GREENSBORO, NC (08.27.26) – Dino’s Audio Video is a very proactive retailer in Greensboro NC. Recently a project was completed that totally transformed the exterior of the building. The new graffiti look on the front and side brings an entirely new look that is creating a lot of attention for the store.

“A couple of years ago, we added a graphic to the corner of our building. One day a customer came in that had been referred to us to do some upgrades on his vehicle. He noticed the graphic on the corner of the building. I told him I was not very happy with it and he said that he did that kind of work and we could put something together. Long story short, we started talking about it for some time.. A few months ago the new graffiti look became a reality on our building. What a transformation” Dino Williams stated.

Continuing “From the day Bobby G completed our store’s graffiti look our building has received so much attention. People pull over just to look at the building. Product categories are spotlighted in the graffiti. People are coming in to see about upgrades to their vehicles. People are coming by and snapping images with their vehicle in front of the store. The graffiti transformation look has brought so much attention to our store and in-store traffic and driving sales.”

Bobby G does the graffiti top down by hand. He gathers info from a dealer about the project details and creates a graphic of the completed building look. Once the graphic is approved the project price is determined. More of Bobby G’s work can be seen on TikTok and Instagram @guffitiart or call 646 372 7690.

For more see dinosav.com

PLATTE CITY, MO (08.26.26) – The NW Audio Car Audio Competition and Car Show took place on Sunday, August 23rd. This was the 23rd Annual event.

Owner Jerry Davis related “This was just one extra special event. Our 2 acre parking lot was filled with vehicles in the car show plus the audio competition presented by MW MlDWEST SPL. The car show included several classes for cars plus trucks, SXS and motorcycles. Vendor booths plus audio product giveaways added to the action.”

The event drew enthusiast from across the territory and everyone on site was so excited to be there to listen to music and see the great cars. Chris Pace brought the Arrowhead Marketing JBL Dare to Compare trailer from Kansas City and that drew attention all day long as Chris was doing demos and explaining products that were displayed on the trailer.

“The 80° day was special for us due to the recent heat wave. We handed out over 100 giveaways that made everyone happy on site for the family friendly event. Children really had fun in the large bounce house. We are certainly looking forward to 2027 and our 24th Annual Car Audio Competition and Car Show” Davis concluded.

For more see nwaudio.net.

LINCOLN CITY, OR (08.25.26) – The Pacific Northwest’s biggest car audio weekend rocked! The 2026 Surf City Soundoff took place Saturday and Sunday, August 22–23, at Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City, and brought competitors, car audio enthusiasts and spectators together for two days of competition, demonstrations, entertainment and community fundraising.

The Surf City Soundoff has become a marquee event on the competitive car audio calendar, and this year’s event featured an IASCA 3X World Record Event, with competitors battling in Sound Quality, SPL and Nite Glow, along with a dB DRA 3X competition.

Competitors from throughout the United States and Canada made the trip to the Oregon coast, bringing everything from meticulously tuned Sound Quality vehicles to extreme SPL builds capable of producing extraordinary levels of sound pressure. For spectators, the event provided a rare opportunity to see these vehicles up close, talk with their builders and experience the systems in action.

“This Surf City Soundoff was one of those events where you really get to see what makes car audio so special,” said Travis Chin, President of IASCA Worldwide. “It was a great turnout and the sun finally came out on Sunday. We had lots of local support from vendors and shops. We had competitors pushing the limits of technology and performance, but we also had people who simply love their cars, their music and the hobby. Bringing all of that together on the Oregon coast made for an incredible weekend.”

While competition was at the heart of the Surf City Soundoff, the weekend offered considerably more for spectators. Demonstration vehicles, vendor displays, product showcases, raffles and other activities gave visitors plenty of opportunities to explore the latest in mobile audio and see some of the Northwest’s most impressive builds.

The event also continued its strong connection to the Lincoln County community through its support of Angels Anonymous. Proceeds from registrations, sponsorships, raffles and donations benefited the organization and its efforts to assist local individuals and families. The 2026 Surf City Soundoff raised more than $20,000 for Angels Anonymous.

Sam Sutton, Crossover Marketing related “This year’s Surf City was a great event. All the guys at Car Toys Oregon thought it was successful too and definitely worth everyone’s time. Very excited to go back next year. We nailed the booth set up and overall presence as well!”

Spectator admission to the Surf City Soundoff was free, making it an opportunity for longtime car audio fans as well as people who have never experienced competitive mobile audio to come out and see what the hobby is all about.

The Surf City Soundoff was joined Saturday by Surf City Classics, a major automotive show at Chinook Winds Casino Resort featuring classic cars, American muscle, rat rods, trucks, 4x4s, motorcycles and other unique vehicles.

Surf City Classics took place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, with vehicle judging scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. and awards at 4 p.m. The car show added another dimension to the weekend, giving visitors an opportunity to experience both traditional automotive craftsmanship and the cutting-edge technology found in today’s competitive car audio vehicles.

As the two events took place together, Lincoln City became a gathering place for automotive enthusiasts throughout the weekend—from classic-car collectors and muscle-car fans to serious car audio competitors and spectators.

The Surf City Soundoff was hosted in partnership with IASCA Worldwide and Chinook Winds Casino Resort.

Make plans plan to attend Surf City 2027 August 21st and 22nd.

Visit www.iascaworldwide.com for more.

SHREVEPORT, LA (08.24.26) – The 12volt Central Studios was on the road this last weekend across the country spotlighting 12volt companies connecting with enthusiast in-person. In today’s AI and web-driven world it’s more important than ever to connect with consumers. There will be more to come in the week ahead from the individual events once everybody returns to their offices.

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The first stop was at the Dynamat HQ in Hamilton OH. Dynamat hosted the 2026 ECA Finals August 22nd and 23d. For the
East Coast Audiophiles Cassie Hall related “ECA Competitors started showing up early Saturday morning and the event
exceeded our expectations and all of the judging went smoothly. Scott Monnin and the Dynamat Team were extra special
hosts.”

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Next stop was The Smoky Mountain Invasion in Pigeon Forge TN. Alpine, DOW Technologies and Soundwaves Tampa returned
with a large group plus a row of tents for demos, sales and installations. There was a row of Jeeps behind the fence waiting for
Alpine installations. The Smoky Mountain Invasion took place August 20-22.

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Car Toys Oregon hosted 2 large events over the weekend. The IASCA Surf City Triple Points Event took place at the Chinook
Winds Casino in Lincoln City OR. The second event took place in Seattle with the Summer Of Boom tha runs until August 25th.

NW Audio Car Audio hosted the company’s 23rd Annual Competition and Car Show in Platte City MO on Sunday. Chris Pace
was on site during the event with the Arrowhead Marketing JBL Dare To Listen trailer promoting sales and doing demos. Stay
tuned for more from owner Jerry Davis.

A big thank you to friends and industry members who utilized the 12voltSTP Tool to snap an image, and with a few words,
txt to the 12volt Central Studios.

For more see 12voltnews.com.

WASHINGTON, DC (08.21.26) – The Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) is highlighting new market research that shows how automotive consumers continue to be drawn to the aspirational vibes of the culture of motorized off-road recreation, with modified pickup trucks and SUVs driving a significant segment of the automotive aftermarket that represents a culture of American grit and individual expression. Parts for pickups remain the largest catalyst for spending in the accessory-and-performance aftermarket, making up 30% of sales. Trucks are the big winner; in 2025 alone, owners spent over $15 billion modifying their pickups for off-road, utility, and recreational use. This segment was the leading contributor to an overall $52.92 billion in sales of aftermarket accessories and performance parts in 2025.

These insights are among those contained in the 2026 SEMA Market Report, which was compiled by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) utilizing a variety of data sources, including interviews with industry sources, consumer surveys, secondary data sources, and government statistics. ORBA is a wholly owned subsidiary of SEMA.

“You can’t watch TV for a meaningful period of time without seeing an ad where automakers showcase their vehicles ripping through an off-road environment, and that continues to be reflected in how consumers are spending to modify their vehicles for recreational use on public lands and beyond highway driving,” said SEMA Director of Market Research Gavin Knapp. “The off-road ethos has a huge impact on the specialty-equipment market, as people love the look and capabilities that off-road upgrades can bring to their vehicles.”

• A full version of the 2026 SEMA Market Report is available to media upon request.

TRENDS
Nearly half of aftermarket sales are for trucks and SUVs. Overall, the performance and accessory aftermarket continues to show strong results, as roughly one-fourth of drivers purchased products within the industry to personalize their vehicles last year. In 2025, pickup and SUV modifications, the two biggest segments for off-road parts, made up 43% of the entire $52.92 billion accessory and performance parts market.

Consumers spent over $15 billion last year upgrading their pickups, with body mods, suspension, and wheels and tires leading the way. Nearly 13 million pickups were accessorized in the U.S. last year alone.

Roughly one-fourth of pickup (26%) and SUV (21%) accessorizers report using their vehicle for off-road activities.

Over 6 million SUVs were modified in 2025, led by flagship off-road models such as Jeep’s Wrangler and Ford’s Bronco. SUV owners spent over $7 billion on parts and accessories to make their vehicle look and perform better, whether resto-modifications that bring modern safety and comfort capabilities to vintage models, or accessorizing new vehicles to meet a specific lifestyle need.

Even CUVs or crossovers, the new kids on the block, have seen their accessory market expand to over $8 billion in 2025. Utility- and recreation-focused mods, such as wheels and tires, suspension, lighting, and racks have rapidly gained ground in this expanding segment.

Key off-road categories continue to show strong sales in 2025. Vehicle owners spent over $3 billion on suspension products, such as lift kits, to upgrade their ride and handling, largely for pickups and SUVs. Off-road tires continue to be strong sellers, as pickup and SUV owners bought over $2 billion worth of oversized rubber to improve clearance. Pickups, SUVs, and CUVs also lead the way sales of products such as racks and carriers, towing products, and accessory lighting that are integral to off-roading, overlanding, and outdoor recreation.

With light-trucks (pickups, SUVs, CUVs) making up nearly two-thirds of the 300 million passenger vehicles on U.S roads, the off-road accessorizing market continues to look very strong.

Younger consumers continue to be key drivers of the industry. More than half of accessory and performance parts buyers are under the age of 40 years old. Younger buyers are also more likely to engage in more complicated builds focusing on performance parts.

Cross-ownership is also a significant factor for the off-road community. Over half of accessorizers also own some kind of sports or recreational equipment (compared with 40% of non-accessorizers). This includes motorcycles, side-by-sides, and dune buggies, further enhancing their connections to the off-road and outdoor lifestyle.

BACKGROUND
Motorized off-road recreation is more than an in-demand image; the industry has significant financial clout. Outdoor recreation on federal public lands and waters fuels America’s economy.

Each day, outdoor recreation on federal lands and waters:

• Adds $351 million to the U.S. economy – the equivalent to hosting eight Super Bowls every month in economic impact
• Directly contributes at least half a billion dollars annually to federal coffers, through receipts, permits, entrance fees, leases, and other payments
• Returns $128 billion in economic activity and nearly $6 billion in federal tax revenue, while making significant contributions to the physical and mental health of Americans
• Supports 5 million American jobs, of which one out of five is dependent on federal public lands

Motorized outdoor recreation delivers $720 billion in economic impact. The off-road segment of the automotive aftermarket is similarly impressive, generating $12 billion in annual economic impact.

The companies that support this segment of the automotive aftermarket are overwhelmingly small businesses, American-made manufacturing, and shining examples of our nation’s ingenuity and engineering superiority.

Many entered the aftermarket industry as enthusiasts and today lead the charge as entrepreneurs and examples of the American dream, where a great idea brought to market can reach consumers and generate prosperity for individuals and surrounding communities.

Off-road environments serve as some of the most demanding real world proving grounds for automakers, offering an extreme form of evaluation often referred to as “torture testing.” The punishing terrain of events like King of the Hammers demands extraordinary durability from the vehicles and exceptional resilience from the drivers, capturing the essence of American grit and powered by world-class engineering.

Join ORBA and support off-road recreation today at www.offroadbusiness.org. For more information, visit www.sema.org.

Four Connect Audio products displayed during the training session.

ELON, NC (08.20.26) – HKI has scheduled a number of DSP and Sales trainings in August. The first one took place Tuesday evening August 18th. Nick Wingate made the engaging presentation. Tommy Spears HKI National Sales Manager and Boomer Robinson-Ambassador Marketing were in the house connecting with attendees. The event took place at the Tactical Laser Tag & Virtual Reality Arcade. The unique facility was a perfect set up for the training.

The event kicked off at 4 o’clock with a meet and greet with fun activities. The Sales and DSP training with 21 in attendance ran from 5 till 8 PM with delicious catered barbecue and banana pudding from Smithfields.

Dino Williams, with Dino’s Audio Video-Greensboro NC, related to the 12volt Central Studios, “Nick‘s presentation was terrific. Our store staff of 4 was in attendance and all really got a lot out of the presentation. If this training was DSP101 we can’t wait to get to the DSP102 training” Dino related.

“Our dealers have requested these in-person trainings. They asked and we are delivering. The training sessions are also an
opportunity for us at HKI to get a sense of what’s happening at the retail level which is very important. It’s a real win/win”
Spears related.

Robinson, the HKI representative in the territory, orchestrated the event. “A dealer came from 5 hours away, one from 4 hours away and a couple from 3 hours away. We were very pleased with how everyone in the audience was engaged and look forward to setting the dates for additional HKI DSP and Sales trainings in the near future” Boomer relayed.

For more see GroundZeroUSA.com.

STURGIS, SD (08.19.26) – The KICKER Team rolled out of Stillwater OK on Monday August 3rd with the XRV, a large trailer being towed for the 850 mile trip to Sturgis SD for the Sturgis Rally 2026. Following a very successful Sturgis Rally 2026 the team rolled back into KICKER HQ on Sunday, August 16th.

KICKER returned this year on a much larger scale and was set up on the iconic Samson‘s Corner at a main entrance to the Sturgis Rally area. To maximize time spent in Sturgis the 6 member TRIIX Customs Team was on site during the event helping with sales and doing on-site installations.

Lorin Morrell, KICKER Events, was on site and provided great input with activities from the rally for the 12volt Central Studios. Morrell related “The energy from the biker crowd, reported to be nearly 500,000, was terrific. Every day there was a strong attendance in the KICKER booth with people checking out the demos and also spending time with demos inside of the KICKER XRV. KICKER was also the sponsor of two American Flat Track racing events located at the Caterpillar Jackpine Gypsies Super TT. All are looking forward to The Sturgis Rally 2027.”

The TRIIX Customs Team travelled 555 miles from Grand Forks ND to work with KICKER. Owner Chris St. Aubin related “We
had never attended Sturgis as a shop installing in the past. KICKER was doing demos all week in the XRV BoomRoom. We
even had a few of Sturgis’s finest Police take part in the fun we had in that room. We’ve done a couple handfuls of the new
KICKER Harley Kits and they work amazing and are priced perfectly and perform up to KICKER’s reputation. We were very
busy doing installs every day.”

TRIIX Custom team members on site included Phil Hanson, Troy Conner, Marcus McCoy, Payton Rhoads, JT “Miles” Pfaff
and Chris St. Aubin.

Concluding “We are excited for next year’s event and working with KICKER at future Rallies, including Sturgis and several
others” St. Aubin stated.

The Sturgis Rally 2026 was a very successful event focused on the biker community that will drive biker business across the
12volt industry.

For more see kicker.com and triixcustoms.com.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (08.17.26) – The dB Drag Racing Association is excited to welcome KICKER as a Premier Sponsor of the 29th Annual dB Drag Racing Finals, taking place October 3–4, 2026.

As we continue announcing the incredible companies supporting this year’s Finals, we’re excited to welcome another iconic brand with a long history in car audio and a reputation for LIVIN’ LOUD.

The 2026 Finals will bring together competitors from across North America as they compete for Championship Trophies, Championship Rings, Points Championships, and ultimate bragging rights. Competition will feature several formats, including dB Drag Racing, Bass Race, Top Dog, Freestyle, and Psychlone.

KICKER’s support will be felt throughout championship weekend, sponsoring several key parts of the competitor experience, including:

• Swag Bags
• Competitor Plaques
• Points Champion Awards
• Official Event Shirt
• Deathmatch Award

These are the awards, recognition, and Finals experiences that represent an entire season of hard work in the lanes. KICKER’s Premier Sponsorship helps support those moments and the competitors who have worked all season to earn their place at the Finals.

“Finals weekend is where an entire season of hard work comes together, and KICKER is proud to support the competitors who have earned their place to be there. We’re excited to be part of the 2026 dB Drag Racing Finals and another unforgettable weekend of LIVIN’ LOUD.” said Ron Burnett, Director of Marketing Communications at KICKER.

Known worldwide for high-performance audio, KICKER has built a reputation around powerful sound, innovation, and a commitment to the car audio community. Their continued support of dB Drag Racing reinforces their connection to the competitors who continue to push the limits in the lanes.

There’s even more happening in Indianapolis.

The 2026 dB Drag Racing Finals will be co-located with IASCA and ISPLL, bringing multiple areas of the car audio competition world together under one roof for an exciting championship weekend.

We appreciate KICKER’s partnership and commitment to our competitors and the sport.

Stay tuned as we continue unveiling the outstanding sponsors helping make the 2026 dB Drag Racing Finals the loudest weekend of the year!

October 3–4, 2026
Indianapolis, Indiana & Spruce Grove, Alberta

Visit termpro.com for more.

OXNARD, CA (08.14.26) – After a great start to the Demo Days Showoff 2026 season in Los Angeles, Modus is headed to The Bay Area for the second event of the season, held August 22-23 at Alameda Point as the official audio sponsor for Demo Days Showoff 2026 season.

“Our award-winning 2025 season set a high bar, and 2026 is already off to an even better start,” said Joz Wang, Vice President of Marketing for Modus. “The crowd at our Los Angeles event was amazed by what our PREACT™ technology makes possible. It’s delivering a level of high-end, high-power audio that people haven’t heard in an EV before.”

During the seven Demo Days stops throughout 2026, Modus will exhibit its Cybertruck build alongside key representatives and dealers and will make it easy for attendees to learn how and where to purchase a system.

Modus’ PREACT™ (Power Responsive Energy Amplification Current Technology) is designed for modern vehicle electrical architectures. It operates across a wide 9–58V range and enables high-power audio integration without forcing traditional workarounds. EVs offer something combustion engines never could: quiet cabins paired with abundant electrical power, creating an ideal platform for truly immersive, audiophile-grade sound.

The Modus Cybertruck installation achieves several industry firsts, showcasing Modus’ patented PREACT™ current-averaging technology operating directly on Tesla’s 48V DC electrical system. The system is capable of delivering 6,000 watts (RMS) of audio power without requiring voltage inverters or additional batteries, an industry first for EV audio. This was made possible through Modus’ patented PREACT technology in the new Mezzo amplifier line, which operates with unprecedented power efficiency at higher voltages.

For more on the Modus Cybertruck build, view this video:

For more information about Modus products and partnership opportunities, request more information on the web at www.modusglobal.com .

SHREVEPORT, LA (08.13.26) – In today’s AI driven and social media world it is more important than ever for members of the 12volt industry to connect with industry members and consumers. These activities are more important than ever to drive in-vehicle automotive upgrades awareness and business for brick and mortar retailers. Consumers can’t feel the bass in their chest or appreciate the separation of mid range and highs on a smartphone or laptop. The in-store experience is more important than ever!

Sean Davis put the Mid-State Distributing Marketing Ball in place showcasing a XK Glow motorcycle lighting kit.

In-person trade and distributor shows are terrific to connect and show new products in one-on-one settings. Trade show and distributor show attendance over the last years has diminished. The KnowledgeFest Detroit was recently rescheduled. The 12volt Central Studios can put a company in their own customized booth using the 12voltSTP and deliver the message to the 12volt industry with The 12volt Central Studios Marketing Ball. Industry members must realize marketing in a 24/7 journey.

Please email mike@12voltnews.com for more details to get your company’s Marketing Ball in play!