12VOLT CENTRAL STUDIOS (12.04.23) – As the popular song goes “It’s beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas”. Proactive 12volt retailers are delivering that message to members of their communities and social media followers with posts showcasing their showrooms decked out in the holiday spirit. Those retailers realize the value of the person to person in-store experience.

Ricky Smith’s Audio in Lafayette LA has a long tradition of celebrating the Holiday Season with their community, customers and social media followers. The company is located in the popular South College Center which is home to a number of local retailers. The center’s parking lot spotlights the Holiday Season and encourages their businesses to display the Holiday Season in their respective showrooms. Santa’s Sleigh rolling through the parking lot has already happened this year and will happen every Saturday until Christmas. Ricky Smith’s Audio invites their followers to bring the family on Saturdays for a ride in Santa’s Sleigh.

Chad Neveu and the entire crew participate in decorating and welcoming customers in the the showroom for the Holiday Season. Alan Benit snapped and sent images along with info for this article.

“Seeing customers smile when they come into the store and comment of the Christmas decorations is always great for us. Many are smiling after making a purchase also. In the showroom we have quite a few boxes wrapped with Christmas paper. The boxes are actually empty and we save them from year to year. We are also setup for our annual support of the Marine Corps Reserve Toy’s For Tots drive. Christmas ornaments, ribbons and lighting around the showroom add to the overall Holiday Season look and feel. The lighted sign on the Center’s sign rotates with our Holiday message as well as storefront decorations” Benit related.

The 12volt Central Studios staff will continue to showcase 12volt retailers that are showcasing the Holiday Season in their showrooms and activities. The 12voltSTP Tool makes that so easy. The quick snap of a few images and words can make that happen. 318-469-2526 or 318-465-0844 are the numbers. That’s what Alan with Ricky Smith’s Audio did for the images in this article.

Online activity and sales continue to increase… to the detriment of brick and mortar retailers. The in-store experience is so important across the mobile electronics industry. Santa and Rudolph can not feel the bass in their chest on a smart phone on the way from the North Pole. They need to deck out the sleigh with a receiver, amps and subs… maybe a dash camera system too.

Visit rickysmithsaudio.com for more.

LEESBURG, VA (12.01.23) – SkillsUSA has selected Nathan Bulthuis of Homer Glen, Ill. as the official competitor for Automobile Technology at the 2024 WorldSkills Competition. His technical expert is Mike Elder of Pittsburg, Kan. Bulthuis will represent the United States at the 2024 WorldSkills Competition. The prestigious international event will be held Sept. 10-15, 2024 in Lyon, France.

“The 2024 WorldSkills USA team will have an amazing opportunity to represent SkillsUSA and our nation while undergoing incredibly rigorous training in their craft,” said SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis. “These team members are making a serious commitment to both their skill development and personal growth that will foster their drive, passion and life’s purpose.”

Bulthuis is a former student at Lockport Township High School and Joliet (Ill.) Junior College and is attending Southern Illinois University Carbondale with an expected graduation date of May 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Automotive Technology. Bulthuis represented the state of Illinois at the SkillsUSA Championships in 2023 and won a national gold medal in the Automotive Service Technology competition. He says, “Being selected for the 2024 WorldSkills USA team is an amazing opportunity to learn more about my trade and to continuously improve my skills. It is also a great opportunity to be able to represent the United States in an international competition.”

The WorldSkills USA team will compete in several trade areas in the largest international showcase of skilled trades. SkillsUSA will announce the official team sponsors and other team members and their experts over the next few months.

The 47th WorldSkills Competition in 2024 will welcome 1,500 competitors from over 65 countries and regions to take part in 62 skill competitions at Eurexpo Lyon. The competition will showcase dozens of trade skills from construction and building technology, creative arts and fashion, information and communication technology, manufacturing and engineering, social and personal services, and transportation and logistics. Over 250,000 spectators from around the world are expected attend the 2024 competition including students, public policymakers, employers, teachers, trainers, technical experts and government officials.

A student-led partnership of education and industry, SkillsUSA is America’s proud champion of the skilled trades, building the nation’s future skilled workforce by delivering graduates who are career ready, day one. SkillsUSA works year-round to instill positive attitudes, build self-esteem and empower students to excel in the career path of their choice and follow their passions. The organization has 850 national partners and is integral to the training in nearly 20,000 career and technical education classrooms.

Follow Bulthuis, Elder and the rest of the 2024 WorldSkills USA team at: www.worldskillsusa.org.

12VOLT CENTRAL STUDIOS (11.30.23) – Following the SEMA Show 2023 it is more apparent than ever the need for companies to let members of the 12volt industry know about their new products and future plans. The Consumer Electronics Show has continued to loose overall support from the mobile electronics industry over the past number of years. The 12volt News Show will deliver fresh vendor product information to members the 12volt industry.

Also, the process that a company utilizes to showcase their efforts to create interest for their brand and products across the marketplace has been disrupted. Many factory sales staffs are not traveling as in the past. The travel activity of rep firms has also been somewhat curtailed.

With The 12volt News Show there is no booth, freight, travel, hotel, miscellaneous expenses or associated hassles. Also, the 12volt News Show platform includes visibility in the 12volt Central Studios and the 12voltBeat newsletter.

All manufacturers across the 12volt industry have positive messages which they need to deliver about their products and activities to reps, distributors and 12volt retailers. The 12volt News Show is a vehicle to make that happen.

With just a smartphone companies can be featured in The 12volt News Show. Snap and Txt an image to 318-465-0844. Presto, your company could be showcased in The 12volt News Show. That’s the 12voltSTP Tool in action. Information may also be sent via email to mike@12voltnews.com.

All industries across the business spectrum through the years have benefitted from the in-person show experience. SEMA, CES and distributor shows have served the 12volt industry. In 2019 the COVID-19 Pandemic began to disrupt in-person activities around the world. The 12volt industry disruptions were certainly not immune to the impact of COVID-19.

Many members of the 12volt industry have already seen the value of The 12voltSTP Tool. With a smartphone it is so easy to showcase a company’s positive activities in the 12volt News and now The 12volt News Show. Snap and txt an image to 318 465 0844. Presto…your company could be in the 12volt News.

On a personal note…This writer, with parts of 7 decades in the mobile electronics industry, began attending CES in Chicago in the early 1970’s. As an award winning Sony distributor principal hosted distributor shows throughout that 4-state territory…even purchasing a Sony Motorhome as a rolling showroom. With dB SpeakerWorks had booths at MERA events plus CES in Vegas. All of those in-person events were terrific. Today, those in-person events are not happening with the same impact. Let’s move forward with The 12volt News Show

Let’s put your company in The 12volt News Show.

SHREVEPORT LA (12.02.23)  WTF…Win This Friday. Kaotikkustomz won the SiriusXM prize on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel 248 on Friday morning, December 1st.

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 5.

The 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel rolled for 248th time on Friday morning December 1st. The Wheel landed on the SiriusXM space and the Kaotikkustomz slip was drawn from the jar. An Instagram post of the winning slip was posted. A video of the Wheel spin was also posted.

We reached out to the lucky winning retailer in Syracuse IN with the news. We left a voice mail and also sent a message to their Instagram address. More to come on this 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel.

Spinning out a winner each Friday, a lucky 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, NavAtlas, SiriusXM, PowerBass, CRUX, JBL, AlloyGator, Kenwood, JVC, SD Lighting, Nakamichi, Alphasonik, Race Sport Lighting and Maximum Power. 12volt News $100. cash awards 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 and The Best Guys in Concord CA.

Congratulations to all.

WTF… Where’s The Fun……On the next spin of the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel 249 on Friday, December 8th. 

12VOLT CENTRAL STUDIOS (11.29.23) – The Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday Trifecta wrapped the Thanksgiving Holiday season as soon all close out the month of November 2023. Many companies across the 12volt industry made social media posts to put their messages, names and brands in front of consumers and followers to compete with all the online activity driven by Amazon, Walmart, Target and other big box retailers.

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Early reports are Black Friday online sales in 2023 reached $9.8 which showed a 7.5% increase over 2022. An interesting statistic revealed orders placed via smartphone were over 50% of the total….an increase of 10% over 2022.

Overall it appears Black Friday activity with 12volt retailers was down over 2022. A very notable exception was Outrageous Audio in Portland OR. Customers were lined up outside on a cold Friday morning at 4AM for the 5AM store opening. By 8AM there had been over 100 customers in the store taking advantage of truly outrageous Black Friday deals. Blane Hartleb and his 10-member team did a great job setting up for the event and driving sales through the long day. Rob Sutton and the Crossover Marketing team were on site through the day supporting Outrageous Audio. Super to see the Outrageous Audio jam-packed showroom.

PowerBass created a Black Friday graphic which was made available to their dealers to drive Black Friday visibility with their followers.

Small Business Saturday activity with 12volt retailers was very low as was Cyber Monday across the 12volt Industry.

Now the 12volt industry we will soon be off to December. We wish all across the 12volt industry strong December sales, and a Happy Holiday season, as we all work to finish 2023 on a high note.

For more, visit instagram.com/12voltnews

SHREVEPORT, LA (11.28.23) – The 12voltBeat newsletter delivers fresh, positive industry twice weekly. The 12voltBeat is emailed early Monday and Thursday mornings to over 4000 industry news and recaps fresh, positive industry news from the previous days.

The 12volt Central Studios posts a wide variety of industry news each business day. News reporters are on the ‘beat’. In the 12volt car audio industry ‘beat’ also refers to music. Combining the two describes the activities of the 12voltBeat.

Subscribe to the free 12VoltBeat newsletter here

Today’s digital universe, along with the 12voltSTP Tool, provides a vehicle for the 12volt Central Studios to post fresh industry from US coast to coast and around the world. Txt your images with a few words to 318-465-0844 or 318-469-2526 to see your positive industry news in the 12voltBeat newsletter.

Check out multiple daily post @12voltnews on Instagram and Facebook along with the website 12voltnews.com.

Be sure to checkout fresh, positive news in the 12voltBeat early Monday and Thursday mornings.

 PORTLAND OR (11.27.23) The Outrageous Audio name says it all about the company’s 2023 Black Friday Sale.

“We have been having Black Friday events for over two decades. This event was definitely in the top two or three. Our team did a great job getting everything ready and it paid off big time” owner Blane Hartleb related during a midday November 24th Black Friday call.

Friday morning November 24th was cold and clear in Portland OR. Customers started to line up at 4AM for the 5AM opening bell.

When the doors opened customers saw a showroom packed with products stacked high with Black Friday special price tags with lots of free good offers.

Early Black Friday morning the 12volt Central Studios received a txt from Rob Sutton with Crossover Marketing. A quick call to Rob around 8AM Shreveport time got the news about the happenings at the Outrageous Back Friday Sale. Rob, with Crossover Marketing crew members Paul Platt and Sam Sutton, were on site working the event with the 10 member Outrageous Audio team.

“Mike, I am at the door around 6AM controlling the number of customers coming in the store. This place is packed and customers are lined up outside plus the parking lot is jammed” Sutton related. In a later txt with images Sutton related by 8AM Portland time over 100 customers had entered the store and most left carrying product purchases.

Throughout the day Sutton continued to txt images to the 12volt Central Studios with updated action at the event.

The 12volt Central Studios made a Saturday follow up to Blane at Outrageous Audio for event details. Staff learned that Blane had headed to Florida for a few days rest following all the work preparing for the outrageously successful Outrageous Audio Black Friday Sale.

JD Morrison provided that info Saturday when he answered the phone at the store. JD related that the sales totals were super strong and the install bay will be full for many days ahead.

More to come when Blane returns from his well deserved days in Florida.

SHREVEPORT LA (11.25.23)  WTF…Win This Friday. The Best Guys won the Q-Power prize on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel 247 on Black Friday morning, November 24th.

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 5.

The 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel rolled for 247th time on Friday morning November 24th. The Wheel landed on the Q-Power space and The Best Guys slip was drawn from the jar. An Instagram post of the winning slip was posted. A video of the Wheel spin was also posted.

We reached out to the lucky winning retailer in Concord CA with the news. Bryan Nobuyuki answered his cell as the store was not open on Black Friday. He was very happy to hear the news. The Best Guys make attention grabbing posts on Instagram showcasing vehicles with completed jobs in front of the store with company signage shown in the post. More to come on this 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel.

Spinning out a winner each Friday, a lucky 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, NavAtlas, SiriusXM, PowerBass, CRUX, JBL, AlloyGator, Kenwood, JVC, SD Lighting, Nakamichi, Alphasonik, Race Sport Lighting and Maximum Power. 12volt News $100. cash awards 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 and Ballistic Audiowerks in Smithsburg MD.

Congratulations to all.

WTF… Where’s The Fun……On the next spin of the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel 248 on Friday, December 1st. 

SHREVEPORT LA (11.23.23) Happy Thanksgiving 2023 to all across the 12volt industry from the 12volt Central Studios.

It goes without saying that 2023 has been another one of the craziest years since the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving Festival meal in 1621.

Overall, we in the 12volt industry have fared somewhat better than many industries and businesses. That said there are still significant challenges ahead.

Let’s all remain positive for successful Black Friday and Small Business Saturday events as we work to finish November 2023 on a high note. And let’s not to forget Cyber Monday.

A very Happy Thanksgiving and 2023 Holiday season to all from the 12volt Central Studios.

ENSENADA, CA (11.22.23) – BILSTEIN-sponsored racers finished strong at the 56th annual Baja 1000 off-road racing event.

Justin Park and team finished first in Class 7F and in overall championship points, and were the only team in their class to finish the race. The international off-road competition traversed approximately 1,300 miles over the course of the race, which was Nov. 13-18.

Park started and drove to race mile 289 intheir Ford Ranger using B8 9200 external bypass and B8 9200 coilover shocks from BILSTEIN. Teammates Cole Andrews, Jeff Tiglio and Eduardo “Pako” Martinez drove in intervals to race mile 1,200, and Park took over at race mile 1,200 to the finish line. He said when things started to heat up — literally — he got nervous.

“It was hot outside and I knew what was coming with such a long race. The final section was tough,” Park said.

Despite not being able to move out of second gear because of slippery terrain, Park and his team held on and finished with a time of 40 hours and 37 minutes.

“We knew we could end the whole race there if we missed a corner at that point,” he said. “Every section of the race was amazing; the people were so happy and the scene was just incredible.”

Fifteen teams started the Pro UTV Open race, but only 10 of them made it across the finish line. Doug Mittag’s team was one of them, finishing in 10thwith a time of 34 hours and 33 minutes in their Polaris RZR Pro R using Black Hawk 9300 Powersports BILSTEIN shocks. The team also comprised Kyle Ahrensberg, Keegan Kincaid and Rick Johnson.

Eric Solarzano finished the season in second in overall points in Class 11 using BILSTEIN’s B8 7100 shocks.

Visit bilstein.com for more.