ITASCA, IL (11.17.22) – Effective immediately, Lucas Lighting is the exclusive LED replacement product partner in Canada, Mexico and the United States for Lucas Automotive, a division of the ZF Group. Lucas Automotive has been continuously trading longer than any other automotive component brand in the world, more than 140 years. A critical part of transportation lighting history, Lucas produced bicycle and ship forward illumination products in the 1870’s that pre-date the automotive industry. As automobile use was introduced and expanded, components from Lucas increased as well.
“We are excited to bring our proficiency in LED lighting to the Lucas Automotive assortment of technically advanced, innovative and durable products,” states Steve Rogers, Vice President of Lucas Lighting. “The Lucas brand continues to grow internationally, and we look forward to working closely with the talented group to bring our offering to the rest of North America, and others worldwide.”
Lucas Lighting launched in the United States in 2019 to fulfill a growing need for consistent, more installation-friendly and higher performance lighting products. The worldwide automotive LED lighting market was valued at $16 billion in 2021, and is projected to reach $32.2 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 7.4% during the period.
DIAMOND BAR, CA (11.17.22) – Fifty-five years ago, during a cold and blustery week in early January 1967, 120 members of the performance aftermarket manned 98 booths on the Stadium Club level of Dodger Stadium for what was billed as the First Annual High Performance and Custom Trade Show.
More than 3,000 people attended the show and took part in numerous activities set up to complement the event, from an exhibitor’s banquet held at the famous Coconut Grove nightclub inside the Ambassador Hotel to guided tours of the area’s many performance parts manufacturers.
The Shelby American booth featured a prototype GT40, speed parts for the Cobra and GT 350 hanging on the wall, and a Paxton-supercharged 302 on an engine stand.*
Today the SEMA Show is a fixture in the performance industry. In 1966, it was just an idea.
“It was Mr. Petersen who had the idea in the first place,” recalled GiGi Carleton, longtime executive assistant and personal manager to publishing magnate Robert E. Petersen (and now President of the Margie and Robert E. Petersen Foundation). In the fall of 1966, Petersen launched Hot Rod Industry News (HRIN), a trade magazine devoted to the business of automotive performance and a sibling title to his then-nearly-20-year-old Hot Rod magazine. He believed a trade show “was a ‘must’ activity for the new magazine,” as he said in HRIN’s January 1967 issue. In charge of the endeavor was Dick Wells, who was then working in Petersen Publishing’s Special Events department. He was aided by Carleton and Alex Xydias, Publisher of HRIN and, years before, the founder of the original SO-CAL Speed Shop.
“I believe we had six months, or possibly less, to plan for that first show,” Carleton said.
In the B&M booth, Bob Sparr talked transmission adapters with Oscar Karamanian and Ed Stone from New England Speed Equipment of Boston.*
Selling the show “fit me to a T,” said Xydias, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday. “When I was at the speed shop, I knew every manufacturer in town. I bought stuff from all of them, so it was easy for me to talk to them about a booth in the show.”
Dodger Stadium wasn’t so much chosen for the venue as it was inevitable. “It was the only venue available at the time in early January with a big parking lot,” Carleton said. “The Anaheim Convention Center was in the process of being built. We looked at the Hollywood Palladium and even the Great Western Arena near downtown L.A. The idea was to have it in Los Angeles near the two airports, LAX and Lockheed,” as the Burbank Airport was called then.
As for the show itself, “we just kind of patched it together,” Xydias recalled. “Booths were pretty much a card table and two chairs, with an eight-foot drape behind. We gave them a sign with their name on it, and that was pretty much it for everybody. Nobody had much experience with it.”
Dodger Stadium’s Club level turned into a trade show January 10–12, 1967. That’s Vic Edelbrock Jr. manning the Edelbrock booth, which is next to a large display for Ansen Automotive.*
That lack of experience was evident when Xydias walked the show’s aisles and found the exhibitors sitting in their booths. “I told them, ‘Stand up! You’re not here to rest. This is your business. If you’re sitting down, nobody is going to come over and make you get up to talk about your product.’ Those were the kinds of things we tried to do in the first show, to educate ourselves and also our exhibitors and the people who came to the show.”
Nevertheless, “the show did pretty well, under the circumstances,” Xydias said. Coverage in the February 1967 issue of HRIN called the show “a complete success.”
“We were so surprised at the attendance, which far surpassed what we had hoped for,” Carleton said. “I remember driving to Dodger Stadium on the first day of the show after our set-up day. I saw so many cars parked in the stadium parking lot, I thought there must be another event taking place. I was wrong. All those cars were there for the first SEMA Show.
“Many of the first exhibitors were leery about this show and wondered if they would meet their expenses for airfare, hotel, and so on,” she added. “But they all went home with a fistful of orders, more than they had ever anticipated.”
“Was it a success?” Xydias asked. “It was a success because we had the second one.” The following year, the show moved to the newly opened Anaheim Convention Center, where some 3,800 attendees did business among nearly 200 booths.
METAIRIE, LA (11.15.22) – Oracle Lighting is proud to announce the launch of the new ColorSHIFT RGB+W Underbody Wheel Well Rock Light Kit (p/n 5895-339). The new kit is now shipping with an MSRP of $169.95.
This all-new design has LED emitters which are positioned to cover a massive 230 degree angle, providing the best coverage of any LED Rock Light on the market. Previously users would need to install multiple LED Rock Lights in each wheel well to get adequate lighting coverage. No longer is that an issue with the new ultra-wide coverage of the new ORACLE RGB+W LED Rock Lights.
“Change colors, control brightness, access strobing patterns, and sync with music with Oracle Lighting’s new ColorSHIFT RGB+W Underbody Wheel Well Rock Light Kit,” said Justin Hartenstein, Oracle Lighting director of development. “This new oversized 22 LED RGB+W ‘Dual-Control’ kit features Bluetooth smartphone control plus wireless remote, along with TRUE white 6000K color and a unique design that uses three separate emitters to cover the entire wheel well area.”
Oracle Lighting’s ColorSHIFT Technology allows you to select from thousands of colors as well as control the functions and colors of your kit via the Bluetooth App or remote.
Additional features and specifications include:
Unique Extra Wide Beam Angle
IP68 Waterproof Connectors
(4) Oversized 220 LED Rock Light Pods
App Control Compatibility: iOS 7 or Android 4.3 +
Total Wattage: 28W (7W Per Pod)
Installation hardware included
Warranty: 1 Year
Louisiana-based Oracle Lighting has been designing innovative lighting products and technologies for the automotive/12Volt, powersports, motorcycle, and marine markets since 1999. Oracle’s philosophy is this: in today’s world of fly-by-night vendors, we think it is important to partner with businesses that you can trust to be there for you today, tomorrow, and for years to come.
DIAMOND BAR, CA (11.15.22) – New data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) shows that in 2021 outdoor recreation generated $862 billion in economic output and 4.5 million jobs. This equates to 1.9% of GDP in the U.S. economy and highlights the record-setting growth that the outdoor recreation industry has seen over the past few years.
“From the creation of jobs and increased profit for small businesses in local economies, to larger boons to our national economy, this sector is a consistent driver, even in times of economic uncertainty. The strength of the outdoor recreation economy reflects what many in the industry have long known to be true: there are infinite benefits that come from more people spending time outdoors, and they’ll only grow with continued investment” said Jessica Turner, president of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), of which SEMA is a member.
ORR is America’s leading coalition of U.S. outdoor recreation trade associations. It represents more than 50,000 businesses that produce vehicles, apparel, equipment and services enjoyed in our nation’s parks, waterways, trails and outdoor spaces. SEMA’s focus within ORR is on motorized recreation (four-wheel, ATVs, UTVs, etc.), along with all the equipment that makes it possible to tow RVs, trailers, boats and off-road vehicles (suspension, wheels, tires, increased horsepower, etc.).
Click here to view the ORR press release on the BEA data.
HOLLY HILL, FL (11.15.22) – Metra PowerSports by Metra Electronics showcased a new Chasing LED Underglow Lighting Kit and a 3ft Chasing LED Whip Light designed to add brilliant lighting to UTVs and golf carts at SEMA 2022. These products install easily to provide fast and durable lighting solutions. They work with the Heise Connect Chasing Controller to allow users to control their LEDs from the palm of their hand when paired with the Heise Connect smartphone app.
3ft Chasing LED Whip Light The MPS-CHWP-1 is designed for ATVs, UTVs, dune buggies, and other powersports applications. It is strong enough to withstand some of the most extreme off-roading environments with an IP67 rating. In addition, it is stylish yet durable, constructed with a weather-resistant polyolefin cover and a bendable polycarbonate core that is virtually unbreakable.
Chasing LED Underglow Lighting Kit The MPS-UNDG-KT1 includes (4) 9” and (2) 28” sealed polycarbonate LED tubes, mounting hardware, a Heise Connect Chasing Controller, RF card remote, and extension cables to make installation easy. The Chasing tube layout was designed to separate the left and right sides of the vehicle so that when a pattern is selected within the app, that lighting pattern will track down each side of the vehicle with the same timing. Additionally, the turn signals are zoned so that they have independent left and right triggers.
Heise Connect Chasing Controller This controller provides 12volt triggers for the option to turn lights red when the vehicle is braking and amber for turn signal indication. Users can choose from 170+ color-changing patterns using the Heise Connect smartphone app with DIY lighting patterns, music sync, and more.
DIAMOND BAR, CA (11.15.22) – The automotive specialty-equipment industry’s record-high sales growth over the past two years is beginning to level off or subside, according to the newest SEMA market research report. Despite ongoing economic uncertainty, supply-chain issues and rising costs, companies continue to be optimistic as sales remain solid and above pre-pandemic levels.
Filled with 60 pages of data, the “SEMA State of the Industry – Fall 2022” report is the latest study to explore how businesses are doing post-pandemic. Members can use the report to gain valuable insight into key industry trends and metrics, challenges and opportunities, and an outlook for 2023 and beyond.
By downloading the report, members will gain access SEMA’s research designed to help them plan and succeed in the year ahead.
Key findings include:
47% of manufacturers, 48% of distributors and 44% of retailers expect sales to increase in the coming year.
Supply-chain issues continue to be disruptive for the industry. More than 90% of companies say that they are having a moderate or significant impact on operations.
Inflation and the supply-chain issues are resulting in higher costs for businesses. More than 90% of companies reported an increase in supplier or production costs; most (around 80%) are compensating for the high costs by increasing their prices. Despite this, consumer demand and revenue remain strong.
Ongoing supply-chain issues and high prices are slowing new vehicle sales. Sales are not expected to return to pre-pandemic levels until 2024 or 2025. Sales for 2022 are expected to fall about a million vehicles short of 2021, at 13.9 million total units. The average price of a new vehicle reached $48,301 in August 2022, a record high. The average price of an electric is even higher, at over $66,000.
POOLE, UK (11.14.22) – CELSUS UK, Poole based distributor for KICKER AUDIO Marine products in Europe, are displaying three new speaker lines from the Oklahoma based manufacturer on booth 01.531 in hall 1 at METS 15-17th November.
The expanding 2023 offering will feature an OEM focussed flush mount classic grill style, horn loaded high output models and an entry level 6.5” coaxial. KICKER aim to give distributors, installers and boat owners more choice when configuring high-end performance audio systems.
METS offers the industry a first look at the flush mount model which boasts all the performance that is expected of a KICKER Marine speaker with the added benefit of classic grill style aesthetics and very low profile flush mount fitment. Full RGB LED illumination is also included in this model, giving it a subtle look that blends in with all styles of boats. White and Anthracite grill colourways available.
Paul Baker, CELSUS UK Managing Director, said “KICKER is fast becoming a trusted audio brand in the European market and the latest additions to the range will cement their reputation. We are extremely delighted to show the flush mount speakers to our customers, we believe this product gives KICKER the edge moving into 2023.”
Next is the KMXL range of high output horn-loaded compression coaxial speakers which are designed to play louder and throw sound further, the real deal for those that want a party boat atmosphere. Engineered to deliver incredible performance in high power systems, the white KMXL comes in three models, a 6.5”, 8” and a rather unique 6×9” version. All models benefit from full spectrum LED illumination and are of course UV and salt fog tested to exceed industry standards, as with all KICKER Marine speakers.
The KM604 value coaxial is perfectly positioned to give boat owners access to KICKER performance and quality where budget is limited. Designed to sound amazing when paired directly with a KICKER source unit as an easy upgrade for any vessel. The value coaxial utilises a white moulded sports grill, sealed components and salt-water resistant hardware. An illuminated variant is available with blue LED only.
The CELSUS team will be joined on booth 01.531 by KICKER Audio International sales managers David Glasgow and Aziz Masri alongside Director of International Sales Chet Weddle. David Glasgow, International Sales Manager for KICKER Audio, adds
“We are delighted to support Celsus at METS and display some of our recently introduced speaker products. This event is a great chance for KICKER to meet with our European marine distributors and OEM’s to learn more about this important market”
MURRIETA, CA (11.14.22) – Global Audio Marketing is pleased to announce the appointment of Paragon Sales & Marketing to represent the MUSWAY product line in the Southern California, S. Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico territories. Paragon Sales & Marketing started in the year 2000 and is lead today by owner Wayne Smedile. With the help of Ed Gonzalez, and Mike Rios, they bring a combination background of formal corporate business and street-smart small business experience to the table
The Paragon Sales and Marketing team members pictured outside their Corona, CA office.
We are extremely excited to welcome Paragon Sales & Marketing to the MUSWAY family. The Paragon team possesses an extensive background in 12-volt application and technical training, including DSP installation, sound tuning and product sales. Not only do they know their customers and equipment, they live it, and are eager to show customers what the products can do for them.
“At Paragon, we work with some of the best quality vendors and brands in the industry and we are proud of that. We work hard and often long hours to help our customers get the most out of the products we sell them. It’s a team effort. MUSWAY offers unique audio solutions we see as having a place in the markets we serve today and, in the future,” says Wayne Smedile.
Welcome to the MUSWAY Team, Paragon Sales & Marketing!
To learn more about the MUSWAY Product Line, please visit www.muswayusa.com
RINGWOOD, IL (11.11.22) – Race Sport Lighting released their NEW Stage Bundle Kits for the Jeep Wrangler JK at their SEMA Booth last week in Las Vegas. Their Stage 1 Road Runner Kit features 5 major external lights in a kit that takes 2-4 hours to install in the bay. The Stage 2 Trail Runner Kit includes 8 popular LED Jeep lights that install in about 6-8 hours. And lastly, the Stage 3 Zombie King Kit packages a whopping 11 interior and exterior Jeep lights that shops can bill out 8-12 hours of labor to install. These are the perfect solutions for resellers who upfit Jeeps or who are looking to keep it simple and offer lighting packages.
This is a dealer driven product and Race Sport Lighting has already been getting amazing feedback. Dealers who upfit Jeeps communicated, whether it’s a lift kit, an exhaust kit, or alike, that it’s easy for their sales counter guys to sell a 1-2-3 option to the customer instead of putting together a lighting system piece by piece. The sales counter person will simply show the 3 options, give them the 3 prices for package + labor, and the customer will make a choice.
“We have already started selling these kits to Jeep up-fitters nationwide and they love it because their lives just got a whole lot easier, and they actually sell more lights as a result. Essentially, the resellers drove this product to the marketplace to make the checkout experience much easier. It also makes it easier to quote labor and make sure their shops make a lot of profit selling a Jeep Lighting Stage kit. says Steven Jergensen, President of Race Sport Lighting.
The Race Sport Lighting Jeep Stage Kits are in stock and shipping now out of their warehouse. The current packages are for the JK model, but they will be releasing the Wrangler JL Stage packages by the end of the year just in time for 2023 kick off. A Jeep Gladiator and Ford Bronco Kit package is also in the works for a 2023 release.
DIAMOND BAR, CA (11.11.22) – SEMA Chairman of the Board James Lawrence presented WD-40 with the Chairman’s Service Award during the SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet in Las Vegas.
WD-40 Sales Manager Shannon Edwards accepted the Chairman’s Service Award on behalf of the company.
Bestowed at the discretion of the SEMA chairman, the award is unique and not given out every year. Lawrence presented the award to WD-40 for the company’s ongoing support of SEMA Cares. WD-40 has built several noteworthy vehicles that have raised more than $2 million for children and people in need: a bright-yellow 50th Anniversary ’67 Camaro, a Foose-designed ’12 Dodge Challenger, a ’53 Ford F-100, a ’14 F-150, a two-toned ’10 Camaro and a custom ’11 Mustang.
WD-40 Sales Manager Shannon Edwards accepted the award on behalf of the company.
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