WASHOUGAL, WA (05.29.25) – “Like our inaugural event last year this is gonna be a party you don’t want to miss. We would love to have all area dealers come and join us to take advantage of incredible deals, food & beverages and FUN!! We will have some manufacturers on site to present their products and answer any questions that you may have. Dealers are also bringing demo cars,” Dave Gates related.

Continuing, “The Falcon HQ will welcome dealers to the event with plenty of space on the grounds for demos and cars.”

Of course there will be free goodies, prizes and some giveaways to be raffled off each day and games. There will be rep meetups, educational trainings and a warehouse walk through. A wide selection of accessories will also b be tagged with event super deals.

AM Merchandising personnel in the house will include Randy Harcourt and Todd Curley. AM Merchandising reps on site will include Andrew Snook from Pioneer, Jared Bahley from Sony, Donnie Montgomery from Escort and Nina Contreras from SiriusXM.

Falcon Sales staff member on site will include Dave Gates, Mikala Gates, Scott Chapin, Jorge Fornos, Kam Frisbee, Kevin Ridenor, Cole Hunter and Carrie Poteet. Falcon Sales reps will include Jason Hannon from Alpine, Colby Boeder from UTVStereo, Brian Mitchell from Arc Audio and Jaysam Odeh from King Boxes. Dave Gates is Falcon Sales President.

“The PowerSports category is hot and we have the widest selection of products and I look forward to crankin’ up the volume on Side x Side that is loaded with UTV Stereo gear,” Gates concluded.

Visit falconsalesanddistribution.com and ammerchandising.com for more.

MODESTO,CA (5.27.25) – It’s well known across the 12volt industry that Brian Mitchell is a road warrior traveling across the US showcasing his custom Arc Audio builds. Mitchell‘s extraordinary recent trip included the KICKER SQ@HQ event in Stillwater, OK and from there to the PNWCEE in Seattle. When the event in Seattle wrapped, it was back ARC AudioHQ in Modesto CA. During that nine day trek May 14th thru 23rd Mitchell and Chewy in the Chevrolet pickup pulled the 30′ Arc Audio trailer. That first leg was 1611 miles behind the wheel. Chewy is Brian’s pet bull dog that is a regular at all events.

The KICKER SQ@HQ at KICKER’s world headquarters was orchestrated by KICKER Brand Promoter Ernie Ficklin to connect area IASCA and MASQ competitors for a competition that also included many enthusiast from the area. The event began early Saturday May 17th morning and wrapped that evening, following the Award ceremony. “It was terrific to welcome Brian to our SQ@HQ event. His personal dedication to the 12volt industry connects to KICKER’s mission to connect consumers with enjoyment while driving their rides. Arc Audio’s presence definitely contributed to the success of our first SQ@HQ.”

In an amazing story of fate, Brian Mitchell’s Copper 12volt won the top award at the event. KICKER founder Steve Irby autographed the KICKER square sub that was featured on the Money Round Trophy crafted by Mark Eldridge. Within hours Saturday evening, Mitchell had loaded everything and departed for the 1951 miles to be on site at the PNWCEE in Seattle for Monday.

Once arriving at the Double Tree in Seattle the 12volt Copper Arc Audio car was showcased at the hotel entry. During the 3-Day event Mitchell was very active in training sessions plus showing products in the booth on the shelf floor. Networking with 12volt industry members also was a important element of the event.

When it came time to prepare to leave for the Arc Audio HQ in Modesto, there was a big surprise… The Arc Audio trailer had been stolen from the hotel parking lot. Authorities were notified and within hours the Arc Audio trailer was located. The trailer have been robbed of Mitchell‘s tools and there were no tires on the trailer. The trailer graphics also experience damage. Between the loss of the tools, cost to replaced the tires along with the damage to the $6000 graphic on the trailer the total loss approached $15,000.

Miraculously Mitchell was able to make all of the necessary adjustments and actually returned to Modesto early on Friday morning after driving the 827 miles through the night.

Mitchell related “After looking back at the nine days it was a terrific experience in terms of what we were able to accomplish to showcase the Arc Audio brand. The KICKER SQ@HQ event was so very well organized. Everything ran very smoothly and it was an exceptional experience to actually receive the top award that included an autograph woofer by KICKER founder Steve Irby. While there, I was also able to visit the amazing museum located in KICKER’s global headquarters.”

Concluding “The PNWCEE event in Seattle was also very successful. There with our booth on the show floor and time spent with training sessions, plus networking, we really did a lot to connect industry members and dealers with all we’re doing with the Arc Audio brand to connect with consumers and drive business.”

A 12volt Central Studios thank you to IASCA’s Travis Chin, MASQ’s Robert McIntosh, KICKER’s Ernie Flicklin and Brian Mitchell for all their input to create this Arc Audio Journey coverage.

Based on MapQuest date the 4389 miles was 65 hours behind the wheel for the trip. Not sure that average of 67MPH can be be correct.

Visit arcaudio.com for more.

STILLWATER, OK (05.25.25) – In a first for the mobile-audio manufacturer, KICKER® provided the necessary space and played an active hosting role in the sound-quality event on May 17th. In a nod to its SQ and SPL successes during the 1990s and 2000s, the brand has collaborated with long-time league IASCA and relative newcomer MASQ, along with fellow industry authorities Alpine® and KENWOOD®, to host the “KICKER SQ@HQ” event at Stillwater Designs® global headquarters in Oklahoma on Saturday, May 17th.

“Partnering with MASQ and IASCA made perfect sense for both KICKER and the industry as a whole,” said KICKER Brand Promoter Ernie Ficklin. “The event turned out to be a Livin’Loud win-win situation for everyone involved.”

The triple-points IASCA (International Auto Sound Challenge Association) and MASQ (Mobile Audio Sound Quality) single-day events began the morning of May 17 on the large the KICKER HQ grounds. Representatives from Alpine and KENWOOD were on hand, as well as sound-quality judges, independent mobile-audio dealers and food trucks. The event was free to the public. The event wrapped Saturday evening after judging was completed with the awards ceremony.

IASCA’s Travis Chin flew in from Washington State to lead the IASCA activities. “The KICKER SQ@HQ was terrific for IASCA. There was a solid turnout of IASCA team members from the area. The KICKER crew did a super job with setup. Everything ran so smoothly. A huge thank you to KICKER” Chin stated.

MASQ’s Robert McIntosh related “Just a super event. Sure were a LOT of spectators…several hundred thru the day and that was fantastic to see people connecting with music in their rides. We had over 30 competitors overall with 20 being in the money round and 6 competing in the 2 seat. Mark Eldridge at MSE created some really classic trophies and we thank him very much. And a huge thank you to all at KICKER for making their HQ space available and their help getting the word out in Stillwater to attract attendees.”

Brian Mitchell pulled the Arc Audio trailer from California to compete in the KICKER SQ@HQ event…that’s 1461 miles.. his famous pit bull Chewy navigating. ”I have been in the lanes at competitions across the US and nothing compares – the layout at the KICKER SQ@HQ. All the grounds really spotlighted the KICKER World HQ. I arrived on Friday and had a chance to visit the Museum and studios. The sparkling bright yellow Metropolitan will be in my mind for years. Thank you to all at KICKER” Brian offered.

To add to Mitchell’s journey the Arc Audio Copper Volt competition car won the top award….The Money Round Trophy featuring an 8” Square Woofer that was autographed by KICKER founder Steve Irby. This trophy will certainly the center stage in Brian Mitchell’s large trophy collection.

KICKER opened the Visitors Center for the day, which showcases various KICKER-infused customs and the ridiculous Wall of Boom – the massive 14-by-20-foot display housing 28 subwoofers and 46 additional speakers with 18 amplifiers powering them. The KICKER XRV (Xtreme Recreational Vehicle) and other KICKER demo vehicles lined one complete side of the parking lot and were open for those who wanted to check them out. KICKER also had visits from past audio champions that propelled the brand nearly 30 years ago.

“As car-audio manufacturers, we believe we can play a crucial role in focusing more on these competitions, which we hope will help to drive the industry forward,” Ficklin continued. “Our company’s (geographical) position, located in the heart of the USA, providd us with the opportunity to make this happen.”

Stay tuned for news of future KICKER SQ@HQ events.

KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.®, are available for the mobile- and home-audio aftermarkets at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for boat and automobile manufacturers.

www.kicker.com.

12VOLT CENTRAL STUDIOS (05.24.25) The 12volt Spin-to-Win Wheel was created to bring an element of fun to the 12volt industry. The weekly 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel is now spinning in Year 6.

The 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel rolled for the 323rd time on Friday morning on May 23rd. The Wheel landed on the RDV space and the Absolutely Creative Customs slip was drawn from the jar. An Instagram post of the winning spin slip was posted. A video of the Wheel spin was also posted.

We reached out to the lucky winning in Boulder CO. Left a message for the owner Joe Loschke that a RDV prize will be headed their way. The store works on Automotive, Aircraft and boats in the area. Their custom work posts on Instagram are amazing.

Spinning out a winner each Friday, a lucky 12volt retailer can win a cool prize and top brands receive visibility across the 12volt marketplace.

12volt brands with a space on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel include KICKER, RDV, PowerBass, CRUX, JBL, Kenwood, JVC, THINKWARE, Race Sport Lighting, EBS Audio, King Boxes, Massive Audio, Q Power and VIPER. 12volt News and 12voltBeat $100. cash awards also have spaces on the 12volt Spin-To-Wheel for the 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, 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, Living Loud Car Audio in Pelham AL, Trail Star Audio in Minnesota, On The Spot Audio in Pennsauken NJ, Animated Car Audio in Essex MD, West Coast Car Audio in Citrus Heights CA, Modified Auto Sound in East Alton IL, Star Car Audio in Hermiston OR, VapeNAudio in Clovis CA, SoundWorks in Millersville MD Eclipse Car Audio in Vancouver WA, J A Custom Audio in Houston TX Jose Electronics in North Hills CA,  Sound Proof Car Stereo in Douglasville GA, Auto Additions in Springfield IL, Elite Car Audio in Hollywood CA, Masters Car Stereo in Greenville SC, Audio Plus in Eden NC, Seismic AutoSound in Novato CA, Car Audio Addicts in Pittsburgh PA and AudioKing Tinting in Yakima WA, Arias Tint and Alarms in Duncanville TX, Odeh Car Audio in Gadsden AL, 12volt Specialist in Newark DE, Cutting Edge Audio in San Diego CA, Southern Auto Fab in Lafayette LA, California Sound in Fontana CA, Big Boyz Toyz in Florence SC, 740 Audio in Athens OH and 12volt Outfitters in Hollywood FL., High Quality Auto Sound, Lawrence MA, Custom Car Stereo SC in Spartanburg SC, Zier Box in Dallas TX, Maximum in Manville NJ, Audio Car Stereo in Miami FL, Mach 1 Audio in Washington MO, Doren Car Stereo in Queens Village NY, Side-x-Side Audio in South Charleston WV, Sound Concept in Nanuet NY, Pda Road Gear in Littleton CO and A-Plus Audio and Tinting  Newington CT, Audio Electronics in Indianapolis IN, Tint and Sound in Frederick MD, Tint World Wilmington DE, VIP Autoworks in Mentor OH, All Out Audio in Killeen TX, Yong’s Audio in Indianapolis IN, Custom Audio Concepts in Lima OH, Clear Vibrations in Quakertown PA, The Outlaw Garage in Columbia TN, Xpert Car Audio in Layton UT, No Doubt Window Tint in Ardmore OK, San Diego Car Stereo in San Diego CA, Smart Audio in Lawrence MA, Car Audio One in Chula Vista CA, Audio Excellence in Orlando FL, Ultimate Sounds 1 in Wilmington NC, King Kong Custom Audio in Albuquerque NM. Manny’s Customs in Stockton CA, OD Car Audio in Pasco WA, Car Tunes on Line in Largo FL, INOV8 Audio in Houston TX, Kartel Mobile Electronics in Waterbury CT, Pro Auto Sound in Hialeah FL Mobile AVC in Brunswick ME, Fabulous Auto Alarms in Passaic NJ, Jimmy_Sound_System in Lawrence MA, American Audio Concepts in Houston TX, Arias Tint and Alarm in Duncanville TX, Big Papas Car Audio in Cincinnati OH, Houston Audio Lab in Houston TX, 901 Sound in Memphis TN, Kurtz Car Stereo in Traverse City MI, Sound By Stephen, Music In Motion in Alsip IL, Current Automotive Design in Sparta NJ, Prestige Sounds in Pompano Beach FL, Mobile AVC in Brunswick ME, Telza Audio in Columbia SC, Limelight Automotive in Webster NY, Victory Lap Auto Restyling East Moline IL, Unique Audio VA in Lorton VA, Builds by Paul in Litchfield AZ, Voodoo Customs in Haltom City TX, Elevated Design in Phoenix AZ, Mobilework/Tintworks in Santa Maria CA, Nappo Car Audio in Houston, Platinum Car Audio in Washington, Ballistic Audiowerks in Smithsburg MD,  Xteme-Car Audio in Bremerton WA, Beltline Motors in Decatur AL, Ultimate Sounds in Chattanooga TN, Santa Fe Auto Sound in Overland Park KS, Soundelux Car Audio in Chula Vista CA, Kartele Mobile Electronics in Waterbury CT, BK Audio in Pasco WA, CenCal Audio in Madura CA, Xtreme Auto Sound in Louisville KY,  Victorylap Auto Styling in East Moline IL, Car Trendz in Alexandria VA, BLVD Customs in Lakeland FL, Audio Systems in Montclair CA, Fitment_nyc_shop in Jamaica NY, King Audio in Norwalk CT. Foss Audio in Tukwila WA, OG Car Audio in Kissimmee FL, Tint and Tunes in Sacramento CA, Dr Dashboard in Evansville IN, The Sound Shop in Chino CA, Extreme Concepts in Albertville AL,The-King of Custom in Longwood FL, Car Audio Depot in Modesto CA and Audio Dreams in Acworth GA, PCH Custom Audio in Long Beach CA, Crazy Ralph’s Car Stereo in Gonzales LA,  Joe’s Cycle Therapy in Somerset MA, Cal Custom Audio in Tracy CA, NWA Audio in Bentonville AR,  XT Audio in Miami, Tim’s Audio in Newport OR, Build’s By Paul in Litchfield AZ, DAW Discount Audio in Paramount CA and M12 Audio in Bluefield WVA,  Jam City Pros in Caddo Mills TX, Finishline Shop in Lumberton NJ, Genuine Custom Audio in Riverside CA,Ballistic Autowerks in Hagerstown MD, Jeff’s Custom Car Audio in Royce TX, Pitbull’s in Houston, Aspen Sound in North Spokane WA, CP Designs in Jarrell TX and D&B Sales in Ft Wayne IN, Precision Custom Audio in Riverview FL, The King of Custom, Active Sound in NC,  Car Stereo Plus in Sumter SC,  Audioworks DE in Newark DE, Active Sounds in NC  Speed Car Audio in Dallas, Voodoo Customs in Luling LA,  BK Customs 616 in Grand Rapids MI, TPD HiFI in Broken Bow OK, HiFi Crusin’ in Hattiesburg MS, Superior Audio Sounds in San Angelo TX Intense Kustom Audio in Brentwod NY, California Audio in West Valley UT, H A  Ross Entertainment and Voodoo Customs in Haltom TX.

Congratulations to all.

MORTON GROVE, IL (05.23.25) – The House of Electronics invited all to attend the company’s Annual Dealer Show on Tuesday, May 20 at 6 PM at the Morton Grove location. A huge outdoor show in the parking lot was planned to showcase over 45 vendors setup to show their latest products. A car show, One Sound Off competition, 2 live bands, raffles and delicious food from the grill were on the schedule.

The Chicago weather did not cooperate and many last minute changes had to be made for the event. Through the day, the weather forecast did not get any better. Then after noon Teg Manchanda started getting calls from dealers. He relayed to the 12volt Central Studios “Mike, this is incredible. We are getting calls from dealers that wanted to make sure the show was still going on. Because of the bad weather forecasts dealers said everyone’s store was slow. So we’ve been getting calls right and left asking if they could they bring all their employees and installers. We said certainly. Dealers arrived and we had a great turnout.”

Continuing “The weather they have in fact worked in our favor as some dealers brought their whole teams. Manufacturers were very impressed that we had such a great turnout given the circumstances. The Pioneer rep, Carl Smith, let me know it was amazing and that he actually met with over 45 dealers.”

The bands Crooked Step and KARMIK rocked out. The food was extra delicious and the sound-off competition ended up going until 11 PM. We had six raffle winners and at the end of the show everyone left very happy.

Concluding Teg stated “More good news, it took us a couple of days after the show to get all the orders shipped and delivered. We are certainly so appreciated for the great dealer turn out, support from our vendors and representatives. Also a huge thank you to our entire House of Electronics team that worked so hard to make the successful 2025 Dealer Show come together and beat the weather.”

Visit www.houseofelectronics.com for more.

NEW YORK, NY (05.22.25) – SiriusXM announced its broadcast schedule for the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

SiriusXM listeners will have access to the live race call from Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 25. Pre-race coverage begins at 10 am ET on SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation (SiriusXM channel 218).

SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation will also air live coverage of Indianapolis 500 Miller Lite Carb Day Practice on Friday, May 23 at 11 am ET.

Following that practice session, fans at the racetrack can watch a live taping of the SiriusXM podcast “Off Track with Hinch and Rossi,” hosted by James Hinchcliffe, a six-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES race winner who has competed in the Indy 500 nine times, and Alexander Rossi, an Indy 500 winner who will be in the field for Sunday’s race driving the No. 20 car for Ed Carpenter Racing. Hinchcliffe and Rossi will be joined by guests from the worlds of racing, music and entertainment, including legendary driver Mario Andretti and members of the band CREED. The broadcast will take place outside the Pagoda at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as part of the Miller Lite Carb Day festivities, and the show will be available on the SiriusXM app and other podcast platforms.

Additionally, on Thursday, May 22, Hinchcliffe will be at Indy 500 Media Day to conduct interviews with many of the drivers in the field or Sunday’s race. Hinchcliffe’s conversations with these contenders will be available the same day on the SiriusXM app.

SiriusXM will be sponsoring Meyer Shank Racing’s three car lineup in this Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 field. The No. 60 SiriusXM Honda driven by Felix Rosenqvist will feature GRAMMY award winning Rock band CREED and SiriusXM’s exclusive Turbo channel, where listeners can find an expertly curated selection of ‘90s and 2000s hard rock. Members of the band are set to attend the event, giving fans a chance to connect with the group whose anthems helped define an era of rock music before heading out on a national tour kicking off July 9th. Fans go to https://creed.com for more information.

The SiriusXM colors will also be on the No. 66 Spectrum Honda of Marcus Armstrong and the No. 06 Cleveland-Cliffs Honda driven by four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves.

On Monday, May 26, Diplo’s Revolution (SiriusXM channel 53) will broadcast from the Indy 500 Coors Light Snake Pit and broadcast performances by Illenium, Two Friends, Kayzo and Oliver Heldens.

SiriusXM’s Listen Free event runs from May 22 through June 2, so everyone can listen to the SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation channel and SiriusXM’s coverage of the Indianapolis 500, as well as Diplo’s Revolution. During the Listen Free event, anyone with an inactive satellite radio can tune in and listen to more than 100 SiriusXM channels for free in their vehicle.

Visit www.siriusxm.com for more.

DALLAS, TX (05.21.25) – The SSR Distributors show rolled in Dallas on Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Attendees were able to check out a car show, spend time with over 40 vendors in their booths, attend trainings and take advantage of many show specials. They also took the opportunity to register and win raffle prizes with giveaways too. This was a family friendly event and many families attended and also enjoyed delicious food from the food trucks.

Previous distributor shows this spring have been well attended and the SSR show was right there at the top. With all the uncertainty caused by tariffs dealers have taken advantage of the opportunity to stock up on specials to drive business through the coming summer season. That definitely happened at the SSR show.

Tracy Farr, SSR VP Sales and Operations, stated we had factory staff members travel from both the East Coast and the West Coast to spend time with dealers and present their products here in our Dallas location. In fact staff members from STETSOM actually made this a stop as they came up from Brazil to connect with customers across the USA. We definitely had a lot of excitement throughout our 25,000 square-foot facility in Dallas and attendees had an opportunity to check out demo vehicles outside also as they enjoyed networking and the delicious food from the food truck.”

Continuing Farr offered “Attendance this year was surprisingly strong, especially considering the challenges with current tariff pricing and inventory supply. It was definitely encouraging to see such a great turnout. Again this year, our trainings continued to improve. The credit goes to our incredible manufacturers and rep partners as they continue go above and beyond for us. Their support is something that we never take for granted and we truly couldn’t do it without them.”

“We’re also incredibly grateful to our dealers, both large and small for their continued loyalty and energy. We genuinely love and appreciate every one of them.”

“As for the show itself, the presentation and execution reflect a top-down commitment. Amir Dhahani’s going support is a huge part of our success in Dallas. He empowers me and the staff to do whats needed here and trusts the process, which makes a huge difference. Our incredible sales team Arturo, Rostom, Mike and Manny along with new hire Ricky Farmer did a great job. Ricky was at the show and in the trainings. He will be calling on Power Sport dealerships, marine and boat dealerships outside.”

Continuing, “The back end of the house, our warehouse team, absolutely killed it with the heavy lifting to put such a great show on for us.”

“On the show floor itself the hottest product category this year was definitely direct fit by Kenwood, JVC and ADS iDatalink and the APX kits. There was definitely a lot of buzz and excitement from dealers around those products. Overall, the business energy in the territory feels cautiously optimistic and dealers are focused on making things happen. For Amir and myself, the main takeaway was simple.. great results come from great partnerships. The collaboration across the board from reps, manufacturers and dealer is what drove this show. Our ongoing success a heartfelt thank you to all” Farr stated.

The SSR Distributors vendor appreciation dinner had over 50 people enjoying a steak dinner at the Saltgrass Steakhouse. There was a solid turnout and it was a great way to jumpstart the SSR 2025 show on Saturday night before the Sunday show. At the dinner Farr let everyone know why its called ‘Our SSR family dinner’. That showed all that SSR truly appreciates their support and they certainly couldn’t drive business forward without those partnerships.

“We again thank everyone for being a part of this journey with SSR Distributors Dallas” Farr concluded his dinner remarks.

Visit ssrdistributors.com for more.

LONG BEACH, CA (05.20.25) – It’s official — KENWOOD’s new Direct Replacement receivers are now shipping to dealers across the country. First revealed at KnowledgeFest Las Vegas 2025, this groundbreaking product line gives drivers and dealers a seamless, OEM-style upgrade option that looks as good as it sounds.

Designed to mount directly into factory dash openings, these receivers eliminate the need for expensive dash kits or custom modifications. Thanks to a T-Harness type solution made possible by iDatalink Maestro APX, installation is faster, cleaner, and preserves factory features.

And now, iDatalink Maestro’s APX kits are shipping too, bringing the complete solution full circle.

Now Shipping:

• DAX8000S – Feature-packed KENWOOD model
• DAX800XR and DAX1050XR – Premium eXcelon Reference models with audiophile-focused upgrades

Game-Changing Integration with iDatalink Maestro APX:

• 12 unique APX kits cover the full range of vehicles supported at launch — giving dealers more coverage with fewer SKUs
• Each kit includes metal mounting brackets to secure KENWOOD’s receivers using factory points
• Also includes vehicle-specific T-Harnesses for a clean connection to OEM wiring
• Requires purchase of the ACC-HU-KEN-1 interface harness for direct connection — no cutting, soldering, or crimping needed

UProduct Highlights:

• Fiber Optic Output (XR models only) for pristine signal quality
• Hi-Res Audio, Split-Screen CarPlay/Android Auto, Vibrant HD Displays, and more
• OEM-Style Fit that makes installs look and feel factory
• Compatibility with 50+ million vehicles at launch, and more to come

“This launch isn’t just about new receivers — it’s about a better way to do installs,” said John Lucas, Vice President of Sales for KENWOOD USA. “With the iDatalink Maestro APX kits now available, dealers can simplify their inventory and deliver a premium experience without the hassle of traditional dash kits.”

Ready to ship. Ready to install. Ready to change the game.

Visit www.kenwood.com/usa for full details.

TAMPA, FL (05.19.25) – “We are pleased to introduce a new Southeast Sales Team that significantly expands our coverage and support for both our customers and vendor partners. They all have the ability to speak to shop managers and owners, as well as salespeople, and are just as comfortable in the installation bay reviewing installation techniques,” Mike Sajecki, Vice President-East, stated.

KEVIN SLACK joins the Team Progressive East team with over 15 years of experience in sales, marketing, customer service and technical roles with all grounded in the aftermarket automotive industry. His background includes district sales and technical training roles with Pioneer Electronics USA and InstallerNet, including ownership of an automotive installation business and leadership in custom automotive services. Kevin is known for driving growth, streamlining processes and delivering exceptional customer experiences. He will be covering South Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.

CHRISTIAN VENN brings over 25 years of experience in the automotive industry and a lifelong passion for car audio. He has spent the past two decades at AAMP of America (now Stinger Solutions), where he held key leadership roles, including Team Phantom Sales Director and most recently, Eastern Regional Director. His deep industry knowledge plus track record of leadership and innovation make him a great addition to our team. Christian will focus on North Georgia and Tennessee.

PATRICK EILAND rounds out the team and strengthens support in the Carolinas, Patrick is relocating from South Florida. A Certified Sales Professional with more than 15 years in the 12volt space, Patrick has extensive experience across the automotive, marine, motorcycle, and powersport markets. His deep familiarity with our brands, systems and processes will be an immediate asset as The Team Progressive East grows in North and South Carolina.

MARK GLEISNER is to be the anchor of the Atlanta branch, where he’s done an exceptional job turning it into one of our top-performing locations. He will maintain some outside sales responsibilities while continuing to oversee day-to-day operations at the branch.

JON EDGE and BARRY COX remain in place as our inside 12volt sales team, supporting local distribution and serving as key resources for both our Southeast customers and outside sales reps.

To fill the opening in South Florida, ALEX CASTRO will be transitioning from Branch Manager to Outside Sales. Alex brings tremendous enthusiasm to this new role and is eager to put his extensive marine experience to work supporting our South Florida dealers.

“Please join me in welcoming Kevin and Christian to the team, and in supporting Patrick and Alex as they take on their new roles. Everyone is engaged and their mobile numbers are listed below. If you have any questions or need updated contact info, feel free to reach out.

Kevin Slack: 623-687-4702
Christian Venn: 727-647-2111
Patrick Eiland: 954-224-8345
Mark Gleisner: 770-833-8444
Alex Castro: 954-888-8743

For more see teamprogressive.com

TEMPE, AZ, (05.19.25) – Mobile Solutions is proud to announce that Mobile Solutions founder / CEO / president Bryan Schmitt will be conducting the keynote address for the Pacific NW Mobile Electronics Expo (PNWCEE), held May 19-21 in Seattle at the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton. Schmitt will also lead a seminar during the event entitled “High-Tech Customization: A Modern Approach to Sales and Fabrication.”

“My kenote address, entitled ‘Sharpen Your Focus – Thrive Through Challenges’ will address the current state of the mobile electronics and customization industry in 2025,” said Schmitt. “In a time marked by tariffs, economic uncertainty, and persistent supply chain issues, I will provide actionable insights on how businesses can adapt and thrive. It will be a call to action for retailers, sales associates, and Installers to sharpen their focus, deliver undeniable quality, and cultivate lasting customer relationships in a challenging market.”

Key Themes Include:

• Turning vendor relationships into strategic partnerships
• Smart pricing strategies to offset rising costs
• Focusing narrow and deep—becoming a specialist
• The importance of quality craftsmanship as a lasting value proposition
• Building a proactive success plan through goal-setting, continuous learning, and operational efficiency

In addition to the keynote, Schmitt will lead an exclusive seminar titled “High-Tech Customization: A Modern Approach to Sales and Fabrication.”

“This hands-on session explores the latest trends in vehicle aesthetics, performance upgrades, and advanced fabrication techniques, featuring real-world applications such as router-based fabrication, plastics integration, LED lighting, and modern trim design,” Schmitt continued. “Beyond fabrication, the seminar emphasizes a sales-driven mindset with my proven Best, Better, Good approach, teaching attendees how to effectively position labor and design services for premium clientele. This comprehensive training is designed to elevate both technical skills and business strategies.”

Who should attend:

• Shop owners
• Managers
• Sales professionals
• Fabricators
• Installers

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn directly from one of the most respected educators in the mobile electronics and custom automotive industry.

For more information and to attend PNWCEE 2025, please visit www.PNWCEE.com.

For more information, visit www.MobileSolutions-usa.com.