AUSTIN, TX (08.31.26) – Indianapolis just got a massive surge of energy! We are thrilled to announce that XS Power is on board as the Official Power Sponsor for the 2026 championship weekend.

Known worldwide for providing the power competitors depend on when pushing their systems to the limit, XS Power is stepping up in a major way for this year’s Finals. With dB Drag Racing, IASCA, and ISPLL coming together in Indianapolis, XS Power is sponsoring the electrical service that will be available to all competitors across all three organizations competing at the Indiana State Fairgrounds!

What this means for the championship weekend:

• Electric Access Included: Electrical service will be available for competitors to plug in and charge.
• Support Across All Organizations: Whether you are competing in dB Drag Racing, IASCA, or ISPLL, electric service is included.
• Event-Wide Presence: Look for XS Power branding throughout the lanes, on the event shirts, and on sponsor banners across the venue.

When competitors are pushing their builds to the limit, power matters. We couldn’t ask for a better partner to sponsor this important part of FINALS weekend.
 
We appreciate XS Power’s dedication to the competitors, promoters, and the entire car audio community. Their support is helping bring together competitors from dB Drag Racing, IASCA, and ISPLL for an incredible championship weekend in Indianapolis.
 

When you see XS Power online, be sure to drop a comment and thank them for helping power the 2026 Finals!
 
October 3–4, 2026 | Indiana State Fairgrounds | Indianapolis, Indiana
 
For more information on XS Power: https://4xspower.com
 
For more information about the 2026 dB Drag Racing Finals, registration, and event details, visit dbdrag.com

SHREVEPORT LA (08.29.26) In today’s AI driven and social media world it is more important than ever for companies and members of the 12volt industry to connect with industry members and consumers.

In-person trade and distributor shows are perfect to connect and show new products in a one-on-one setting. However, trade show and distributor show’s attendance over the last several years has diminished. The 12volt Central Studios can put a company in their own customized booth using the 12voltSTP Tool and deliver their message to the 12volt industry with the 12volt Central Studios Marketing Ball. Industry members must realize marketing is a 24/7 journey.

A smartphone is all it takes to put the 12volt Central Studios Marketing Ball in play. The number is 318-469-2526. Simply standup holding the product to be spotlighted and hand your phone to someone to snap the image. Txt that image, with a few words and Presto! The 12volt Central Studios can put your company’s marketing ball in play.

Let’s put your company’s Marketing Ball in Play.

FORT MEYERS, FL (08.28.26) – GENEVO America, a leading manufacturer of radar and laser defense systems, today announces the appointment of Advanced Marketing as its manufacturer’s representative firm for the Pacific Northwest. In this new partnership, Advanced Marketing will support retailers across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska.

With more than 25 years of experience in the radar detector industry, Advanced Marketing brings a wealth of specialized knowledge to the territory. This partnership is specifically designed to make selling GENEVO systems seamless for 12-volt retailers. By delivering hands-on sales training, responsive local service, and in-depth product information, Advanced Marketing ensures dealers have the exact tools they need to confidently educate their customers and close more sales.

“The reason GENEVO works so well is because of the engineering behind it,” says Bruce Gildsdorf, Founder of Advanced Marketing. “Engineers know more than we do in their own little area. If you point them in the right direction, they do fantastic work. And if the manufacturing side of it can interpret what they wanted and execute on their side of it, now we’ve got a product we can go to market with.”

GENEVO America selected Advanced Marketing specifically for this deep, practical understanding of the category, and their commitment to retail success. “Advanced Marketing has a long history of dealing in luxury and quality,” says GENEVO America Sales Director David McKee. “They represent some of the finest brands out there and we are excited to partner with them to bring GENEVO America to the Pacific Northwest. Their knowledge of the radar category and their commitment to dealers makes them a perfect fit to work with.”

The appointment underscores GENEVO America’s ongoing commitment to building a robust, highly knowledgeable dealer network and providing top-tier sales support to its retail partners throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Gildsdorf can be reached at 425-890-0850 or bgils@comcast.net.

Visit www.genevo.com/us for more.

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.