DIAMOND BAR, CA (10.06.25) – The ultimate fusion of motorsports and chaos is stampeding into Las Vegas as Horsepower Rodeo joins the high-octane lineup of live activations at the 2025 SEMA Show. Taking place Nov. 4-7 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in the Diamond Lot, adjacent to the LVCC’s West Hall, Horsepower Rodeo promises a full-throttle spectacle that celebrates the raw power, mechanical creativity, and the unfiltered excitement of car culture.

Headlined by superstar automotive content creator Westen Champlin and professional smoke show driver Kyle Douglas, Horsepower Rodeo is a living, breathing showcase of everything that makes the aftermarket world roar. From drag racers to drifters, classic muscle to modern burnout monsters, this arena unites builders, drivers, and fans from every corner of the scene.

“Horsepower Rodeo exemplifies the spirit of the aftermarket — bold, creative, and unapologetically passionate,” said SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso. “It’s a strategic addition to our live programming that reflects the diversity and energy of the industry, while engaging a new generation of enthusiasts.”

As part of the SEMA Show’s expanded motorsports programming, Horsepower Rodeo joins a powerhouse lineup, including OPTIMA Unleashed, Nitro Circus, Hoonigan, and the Globe of Death. These demos offer attendees a full sensory experience the moment they step onto the SEMA Show campus, bringing the innovations displayed inside the halls to life in thrilling, real-world action, creating more connections with buyers, media, and influencers.

“Horsepower Rodeo is the ultimate stage for the wild side of car culture,” said Champlin. “We’re here to deliver a high-octane experience SEMA Show attendees will be talking about long after the smoke clears.”

Horsepower Rodeo will run daily throughout the Show just outside of the Truck, SUV, Off-Road, and Restyling exhibitor areas of West Hall, giving professionals and enthusiasts a front-row seat to the tire-shredding burnouts, high-speed drifts, and raw horsepower that define the world of motorsports.

“We’re focused on creating unforgettable moments for our attendees that showcase the passion, products, and people that drive the industry forward, and Horsepower Rodeo delivers exactly that,” said SEMA Trade Show Director Andy Tompkins. “It’s loud, it’s wild, and it’s the kind of experience that sticks with you long after the Show ends.”

To learn more about the 2025 SEMA Show, see the event lineup, and to register, visit www.semashow.com.

Top 10 Finalists to take center stage in exclusive peer-judged round at 2025
SEMA Show

DIAMOND BAR, CA (Oct. 3, 2025) – SEMA Battle of the Builders presented by Mothers Polish, the automotive industry’s premier vehicle showdown, is back at the SEMA Show this year with its reimagined Young Guns program, now sponsored by BFGoodrich. The revamped initiative shines a spotlight on the Top 10 BFGoodrich Young Guns finalists, featuring a live, on-stage judging session that highlights the next wave of automotive innovators.

In previous years, the Top 10 and Top 3 finalists in each competing category were selected by industry judges. Now, the Top 10 BFGoodrich Young Guns finalists present their builds live on stage to each other, and the builders vote for the Top 3 who move on to the championship round, alongside finalists from the other Battle of the Builders categories. This year’s live competition will be held in the North Hall (Booth #10168) of the Las Vegas Convention Center and hosted by Adrienne Janic (“AJ”) from Overhaulin’.

“We’re dedicated to advancing this competition and cultivating the next generation of builders who will help shape the future of the automotive aftermarket,” said RJ de Vera, SEMA Vice President of Marketing. “With BFGoodrich as the official sponsor of the Young Guns program, we’re amplifying opportunities for these talented builders to gain recognition and accelerate their careers.”

Launched in 2016, the Young Guns category recognizes automotive builders 29 years and younger who show exceptional skill and creativity. Beginning in mid-September, BFGoodrich Young Guns hopefuls will have a chance to be selected to participate in a virtual corral and competition where winners will receive a prize package that includes transportation of their build to the SEMA Show, as well as travel and hotel accommodations. This provides a unique opportunity for young builders to get their foot in the door and accelerate their career trajectory in the industry.

Now in its 12th year, SEMA Battle of the Builders presented by Mother’s Polish remains one of the world’s top platforms for builders to showcase their innovation and craftsmanship in the automotive aftermarket. The competition spans four categories:

• Hot Rod & Hot Rod Truck
• 4 Wheel Drive & Off-Road
• Sport Compact, Import Performance, Luxury & Exotic
• BFGoodrich Young Guns

The four class champions from each category compete for the coveted Battle of the Builders Best Overall Build title.

Judges review all qualifying applications, including detailed vehicle descriptions and photos, before evaluating the builds in person at the SEMA Show. The Top 10 finalists in each category are narrowed down to three, with BFGoodrich Young Guns finalists determined by their peers. These 12 finalists then take on the role of judges themselves, helping to decide the category winners and the overall champion.

“The SEMA Show is where the aftermarket industry comes together to celebrate creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation,” said Andy Tompkins, SEMA Trade Show Director. “The Battle of the Builders program, particularly the Young Guns category, truly captures the energy and passion that pushes our industry forward.”

For more details about SEMA Battle of the Builders presented by Mothers Polish and the BFGoodrich Young Guns program, visit www.semabattleofthebuilders.com.

The 2025 SEMA Show will be held from Nov. 4-7 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore cutting-edge products, forge new business connections, and gain insights into the latest trends in the aftermarket industry. For more information and to register, visit www.semashow.com.

All enthusiasts are invited to experience SEMA Show Friday – Open to the Public on Friday, Nov. 7, along with SEMA Fest. A variety of ticket options are available on SEMAFest.com. The Show excitement and action can also be followed throughout the week on SEMA Live streamed via YouTube and Meta.

LIBERTYVILLE IL (10.02.25) Maxxsonics has turned up the volume on its Sales team with the addition of Tim Page as Western Regional Sales Manager. With an extensive background in car, Marine, and Powersports audio spanning 40 years, Tim is known for his drive, commitment to success, and proven ability to grow markets in the aftermarket audio industry. Tim is already fueling momentum by signing new accounts and creating a surge of excitement across the Western region at Maxxsonics. With years of experience in brand building and selling, Tim has a reputation for cultivating strong relationships with dealers and distributors while delivering measurable results. His early wins at Maxxsonics signal a bold new chapter for the company’s western stamp on the audio industry.

“Tim brings instant energy and focus to our team,” said Eddie Ramirez, National Sales Manager. “He’s already winning business and creating new opportunities for our dealers. His ability to connect, motivate, and deliver is exactly what we need as we accelerate growth in 2025.”

In the past, Tim has worked with Kenwood, Alpine, Directed, and Soundstream and his background includes extensive experience in managing dealer networks, creating long-term partnerships, and driving brand growth in competitive markets. His ability to connect with retailers and distributors while delivering measurable results has made him a trusted partner in the audio industry.

Tim brings proven expertise in business development, dealer support, and customer success — paired with a passion for audio that aligns perfectly with Maxxsonics’ vision for success and will be leading the Western U.S. Region, working with independent sales representatives who service our dealers, and at the same time, continue building the market. Tim has already begun making a significant impact at Maxxsonics, quickly signing new accounts and strengthening relationships across the Western territory with distributors and key dealers.

“Tim is the right person at the right time for Maxxsonics,” added Ramirez. “His energy, determination, and understanding of the dealer landscape are already producing results. He has hit the ground running and is building momentum with every new account.”

“Maxxsonics is clearly one of the leading forces in Audio and Powersports, and I’m excited to be part of the team. The UTV category is impressive, as well as audio in all categories,” said Tim Page, Western Regional Sales Manager at Maxxsonics.

As Maxxsonics continues to innovate the Mobile, Marine, and Powersports audio markets, Tim’s addition reinforces Maxxsonics’ commitment to hiring dynamic leaders who can spark growth, sales, and create lasting partnerships.

Maxxsonics leadership is confident Tim will continue to play a key role in expanding the company’s presence and driving growth across its family of brands, including MB Quart, Hifonics, Crunch, and Autotek.

FOR MORE SEE https://maxxsonics.com

NEW YORK – October 1, 2025 – This year, SiriusXM is celebrating International Podcast Day by launching an entire month dedicated to creators and listeners. The company today declared October as SiriusXM Podcasts Month — featuring a coast-to-coast series of live events that bring some of the biggest names in the industry from SiriusXM’s podcasting slate directly to fans.

Throughout the month, SiriusXM Podcasts will host exclusive live tapings and special programming from various venues, including its flagship New York and Los Angeles studios, showcasing the breadth and diversity of its podcast slate. From comedy and sports to culture and business, SiriusXM Podcasts Month highlights the industry leader’s role as a home for the most dynamic voices in audio and underscores SiriusXM’s commitment to connecting listeners with the voices they love.

The festivities kick off on October 5 with a live taping of “Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend” at The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles. Additional highlights include live sessions of “Busted Open,” “How Did This Get Made,” “The Bonfire,” “Casuals with Katie Nolan,” “The Nikki & Brie Show,” and “Freakonomics Radio.” A schedule below, with more to be announced.

“Podcasts are no longer just something people listen to — they’re woven into daily life and culture,” said SiriusXM’s Senior Vice President of Podcast Content, Adam Sachs. “With SiriusXM Podcasts Month, we’re celebrating that impact by turning one day into an entire month of live, can’t-miss events with some of the biggest and most beloved names in the medium.”

All events will be available to SiriusXM subscribers nationwide — sign up for a chance to see your favorite podcast record live in-person in NYC or LA at www.siriusxm.com/podcastsmonth. U.S./18+. No Purchase Necessary.

SiriusXM Podcast Month Schedule
“Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend” LIVE — The Fonda Theatre, LA — 10/5
“The Bonfire” LIVE — SiriusXM’s NYC Fishbowl — 10/6
“Freakonomics Radio” LIVE — SiriusXM’s NYC Fishbowl — 10/8
“The Nikki & Brie Show” LIVE — SiriusXM’s LA Garage — 10/10
“How Did This Get Made” LIVE — SiriusXM’s LA Garage — 10/15
“Casuals With Katie Nolan” LIVE — SiriusXM’s NYC Fishbowl — 10/15
“Busted Open” LIVE — SiriusXM’s NYC Fishbowl — 10/23

Eligible customers can get their first three months of SiriusXM for free. Click here to sign up and experience all that SiriusXM has to offer. See Offer Details.

Libertyville, IL (09/30/25) Designed to deliver an unparalleled soundstage for Toyota® Tacoma vehicle owners — take on outdoor adventure with Music. Defined.

MB Quart Toyota® Tacoma (Third Generation) Tuned Audio Packages
have been meticulously engineered to ensure a seamless installation process and provide a concert-like audio experience exclusively inside the iconic midsize vehicle. Elevate every Toyota Tacoma adventure!

Toyota® Tacoma (Third Generation) Tuned Audio Packages are truly Plug-and-Play, making them accessible to BOTH seasoned audio enthusiasts and casual installers. These tuned audio packagesare designed to match the Toyota Tacoma’s interior dimensions
and acoustic profile, ensuring a factory-like fit and high sound quality.

THE 12VOLT CENTRAL STUDIOS (9.29.25) The 12voltBeat Newsletter, delivering fresh industry news, is mailed twice weekly to subscribers across the 12volt industry. There is no charge to subscribe.

Reporters walk the beat in their areas to gather and deliver the news of the day. The 12volt Central Studios staff has been walking the beat across the industry for over five decades. Today the news is delivered digitally across the US and around the world.

The 12volt Central Studios launched the 12voltSTP tool over two years ago. The 12voltSTP Tool makes it easier than ever for industry members to deliver news of their products and activities that ever before. With a Smartphone, it just takes snapping an image and txting the image, with a few words, to 318-469-2526. PRESTO…your companies news could be in the 12voltBeat.

The 12volt industry is based in music and good music definitely has a beat. Thus the 12voltBeat newsletter is a natural to deliver positive news across the 12volt industry.

The 12voltBeat newsletter is emailed early on Monday and Thursday mornings to over 4000 industry members. The 12voltBeat newsletter features industry news from the previous days.

There is no charge to receive the 12voltBeat….So sign up today!

LIVERMORE, CA (9.26.25) – GS Distributing Company is excited to announce our new distribution partnership with KICKER serving the Northern California and Northern Nevada markets.

“Through this partnership, we’ll be expanding access to a broader selection of Kicker products while ensuring stronger product availability for our dealers’’ Shams Nabi related.

Continuing “KICKER is one of the most respected and recognized brands in the industry, and we are grateful for the trust and opportunity to represent them. Together with the Kicker team, our focus will be on growing the brand’s presence in the region by supporting dealers with reliable inventory and responsive service.”

“We’ve already received over 20 pallets of Kicker product, reinforcing our commitment to keeping stock on hand so that when our accounts need product, it’s ready to ship” Nabi concluded.

Tracy Focht, KICKER Western Regional Manager, relayed “We are totally excited to have Shams and GS Distributing on board to help KICKER grow in NorCal and Nevada. Shams and his team will do an outstanding job and we look forward to working with them.”

Dealers in need of assistance within the territory can contact our customer service team at csr@gsdistributingcompany.com.

POMPANO BEACH, FL (09.26.25) – We are thrilled with the launch of ZZ2 in Spain, a milestone that goes beyond geographic expansion. This moment represents the realization of our vision of bringing innovative automotive technology solutions to the European market.

None of this would be possible without the support of our strategic partners who share our mission. Special thanks to SCS, our official distributor in Spain, for their partnership and commitment.

Held on September 19th, the event featured an opening speech by Juan Jose Vera of SCS. Vinicius Nascimento, Tiago Sperandio, Leonel Sudatti and Javier González then presented the products that will be sold in Europe, such as CarPlay & Android Auto Solutions, Screen Replacements, Backup Cameras, In-Car Entertainment / Streaming Solutions, and others. ZZ2 services, technical support and dedicated customer service, were also mentioned. Afterwards, guests were able to see a live demo of our products installed and in full operation.

The event was attended by several professionals, installers, dealers and industry leaders, who were excited about the new developments they were seeing firsthand.

Visit zz-2.com for more.

Check out the video below:

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A post shared by ZZ2 (@zz2.eu)

STAMFORD, CT (09.25.25) – HARMAN International has announced it has completed the acquisition of Sound United, the former consumer audio business of Masimo Corporation (NASDAQ: MASI). Sound United’s portfolio of iconic audio brands includes Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, Definitive Technology, Polk Audio, HEOS, Classé, and Boston Acoustics.

This strategic milestone marks a significant expansion in HARMAN’s core audio business and footprint across key product categories including home audio, electronics (amplifiers, hi-fi components, AVRs), headphones, and car audio. Combining Sound United’s distinguished portfolio with its world-renowned audio business enables HARMAN to deliver one of the most comprehensive audio portfolios in the industry. As a result, HARMAN is now empowered to bring consumers more choice, deeper innovation, and exceptional experiences across listening environments.

Video interview with Dave Rogers can be viewed here:

“HARMAN’s vision is to create experiences that enrich people’s lives through exceptional audio experiences,” said Dave Rogers, President, Lifestyle Division, HARMAN. “Sound United’s impressive roster of brands is rooted in a deep passion for sound, innovation, and commitment to quality that aligns with HARMAN’s own values. This transaction unlocks meaningful growth opportunities for everyone. It bolsters HARMAN’s strategy to build on its unparalleled success story and scale to unprecedented heights as an audio leader.”

B-roll can be viewed here:

Sound United will operate as a standalone Strategic Business Unit (SBU) within HARMAN’s Lifestyle Division. This structure ensures that each brand’s heritage, expertise, and loyal customer base remain central to their identity. With the backing of HARMAN’s global resources and scale, Sound United’s brands will gain greater reach with enhanced capabilities, while continuing to realize their distinct goals and better succeed in the marketplace.

The newly added brands, expertise, and talent from Sound United will accelerate HARMAN’s advancements in audio technology, broaden market presence, and reinforce its position as a trusted global leader at the intersection of sound, culture, and technology.

Visit harman.com for more.

Article courtesy of news.harman.com

DIAMOND BAR, CA (09.25.25) – Admark Automotive is thrilled to announce its new partnership with SEMA Data, the industry’s premier provider of product data for automotive aftermarket brands and retailers. This collaboration positions Admark Automotive as the preferred eCommerce platform for all SEMA Data members.

Solving a Major Industry Challenge
This partnership directly addresses a key challenge faced by many SEMA Data members: the need for a well-designed, dependable platform that can seamlessly integrate the extensive data provided by SEMA Data. By combining SEMA Data’s comprehensive product information with Admark Automotive’s robust and specialized eCommerce software, the partnership offers a streamlined and powerful solution tailored to the unique needs of the automotive aftermarket industry.

“We’re excited to partner with SEMA Data and serve as the trusted eCommerce platform for their members,” said George Gonzalez, CEO of Admark Automotive. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to helping automotive aftermarket businesses thrive by providing innovative solutions that simplify operations and drive success.”

A Seamless, No-Hassle Ecommerce Solution
SEMA’s data product cataloging is the backbone of organized, standardized, and searchable product information in the automotive aftermarket industry. Admark Automotive’s platform is built to maximize the value of that work—eliminating the need for plugins, third-party apps, constant updates, or custom development. This solution provides SEMA Data members with a streamlined process to efficiently intake, manage, and publish SEMA Data across their digital storefronts.

Backed by a powerful eCommerce engine purpose-built for this market, Admark Automotive enhances workflow, improves sales management, and solves common operational pain points—so SEMA members can stay focused on growth, service, and success.

“At SEMA Data, our commitment to delivering value to our members is at the heart of everything we do,” said Gigi Ho, SEMA Vice President of Technology, Data & Strategic Initiatives. “This partnership with Admark Automotive strengthens that mission by equipping our members with best-in-class tools and resources to thrive in today’s increasingly competitive market.”

Visit www.semadata.org for more.