VACAVILLE, CA (06.26.26) – Audio Xperts is a long-standing proactive 12volt retailer in Vacaville. On Wednesday, June 17th they participated with a client and friend at his company’s private automotive gathering. The event was held at the Lanza’s location in Vacaville for company employees that are engaged in automotive upgrades. They were invited to show their vehicles’ craftsmanship and innovation along with their automotive lifestyle.

“What an incredible day that we spent with great friends, checking out their amazing vehicles with all sharing passion for automotive excellence. It was a pleasure and honor to attend the private gathering alongside several Audio Xperts clients with their incredible rides. It was also great for our staff members Mark and Kyle to be with us for the very memorable evening” Vince Miranda stated.

Audio Xperts was joined by their long-time Alpine partners and friends Gregg Douglas and Pete Bobsin from Driven Marketing. Their support and passion for the industry is something that has helped the car audio industry throughout the territory.”It was super to be onsite with Vince. We showed some Alpine, SoundSkins and Flashtech brochures on our table and talked with many that were showing their rides” Gregg Douglas related.

Miranda concluded “At Audio Xperts we’re passionate about building award-winning sound systems. Events like this reminds
me of the friendships, partnerships and community we’ve helped build over the years are just as important as the vehicles themselves. A big thank you to everyone who attended the event, shared stories and made the day very memorable. We are already looking forward to the next one.”

For more see facebook.com/AudioXperts

SANFORD, ME (06.25.26) – The 3rd Annual BBQ & CRUISE-IN rolled on Saturday, June 20th from 11 AM to 3 PM. The event was an opportunity for car and music enthusiasts to enjoy a fun Saturday. The event was also to benefit mental health in the Sanford community for Sweetser promising Futures for Children and Families. During the BBQ and CRUISE-IN $400 was donated.

“People started rolling in early and soon 50 cars filled up our location front, back and along the side. More than 200 people were on site. People enjoyed connecting with one another, seeing the cool cars and enjoying the BBQ. Off the grill we did 96 burgers, 48 hotdog dogs and refreshments” Jack Bogard related.

“Members of the Sanford community and around the area make Sanford Sound their place to go for all their 12volt automotive upgrades. Our team members, Bill, Ivan, Indigo, Justin, Ethan and myself were on site and really enjoyed the BBQ and CRUISE-IN on the gorgeous Saturday” Bogard added.

Stay tuned for Sanford Sound’s 30th Anniversary event next month.

Photo credit: Scott Brouillard

For more see sanfordsound.com.

COOS BAY, OR (06.24.26) – Stereo King was on site with a huge presence on Vendor Row at the 2026 UTV Takeover in the Oregon Dunes National Recreational area for the 11th time. The UTV Takeover was in Coos Bay OR from June 16th-21st. Reports noted nearly 4,000 UTV’s were on site with the crowd of UTV enthusiasts topping 10,000.

The UTV category is very strong for Stereo King day-in and day-out at their 5 locations. The Stereo King crew of 9 was very busy at the 2026 UTV Takeover and had strong sales and installations of Rockford Fosgate Stage Kits and more. Early during the event the installation area was expanded.

Stereo King Team members on site with Kevin Cornutt included 5 sales team members along with Corey Osterhoudt, Luke McBride and Brad Smith handling all the action in the install bays.

“During the 5-day event run we did a ton of promoting with business cards, fliers, free stickers, shirts caps and more. We spent time with well over 1000 people in our booth and saw a lot of customers from previous years which is always great to see. We offered onsite installation and worked under the lights into the night to complete jobs. It was a strong mix of Can Ams, RZRs and RZR PRO’s that came through and were decked with Rockford Fosgate Stage Kits which were the biggest hits. We blew sales away plus we set some jobs back at the stores” Cornutt related.

Concluding “Our first booth at The UTV Takeover was a 10X10. Now 10 years later our booth was 20×80 with extra installation area and a 9 member team. We saw more enthusiasts from Utah this year. This year we also had customers from previous years doing upgrades. The loaded Jeep Gladiator continues to set the bar for Loud Bass and we ran out of Air Horns with 2 show days left. This was a very successful event and we can’t wait to do it again in August at Winchester!”

Stereo King operates 4 stores in the Portland area and one in Boise, ID.

For more see stereoking.com

SHREVEPORT LA (06.21.26) Happy Father’s Day 2026 to all across the 12volt industry and beyond. Father’s Day was first celebrated in 1910 in Spokane, WA and championed by Sonora Smart Dodd to honor her Civil War veteran Father who raised six children as a single parent. Today it is celebrated annually on the third Sunday of June across the United States.

My first Father’s memory began February 17, 1945. My father was a paratrooper in Germany during the World War II. My Father was a commercial artist and created the graphic below as he was writing a letter to my mother in Lincoln, NE. He actually drew this graphic on a brown paper bag as the cover of the letter he was writing to my mother after he heard that I had been born. In the graphic, on the bottom right, my Mother and Father look down at me in diapers.

It’s been many years since 1945, Still all need to remember and thank their Fathers. Happy Father’s Day 2026.

CLEVES, OH  (06.17.26) – Luxury Motorsports, with Peter Ashby behind the wheel, rolled into the Edgewater Sports Park on Thursday June 11th. KICKER was front and center at SLAMOLOGY 2026 from Thursday through Sunday the 10th-14th. Luxury Motorsports is the East Coast Brand Ambassador for KICKER and shows their builds at many the East Coast events.

Two of the most legendary KICKER demo vehicles were on site and Livin’Loud at SLAMOLOGY 2026. The ‘Nemesis’ Toyota Supra and the ground-shaking custom-built LITENLOUD Toyota LiteAce were like magnets drawing attendees to the large KICKER  booth area.

“From the opening bell attendees filled the grounds of The Edgewater Sports Park and the attendees were enthusiasts for car shows and music lovers. There were probably 50 12volt companies exhibiting but none came close to the presence KICKER had as an event sponsor with a very wide selection of demo vehicles plus the KICKER XRV that is 84 feet in length. KICKER also showed a wide variety for products for vehicles, bikes and powersports” Ashby related.

Continuing “Our #Nemesis Toyota Supra and Toyota LiteAce show vehicles are both award-winning custom builds.The Supra had a line waiting for demos throughout the event. Also attendees were taking selfies to share on social media that their friends will also share. The LITENLOUD is just that and ground shaking. Also speakers can be demoed individually….like just hearing the tweeters or mids”. At the event the LITENLOUD draws attention from far away as speaker wings fold outward….and then crank it up”!

Ashby has retuned to Luxury Motorsports in North Carolina and is planning the event schedule for the remainder of 2026.

For more see kicker.com.

STILLWATER, USA – KICKER has been a long-time sponsor of national SkillsUSA, and this year was no different at the Championships held in Atlanta last week.

KICKER Tech Force manager Aaron Malin and Tech Force trainer Jacob Luckey judged the car-audio installation portion during SkillsUSA’s 60th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference.

The Mobile-Electronics Installation category tests competitors’ abilities to perform standard installation practices used by certified, professional installers.  The competition includes a written exam, interviews, and multiple hands-on applications.

SkillsUSA contains more than 115 contests and over 6000 competitors in high-school and college levels. KICKER provided six prize packages. Gold for high school and college get $1500 at KICKER.com. Silver gets $1000 and Bronze gets $500. 

For consecutive years, KICKER has been involved with SkillsUSA’s mission on national and local levels, and this year the brand is donating more than $5,000 in prizes to the winners of the 12-volt competitions.

Visit www.kicker.com for more.

OLATHE, KS (06.10.26) – Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) today announced the JL Audio® Pavilion™ thin-line subwoofers, easy-to-install, premium subwoofers that deliver incredible performance and durability with a subtle and discreet aesthetic. Sleek and inconspicuous, the 8-inch subwoofers are designed to fit nearly anywhere in the home, providing clear and powerful bass to a wide variety of sound systems.

Best sound anywhere
The JL Audio motor, suspension and cone modeling systems provide tight, clean, booming bass at all power levels. This includes the unique Concentric Tube Suspension™ design that allows for a more compact fit without sacrificing premium sound performance.

Simple installation
Uniquely designed, the JL Audio Pavilion thin-line subwoofers are perfect for in-wall or in-ceiling installation, with a shallow 3.8-inch mounting depth to allow for seamless placement and fit without needing a dedicated enclosure. The dog-leg mounting system gives users the freedom to place the subwoofers in a variety of materials and locations, inside or outside the home, without needing a backplate.

Pavilion speakers are built to last and provide amazing sound year after year, utilizing marine-grade materials, specifically constructed to withstand harsh environments. They meet or exceed ASTM standards for salt-fog and UV exposure, giving listeners peace of mind when installing outdoors.

Matching the home
Homeowners have several design details to choose from, as the flush-mount grille is available in square or circular shape, and white or black color options that can also be painted to fit any home’s décor. The ultra-thin, fine-mesh grille attaches magnetically and matches the look of the Pavilion outdoor in-ceiling speaker. New construction brackets are also available to help with preparing mounting locations during the framing and drywall process of a new home build or renovation.

JL Audio Pavilion thin-line subwoofers have a suggested retail price of $1,000.00. For more information, visit garmin.com/jlaudio.

POMPANO BEACH, FL (06.09.26) – RDVFL is proud to introduce the new GM-1520-8T, a premium 15.6-inch Tesla-style screen upgrade designed specifically for Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra owners seeking a modern infotainment experience without sacrificing factory functionality.

Engineered for easy installation and superior performance, the GM-1520-8T features a sleek vertical display that integrates seamlessly into the vehicle’s interior, delivering both a striking appearance and enhanced usability.

With its expansive touchscreen interface, drivers can enjoy a modernized Tesla-style experience while maintaining complete access to the vehicle’s original systems and controls.

Key Features

15.6-Inch Vertical Touchscreen

A high-definition capacitive touchscreen delivers crystal-clear visuals, intuitive controls, and a responsive user experience.

Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

Enjoy wireless connectivity for navigation, music, messaging, and hands-free communication without the need for cables.

Plug-and-Play Installation

Designed for simplicity, the GM-1520-8T installs using a true plug-and-play architecture, eliminating the need for complex wiring or vehicle modifications.

Three-Year Warranty

Every RDVFL GM-1520-8T is backed by a comprehensive three-year warranty, providing long-term confidence and peace of mind.

Retains All OEM Features

Unlike replacement radio systems, the GM-1520-8T works alongside the factory radio while maintaining complete functionality of critical vehicle systems, including:

• OnStar
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio
• 360° Camera System
• Rear Camera
• Trailer Camera
• Camera Zoom Functions
• Camera Viewing Angles
• Audible Warning Signals
• Visual Warning Indicators
• Full Use of the OEM Radio

Important Notes

The RDVFL GM-1520-8T is a screen upgrade only and does not replace the factory radio. The OEM radio remains fully operational and is accessed directly through the RDVFL display.\

For cellular connectivity, the system requires the use of a T-Mobile SIM card or another GSM network SIM card.

Modern Technology Meets Factory Integration

The RDVFL GM-1520-8T delivers the best of both worlds: a modern Tesla-style interface with advanced smartphone integration while preserving the reliability, safety features, and functionality of the original vehicle systems.

For Silverado and Sierra owners looking to elevate their driving experience, the GM-1520-8T offers an impressive combination of style, technology, and convenience.

For additional information, product availability, or dealer inquiries, please contact your authorized RDVFL distributor.

For more information, click here.

DULUTH GA (06.06.26) Fernando Sainz is very well known across the window tinting industry. At the recent Film Fest Fernando continued to show all the skills he brings to a competition. Fernando took home trophies working with the MAXPro team throughout the event at the GAS South Convention Center in Duluth GA May 29-31.

Allison Parker, MAXPro Eastern Sales Manager, related “MAXPro was a sponsor at the event and Fernando, along and our team of competitors, excelled. Our team members worked to get everything ready to compete in various categories and showed their skills taking home trophies. A big thank you to all.”

Fernando‘s company Sainz Designs, on Staten Island in New York, is well known as the place to go for consumers across the area. With over 30 years of hands-on experience in the window tinting, graphics, paint protection film, and custom lettering Fernando he’s at the top of his game. After growing to Puerto Rico‘s largest tint shop Fernando and his wife moved to Staten Island and opened Sainz Designs 13 years ago.

After speaking with Fernando on the phone and checking out the company’s website Sainz Designs is certainly at the very top of the window tinting industry.

Stay tuned for more has Fernando continues to compete at window tinting competitions.

See Sainzdesigns.com for more.

MARIETTA, GA (06.04.26) – DOW Technologies hosted a KICKER training at Dave & Buster’s in Marietta GA Tuesday night, June 2nd. It was a packed house as dealers enjoyed the presentations from Aaron Malin and Jacob Lucky. During the evening dealers also enjoyed winning prizes, a great dinner with refreshments and discounts on purchases. Attendee also enjoyed the exclusive offer of 5% off for training attendee purchases with no exclusions.

Mike Blackwell, DOW Technologies was on site and related. “KICKER gave the dealers a sneak peek at the new Jeep JK/JL tailgate loaded enclosure… loaded with a 12” Solo Baric. This thing really gets down”. Blackwell also supplied super images from the event in this article.

Richie Holtzman, Tech Marketing Principal, was in the house and added. “I was excited for the dealers to see the new LX Amplifiers massive power output and how to dial them in using the LX control center. Support and turn out was awesome!”

Next on the busy schedule for Aaron Malin and Jacob Lucky is the short trip up to Atlanta to be on site making presentations and connecting plus judging at the Skills USA championship. The Skills USA championship is the premier showcase of America’s most highly skilled career and tactical education for students event.

Malin stated “We need these young men and women to join us in our quickly evolving industry” Malin, the Supervisor of KICKER’s Global Training, stated. Skills USA competitive categories stress various aspects of the real-world workplace so when students graduate they are positioned to immediately contribute on the job.

Stay tuned for more from KICKER at the Skills USA as the event wraps up on Friday, June 5.

Visit dowtechnologies.com and kicker.com for more.