KENWOOD Corporation Expands Motorcycle Audio Lineup with New Solutions for 1998–2013 Harley-Davidson Models

All-new cut-in kit and eXcelon speaker additions complete comprehensive replacement offering

Long Beach — April 15, 2026 KENWOOD Corporation, a leader in premium mobile audio solutions, today announced the expansion of its motorcycle audio lineup with new products designed specifically for 1998–2013 Harley-Davidson® motorcycles. These additions complete KENWOOD’s full replacement audio solution for this popular generation of touring bikes.


The new lineup includes the CA-CUT98 Cut-In Kit, engineered to simplify installation of high-performance audio upgrades on motorcycles equipped with saddle bags. Designed for seamless integration, the CA-CUT98 enables riders to easily add KENWOOD 6×9-inch speakers to their existing setup, delivering enhanced sound.


In addition, KENWOOD is introducing two new eXcelon Series 5×7-inch speakers, purpose-built for motorcycle applications:

XM57F (Front Speaker): Designed to fit 1998–2013 Road Glide® models. The XM57F is designed specifically for the front fairing locations, delivering clear, powerful audio.


XM57R (Rear Speaker): Compatible with rear speaker locations on 1998–2023 Select, Street Glide®, and Road Glide® motorcycles, offering high-quality sound. To fit the rear location and provide superior performance, they use a Neodymium magnet assembly.


• Both speaker sets are designed to work perfectly with the KENWOOD XM160-2 -98 amplifiers.

These new products reinforce KENWOOD’s commitment to providing riders with premium audio performance, durability, and ease of installation across a wide range of Harley-Davidson models.


“With the addition of the CA-CUT98 and our new eXcelon 5×7 speakers, we are proud to offer a complete, high-quality audio solution for riders of 1998–2013 Harley-Davidson motorcycles,” said Rick Noetzli Product manager. “Our goal is to make upgrading motorcycle audio as simple as possible, without compromising performance.”


Availability
All newly announced products — the CA-CUT98 Cut-In Kit, XM57F, and XM57R speakers — are currently shipping and available through authorized KENWOOD dealers.

ZZC-SY4C Now Supports Both SYNC 3 and SYNC 4 Systems

BIG UPDATE: MORE COMPATIBILITY-MORE OPPORTUNITY.

We’re excited to announce a major update to one of our fastest-growing products. The ZZC-SY4C now supports both Ford SYNC 3 and SYNC 4 systems. This means more vehicles, more installs and more sales potential for your shop.

WHY THIS MATTERS

The ZZC-SY4C is already a powerful solution for adding front, side and cargo camera visibility directly to the factory screen. Now, with expanded SYNC 3 compatibility, you can offer this upgrade to an even wider range of Ford vehicles.

GIVE YOUR CUSTOMERS:

WHAT THE ZZC-SY4C DELIVERS:

PERFECT FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS!

For pricing, availability, or to place an order, contact your ZZ2 sales representative or visit www.zz2.com

GOVERNOR EVERS’ VETO OF RIGHT-TO-RACE BILL STALLS WISCONSIN’S ECONOMIC ENGINE

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 13, 2026) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and its Performance Racing Industry (PRI) subsidiary issued the following statement following Gov. Tony Evers’ veto of AB 880:

Governor Tony Evers claims to have fond childhood memories growing up near a Wisconsin racetrack, but just vetoed AB 880, the Right-to-Race bill, just so his trial-lawyer buddies can keep suing tracks out of business.

Evers acted despite overwhelming support from lawmakers from across the state who know the value of small businesses and the cultural importance of motorsports. There was no registered opposition to this bill, and for good reason: motorsports matter.

Wisconsin’s racetracks foster an industry that is the soul of Wisconsin’s small, multi-generational business community and the engine of the state’s economic viability, including:

  • $2.46 billion in total economic impact
  • 10,601 jobs
  • $697.92 million in wages and benefits
  • $271.60 million in tax revenue.

Motorsports is an industry that has enlivened life in Wisconsin for nearly a century. Instead of protecting Wisconsin’s economy and network of family-owned dirt ovals, drag strips, and every motorsports facility in between, and instead of fostering American manufacturing, STEM education, and engineering innovation, Evers made it crystal clear whose side he’s on: lawyers and NIMBYs.

SEMA and PRI instead will continue to stand with the working families, racers, mechanics, concession workers, and fans who lose when tracks close. This race isn’t finished. In fact, our coalition is stronger than ever, and we’re just getting started.

BACKGROUND
AB 880, which was passed in the Wisconsin State Legislature with strong support in the Assembly and Senate, would protect long-standing racetracks from nuisance-based lawsuits brought by nearby property owners who moved into the area after the tracks were already established.
SEMA and PRI support “Right-to-Race” laws like AB 880 that protect legally compliant, long-standing tracks from nuisance claims. These protections ensure facilities that follow all laws and permits can operate without constant legal threats, preserving racing heritage, jobs, and revenue generated by motorsports.
The automotive aftermarket and motorsports industries annually contribute a combined $406 billion to the national economy, including $69 billion by the motorsports industry alone, and support millions of jobs nationwide. Lawmakers should champion commonsense policies to protect racetrack operations, prosperity, and longevity.
SEMA and PRI work with lawmakers, track operators, sanctioning bodies, and parts manufacturers to advance these protections through advocacy, coalition building, and grassroots engagement. Tracks have operated for decades and deserve stability. This commonsense legislation ensures facilities that predate neighbors are legally protected, preserving both urban and rural jobs, tourism, and community tradition.
Motorsports venues are vital to local economies, small businesses, tourism, and heritage. Still, many face lawsuits from neighbors who moved in after the track was established and seek to limit operations or shut down the venue entirely.

For more information, visit PerformanceRacing.com or visit www.sema.org

Jason Digos Promoted to Modus Senior Product Testing and Validation Manager

Oxnard, Calif., April 10, 2026 – Modus is proud to announce that Jason Digos has been promoted to Senior Product Testing and Validation Manager. Previously, Digos was Senior Sales Trainer at Modus.

In his new role, Digos will lead a four-person team and oversee the development and rollout of a comprehensive testing and validation framework, ensuring every new audio product meets strict performance, reliability, and real-world use standards before launch.

“Jason has been an instrumental part in Modus’ development,” said Navid Farhand, Co-CEO at AVA Enterprises, Inc. “His leadership will help establish a structured, data-driven approach to product development, bridging engineering, product management, and field performance.”

Digos has been an aftermarket audio development, installation, fabrication, and sales, training, and marketing professional with a wealth of expertise for more than 30 years, working with some of the industry’s top brands.

“Modus has already taken the industry by storm, and with our technology-dominant products now shipping and ready for installation, I look forward to ensuring that Modus remains at the forefront of the industry,” said Digos.

BOSS Elite Exhibits and Conducts Training During CMA Expo 2026

This Will be the First Event That BOSS Elite Exhibits Alongside its New Canadian Distribution Partner Automobility

OXNARD, Calif., April 9, 2026BOSS Elite (www.bosselite.com), a leader in 12 Volt aftermarket audio and video products, is proud to announce it will exhibit during CMA Expo 2026, scheduled April 10-12, 2026 at the Toronto Congress Centre in Toronto, ON, Canada. During the event, BOSS Elite will feature its new and expanding speaker line alongside new Canadian distribution partner Automobility Distribution Inc. as well as conduct an in-depth training.

“Automobility has been Canada’s leading value-added distributor of premium mobile electronics for more than 30 years, and we are proud to partner with them and present our ever evolving BOSS Elite lineup during CMA Expo,” said Colin Ross, BOSS Elite Associate Brand Manager. “We’re especially excited to feature our new speakers and refreshed product lineup that brings together sophisticated features with real-world performance.”

CMA Expo, now in its fourth year, is Canada’s premier mobile electronics event. Mobile electronics retailers from across Canada attend to connect, network and learn about the latest technology, products and skills required to continue to be successful in the industry.

BOSS Elite’s car audio training dives into the engineering and technology behind the Elite lineup. Participants will gain a clear understanding of amplifier architecture, speaker design, and system integration built to compete with premium audio brands. The training highlights how Elite delivers consistent power, refined acoustics, and durable construction, while equipping teams with the knowledge and confidence to make elevated system recommendations.

Training info:

When: April 10; 2:00pm

Where: Room “A”

During CMA Expo 2026, Elite will feature its new 6.5-inch BE652C and 6×9-inch BE692C speakers. Ready to order, these two-way coaxial speakers are the latest in the Elite lineup, and perfect complements to the line’s amplifier and source unit lines also featured during the show. Available in Q2 2026, Elite will also feature its new BE452C 4-inch and BE275C 2.75-inch 2-Way coaxial speakers, the 1.4-inch Tweeter Kit, the BE692K 6×9-inch Component Speaker Kit, and 6.5-inch Component Speaker Kit.

Also on display during the show and now available, Elite will showcase its highly popular source units as well as its powerful amplifier lineup, including the 5-channel 830W BE830.5D, 4-channel 600W BE600.4D, mono 600W BE600.1D, and mono 400W BE400.1D.

For more information about B.I.G. or to become a dealer, please visit sales.bossinternationalgroup.com.

Alpine Develops Industry-First Tesla Fitment Decoder Alongside New Sound System Kits

Auburn Hills, Mich. (Apr. 09, 2026) – Alps Alpine North America, Inc. (“Alpine”), a premium aftermarket car audio manufacturer, announces the industry-first Tesla Fitment Decoder, a proprietary algorithm that’s integrated exclusively into the Alpine website to calculate the Tesla-specific sound system kit for the Model 3 and Model Y platforms.

The decoder was created in-house by Alpine’s Product Engineering and Application Development teams in partnership with Tesla experts from Alpine’s Authorized retailer force.

“This is a first for the aftermarket car audio industry,” said Dan Sparks, National Sales Director for the Alpine Aftermarket Division at Alps Alpine North America. “We learned early on that we’d need a solution to ensure full integration into the Tesla vehicle while taking the guesswork away from the customer. We’re happy to have launched a solution that alleviates both of those challenges.”

The decoder is designed to read the vehicle build date and vehicle identification number (VIN), pairing each Tesla Model 3 or Model Y vehicle with the correct Alpine sound system kit and harness in a matter of seconds. This ensures that each vehicle retains all factory functions while receiving a substantial audio upgrade.

In tandem with the launch of the Tesla Fitment Decoder, Alpine refreshed its Tesla product category with new systems designed for each audio enthusiast’s journey.

Ala carte speaker options provide a good starting point for the Tesla driver looking for more clarity and precision from their sound system. For those who need a bass boost, Alpine offers a 10” Subwoofer and Amplifier Upgrade kit designed for plug-and-play installation into select Model 3 base, premium, and Model Y vehicles – a substantial upgrade from the factory 8” in premium models! The 13-Speaker Plug-and-Play Sound Systems, originally launched in 2023, have been refreshed with new harnesses that ensure complete integration into the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y platforms using the Tesla Fitment Decoder.

Alpine’s Tesla audio solutions are available for purchase at Alpine Authorized Retailers and Preferred Online Stores. Please check the store locator on www.alpine-usa.com for details.

KENWOOD eXcelon Introduces New High-Performance Subwoofers

LONG BEACH, CA (4.8.2026) – Kenwood proudly announces the latest additions to its premium eXcelon car audio lineup: the KFC-XW1242 12-inch and KFC-XW1042 10-inch subwoofers. Designed for audio enthusiasts seeking powerful, accurate bass. Both models feature a single 4-ohm voice coil.

Engineered for durability and high output, the KFC-XW1242 12-inch subwoofer is rated at 350 watts RMS at 4 ohms, and the KFC-XW1042 is rated at 300 watts RMS, delivering deep, controlled bass with exceptional clarity.

Both models incorporate advanced design enhancements, including a new magnet structure paired with a 6-layer voice coil, improving heat dissipation for greater power handling and long-term reliability. Additionally, a progressive spider pleat design helps prevent over-excursion.

Key features include:

  • New magnet and 6-layer voice coil design for improved thermal performance
  • Progressive spider pleat design for enhanced excursion control
  • Durable construction for long-lasting reliability
  • Optimized for both sealed and vented enclosures

“These new eXcelon subwoofers reflect our continued focus on performance, reliability, and installer-friendly design,” said Rick Noetzli KENWOOD Product manager. “With improved thermal management and enhanced excursion control, the KFC-XW1242 and KFC-XW1042 deliver the powerful, clean bass our customers expect.”

The KFC-XW1042 is available now with a MAP price of $130.00, and the KFC-XW1242 is available now with a MAP price of $150.00 through authorized Kenwood eXcelon retailers.

Visit www.kenwood.com/usa for more.

All-New MB Quart Mercedes-Benz Tuned Sprinter Kits

LIBERTYVILLE, IL (4.8.26) – Van sound has a front stage. Time to make it LOUD. ALL-NEW MB Quart Mercedes-Benz Tuned Sprinter Kits are engineered to transform every ride — purpose-built for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van (W907 / 2019 – Current). Get ready for van audio that brings heavier bass and cleaner beats.

Feel an entire soundstage in your Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van with the STAGE 6 audio system (MBQSV-STG6A-1), making 700 watts of Music. Defined. power and features: 6.5-inch, 2-way front component speakers, one 3-inch center channel dash speaker, and a BIG 10-inch, application-specific subwoofer system – powered by a 700-watt 5-channel Class-D amplifier.

Just want an MB Quart speaker system upgrade? The MS1-216C Speaker Upgrade includes the 6.5-inch, 2-way front component
speakers and one 3-inch center-channel dash speaker.

To learn more, click here.

MTX Announces New Pacific Northwest Representative

PHOENIX, AZ (04.07.26) – MTX, a MiTek Electronics and Communications company, announces a new partnership with Bruce Gilsdorf of Advanced Marketing to represent MTX in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska.

Gilsdorf brings more than four decades of experience in the consumer electronics industry with a strong background in sales, training, and brand development. As Principal of Advanced Marketing since 1982, he has built long-standing relationships with retailers and manufacturersthat consistently translate into strong sales performance across his territories.

“MTX has been a powerhouse brand for over 40 years, and I’m excited to work with the team to continue building momentum in the Pacific Northwest,” said Bruce Gilsdorf, Principal at Advanced Marketing. “With a strong lineup of mobile audio and a clear commitment to the powersports category, MTX gives dealers the tools they need to grow their business. I’mlooking forward to working closely with Ceasar to expand the dealer network and show retailers the value MTX brings to their bottom line. We’re excited to connect with partners at the Pacific NW Expo in Seattle this May.”

“I have known Bruce since 1999, and I’m excited to be working with him again as he joins the MTX team,” said Ceasar Olaes, Regional Sales Manager at MTX. “Bruce brings a deep understanding of the Pacific Northwest market, and his experience and approach align well with how we support our dealers. We’re confident he will play a key role in continuing to strengthen our presence and grow our dealer network across the territory.”

For more information about MTX or to find a dealer, please visit www.mtx.com.

Rydeen Bolsters Rep Network

TORRANCE, CA (04.07.26) – April 2026, Rydeen Mobile Electronics, a leader in vehicle safety and driver awareness technology, today announced an update of its 2026 national representative network. With twelve dedicated rep firms now covering all major U.S. territories – from the Pacific Northwest to South Florida, from Hawaii to New England – Rydeen has built the most comprehensive dealer-support infrastructure in its company history.

The expanded network arrives at a pivotal moment. Rydeen’s newly launched MiNy360 Series – the first consumer dash cam to integrate patented proximity radar technology – is generating significant pre-order activity ahead of its Q2 2026 ship date. With dealer demand accelerating across all regions, having seasoned, territory-specific representation on the ground is the engine driving distribution.

“Our rep network is our frontline. These are not order-takers – they are trusted advisors who understand the 12Volt space at the street level. With the MiNy360 Series launching and our ADAS product line expanding, having the right people in every region ensures our technology reaches the dealers and installers who can put it to work for their customers,” said Rex Berfield, National Sales Manager, Rydeen Mobile Electronics.

Each rep firm was selected for its depth of relationships within the independent dealer and professional installer community, its track record in the 12Volt and consumer electronics space, and its ability to provide the hands-on support. Together, they form a network capable of bringing Rydeen’s full ecosystem – including the MiNy360 Series dash cameras, touch-screen digital mirror systems, and Rydeen’s AHD multi-camera solutions to installers and dealers who serve American drivers every day.

To connect with a Rydeen representative in your region, or to place an order, contact Rydeen’s national sales team directly at (310) 787-7880 or sales@rydeenmobile.com. For pre-order information on the MiNy360 Series contact your sales representative or call the sales team.

Visit www.rydeenmobile.com for more.