DIAMOND BAR, CA (10.12.2021) – Automotive is the single biggest retail segment in the U.S., accounting for 20% (more than $1.2 trillion) of retail spending in 2020, according to the new Retail Trends Report from SEMA Market Research.
The report highlights U.S. retail spending and includes new findings on the retail side of the specialty-equipment market, including specialty-automotive shopping behavior and trends.
Retail is a huge part of the U.S. economy, representing more than $6.2 trillion in 2020. While online sales are growing, it is a small slice of the total – growing to roughly 14% of total retail sales, up from 11% in 2019.
Automotive accounted for more than $1.2 trillion of retail spending in 2020, according to the new SEMA Retail Trends Report.
To help businesses understand automotive aftermarket retail trends by product and retail channel, as well as consumer and shopping behavior, the SEMA report contains additional findings, including:
The specialty-automotive aftermarket is ahead of the curve on online sales, with just over half of the $47.89 billion spent on specialty parts in 2020 going through online retail channels. SEMA expects that the share of online retail sales will level off, then return to its historical trend of gradual growth over the next couple years.
In the longer term, retailers should keep an eye on how the vehicle population evolves. Light trucks like pickups, SUVs, and CUVs are expected to represent 80% of new vehicles sold through 2028.
Alternative-fuel vehicles (e.g., hybrid and electric) are a small but growing share of new vehicles sold, expected to account for 25% of new vehicle sales by 2028 and 45% by 2035.
In recent years, specialty-automotive consumers have most-commonly bought parts in a “mixed-mode” fashion – i.e., buying both in-person and online, with smaller portions favoring exclusively in-person or exclusively online.
For many consumers, high-performance chemicals along with specialty wheels and tires represent the “gateway drugs” that can lead to more ambitious modifications to the vehicle’s appearance, performance, and handling.
For more data on the state of U.S retail and retail in the automotive specialty-equipment market, download the 2021 SEMA Retail Trends Report for free today at www.sema.org/research.
(10-11-2021) – Memphis Audio will be attending SEMA 2021 live and in person and is excited to showcase all the new and innovative powersports and car audio products and are looking forward to seeing dealers and audio fans in the North Hall at booth 12455.
“Memphis has invested a great deal of time over time researching and developing products that will continue to help our dealers succeed in business. We are excited to get back out in front of the public and showcase all the innovative products we gave o offer. We are also looking forward to having fun in the North Hall with live demos of our custom RZR outfitted with the latest and greatest Memphis gear. We don’t know what to expect from this year’s SEMA show given the nature of everything going on in the world, but we’ve committed to being there in person to spend time with our awesome dealer base who keeps this industry thriving,” said Nick LoMonaco president of Memphis Audio.
Memphis Audio will be offering live product demo from a custom one-of-a-kind Polaris RZR featuring the latest and greatest OEM Direct Fit powersports kits. These kits are designed for a vehicle specific fit in most major side-by-side models. “We wanted to give dealers an opportunity to hear how well these custom tuned direct fit kits perform in a machine. The pods are custom tuned for a high-performance audio experience and come with everything a dealer needs to add an impressive audio experience to most models of side-by-sides without any custom fabrication required. The best part is that these kits are in stock and available to ship which we know is great news for store owners. We also wired up a secondary system which is sure to please the SEMA crowd with more speakers than we can count and enough bass to keep the north shaking.” said LoMonaco.
Memphis will also be exhibiting a new Digital Sound Processor and conduct live training on how to maximize the potential of your audio system using this new piece. In addition to demos, there will be plenty of swag and giveaways so stop by booth 12455 and visit the most handsome crew the 12-volt Industry has to offer!
SHREVEPORT LA (10.09.21) WTF…Win This Friday. Trail Star Audio won the Silencer Prize on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel on Friday morning, October 8th.
The 12volt Spin-to-Win Wheel was created to bring an element of fun to the 12volt industry. Nine months ago we celebrated the 2nd Anniversary of the weekly 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel.
The 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel rolled for 148th time on Friday morning October 8th. The Wheel landed on the Silencer space. The Trail Star 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 reached out by phone and talked with Chuck Holey at the store in Eagan MN.. He was very happy to hear a Silencer prize would be heading their way.
Spinning out a winner each Friday, a 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, Silencer, PowerBass, CRUX, DS18, SoundStream, JBL, Kenwood, Power Acoustik, JVC and Magnadyne. 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, Angelvip2474 in Draper UT, Dynamic Car Audio in Baltimore MD, Hi-Pro Audio in Victoria TX, Car Stereo Max in Houston, Pro Audio Center in Richland MS, Rhodes Off-Roads in Farmington MO, Model Electronics in Ramsey NJ, Class A Sounds in Athens OH. Just Audio Video in North Providence RI, CT_Custom in Philadelphia, Audio Solutions in Florence MS and The Audio Shop RC in Rapid City SD, DG Motorsportz in High Point NC, ST Mobile in Texarkana TX, AR Custom OC in Orange CA, Temecula Mobile Sound in Temecula CA, Unique Auto Sound in Lindenhurst NY, D’s Garage in Corona CA and DS2 Mobile Solutionz in Tomball TX, C G Car Audio in Kissimmee FL, California Audio in West Valley City UT and The Action Audio Store in Wethersfield CT, Eclipse Car Audio in Vancouver WA, Electronics Depot Car Audio in Altamonte Springs FL. Car Audio Garage in Pearland TX, Pinnacle Autosound in Lake City FL, J H Audio in Bowling Green VA, The Car Audio Shop StL in High Ridge MO, Anthonys Car Stereo in North Highlands CA, Flynn Audio in Middleton WI and Living Loud Car Audio in Pelham Al. Congratulations to all.
WTF… Where’s the Fun. On the next spin of the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel… on Friday, October 15th.
AUSTIN TX (10.08.21) Moto GP got back in the saddle when the fastest show on two wheels rev’ed up for 3 days of bar-banging motorcycle racing in Austin, October 1st thru 3rd.
Kenwood was set up trackside to meet with attendees and conduct an initial presentation of the Motorsports-grade dual camera recording solution.
KENWOOD displayed at the 2021 Moto GP Race in Austin, TX! This was the perfect event to begin the initial promotion of their STZ-RF200WD motorsports-grade Dual Camera recording solution with hide-a-way control box, allowing stealth installation in motorcycles and other similar vehicles that reside in an outdoor environment (https://www.kenwood.com/usa/car/dashboard_camera/stz-rf200wd/).
Attendees had an opportunity to check out the new dual camera recording solution installed on a Ducati in the booth.
Four KENWOOD team members were on site along with 2 salespeople from Custom Sounds-Austin to help promote the new product, along with KENWOOD’s Motorsports helmet 4K recording camera & communication/communication only helmet systems, the KCA-HX7C and KCA-HX5M.
Marcus Vasconcellos is pictured with Pro UFC fighter Tim Kennedy (R) who attended the GP event.
Kenwood staff members present trackside included Rick Noetzli, Scott Caswell, Josh Bowen and Marcus Vasconcellos. Marcus supplied the images included in this article.
“The new KENWOOD dual camera solution will have so many applications for harsh environments” Scott Caswell, Senior Marketing Manager, JVCKENWOOD related.
The event wasn’t at pre-pandemic attendance levels, but was still very well attended and booth traffic was busy throughout the event. Customer surveys about the new product were conducted at the event and the overall response from consumers is it is needed, wanted, and very cool! KENWOOD plans to make further announcements about this new product in the upcoming months.
MIAMI, FL (10.07.2021) – The count down to show time is less than 30 days and Nakamichi Mobile Audio is in full SEMA Show mode.
Starting with a rep meeting the evening of Monday the 1st and followed by four days of convention, the first week in November will be a busy one for the Nakamichi team. National Sales Manager, Robin McNeal will be joined by staff from Diplomat Trading meeting with new and prospective customers from the U.S., Caribbean and Latin America.
Nakamichi’s new booth will be located at space 12465 LVCC North Hall November 2-5
New items on display at SEMA include a Hi-Res amplified DSP, wireless CarPlay / Android Auto and new amplifiers. The current 2021 line-up of Pure Sound coaxials will be rounded out with the addition of several new models.
“SEMA is branding the 2021 show ’Reconnect’ and we are looking forward to doing exactly that”, stated McNeal.
Nakamichi Mobile Audio can be found at booth #12465 in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
AUSTIN, TX (10.06.2021) – The SPL portion of the Car Audio Championship will take place October 8-9, 2021 at the North Alabama State Fairgrounds in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
The car audio organizations of dB Drag, MECA, IASCA and EMMA US are all partners in producing the Car Audio Championship. Competitors have accrued points throughout the season to gain an invitation to the championship events. With hundreds of vehicles participating in multiple locations, the event will be a destination for all things audio.
Local and national competitors have the opportunity to enter a few events that are non-invitational. IASCA will host the 2022 Season Kick Off event. The dB Drag Racing, in conjunction with Limitless Lithium, is proud to present Deathmatch at the Championship. It’s been almost 25 years since the dBDRA introduced Deathmatch to the car stereo community. A lot has changed since 1999, but the desire to dominate the competition in a gladiator-style showdown is stronger now than it has ever been. In Deathmatch, competitors must play their sound systems as loud as possible for 5 grueling minutes.
The competitor with the highest average sound pressure level (SPL) is the winner. • The DEATHMATCH contest is open to the public. No points or Final’s invitation is required. • 4 competitors – $500 minimum winner take all prize • The dBDRA will select 4 contestants from those who wish to participate
The Championship organizers would like to thank the major event sponsors, show sponsors and T-Shirt Sponsors:
• Deaf Bonce is the SPL Title sponsor • Kicker is the Competitor BBQ Sponsor • Incriminator Audio is the Badge sponsor
Show sponsors include: Lord of Bass, B2 Audio, DD Audio, 20 Hz Labs, Pioneer, XS Power, Sundown Audio, Coventry Industries, Italia HiFi, Resilient Sounds, Directronix, Term-LAB, Crossfire Car Audio and Morel.
T-shirt sponsors include: Ohio Generator, Zapco, TN Bass Racers, Phat Farm, DC Audio, Team Mini, Team Flop Box, ARC Audio, CanaSound, Limitless Lithium, Tru Technologies and Hybrid Audio.
DIAMOND BAR, CA (10.05..2021) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has debuted the first episode in its new five-episode streaming series chronicling the ninth year of its Launch Pad competition. The series showcases the ingenuity of rising entrepreneurs in the automotive industry as they pitch their new product or service to a panel of industry experts.
Fifteen individuals have been selected out of a record number of applicants last spring to advance to the semi-final round. From there, five of them will be chosen to compete for cash and prizes at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nev., where the series finale will be filmed before it airs on the History Channel on a future date.
From left, Jared Hare, Chip Foose, Alex Parker, and Myles Kovacs are judges of the 2021 SEMA Launch Pad competition, which is being chronicled on the SEMA YouTube Channel and on the History Channel on a future date.
One winner will be selected to win the grand-prize package valued at $92,000, which includes $75,000 to help launch their innovative new product. The remaining 14 semi-finalists will also receive prizes that will help them in their entrepreneurial journey.
The semi-finalists are:
Cameron Crummie – Owner, MDV
Adam Gruener – CEO, Off Road In Mind
Jonathan Hurley – Owner, ToolBox Widget
Monika Kalenski – President and CEO, MEK Magnet
Brendan McGrath – CEO, Dyme Performance Systems Inc.
Robert McKeirnan – President and Managing Partner, Stratos Meccanica LLC
D.J. Potter – CEO, Sawtooth
Alan Reyes – Co-founder and President, Xtrusion Designs LLC
Kevin Robinson – President, TRAC LLC
Paul Rooprai – CEO, AutoBio LLC
Michael Ruhs – Co-founder and CEO, TailHand
Tom Sawarynski – Owner, Off-Road Research
Michael Sullivan – Owner, Fox Products LLC
Edward Tansingco – President, Thinskinz
Dustin Woolf – Owner, Woolfpack Racing
“It’s a highlight every year to give up-and-coming entrepreneurs the chance of a lifetime,” says Nathan Ridnouer, VP of Councils and Membership. “This year, we’re even more excited to bring audiences a more comprehensive and personal look at our annual competition; it’s like Shark Tank for the automotive aftermarket industry.”
Past winners of SEMA Launch Pad include Roland Hence of FrontLane, Inc. (2020); Reid Lunde of Kaizen Speed (2019); and Matt Beenen of Builtright Industries (2018).
The first episode of “2021 SEMA Launch Pad” is available for viewing now on the SEMA Show YouTube channel, with the remaining episodes debuting on each Tuesday from Oct. 5-26. For more information about the 9th annual SEMA Launch Pad Competition, visit www.sema.org/launchpad.
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA (10.04.2021) – Kicker hosted a Zoom training presented by John Myers for over 100 South African dealers to include all of PlanetWorlds Team on Sept 2. We had multiple giveaways with a grand prize given away by PlanetWorld of R10,000 ( $664 US) Kicker products to be added to the next order.
PanetWorld’s sales rep Shaun van der Merwe (L) presented Jeetan Mitha, YOGI’s Audio and Visual outside Cape Town, with the grand prize giveaway. YOGI’s will receive nearly $700. worth of KICKER gear on the store’s next order.
The training was also attended by Jay Ralston GM of Kicker, Dave Glasgow International Sales Manager for South Africa along with Maurice Van Heerden Director of PlanetWorld.
A selection of prizes are shown on a rack in the PlanetWorld HQ.
David Glasgow, International Sales Manager, commented, “It was tremendously exciting to see the turnout of Dealers for this training presented by Kicker and John Myers. Also, Thank you goes out to Quewen Webb the Sales Manager and his entire team from PlanetWorld, for all the coordination and behind-the-scenes work.”
The map shows YOGI’s Audio and Visual in relationship to Cape Town, South Africa.
Glasgow continued, “I can’t believe it’s been over 10 years now since PlanetWorld joined the Kicker family. We could not have asked for better representation for the Kicker Brand as we have experienced through PlanetWorld. Maurice Van Heerden has a tremendous team working for him, and we look forward to many more years of outstanding business.”
SEATTLE, WA (10.01.2021) – AudioControl has announced that they will be exhibiting and hosting training seminars for attendees at KnowledgeFest Indianapolis, being held at the Indiana Convention Center, October 8-10, 2021.
The AudioControl team will be hosting one training seminar per day, covering how to maximize system performance with AudioControl’s all-in-one amplifier solutions (Friday), how to make each system shine using DSP (Saturday), and the many benefits of utilizing the AudioControl DM-RTA—the ultimate test tool (Sunday).
“These educational tracks will help our dealer partners deliver the highest performing mobile audio solutions for their customers,” explained AudioControl’s National Trainer Matthew Palumbo. “We are excited to share information, show off some important new solutions-based products and spend quality time interacting in person with dealers from the region.”
KnowledgeFest Indianapolis Training Schedule (Register Here)
Friday, October 8th @ 2:45PM Room 110: AudioControl Amplifiers – The All-In-One Solution Description: Learn about the recently expanded lineup of 12V power amplifiers from AudioControl and what makes them so unique and versatile. With the recently expanded LC integration series and D series DSP models plus all-weather options, come see why AudioControl is your go-to partner for great sounding, easy-to-install amplifiers with unique features and the industry’s best warranty and customer service.
Saturday, October 9th @ 6:00PM Room 110: Demystifying the Black Box: Breaking Down DSP Description: Join AudioControl’s National Trainer – Matthew Palumbo as he deconstructs and unravels the misconceptions of digital signal processors (DSP). Join to learn just how simple DSP can be, and how you could be using these powerful tools to produce better sounding systems with more predictable results. This is NOT just another DSP training course… this is truly a class you will not want to miss!
Sunday, October 10th @ 9:30AM Room 110: DM-RTA The Ultimate Audio Test Tool Description: Learn how easily you can achieve fantastic results in systems using factory source units. Deliver outstanding system upgrades even when head units are on backorder. Using the DM-RTA to produce predictable results means better sounding systems, happier clients, and more return customers. Already have a DM-RTA but not sure when or how to use it? Don’t know why your shop needs a DM-RTA? Join us for this in-depth training from AudioControl and get answers!
Visit AudioControl at the 2021 KnowledgeFest Indianapolis, October 8-10 Booth 313
HOUSTON, TX (09.30.2021) – Synergy Marketing, with David Toliver, is a ‘Rep on the Road’ in the Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas marketplace. Toliver recently hit the road in the Houston area with Magnadyne’s Armando Parra who flew into Houston on Monday night, September 20th.
Broadway Distributor, based in Houston, it’s now stocking Silencer Remote Starter and Security products. Andy Pariona, Branch Manager, is flanked by Magnadyne’s Armando Parra and Synergy Marketing’s David Toliver (R).
“We had an ambitious plan in place to maximize time during the 3 days Armando would be in the territory with me making sales calls with the Carbine and Silencer lines. Silencer is a line designed for distributors and our first stop Tuesday was at Broadway Distributor in Houston. Broadway recently became the Silencer distributor in the territory and we sent time with their team answering questions for them, covering feature sets and preparing them for success with the Silencer line as the remote start season is just around the corner,” Toliver related.
Silencer inventory in the Broadway showroom.
Sales calls on Tuesday afternoon focused on the Carbine line which is a dealer direct brand. Houston Car Stereo and Car Stereo Plus stops completed Tuesday in Houston.
Parra offered, “The Carbine product range offers installers known content and program methodologies, with unique cosmetics that the end-consumer will appreciate and desires. From the Carbine unique shock/tilt combination sensor for Security Driven users to our 3 Mile LORA Hybrid Security and Remote Start with Two Way LCD transmitter nothing is compromised. Dealers can visit http://www.carbine.com for more info and to contact us on becoming an authorized dealer.”
On Wednesday, Toliver and Parra made sales calls with Ultimate Innovations in Kemah, High Tech and Cartek in Houston plus Cartunes in League City. Thursday’s schedule included Car Audio by Castillo, Car Stereo Max and Car Stereo in Houston and Bico Stereo in Spring, TX.
Concluding, Toliver stated, “I have had a remote starter in my rep bag before and know it is a category that can be a very strong profit center for dealers. I am excited about representing the Carbine and Silencer brands and truly appreciate Armando coming to the territory to work Synergy Marketing to get the Carbine and Silencer brands rolling in the this territory.”
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