FULLERTON, CA (01.25.23) – Vision Tech America, Inc., leading vehicle security and safety product manufacturer of backup cameras, dash cams, parking sensors, blind-spot detectors, and monitoring devices, was pleased to announce 2022 BOYO TROPHY AWARD Winners. Each year, awards are presented to company sales representatives based on their sales performance and quality of service.
Dave Gill proudly holds the SMS LLC Distinguished Sales Rep of the Year 2022 in his office in Baton Rouge, LA.
Dave Gill, SMS LLC was awarded a Most Outstanding Sales Rep of the year 2022 award. “Our firm is very excited to receive this Most Outstanding Sales Rep award from BOYO. BOYO has the largest selection of specific use cameras in the industry” Gill stated.
Vision Tech America’s DK Chung related “Congratulations to all award recipients. 2022 was a great year, outperforming the previous year, and we look forward to another successful year 2023.
MURRIETA, GA (01.24.23) – Global Audio Marketing was formed in 2022 with the purpose of providing exceptional service and highest quality Car Audio products to the U.S. It will do so with Direct to Dealer programs that are protected, profitable and mindful of each of our Brick-and-Mortar Retail Partners.
Chris joins Global Audio Marketing with a rich history of success in all aspects of the 12v industry. He was a successful retail shop owner in California with Audio Habitat before his work with several prominent vendors over the last 20 years. “His knowledge, understanding and passion for our Dealer Network will drive our growth and assure a positive impact in our industry and the MUSWAY Brand for years to come” says Andrew Bishara, President at Global Audio Marketing.
“Getting started in 2023 with the MUSWAY Brand is a dream come true” states Chris Bennett, VP of sales for Global Audio Marketing. “We will impact our dealers with amazing programs, solid products, and service beyond that of traditional manufacturers. We now have 29 new products that will launch in the 1st quarter and are heavily investing into products that exceed expectations.”
Global Audio Marketing looks forward to investing time and energy into building meaningful business partnerships with their Direct to Dealer protected product range. MUSWAY USA offers and provides the best-in-class Mobile Electronics and support possible. Please contact us to learn more and remember “Music is the Way.”
DIAMOND BAR, CA (01.24.23) – SEMA is planning its 2023 education program and has issued a call for speakers for its annual SEMA Show—taking place in Las Vegas, October 31–November 3—and its year-round virtual education program. Dynamic and entertaining presenters have until January 27 to apply to share new skills and ideas targeted to the automotive aftermarket at www.sema.org/speakers.
Organizers are seeking experts who can facilitate thought-provoking, forward-thinking seminars that will help industry members take their businesses and careers to the next level.
SEMA’s year-round virtual program provides relevant, engaging and inspiring information on the industry’s complex issues and topics through online events and informational webinars. Likewise, the educational seminars make up one of the key pillars of the SEMA Show, where thousands of industry professionals come to learn new business strategies.
Topics of focus for 2023 include:
Aftermarket updates and future trends
Diversity, equity and inclusion
Electric vehicles
Emerging and executive leadership
Legal and regulatory
Sales and marketing
Small-business strategy
Vehicle technology
Specific industry segments
Speaker proposals for the 2023 SEMA Show must be submitted by January 27. Virtual education proposals can be submitted at any time throughout the year. Submit proposals at www.sema.org/speakers.
For more details, contact Gary Vigil, senior manager of professional development, at garyv@sema.org or 909-978-6738.
MIAMI, FL (01.23.23) – Nakamichi will once again be exhibiting at KnowledgeFest this time at the Las Vegas show to be held February 3-5, 2023 at MGM’s Paris Hotel and Casino. New items on display will be two new wireless CarPlay/Android Auto NA3625-Series receivers with the new Susumo Platform providing faster response and more intuitive menus for an improved user experience. The two models are the companies first wireless units. The NA3625-WUX is the company’s first floating face multimedia receiver release in North America. It boasts a 4-way adjustable 10.1-inch glass HD touch screen. MSRP is $659.95.
Jason Proios holds an improved NDSK4085AU DSP.
Jason Proios, Product Development and Technical Services Manager, will be in the booth giving demos during the show. “This new platform has been completely revised and is superior to any operating system we have released thus far”, stated Proios. “This took some time but as you will see it was definitely worth the wait”.
In addition to the wireless receivers Nakamichi will showcase several other new items during the show including an improved NDSK4085AU 8-channel DSP with built in amplifier. “This DSP is so small and versatile it has limitless applications”, stated Proios.
Diplomat Trading is the exclusive agent for Nakamichi Mobile Audio in the U.S.A. For more information visit www.nakamichicaraudio.com
CHICAGO, IL (01.23.23) – As temperatures drop, so does an increase in the potential for a dead battery. Freezing weather drains a vehicle battery power by 30 to 60%. When a vehicle operator is stuck with a dead battery, many are tempted to jump start their vehicle from another vehicle, using jumper cables, or from a battery booster pack. But while this may get the vehicle going again, CTEK warns that jump starting can damage a vehicle’s sensitive electronics, leading to expensive repairs, as well as causing lasting damage to your battery. CTEK recommends to Safe Start their vehicles rather than using the traditional jump starting or boosting.
Today’s modern vehicles have more than 200 mini computers or ECUs (electronic control units) performing a range of tasks from engine management to controlling air conditioning, lights and parking sensors. These computer systems have a sensitive level of around 16 Volts, but jump starting the lead acid battery on your vehicle causes a surge of power of up to 20 Volts – rather like hitting your vehicle’s electrical system with a lightning bolt – and this sudden spike in voltage can quite easily damage one of these ECUs. And with replacement ECUs costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars, this is a risk you really don’t want to be taking!
What happens when you jump start a vehicle?
When you jump start a vehicle, the battery booster pack – or, if you are using jumper cables, the battery on the connected vehicle – acts as a power reservoir to get the engine started, temporarily bypassing the drained battery. Then, once the engine is running and you disconnect the booster pack or jump leads, the alternator suddenly sees an empty battery and instantly reacts by opening the floodgates to refill it. This massive rise in current creates a spike in voltage, and this is what can cause the damage.
Jump starting a vehicle can damage your battery too, as the alternator is pumping in current at a higher rate than the battery can handle. This causes the battery to heat up, bending the battery plates, leading to the shedding of active material (lead dioxide) and causing a buildup of debris in the bottom of the battery. This damage will reduce the efficiency of your battery and dramatically reduce its lifespan, making earlier replacement necessary.
Safe starting with CS FREE There is a safe way to get your vehicle started if you find yourself with a dead 12 Volt battery. CTEK’s fully portable CS FREE uses patented adaptive boost technology to get you going again in around 15 minutes.
This is completely safe for your vehicle’s electronics because the CS FREE gently refills the battery with charge and will let you know when it’s safe to start the vehicle. Then, when the CS FREE is disconnected, the battery is already partially full, so the alternator only raises charge slightly, and within safe limits, to top off the battery.
The CS FREE is four great products in one portable unit. Along with being an adaptive booster, CS FREE also works as a battery charger, a smart maintainer and high tech power bank. And if you use the CS FREE to maintenance charge your battery on a regular basis, you can extend battery life by up to three times.
You can find more information about the CS FREE, which is compatible with all types of 12V lead-acid battery as well as lithium batteries on smartercharger.com.
RINGWOOD, IL (01.20.23) – Race Sport Lighting is pleased to announce the launch of their NEW IQ Series Quad Optical Auxiliary Lighting. This new auxiliary light series is 4 times brighter with more lumen and LUX Light output than any current products on the marketplace. IQ Series uses Race Sport Lighting’s New Exclusive Quad Optics that feature 4 high power diodes encased in one single long cast optic. The IQ series was designed and tested in the lab to Industrial grade standards, which exceed normal automotive grade testing standards and can take more abuse, more vibration, and are more durable in all environments they will have to endure.
The IQ Series auxiliary lights are in stock and shipping now out of their Midwest warehouse. There are 12 total skus in this simple line up featuring (4) round sizes, (4) square sizes and (4) rectangle sizes to choose from. There is a size and wattage for every install or job for the reseller or upfitters. The warranty is 3-years and is perfect for not only aftermarket offerings, but OEM, Dealership, and Upfitting vehicles and machinery.
“The IQ Series is going to be a great family addition to our lineup. As our auxiliary line up expands into multiple industries, there has been a growing demand for exponential brightness, more durability, and more variety of size and wattage requirements for various applications. The IQ Series gives our Resellers and Upfitters everything they are looking for in one product family and is unbelievably bright. This product was testing at 4x the performance of our flagship Street Series Auxiliary family on similar size lights. The lumen and LUX Outputs far exceed any of our competitors highest output product offerings and put us in the lead.” – Steve Jergensen, President of Race Sport Lighting.
ENGLEWOOD. CO (01.20.23) – VAIS Technology has released new satellite radio integrated solutions specifically designed for 2021-23 Mazda. This solution allows owners of these models to add SiriusXM satellite radio to their existing factory stereo, without compromising factory functionality.
Dennis Hopper, VAIS Technology EVP, holds the new SiriusXM add-on adapter for 2021 through 2023 Mazda vehicles in the company’s HQ lobby in Englewood, CO.
“Since 2003, VAIS Technology have been developing satellite radio adapters for vehicles that aren’t equipped from the factory with SiriusXM tuners,” Dennis Hopper, EVP, says. “While satellite radio is more popular than ever, many new OEM vehicles still don’t come equipped from the factory with satellite tuners. For 2022 several more OEM’s have removed satellite tuners from their platforms. Over the last few years Hyundai, Mazda, Kia, Jeep, Honda and Ford have removed satellite tuners from their base model vehicles. VAIS Technology develops simple, easy to install integrated solutions that add satellite radio, but preserve factory functions.”
The new kits provide coverage for new Mazda models equipped with Sync 4 Radios. Also, all these models are compatible with the GSR-UV01 (universal unit) which can be flashed using online software. This allows dealers to only stock one unit to do almost all applications. This adapter connects directly to the original factory radio and allows the vehicle owner to listen to satellite radio through the existing factory system. The VAIS integrated solution also allows for full control of satellite radio functions – changing stations, setting presets, steering wheel functions, etc.
GSR-MZ04 is available for order now. Retail price is $349.99 with SXV300 tuner included.
REDLAND, MI (01.19.23) – Ken Bundy has started his rep firm CJO Sales. “As of January 1st 2023, we opened the doors of the new firm CJO Sales. The firm currently is the rep for Kicker, Compustar, Focal, Sony, Diamond, and Cerwin-Vega within the borders of Michigan. I’m extremely excited to work with such reputable and well-rounded manufacturers” Bundy stated.
Ken Bundy
The CJO Sales firm represents the brands across the state of Michigan from the home-based office in the Detroit suburb of Redland. The firm’s goals are to grow each of the brands by showcasing the competitive advantages one-on-one in brick and mortar retailers throughout Michigan.
“I like to focus on traits that make for easy seamless installation, because that’s what always spoke to me as an installer” Bundy concluded.
METAIRIE, LA (01.19.23) – Oracle Lighting is proud to announce the launch of its new LED tail lights for Jeep Comanche (MJ). Scheduled to ship in mid 2023, the new taillights fit the 1986-1992 Jeep Comanche MJ models and feature an OEM appearance with modern refinements while still honoring its classic styling.
“Oracle Lighting has created LED tail light upgrades for many Jeep models and is now bringing that design expertise, innovation, and quality to the often overlooked MJ platform,” explained Justin Hartenstein, Oracle Lighting director of development. “Modern refinements include LED Stop/ Turn/ Parking lights which provide an updated appearance and provide better visibility than the original halogen lights.”
Another major refinement for these tail lights is a high powered LED Reverse Light integrated into the design. This module features six high powered LEDs designed to provide 1,000+ total lumens for ample reversing visibility. These LEDs are focused with mixed-beam reflector optics to provide both peripheral and distance light visibility for the driver when backing up at night.
Another option that Oracle Lighting will offer is Standard (p/n: 5909-003) or Tinted Lenses (p/n: 5909-020). The standard lens option will have a more original OE-style appearance while the tinted option will have a more aggressive blacked-out styling. These options give consumers more ability to choose a traditional classic appearance or a more aggressive modern smoked lens.
Louisiana-based Oracle Lighting has been designing innovative lighting products and technologies for the automotive aftermarket 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.
LONG BEACH, CA (01.18.23) – KENWOOD USA, manufacturer of premier entertainment and information solutions for the automotive, marine, and motorsports aftermarket, announced that John Lucas has been named Vice President of Sales for the Car Electronics division, a promotion from Director of National Accounts.
Lucas will be tasked with implementing sales programs and initiatives that further support its dealers, along with managing and supporting the company’s regional sales managers and independent sales representatives.
John Lucas, Vice President of Sales
“I’m thrilled to be able to work with such an established network of true sales professionals,” said Lucas. “The opportunity to grow the KENWOOD brand from this new direction is beyond exciting to me, and I’m ready to give it my all.”
Lucas’s background consists of over a 30-year tenure in the consumer electronics industry, of which the last 18 have been at KENWOOD. Before KENWOOD, he worked as a merchant for several retailers including Best Buy and Audio King.
“John has done an amazing job at servicing and developing relationships with our national account vendors during his time with us,” said Dave Hoag, Executive Vice President, JVCKENWOOD’s Automotive Sector. “His retail background coupled with his current vendor account experience and company knowledge sets him up for a smooth transition into this role, of which we are excited to embark upon with him.”
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