6,950 kilograms at launch. The satellite stands 28 feet tall and spans more than 106 feet with its solar panels deployed. Orbiting 22,000 miles above Earth, SXM-11 features a large, unfurlable 30-foot (9 meter) main beam antenna that broadcasts audio and data to users on the ground, with an estimated eight million square miles of broadcast coverage.
“SXM-11 marks another milestone in our longstanding partnership with SiriusXM. Over the course of our relationship, we have built 13 spacecraft together,” said Chris Johnson, President, Intuitive Machines. “This handover reflects our shared commitment to mission success and the confidence SiriusXM continues to place in our team to deliver high-performance, reliable space systems. We continue to demonstrate our ability to design, build, and deliver satellite systems that meet the demanding requirements of today’s commercial space market with robust, scalable high-power platforms.”
SiriusXM also offers satellite-delivered Marine and Aviation services that provide pilots and boaters with weather data and other important information directly in their cockpits. SXM-11 carries an additional communications payload that will be used to deliver expanded WCS-band coverage.
SXM-11 launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 10:25 p.m. ET on June 28. SiriusXM and Intuitive Machines subsequently completed the commissioning and testing required to verify that the spacecraft and its communications systems were ready for operational service.
SXM-11 is the 15th satellite launched for SiriusXM and will replace XM-5. It is part of SiriusXM’s ongoing satellite fleet-refresh program. SXM-9 and SXM-10 commenced service in 2025, and SXM-12 is currently scheduled for launch in 2027.
STILLWATER, OK (09.16.26) – After 41 years at KICKER®/Stillwater Designs®, Vice President of Finance and Administration Jeanne Snyder recently announced her retirement from the company to enjoy more time with friends and family.
“There are so many aspects of our company today that have her fingerprints on them, that it’s hard to count them all,” said KICKER President and founder Steve Irby. “Jeanne is truly at the very heart and soul of this company.”
Snyder began in 1985 as the company bookkeeper and eventually led the eight-member KICKER Administration Department in charge of all things financial and human resources. Over time, she also inherited and oversaw the 18-member Customer Service Department and the five-member IT (Information Technology) Department.
Jeanne Snyder
“My first meeting with her was her interview, and she showed up at lunchtime,” Irby said. “I was just leaving, so I asked her if she would join me. I actually interviewed her as I was eating lunch. We were very informal in those days – probably still are, but everything worked out just fine.”
She quickly became a key person in KICKER finance and soon moved into the position of Office Manager, acquiring duties that at the time were more like those of a General Manager. She was the backbone of KICKER financial and administrative operations for several years following.
“Jeanne gave her all to KICKER for over 41 faithful years,” remarked Jay Ralston, KICKER GM. “I met her the day she hired me almost 40 years ago, so we both grew up at KICKER.
“The company would look much different without all her contributions through the years. She literally had a hand in almost every aspect of KICKER and our successes.”
Snyder will remain on the company corporate Board of Directors.
CHASKA, MN (09.16.26) – “WOW what a cool show on Saturday at TRiiX Customs of Chaska. Autosound Showcase did our 2nd IASCA 2X show of the year here in Minnesota” Keith Turner, Autosound Showcase, stated.
The tricked out TRIIX Customs UTV was spotlighted out front of the store.
All on site checked out wild custom installations.
Competitors spent time in the showroom filled with installation possibilities.
Competitors competed with a number of different types of vehicles.
For TRIIX Customs Chris St. Aubin related “This was our second IASCA Competition this year and over a dozen competitors were in the lanes. Hosting these events attracts area enthusiasts and the buzz around town continues for weeks. My wife Jenn and I, along with a friend, were judges in the Virgin Ears Shootout. We are looking forward to our events next spring and fall. The Shootout was just for fun and something different for the area.”
Soon it was time for lunch and Chris’s high school friends Brian and Bernadette we’re at the grill.
Competitors vehicles were backed up along the storefront for judging.
“After the 2x IASCA judging was done we took the 6 top scores and did what we called The Virgin Ears Shootout. The judges were Jenn St.Aubin and a friend of Jenn and Chris St.Aubin. The 6 cars were done from 1st to 6th in a bracket style shootout. High score against the lowest score. After the 1st round there were three cars left. The 3 competitors name were put in a box, then, we had a standby person draw one of the names. That name was drawn, and that person received a second round bye. Then, the other two competitors went at it and the winner of that round when against the the competitor with the bye.The top 3 competitors receive prizes. 3rd place was a MTX amp 2nd place a big Rockford amp, 1st place received a brand new pair of JBL monitor speakers, courtesy of John Senters of Genesis Audio in Columbus, OH. This was our first time doing this type of shootout, and it was something different and fun for everyone. We are looking forward the 2027 series with Chris and his crew” So here are the results below” Turner concluded.
All was ready under the tent once the burgers came off the grill.
DIAMOND BAR, CA (09.16.26) – The 2026 SEMA Show continues to build momentum due to increasing exhibitor demand and strong growth across key categories, including tools and equipment. For professionals focused on automotive service, fabrication, and repair, this year’s Show offers a comprehensive look at the latest tools and shop solutions driving productivity and precision.
The SEMA Show’s dedicated Tools & Equipment section, located in South Hall Upper, will feature hundreds of exhibiting brands, making it a must-see destination for technicians, shop owners, fabricators, and installers. Attendees will discover a full range of professional-grade tools engineered to meet the evolving demands of today’s automotive workforce.
From hand tools and power tools to diagnostic equipment, shop systems, lifting solutions, fabrication tools, and specialty service equipment, the section will highlight innovations designed to improve efficiency, safety, and accuracy in every type of automotive environment. As vehicles become more advanced, the need for high-quality, specialized tools continues to grow, driving strong interest and investment across the category.
The recently released SEMA Market Report highlights several major aftermarket segments that rely heavily on professional installation and service. The report notes that the U.S. vehicle fleet reached 296.5 million vehicles in operation in 2025, while the wheels, tires, and suspension category totaled $12.6 billion, making it one of the largest segments of the automotive aftermarket. Combined with significant professional installation rates across categories such as wheels and tires, suspension, drivetrain, driver-assist systems, and electronics, these market conditions point to a strong underlying demand for the tools, equipment, diagnostics, and shop technologies that support aftermarket service providers.
The SEMA Show Tools & Equipment section is anchored by legacy brands that have been exhibiting at the event for many years and have helped shape the professional tools market, including Bad Dog Tools, Carlyle Tools, Gearwrench, Harbor Freight, Knipex, Milwaukee, Spectro Wire & Cable Inc., and Wiha. Their continued presence underscores both the heritage and innovation that define the tools and equipment segment.
“The Tools & Equipment category is fundamental to everything that happens across the automotive aftermarket,” said SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso. “Whether it’s diagnostics, fabrication, or daily service work, professionals rely on advanced tools to get the job done right. The SEMA Show brings together the industry’s most trusted legacy brands and the newest innovators, giving attendees a firsthand look at the solutions shaping the future of automotive work.”
Overall, exhibitor commitments for the 2026 SEMA Show have surpassed 1 million net square feet of indoor exhibit space, with more than 2,000 brands preparing to connect with a global audience Nov. 3-6 in Las Vegas. The event remains one of the largest and most influential trade shows in the country, reflecting continued investment and growth across the automotive aftermarket.
Beyond tools and equipment, the 2026 SEMA Show will feature strong participation across performance, trucks, collision repair, mobile electronics, powersports, and emerging technologies. Major OEMs, including Toyota, Ford, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Stellantis, will also return, reinforcing the connection between factory engineering and aftermarket solutions.
Attendees can also experience signature features such as the New Products Showcase, Battle of the Builders, and FutureTech Studio, offering a closer look at the trends and technologies influencing the next generation of automotive tools and shop environments.
The 2026 SEMA Show will take place Nov. 3-6 in Las Vegas as part of the broader “SEMA Week” experience, which includes public access on Friday and the high-energy SEMA Fest.
OCEAN CITY MD (09.15.26) – The OC Rock and Ride was Ocean City’s ultimate motorcycle and music experience bringing live music, vendors, bikes, entertainment and more to town September 9-12, 2026.
Sound of Tri-State returned to the Ocean City Inlet for the 10th year. Sound of Tri-State team members on site included Store Manager Scott McKinnon from the Wilmington DE location along with Techs AJ Rivera, Erick Frias and Scott Rettig who were joined by Bruno Berg and Ian Worrall from The Progressive Group helping to drive sales and onsite installs at the event.
Scott McKinnon and Bruno Berg set the tents up to be ready for a Wednesday set up.
There was action in the booth on Day 1.
This is just a small portion of the overall venue.
“This year’s event was terrific with a great turnout of bikers and traffic in the booth driving business with Rockford Fosgate and Hertz sales and installs. Several bikers set appointments for this week. Bruno Berg and Ian Worrall from Team Progressive helped throughout the event. Bruno made some social media posts also. All in all a super event, in spite of last day rain, and we look forward to 2027” McKinnon related.
During the event there were always bikes waiting in line for the a space in the install tents.
Master Tech Mehdi Narimanian in the booth helping spread the work load.
An excited Bruno Berg with an excited social media post inviting followers to check out the hot rides.
Bruno Berg added “It was an amazing event and special for Ian and myself to be onsite at the event. Sound of Tri-State is a a shining example of a proactive 12volt retailer attending an event and connecting with enthusiasts, in this case bikers. Bikers will remember seeing the Rockford and Hertz products in the booth plus the custom work the Sound of Tri-State team added to bikes. Strong sales added to the success Sound of Tri-State earned at this year’s event.”
OC Rock and Ride 2027 is tentatively scheduled September 8-12.
