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RDV Automotive Technology Partners with DOW Technologies for Distribution

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POMPANO BEACH, FL (05.25.23) – RDV Automotive Technology, the go to company for Wireless CarPlay Interfaces, is proud to announce DOW Technologies as our newest distribution partner.

DOW Technologies distributes a full selection of 12Volt products to independent dealers across 22 states plus Washington. D.C. and Puerto Rico. DOW is positioning itself to be able to continue to be the one stop shop for car audio and video dealers by identifying profitable solutions that meet the needs of the current state of in-car infotainment and the future of electric vehicles. RDV’s products fit a need that many car owners have for wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. People are holding onto cars longer and even new cars may be missing wireless connectivity due to chip shortages, leading to a large potential customer base. Together, DOW and RDV are the right partners to assist dealers to take advantage of this huge opportunity.

Rich De Sclafani, owner of RDV Automotive Technology, said about the new partnership: “I am extremely happy to be partnering with DOW. They are SEVEN TIME distributors of the year and I could not ask for a better partner to represent the RDV brand. The whole crew at DOW are truly amazing and they absolutely represent the best of this industry. DOW will be distributing the full RDV line of interfaces throughout their whole territory.”

“We are dedicated to bringing our customers new opportunities that help 12Volt dealers take advantage of the current state of vehicles as well as preparing them for future changes in the industry,” stated DOW’s senior vide president, sales and product management, Dave Elkin. “Partnering with Rich and RDV brings our dealers an opportunity to create additional revenue while improving the experience for their customer. We look forward to a great partnership with RDV.”

To learn more about RDV Automotive Technologies, call 561-922-7747 or visit their website www.rdvfl.com.

Team Nutz Supports Pittsburgh Public Works Annual Event

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PITTSBURGH, PA (05.24.23) – The annual community event invited families to come to the Bethel Park Public Works grounds to allow families and children the opportunity to check out firsthand fire trucks and other emergency vehicles. Children were then invited to climb onto a huge pile sand located in a large parking area. While digging lucky children could find envelops containing money as a reward for their efforts.

The pile of sand is behind this Team Nutz demo vehicle.

Team Nutz was onsite supporting the event. Ed Nuttall related “My wife Nina arranged for us to support the annual community event. We were able to have 3 of our company demo vehicles on site plus a motorcycle. We recognized the opportunity the youngsters had to be rewarded for their digging efforts. It’s just like working a job and be rewarded for their efforts.”

All at the event could check out this totally customized Jeep.
This customized sedan from Team Nutz was another demo possibility.

Continuing Nuttall offered “Another element for our participation was the opportunity to provide live demos in our demo vehicles. The youngsters were invited to sit in the driver’s seat while we provided a system demo and a selfie for them to remember the experience. In some regards it’s like the McDonald’s approach to getting families into the ‘Happy Meal’ mode.”

Mike Gosnik giving a demo to one of nearly 30 youngsters who got a demo and selfie.

Of course while on site the children’s parents were standing next to top Team Nutz demo vehicles with Nutz Team members at the controls. To that Nuttall concluded “That could turn into next day business for Team Nutz.”

Visit teamnutz.com for more.

The 2023 Grand Haven, MI Jeep Fest Stretched for 3 Blocks Downtown

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GRAND HAVEN, MI (05.23.23) – The 2nd Annual Grand Haven Jeep Fest exceeded all expectations which sets the stage for an even larger event in 2024.

Retailer Tech Audio owner Jim Cooper connected with the local event organizer and secured a large booth for the Saturday, May 20th, event. “I saw the success of the first event last year and saw the potential for an even larger event this year. The Jeep category continues to grow and Jeepers are a real community. Alpine is a key brand in our store so I contacted my area representative Mike Schafer at Midwest Sales and that got the ball rolling. He contacted Alpine’s Chris Reavis and the next thing we knew all was set to have the Alpine RAM under an Alpine tent at Jeep Fest 2023 in downtown Grand Haven” Cooper relayed.

The street in downtown Grand Haven MI was busy on a chilly Saturday morning.
Tech Audio was under an Alpine tent next to the RAM. A loaded company Jeep was on the right.

Grand Haven is listed as a town of 11,000 in the latest census reports. The main street downtown is filled with local businesses on both sides of the street. Three city blocks were blocked off the the Jeep Fest with 150 Jeeps assigned a space. Even more Jeeps were parked adjacent to the 3 blocks. Those businesses were open on Saturday and benefitted from the crowd of several thousand through the day.

A selection of Alpine products and POP for Jeepers.
Jim Cooper in the Tech Audio showroom with an event offer sheet for a 15% discount through the end of May they handed out at the non-selling Jeep Fest event.

Mike Schafer related “All came together for the event that was not a selling show. We took a selection of Alpine products and set up under a Tech Audio tent that was next to the Alpine tent with Chris doing demos in the RAM. It was so terrific to see the Alpine brand working together with a proactive retailer like Jim at Tech Audio to connect directly with consumers….especially consumers like the Jeepers community.”

“Jeepers certainly like to add aftermarket products to their rides. When a Jeep owner experienced the Alpine system in the RAM their eyes opened wide for sure. Next stop for many of them was to catch up with Jim in the next booth” Reavis offered.

This drone image shows the scope of the 3 block downtown Jeep Fest event.

“We set up a number off appoints at the event and Monday the 22nd, yesterday, we were plenty busy in the store. Based on this year’s success the event organizers is already contacting city officials for a 5 block area in 2024. The Grand Haven Jeep Fest is a charity event with proceeds going to the local Ferry School. Tech Audio truly appreciates the support from Alpine this year and looks forward to an event larger Grand Haven Jeep Fest in 2024” Cooper concluded.

Visit facebook.com/grandhavenjeepfest for more.

The KICKER Monster Truck Event at Red Rock Park Arena

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GALLUP, NM (05.22.23) – The KICKER Monster Truck event on Saturday, May 20th, featured two events at the Red Rock Park Arena under a sunny sky. The setting for the event is very unique as many attendees are seated on a hillside looking down at the track.

KICKER was setup at the entry way at the Red Rock Park Arena.

“This venue brings enthusiasts together in a very unique setting. KICKER has sponsored events at this venue before. Attendees on Saturday were very enthusiastic and all were definitely Livin’Loud’” Lorin Morrell stated.

Attendees seated on the hillside had a great view of the track from above.
The track area during setup.

KICKER was set up under a tent along the entrance to the Red Rock Park Arena. Tables were stacked with a wide variety of the latest products with the KICKER RZR located close to the event track for demos.

Before the action on the track attendees spent time on the track at the pit party.
This amazing post shows a rider flying high. This post by w_wilson1994.

Continuing “With afternoon and evening action on the track we were busy throughout the day. Pre-race pit parties have become popular activities at these events. Attendees can spend time walking around the track, check out vehicles that will soon be in action plus meet the drivers. Meeting drivers and asking them about their rides creates a lasting impression with attendees.” Morrell stated.

“KICKER is sponsoring, and participating, in many consumer events. That visibility and direct connection with consumers is creating awareness for traditional car and truck audio products plus marine, motorcycle, Powersports and lifestyle products” Morrell concluded.

Visit kicker.com for more.

The Alpine Experience at WOW Mobile Electronics and More at Hi-Tech Car Audio

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EASTPOINTE, MI & EL CERRITOS, CA (05.19.23) – Wednesday, May 17th, was a very busy day for Alpine with retailer partners. An Alpine Experience took place at WOW Mobile Electronics in Eastpointe MI. In addition, Alpine had a major presence at Hi-Tech Car Audio in Cerritos CA with the retailer’s very successful Midnight Madness event covering 3 days.

The Alpine Experience RAM early Wednesday morning.

The Alpine Experience RAM was positioned under the Alpine tent in front of the entrance at WOW Electronics. Chris Reavis, Alpine Soecialist, orchestrated the event and conducted demos throughout the day. “As soon as an attendee took their seat and the doors closed I hit the volume. Immediately their eyes widened and their smiles appeared. When the demo concluded all noted that was the most amazing sound they had ever heard in a vehicle.”

Plenty going on in the showroom with Chris Reavis checking out the action.

Rick Daniels, WOW co-owner, related, “This was the first Alpine Experience at our Eastpointe store and it was very successful. Certainly Chris did over 40 demos in the Alpine RAM. We saw regular customers plus consumers who had never been into our store. Attendees came into the store to check out the Alpine specials and a good number made purchases. Sales for the day were strong.”

Alpine sales happening at the counter.
A customer checking out the latest Alpine products.

When lunch time arrived 100 hot dogs were placed on the grill with all the trimmings and refreshments. Many attendees enjoyed the hot dogs in the showroom and also checked out the Home AV products WOW Electronics brings to the local market.

Reavis added, “Rick and JD were very pleased with the event and another Alpine Experience could happen this fall. The freebees passed out at the event, plus fliers, will certainly extend the Alpine Experience for those who attended.”

Out West Alpine was on site at the Hi-Tech Car Audio Midnight Madness event that began on Wednesday, May 17th, and stretches for 3 days. An Alpine Experience pickup was out front in addition to 2 additional Alpine vehicles.

An Apline Experience Pickup ready at the Hi-Tech Car Audio event in Cerritos CA on Wednesday, May 17th.

Alpine was represented on site with Jason Hannon, Region 1 Sales Manager and Chris Sinh -Alpine Brand Specialist who provided demos in the Alpine Experience pickup throughout the event. Pete Bobsin and Greg Douglas, with Alpine California territory rep firms, also stayed busy talking and selling Alpine during the event.

A customer picks out his Alpine products.
Alpine is stacked high in the showroom for the Hi-Tech Car Audio Midnight Madness Event.

Hannon related, “This is such an amazing event. There was a line outside the door at 8:30 Wednesday morning. Azim Dehestani and his team do such a great job. They were cranking every minute through the days. The shelves were packed with Alpine products with floor stacks too. Some of our Alpine models actually sold out and a new order is on the way.”

Azim Dehestani (L) and Pete Bobsin among stacks of Alpine on the Hi-Tech Car Audio sales floor. Bobsin’s Rep firm works with Hi-Tech in NorCal.

Watch for more from Alpine in California this weekend as Alpine will be on site at the Audio Design Open House and Grand Opening in San Jose on Friday and Saturday, May 19th and 20th.

Visit alpine-usa.com for more.

See the 12voltSTP Tool at Work Across the 12volt Industry… YESTERDAY… Wednesday, May 17th

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THE 12VOLT CENTRAL STUDIOS (05.18.23) – Wednesday, May 17th, was a very busy day in the 12volt Central Studios. News from 2 Alpine Experience events, RDV preps for Orlando,  The Rock the House event in Kansas City, Shiflet and Dickson PowerBass promo and Pacific Rim Marketing on the road arrived via the 12voltSTP Tool.

The 12volt STP tool was created to provide a vehicle for industry members to MAX the visibility of their positive activities. Positive industry news and visibility is more important than ever across the marketplace.

A manufacturer representative, or vendor staff member, can MAX their time on the road by Snapping and Txt’ing an image to the 12volt Central Studios….318 465 0844 is the number. Presto… that image could be fashioned as a post to let a rep’s dealers know activities an area distributor is doing with one of their lines. That post could highlight a dealer with a great in-store display that could give other dealers an idea to drive more business.

Another possibility for the 12volt STP Tool could be a company HQ tour. We can work with a company’s HQ staff member to develop a list of images including HQ exterior, entry way, conference room, training area, testing facility, warehouse and shipping area. Utilizing new technology in this way touches a lot of bases. 

Believe me, I do have an understanding of today’s marketplace. The business year is like a football game with 4 quarters. The 12volt industry, as a whole, is nearing halftime in 2023. The 12volt industry is already well into the month of May. Let’s play smart in the second half of 2023 with a solid game plan….while keeping our eyes on the ball.

On this end the 12volt Central Studios staff will continue to showcase positives across the 12volt industry…across the U.S. and beyond.

Visit 12voltnews on Instagram and Facebook and check multiple, positive fresh 12volt industry news posts each day.

The Alpine Experience at Precision Cellular and Sound Was Very Successful

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STEVENS POINT, WI (05.17.23) – On Saturday, May 13th, the Alpine Experience event took center stage at Precision Cellular and Sound location. Chris Reavis, Alpine Specialist, rolled in early to set up the Alpine tent and position the Alpine Experience RAM for the day’s event.

The Alpine Experience was ready to roll early Saturday morning.

Ty Carrigan, Store Manager, relayed, “Having an Alpine Experience at our store in central Wisconsin was certainly special. When Chris did the first demo for our staff members we knew attendees would be impressed….and they were throughout the day. Showcasing hi-res sound in the RAM really set the demos apart from anything our customers had experienced.”

“During the event we did well over 20 demos for enthusiasts in the Alpine Experience RAM. A big smile appeared on their faces and their eyes widened as they experienced the ultimate in car Audio,” Reavis related.

Attendees began to arrive early for the Alpine Experience.
Inside the showroom there was a large display of Alpine gear plus attendees checked out the company’s Home A/V products.

Continuing Carrigan offered, “Bratwurst offerings fresh from the grill were a real treat that set the tone to spend time with attendees. Many came into the store to also see our home audio and TV offerings too. Certainly the Alpine POP coozies and lanyards will continue the Alpine Experience for attendees too.”

Reavis added, “The Alpine Experience, in the Central region I cover, started very strong. The Endless Possibilities Auto event in Aurora IL was very successful and next up is WOW Electronics in East Pointe MI on May 17th. Overall across the U.S. we have 20 Alpine Experience events on the calendar so far in 2023.”

“Business for the day was certainly stronger than a regular Saturday and we are already discussing the possibilities for a fall Alpine Experience event,” Carrigan concluded.

Visit alpine-usa.com for more.

KICKER Plays Host in Nationwide Dealer Training

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STILLWATER, OK (05.16.23) – KICKER played host to more than a dozen dealers and rep firms this past week (May 8-11) during a two-day training and tour of KICKER Headquarters.

The group was also the first to experience a demo of the new KICKER Ford Bronco, equipped with nine 12-inch SoloX L7X subwoofers and 36,000 watts worth of KICKER Warhorse amplification (anticipated release in late 2023). The group was the first to experience the vehicle outside of KICKER employees and will play for the first time in public at Slamology (Lucas Oil Speedway, Indianapolis) in mid-June.

“The Bronco was incredible, and so was the entire experience,” said Remy Viator of Showtime Electronics (Knoxville, Tenn.). “I was impressed with how well organized the company is and was blown away by everyone’s welcoming attitude.”

The 22-person class also got hands-on training with the SoloX reconing process, and later Global Training Manager Aaron Malin led the group on an extensive tour of the facility, including a chance to audition speakers in the company’s listening labs.
The week also included in-depth discussions with Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing Tom Heath, as well as the Vice President of Product Strategy Bart Deal.

Viator was impressed with the information and pace of the training.

“I thought there was going to be a lot of sitting around in front of a whiteboard,” he said. “The fact we moved around a lot made it even more enjoyable.”

Visit kicker.com for more.

KICKER Was Livin’ Loud at the Progressive American Flat Track in Sacramento

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SACRAMENTO, CA (05.15.23) – The Progressive American Flat Track hosted the first mile race of the season with the 58th Legendary Sacramento Mile at the California State Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 13th. KICKER was Livin’Loud with a selection of products under the tent plus a loaded Polaris RZR. Lorin Morrell and Dana Doyle were in the house to get all set up and connect with racing enthusiasts throughout the event.

Morrell, who orchestrates KICKER at American Flat Track events, rolled 600 miles from Lake Havasu AZ towing a trailer filled with everything to showcase the KICKER lineup at the event. Dana Doyle-Doyle Sales, the KICKER area representative, came in from close by Folsom CA to work the event.

Early on Saturday KICKER was setup for the Sacramento Mile.
Enthusiast lined up to watch racers on the track.

“We were setup and ready well before the gates opened at 2 in the afternoon. The KICKER tent, with a wide selection of products on the tables, along with the ZRZ that was Livin’Loud with demos drew enthusiasts all during the event. Racers ran practice runs through the afternoon and the racing began at 7pm following the opening ceremonies” Morrell related.

Dana Doyle stayed busy under the tent connecting with attendees during the day.
Lorin Morrell (L) and Dana Doyle with one of the many products on display under the KICKER tent.

Doyle stated “During the event attendees really were drawn to power sports products as there is a lot of motorcycle action in the area plus marine too. There are a lot of pickups on the road and many people checked out the new KICKER down-firing loaded enclosures. No doubt events like this really puts the KICKER brand and products in front of the right audience. By the end of the day I had directed probably 10 attendees to KICKER dealers in the area.”

The loaded KICKER RZR let attendees see the many possibilities they could add to their UTV.
Racing on the track lasted into the night.

By 11:30 pm Morrell and Doyle had all packed into the trailer which capped the long and very busy day. The next Progressive American Flat Track Race is in Lexington KY on May 27th. KICKER is a sponsor of the 2023 Progressive American Flat Track series.

Visit kicker.com for more.

Tint World Franchise in Agoura Hills, CA Driving Business

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LOS ANGELES, CA (05.12.23) – Tint World Automotive Styling Centers opened its new franchise location in Agoura Hills, CA on April 1st 2023.

Owned and operated by Habib and Melody Golshayan, Tint World Agoura Hills is now serving drivers and auto enthusiasts throughout western Los Angeles County and offerong premium automotive aftermarket performance and style accessories and services, including the industry’s most reliable window-tinting solutions.

“Melody and I were seeking a reliable, proven path into owning a franchise, and Tint World’s award-winning franchisee support system, training and robust marketing made them the easy choice for us,” Habib said. “We are now delivering an industry-leading catalog of products and services to Agoura Hills and the surrounding cities, and we’re confident that drivers will love and trust our expert team of technicians that are installing performance upgrades, security systems, ultra-premium window tint, Nano Ceramic Coatings and more.”

The Tint World Team behind the counter in the Agoura Hills CA location.

“Since we opened everything has been going great. Lighting, window tint, detailing, PPF and vinyl wrap have been our best selling categories” David Clarke, Store Manager, related.

Tint World Agoura Hills, located at 30601 Canwood St Ste B, Agoura Hills, California 91301, serves Calabasas, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Malibu, Oak Park, Newbury Park, Woodland Hills, Camarillo, Cornell and Simi Valley. To book an appointment, request a quote, or find out more about the store and its products and services, call (818) 459-3914 or visit https://www.tintworld.com/locations/ca/agoura-hills-127/.

“We’re thrilled to continue our growth in California as we welcomed Habib and Melody into the Tint World family,” said Charles J. Bonfiglio, president and CEO of Tint World. “This power couple is committed not just to success in franchising but to excellent customer service and delivering the best aftermarket automotive solutions that our proven franchise system provides to the communities around Agoura Hills. Thanks to our innovative, world-class franchisee support, Tint World owners like Habib and Melody can stand out from the competition and have the edge they need to succeed.”

Visit tintworld.com for more.