SEMA Updates Aftermarket Industry with COVID-19 Information Resources

DIAMOND BAR, CA (04.13.2020) – The health and welfare of the industry is a top priority to SEMA, so the association has taken a proactive approach to supporting SEMA members and is working with lawmakers to ensure they are educated and informed about the auto and auto parts industry and how it’s affected by COVID-19.

While some of SEMA’s more immediate events have been cancelled or postponed, the 2020 SEMA Show is set to take place as scheduled on Nov. 3-6. As the situation continues to evolve, we will monitor the landscape closely and will make decisions based on guidance from local, state, national and international health officials.

LATEST NEWS
COVID-19 Resources Page
The Specialty Equipment Market Association is monitoring the evolving Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and tracking what this means for our industry. For the latest updates and resources available, click here.

Pitching In
The SEMA Garage is assisting Stratasys by providing 3D printed visors, which will attach to face shields and assist those who are working in healthcare facilities. Details here.

Status Report
Champion Oil, Impact Racing, and Racecar Engineering are among the aftermarket manufacturers that remain fully operational during the COVID-19 outbreak. Details on how other companies have been affected here.

HR Hub
Human Resources professionals can discover the latest HR news related to the Coronavirus at the SEMA HR Hub. The online resource helps industry professionals stay up-to-date on the latest policies and information on employee matters. Details here.

Data is Key
As online shopping surges due to the current economic climate, the SEMA Data Co-op is showing companies how enhanced product data can be a key component in weathering the storm. Details here.

Seeking Young Entrepreneurs
The SEMA Young Executives Network is accepting applications for the 2020 SEMA Launch Pad Program, which encourages and supports young entrepreneurs in the automotive industry. Details here.

A New Perspective
Independent retailers in the automotive aftermarket remain the most used sales channel for getting parts to consumers, according to the new SEMA Industry Perspectives Report. Details here.

New Products
SEMA Data Co-op members Holley, Klein, and CURT have released new products. See them here.

UPCOMING DATES
• June 24-26: SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit, Las Vegas, Nev.
• July 24: SEMA Installation Gala, Newport Beach, Calif.
• Nov. 3-6: SEMA Show, Las Vegas, Nev.

For more info, visit semashow.com and sema.org

The 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel Is Rolling In 2020. Audio by Art Wins

SHREVEPORT LA (04.11.20)  WTF…Win This Friday. The 12volt Spin-to-Win Wheel was created to bring an element of fun to the 12volt industry. Two months ago we celebrated the first anniversary of the weekly 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel.

The latest 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel winner, number 71, is Audio by Art in San Antonio, TX. The Wheel landed on the Sirius XM space and a SVX300 tuner will be headed Art’s way.

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

Click to vew.

12volt brands with a space on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel include Kicker, SiriusXM, Cadence, PowerBass, Sony, CRUX, DS18, SoundStream, AIS, Precision Power, JBL, Power Acoustik, Farenheit, Wilson Electronics and Image Dynamics. 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 and Audio Jam in Bear DE. Congratulations to all.

WTF….Where’s The Fun. On the next spin of the 12volt Spin-to-Win Wheel Friday, April 17th.


Want to enter for future spins? It’s easy – when making an Instagram post for your store include the hashtag #12voltspin to make sure your company has a slip in the jar. There are over 1100 #12voltspin posts on Instagram.  

With 18 chances to WIN, the 12Volt Spin-To-Win Wheel is ready to shower a lucky weekly winner with one of the cool prizes.

Stay tuned to 12voltnews.com on the web and @12voltnews on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for 12volt Spin-To-Win winner announcements every Friday!

Thousands Attend AudioControl’s Online Training Sessions

SEATTLE, WA (04.10.2020) – AudioControl has rolled out live online presentations for the 12-volt industry that have had over 15,000 views thus far via streaming on ZOOM and Facebook LIVE, providing training and overall excitement during these challenging days. Attendees are interacting with the trainers and asking thoughtful questions.

The AudioControl training session on Thursday, April 9th, was a terrific hour and a half for all who attended. Matt Palumbo was on camera with Chris Bennett adding great input as they covered the AudioControl amplifier line in detail. The duo provided a lot of information regarding features, specs and installation tips.

Matt Palumbo holds an AudioControl amplifier with the top plate in place.

At the conclusion of the session Chris and Matt answered several questions, in great detail, from dealers on the ZOOM call.

David Holland, Shiflet and Dickson, was on the call. Holland, an AudioControl distributor in the Carolinas, related to 12volt News “The AudioControl ZOOM call was really great. Those on the call learned so much about the amp line. Real world installation questions were answered in detail. It is super to see AudioControl supporting their customers with these online sessions”.

Block diagrams were posted during the presentation. Click image to enlarge.

The 12volt News was on the ZOOM Call and encourage industry members to tune into the AudioControl sessions every Thursday at 11 AM PST. Great job Matt and Chris. Your back and forth during the session was so very good!

“The energy and enthusiasm from these trainings has been phenomenal,” said Matthew Palumbo National Trainer & Sales Specialist at AudioControl. “The feedback we are receiving from trainees is incredibly positive and everyone is so grateful to have us jump right in and start doing meaningful, valuable trainings. We are hosting these trainings, open to all, every Thursday at 11am PST. That way everyone knows what day, and at what time, without having to look it up. We are putting lots of resources into these sessions, and they are growing every week.”

The AudioControl LC Amplifier Family was covered in detail during the ZOOM Call.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS CAN BE ACCESSED HERE

CONNECTIVITY LINKS BELOW:

The zoom link is: https://zoom.us/j/219359570 if you’d like to join us (recommended).

Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/audiocontrol

Visit audiocontrol.com for more.

Automotive Industry Groups Seek National Approach for Defining “Essential” Businesses

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 1, 2020) — The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), in partnership with eight other automotive trade associations, urged the National Governors Association and Governors of all 50 states to standardize the definition of essential businesses and workers. The groups recommend adoption of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) March 28 directive, “Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce: Ensuring Community and National Resilience in COVID-19 Response,” which identifies essential workers and business operations throughout the economy. DHS guidance clarifies that automotive repair, maintenance, and transportation equipment manufacturing and distribution facilities are “essential services” that are critical to ensuring the safe and ongoing operations of our nation’s transportation and logistics sector.

The organizations sending the letter represent companies that manufacture parts and supply services to help maintain the nation’s fleet of public and private vehicles during COVID-19—from cars, trucks and buses to police and emergency vehicles. The letter notes that Governors and local authorities have been making difficult decisions balancing “essential” commercial activities with “Shelter in Place” directives. It is important that states adopt the DHS Guidance, which provides a uniform national approach for protecting the country’s critical transportation and manufacturing needs.

Click here to view a PDF copy of the letter.

The letter was signed by the Auto Care Association, Automotive Oil Change Association, Automotive Service Association, California Automotive Business Coalition, Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association, Specialty Equipment Market Association, Tire Industry Association, Service Station Dealers of America and Allied Trades, U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association.

Visit sema.org for more.

Covid-19 Update from AudioControl CEO Alex Camara

AudioControl Friends,

I’m writing to share two things you might find helpful relative to the Covid-19 pandemic.

First, I want to reassure you that AudioControl continues to remain fully open and operational. Please reach out to myself or any of our office and support team, working from home for any needs….

Secondly, after a number of calls and meetings with many of you, I want to provide links to valuable information from the Small Business Administration that might be helpful to you at this time. Many of you may have already tapped into these resources but I wanted to send out what I have collated over the past days….

1) I listen to this brief webinar most days at 9am Pacific. It is noted by Ami Kassar of Multifunding Advisors (NOT a loan company). His webinar is staying abreast of the current situation and provides daily updates as regulations change. A good daily update. Register here:

https://webinars.multifunding.com/

2) Paycheck Protection Program : An SBA loan that helps businesses keep their workforce employed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
3) Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance: A loan advance that provides up to $10,000 of economic relief to businesses currently experiencing temporary difficulties. 
4) SBA Express Bridge Loans: Enables small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly.
5) SBA Debt Relief: Information on the SBA’s financial reprieve to small businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.
6) U.S. Department of the Treasury: Comprehensive information on all aspects of the CARES Act.

I hope these links and the link to Ami Kassar’s daily update are helpful at this time. Keep in touch with anything we can do to help…

Sincerely,
Alex Camara
CEO – AudioControl

Visit audiocontrol.com for more.

Tint World Hosted Virtual Car Meet Via Zoom

ORLANDO, FL (04.07.2020) – Tint World Longwood, the Orlando area’s leading auto accessory and window tinting franchise, invited Orlando-area auto enthusiasts to safely connect with up to 300 other fellow car lovers this past weekend at an online event created to keep the local car scene running during a period of social distancing and stay-at-home mandates.  

Pete Muller posted this image on Sunday,  to test the live video feed, prior to the live  Virtual Car Meet Zoom call.

“Orlando has a huge car scene,” said Tint World Longwood owner Pete Muller. “You can typically find a car show every day of the week. For many people, it’s an important part of their social life. So while we’re all staying in place as much as possible, we hosted a virtual car show this past weekend that anyone could join from their own driveway or garage.”

This image is a screenshot of the live Virtual Car Meet Zoom call. Images of enthusiasts on the call are pictured. Muller is pictured on the top row-Second from the left. Tara Bush, Zoom call co-host, is pictured top row 3rd from the left.

The virtual car meet was hosted on Zoom on Sunday, April 5, from 4-6 p.m.

TintWorld Orlando’s Pete Muller commented to 12volt News, “This was a very good ‘experiment’ and possibly the very first live car meet on Zoom. In and out we generally had over 20 enthusiasts on the Zoom call. We were all relaxed, had a beverage in hand and talked car stuff. All could see the cars and garages of those on the Zoom call. All in all it was a very positive 2 hours.”

Tint World Orlando posted this announcement for the Live Virtual Car Meet days prior to the Zoom call.

Tara Bush, who owns FLACarShows.com, co-hosted the Zoom live car meet with Muller.

“I noticed there were several names on the Zoom call that I was not familiar with from the store. They will be good followup opportunities. Also, I noticed a few on the call had a ski rig or an ATV,” Muller added.

Great to see proactive 12volt retailers, like Pete Muller, exploring new ways to connect with consumers and create interest in the wide selection of products 12volt retailers offer in today’s marketplace.

Visit tintworld.com for more.

KICKER Marine Audio Joins Reef Runner Boats to “GO Overboard!” in Boat Donation Campaign

MIAMI, FL (04.06.2020) – Just before the Coronavirus changed all of our lives, Omar Fakhri and his son Laithe drove to South Florida from their home outside Dallas, Texas to pick up the 230 Reef Runner center console that they won in the Battle Breast Cancer Giveaway at February’s Miami International Boat Show. It couldn’t have been a better Spring Break and birthday gift for Laithe, who just turned 12, and his father, who with the Reef Runner Boat, is beginning his “fleet,” adding to his current 26’ center console fishing boat.

Omar Fakhri the Reef Runner winner, along with his son Laithe,  and Patrick Farres-Reef Runner during the sea trial of his new 230 Center Console won in the Battle Breast Cancer Giveaway at the Miami International Boat Show 2020.

Fakhri learned of the Reef Runner campaign, its third annual boat giveaway campaign to fight breast cancer, through an online forum where he has been active for 10 years. Like most who have had a family or social circle brush with breast cancer, Fakhri was eager to support a good cause, but never dreamed of actually winning the boat. His wife even told him, “No one wins a fishing boat!” So when Reef Runner’s owner, Donna Milo, called Fakhri on February 17 and told him he won, he was in an airport, traveling internationally and laughed, “Yeah, right, I know you’re screwing with me!” It took a moment for reality to set in, as the group of sponsors and fans at the Miami Boat Show had gathered at the Reef Runner booth and were listening eagerly to the speaker-broadcasted phone call.

Omar and his son Laithe pictured with their new 230 Reef Runner. They drove from outside Dallas to pick up the Reef Runner prize from the Battle Breast Cancer Boat Donation at the Miami International Boat Show 2020.

At delivery a few weeks later, grins were broad and spirits were high as the father and son team joined with Patrick Farris, VP and Donna Milo, owner of Reef Runner Boats for a sea trial and the twin 230 center consoles hit Biscayne Bay. Fakhri connected his phone by Bluetooth to the KICKER Marine Audio system, tuning in his son’s favorite Sirius Radio channels.

The donated KICKER system, valued at just under $5,000, included bow and T-top mounted speakers, lighted coaxial covers, a subwoofer, amplifier, source unit and remote and was installed by Reef Runner as a weather proof system to all KICKER certified and marine compliant standards.

These Kicker Speakers, just part of the $5,000 Kicker system, will be Livin’Loud as Kicker Marine Audio ‘Goes Overboard’ with the system on the prize 230 Reef Runner.

“KICKER did a great job on this system!” said Fakhri, “It was easy to connect, and we cranked it up—WOW!  It was really loud!” They adjusted it a bit to enjoy their favorite tunes and the duo set out with a mild chop and wind on Biscayne Bay.

Laithe named the boat “Trident” as a nod to Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea’s spear, since he saw the 23’ Reef Runner piercing the sea. He and his father were setting out to get the feel of the boat–and its sound system—while heading to a local beach to go for a swim, explore the area for the afternoon and plan the rest of their trip before heading back to Texas. The experience provided some family bonding–a real plus to a perfect South Florida boating day! Fakhri intends to use the Reef Runner as the family’s “reef” boat for shallow red and snapper fishing.

“This hull holds really well—she’ll lean in the turns but holds!” said Fakhri. Milo explained that Reef Runner’s keel strake enables that handling—“She loves the waves and just wants to jump over them! There’s no pounding,” Milo added.  

The Battle Breast Cancer boat giveaway enjoyed sponsorships not just from KICKER Marine Audio, but also from Evinrude, Edson, TACO Marine, Ocean Tamer, SeaDek by Castaway Customs and Center Consoles Only, but KICKER was pleased to add to the prize package, plans to continue its support, and as a result, became Reef Runner’s sound system of choice for its boats. “We love the system!” says Milo, “It was easy to install and the quality and sound is impeccable!”

“We are pleased to support the effort of Reef Runner Boat as so  many of us have had our lives touched by cancer. We see this as a great opportunity to add our expertise and products to this effort—boats built for a great cause!” says Jeremy Bale, KICKER Marine Audio’s National Brand Manager for Lifestyle and Marine Products. “KICKER Marine Audio delivers a trustworthy experience,” he adds, “We deliver total confidence in our product as proven in over 40 years of manufacturing top-quality mobile sound systems, with the goal to continually grow our brand and reputation in the recreational marine marketplace.”

Visit kicker.com for more.

The 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel Is Rolling In 2020…Traffic Jamz Wins

SHREVEPORT LA (03.28.20)  WTF…Win This Friday. The 12volt Spin-to-Win Wheel was created to bring an element of fun to the 12volt industry. Just over 4 months ago we celebrated the first anniversary of the weekly 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel.

The latest 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel winner, number 70, is Traffic Jamz in Gadsten, AL. The Wheel landed on the JBL space and a set of Tune120 earbuds will be headed to Shawn Kilgore.

Spinning out a new winner each Friday, a 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, SiriusXM, Cadence, PowerBass, Sony, CRUX, DS18, SoundStream, AIS, Precision Power, JBL, Power Acoustik, Farenheit, Wilson Electronics and Image Dynamics. 12volt News $100. cash awards have spaces on the 12volt Spin-To-Wheel for a winning 12volt retailer.

Click to view.

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 and Audio Jam in Bear DE. Congratulations to all.

WTF….Where’s The Fun. On the next spin of the 12volt Spin-to-Win Wheel Friday, April 17rd.
Want to enter for future spins? It’s easy – when making an Instagram post for your store include the hashtag #12voltspin to make sure your company has a slip in the jar. There are over 1100 #12voltspin posts on Instagram.  

With 18 chances to WIN, the 12Volt Spin-To-Win Wheel is ready to shower a lucky weekly winner with one of the cool prizes.

Stay tuned to 12voltnews.com on the web and @12voltnews on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for 12volt Spin-To-Win winner announcements every Friday!

KICKER Congratulates Weser Sales’ Dave Young on Retirement

STILLWATER, OK (04.03.2020) – KICKER bids a heartfelt farewell to newly retired Dave Young, co-owner of longtime representative firm Weser Sales (Salinas, Calif.) – one of KICKER’s original firms.  Young was retired as of April 1, 2020.

With more than three decades of service to KICKER and 40 years of industry experience, Young joined Weser Sales as Gerry Overweser’s co-owner in late 1988.

Dave Young, Weser Sales co-owner, retired on April 1st following more than 40 years in the 12volt industry.

He is credited with helping to develop key accounts, independent dealers and distributors in the Bay Area, including large corporate accounts like Walmart and Fry’s Electronics.

“I learned a lot from Dave over the years,” said Tracy Focht, KICKER’s Western Regional Sales Manager. “There are many differences between big corporations and independent dealers. Dave helped me understand how to work with each.”

Weser Sales team members Dave Young, Dana Doyle and Gerry Overweser’s (LtoR) pictured at a recent trade show.

Known for his extraordinary work ethic, focus and attention to detail, Young played a pivotal role in the success of Weser Sales.

“In handling large accounts, you have to work well under pressure,” explained Weser colleague Dana Doyle. “He never missed a phone call or email. He thrived on challenges.”

Upon the announcement of Young’s retirement, Doyle, a 31-year employee, was promoted to co-owner of Weser Sales. He is responsible for the Central Valley of California, northern Nevada, and the state of Hawaii.

Visit kicker.com for more.

KENWOOD and iDatalink Announce Better Together Trainings

LONG BEACH, CA (04.02.2020) – KENWOOD USA has announced its training team has partnered up with iDatalink Maestro to bring authorized dealers the first of their combined live training webinars for 2020 this Thursday, April 2nd at 7:00 PM EST.

Earlier this month, KENWOOD began its email promotion “IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU,” which encouraged dealers to capitalize on this time to get prepared with knowledge on their 2020 product line by scheduling a personalized webinar training session. Now, they’ve teamed up with iDatalink Maestro’s training team to bring you the first of their combined “Virtual Training” sessions.

“With so much previous success in holding combined in-person training sessions with KENWOOD, it seemed natural to bring the duo of our class leading products and technologies together using the power of the web during these times,” said Mark Rutledge, iDatalink Maestro’s Director of Engineering, New Products. “Seeing the solutions and advantages of how our products work together seamlessly enables dealers the opportunity to give their customers the best in-vehicle experience possible.”

KENWOOD and iDatalink Maestro’s training teams already have plans in place for additional virtual trainings, including targeted Facebook live events to debut in the weeks to come. “We are all better when we are together and holding interactive virtual training events allows us all to stay connected, even when at a distance,” said Mike Roberts, KENWOOD VP of Sales & Marketing. “We couldn’t be happier to host an event that allows dealers to not only learn about the latest in KENWOOD products, but also the opportunity to grasp the full scope of what iDatalink Maestro has to offer them.”

To get access to this live training webinar and/or If you are interested in setting up a personalized training session, please contact your KENWOOD sales rep for details.

For more information on KENWOOD products, visit kenwood.com/usa/car