CORONA, CA (07.24.23) – GCH Automotive Systems just launched a new Toyota CarPlay upgrade kit with some crazy pricing. “We are pushing it at 299. wholesale any quantity!” Greg Delgado stated.
Greg Delgado with the new Toyota CarPlay Upgrade Kit in his Corona CA office.
Continuing “What makes this kit better is a few things, including new and improved video processor for upgraded picture, self calibrating for resolution, screen configuration to speed up install time, full wireless for both Android Auto and CarPlay and of course a 3 year warranty!”
Specs and installation chart for the new Toyota Car Play kit.
SPARTANBURG, SC (07.21.23) – Elite Audio has served the Spartanburg area since the early 1990’s and recently celebrated the company’s 30th anniversary. To mark the occasion a custom 30 Year T-shirt was developed by owner Joe Zelano just over a year ago.
“It has been a fun journey to reach the now 30 years plus and we thought a custom high quality T-shirt would be popular our customers and it has been really popular. We have made posts on Instagram about the T-Shirt and the response has been very strong with followers coming into the store to get one.”
The son of a good customer took his Elite Audio T to Rome and made this post from the Coliseum.
Continuing “Our customers have taken their Elite Audio T’s on vacation trips around the globe and made social media posts while on their trips. Recently the son of a very good customer made a post with his Elite Audio T while in the Coliseum in Rome Italy. Earlier this year a dealer made a post with his Elite Audio T at the Mayan Ruins in Mexico. It is so special when we see those posts from around the globe. Great to know we connect with people in Spartanburg and far, far away.”
An Elite Audio T at the Mayan Ruins in Mexico.
The Elite Audio staff includes 7 full time professionals plus 2 part time employees. The product mix includes car audio, video, remote start, safety, convenience, connectivity, wheels, tires, suspension, lighting and accessories. The Powersports, bike and marines categories have become strong categories in recent years.
PITTSBURGH, PA (07.21.23) – The Pittsburgh Grand Prix is 10 consecurive days of races, car shows and parties that take place across the city from July 14th thru the 23rd. Team Nutz was on site thru the day of Cruise Night on Tuesday July 18th.
The Team Nutz booth set on Tuesday morning.
“We have participated in previous Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix events. We just participate one day as the other days don’t have vendor spots until the end of the day’s event. The day of the Car Cruise night was a way for us to put the Team Nutz brand in front of an audience of car enthusiasts” Ed Nuttall related.
Team Nutz had a variety of vehicles to showcase and demo products.
Fuel Required is a Classic Car Dealership soon to open as an addition to the Team Nutz automotive related companies.
Team Nutz had multiple vehicles under the tent along side the trailers. Multiple coolers were filled with bottled water for attendees during the very hot day and evening. Along side the Team Nutz event booth was the Fuel Required booth which is a Classic Car Dealership Nuttall is in the process of opening.
Nuttall concluded “We had 10 staff members on hand through the day and handed out over 500 fliers and did many, many demos. This was a team building event that helps us keep our brand in the public eye. In addition, it was a nice break from the office and gave us the opportunity to connect with a large number of people across Pittsburgh.”
BOCA RATON, FL (07.20.23) – Tint World Automotive Styling Centers was recognized as one of the Best of the Best Franchises in 2023 by Entrepreneur. The ranking, which is featured in the July/August issue of Entrepreneur magazine and on Entrepreneur.com, highlights the brands from Entrepreneur’s 2023 Franchise 500 ranking that ranked at the top of their industry categories. Tint World was ranked No. 1 in the window tinting category.
Charles Bonfiglio and Tint World have embraced franchises across the US and around the globe.
“At Tint World, our passion for growth is only matched by our commitment to quality,” said Charles J. Bonfiglio, president and CEO of Tint World. “This prestigious ranking reflects our vision and strategy for long-term success, which is based on delivering the most trusted products and services to our customers and providing the industry’s most reliable, proven support systems to our franchisees.”
Entrepreneur’s Best of the Best Franchises ranking is based on information submitted for its annual Franchise 500 and is part of the brand’s continuing effort to best understand and evaluate the ever-changing franchise marketplace. The franchises selected as 2023’s Best of the Best are ranked not only in the increasingly competitive Franchise 500 list this year but also at the top of their respective industry categories, based on an evaluation of more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. There are 152 categories represented this year, a testament to the ever-growing diversity of industries represented in the franchise world.
“Everyone wants to join a winning team, and that’s why we love making this annual Best of the Best Franchises list,” said Jason Feifer, editor in chief of Entrepreneur magazine. “The companies on this list exemplify what it takes to thrive in franchising: They are innovative and nimble, but also stable and growing. They are truly the best of the best.”
MEDFORD, MA (07.20.23) – The Solder Master products, formerly Aussie Irons, are now available in the US from Krank It Up.
Fawzi Alqudah, Krank It Up owner, related “We had been using Aussie Irons for years in our shop. The company recently experienced some changes and we took the opportunity to become the distributor for the new Solder Master brand in the US. We have inventory in stock and are ready to fill orders for 12volt retailers.”
Fawzi Alqudah and his son Josh (R) show the Solder Master kit in the Krank It Up store in Medford, MA.
The professional soldering iron saves time while heating quickly, is light weight and features a built-in working light. The cordless Solder Master, with built-in lithium battery and regulated temperature, lasts for weeks on a single charge. A 12volt charger is included for installers on the road.
Concluding “The Solder Master is a great tool for all 12volt retailers working in their shops making soldering connections.”
The complete Solder Master kit includes a carrying case with 2 soldering tips and is available for $349 including shipping.
RINGWOOD, IL (07.19.23) – Race Sport Lighting released their New HOODKIT1 (P/N# 1007720) LED Knight Rider Scanning Hood Brow DRL Flex Kit in Q2 and are now in full non-stop production in Q3. This modern, unique and niche hood lighting kit is the perfect solution for a frontal lighting show on the exterior of any vehicle. The hood brow retail kit comes with a 5’ 9” length flexible all weather strip kit that fits most full-size vehicle front ends perfectly and is cut to size if necessary. The kit does an amazing knight rider style scan on start-up, and then transitions to a cool white DRL for nighttime safety on the roads in time to put the vehicle in gear and go.
The kit has already been shipped out to hundreds of dealers recently and is in stock in dozens of distributors around the country. The product is attractively retail packaged and tells the story to the consumer for an easy retail sale. Dealers can make great money off not only the sale of the product, but the labor is good profit too! Professional installation is recommended for this product and allows dealers to bill out 1-2 hours of labor to be estimated.
“The HOODKIT1 launch was a success in June, and we smoked through our 1st production run already. It is an amazing hood brow light kit that is priced right with good margins and labor potential for thousands of our dealers nationwide. When our lighting specialists first pitched this product concept to me, I knew it would be a winner for our resellers and consumers are going to love it. We just ran our second production, and the kit is available for more resellers to purchase and install them on a showroom vehicle to show off to their customers.” says Steven Jergensen, President of Race Sport Lighting.
The Race Sport Lighting Hood Brow Lighting System is currently in stock and shipping from a distributor near you, or directly from the B2B Dealer Portal at https://www.racesportinc.com/customer/account/login/.
Learn more and watch this instructive YouTube video shot at Avenue Sounds in New York – click here or see below to watch:
DIAMOND BAR, CA (07.19.23) – Tickets for the inaugural SEMA Fest, a two-day full-throttle festival that fuses car culture and music, are on sale now at semafest.com. Set for November 3-4 at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds in Las Vegas, SEMA Fest is a must-attend event open to the public and featuring world-class musical acts Imagine Dragons, Incubus, Wiz Khalifa, AJR, Third Eye Blind, Bush, Walk The Moon, Ludacris and more (the complete lineup is below, with more to come).
“We are excited to open the gates for the inaugural SEMA Fest and welcome car and music lovers alike to enjoy this one-of-a-kind festival,” said Mike Spagnola, SEMA president and CEO. “Automotive enthusiasts all over the world have been asking for years how they can be part of the SEMA Show experience, and we are delighted to include them in this brand-new extension of our popular trade show. This new event will be separate from the trade show, open to everyone and promises to be like nothing they’ve seen before.”
SEMA Fest brings together automotive enthusiasts, the biggest names in music and the hottest automotive brands in a large-scale festival format. It will also feature a full slate of immersive automotive lifestyle events, a consumer marketplace, world-class drifting, motorsports competitions, freestyle motocross and more.Whether you are a diehard car enthusiast, a motorsports fan, a music lover or just like to have a good time, SEMA Fest is an event not to miss. More details will be announced soon, including a full concert lineup of more than 20 bands.
SEMA Fest is hosted by SEMA, producers of the SEMA Show, a massive trade-only event held annually in Las Vegas. The inaugural SEMA Fest marks the conclusion of SEMA Week, which kicks off with the 2023 SEMA Show on October 31-November 3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
For more information about SEMA Fest and to purchase tickets, visit semafest.com.
BOCA RATON, FL (07.18.23) – Tint World Automotive Styling Centers has named Mike Lopez chief operations officer.
In his new role, Lopez is responsible for the fast-growing franchise’s dynamic operations teams and systems, with a focus on franchisee experience, growth, business operations and training.
Mike Lopez
“Mike has demonstrated a passion for franchising leadership throughout his career, and his experience in the automotive industry makes him an invaluable addition to our growing team,” said Charles J. Bonfiglio, president and CEO of Tint World. “His strategic vision and commitment to developing new leaders will be key as we build on our success and continue growing the Tint World brand.”
Lopez brings more than a decade of leadership and executive experience in the food and beverage and automotive franchising industries to Tint World. Lopez most recently served as president of the second-largest automotive glass repair and replacement company in the United States. He was previously vice president of operations for a leading auto paint and collision repair franchise and director of new unit growth for one of the largest automotive aftermarket companies in North America.
“Tint World has an incredible record of success, and the company is poised for even greater achievements in the coming months and years,” Lopez said. “Because of the company’s proven methods and unbeatable culture, I’ve been able to hit the ground running, and I’m excited about everything the future holds here at Tint World.”
DIAMOND BAR, CA (07.18.23) – The SEMA Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) is gearing up for its Networking, Education, Resources and Development (N.E.R.D.) Symposium–taking place August 16-18 at the SEMA Garage in Detroit, Michigan.
Automotive aftermarket engineers, programmers and product developers still have time to secure their spot for the event, where they will meet one-on-one with product and service providers who offer tools and technology that can help them get their products to market faster, boost productivity and stay ahead of the competition.
The group pictured above is from a previous year’s event.
The three-day symposium will feature high-value and daily educational seminars on popular topics in the automotive technology space, followed by networking sessions and meetings in the afternoon.
The networking sessions will give participants extra time to exchange ideas and explore potential collaborations, while the education sessions provide an exclusive opportunity to learn from leading experts on essential issues and technological advancements in the aftermarket space.
This year’s education sessions are:
Suspension System Simulations: From Fatigue to Riding and Handling Analysis
Presenter: MingYao Ding, Principal/Vice President of Engineering at Ozen/Ansys
Vehicle Communication Standards Update
Presenter: Bob Augustine, Vice President of Business Development at Opus IVS
Alternative Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Technology
Presenter: Tobi Burek, Chief Engineer at Ricardo
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Update
Presenter: Nick Dominato, Co-Founder and Chief Everything Officer, AutoBolt
Bridging the Gap from “Runs Good” to Emissions Compliance
TORRANCE, CA (07.17.23) – Rydeen Mobile Electronics, a cutting-edge electronics designer and manufacturer dedicated exclusively to advanced vehicle driver safety, announces the launch of
360VIEW-SPL, a remarkable addition to our lineup of smart digital mirrors. Designed as a slimmed down version of the highly acclaimed TOMBO 360X, the 360VIEW-SPL brings the immersive experience of 360-degree surround video recording to users in a more compact and practical package.
The 360VIEW-SPL is the result of our commitment to providing innovative solutions that enhance everyday life while catering to the varying needs of our customers. By streamlining features and focusing on essential functionalities, we have created a smart digital mirror that offers exceptional value without compromising on performance.
Key Features and Benefits:
360-Degree Surround Video Recording: The 360VIEW-SPL lets users capture their surroundings with its 360-degree recording capability, opening up new possibilities for content creation, vlogging, and documenting precious memories. Most importantly, protecting yourself while driving and having hard evidence if needed. Whether you’re an everyday driver, have a commercial business with multiple drivers or a stay-at-home parent, this feature allows you to remain safe and at the same time share your 360 visual experiences.
Back-Up Camera (CM-AHD1): Included with the 360VIEW-SPL is a back-up camera, providing an extra layer of safety and convenience for users when reversing their vehicles. This added feature ensures a clearer and more comprehensive view of the surroundings, enabling stress-free parking and maneuvering. This camera can also be displayed in full screen while driving. This would function as a rearview mirror with a sharp image, avoiding any distractions inside the vehicle.
Hardwire Kit for Professional Installation (PWH-037): The 360VIEW-SPL comes with a hardwire kit, facilitating a professional and clean installation process. By connecting directly to the vehicle’s power supply, users can enjoy uninterrupted functionality without the need for additional wiring or charging.
Mounting Bracket for Full Mirror Replacement (BP1): Enhance the aesthetics of your vehicle with the 360VIEW-SPL‘s mounting bracket, designed for a seamless full mirror replacement. This sleek and modern bracket ensures a cohesive look, seamlessly integrating the smart mirror into the vehicle’s interior.
“While our TOMBO 360X remains the flagship model for advanced smart mirror technology, we recognize the need for a more practical and accessible option for consumers”, said Phil Maeda, CEO at RYDEEN. “The 360VIEW-SPL is the perfect solution for those seeking the immersive experience of 360-degree surround video recording while prioritizing simplicity and practicality.
By omitting certain features present in TOMBO 360X, such as the proximity sensor, blind-spot detection LED indicators, and USB-C external memory file transfer, we have made the 360VIEW-SPL a cost-effective choice without compromising on the essential functionalities and usability.
The 360VIEW-SPL represents our dedication to meeting the diverse needs of our customers, offering a sleek and practical smart mirror solution that elevates both safety and entertainment while driving. With its impressive 360-degree recording capabilities, integrated back-up camera, professional installation features, and full mirror replacement bracket, the 360VIEW-SPL is set to become a must-have accessory for any vehicle.
RYDEEN is now shipping 360 VIEW-SPL to retailers & distributors throughout USA and Canada. Please feel free to contact us at 310-787-7880 or sales@rydeenmobile.com for any questions. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to receive the latest updates and announcements about this exciting new addition to our smart mirror lineup.
12VoltNews.com 