BestCarAudio.com Launches Dealer Locator

Posted on October 9, 2022 by 12VoltNews in Industry and tagged 1sixty8, Best Car Audio.

LEHIGHTON, PA (10.10.22) – 1sixty8 media, the publisher of BestCarAudio.com, officially launched its dealer locator today. “Our mission at BestCarAudio.com is to educate interested consumers about existing and emerging technologies for their vehicles and then point them to a qualified local retailer to fulfill the need,” said Mitch Schaffer, 1sixty8 media founder and president. “We have been consistently publishing great content for years, and with the formal launch of our locator, we will now be better equipped to meet the second part of our mission.”

BestCarAudio.com sees over 100,000 unique visitors each month and has a social media following of over 33,000 and growing. “With our strong traffic and social media presence, combined with a mailing list of over 10,000 subscribers, we are perfectly positioned to drive interested consumers to quality retailers and installers,” Schaffer said.

As the name implies, BestCarAudio.com will be very selective about which retailers are allowed on the locator. Certain metrics – including but not limited to maintaining exceptional online reviews – must be met to be considered for inclusion. “We want to be true to our name and make sure that we are sending our readers to the best shops in their markets,” Schaffer said.

While the BestCarAudio.com dealer locator has been in place for some time, it listed only qualified clients of the parent company, 1sixty8 media. With the official launch, the dealer locator will now be open to qualified retailers across the U.S. and Canada.

Schaffer said, “We will now accept applications from non-clients, and those who are accepted will be charged a nominal annual fee of $99 for inclusion. A single sale generated from our locator will likely pay for the subscription fee many times over.”

Interested retailers can learn more and submit their application at https://www.bestcaraudio.com/guidelines-for-inclusion-on-the-bestcaraudio-com-dealer-locator/. Schaffer can be reached at 570-656-6900 or mitch@1sixty8.com to answer any questions about the dealer locator or the variety of other services, products and publications available from 1sixty8 media.

Oracle Lighting Features New LED Cargo Light for 2021+ Ford Bronco During 2022 SEMA Show

Posted on October 6, 2022 by 12VoltNews in Industry and tagged Oracle Lighting.

METAIRIE, LA (10.07.22) – Oracle Lighting will feature its new LED Cargo Light Module (p/n 5887-001; MSRP: $149.95) for 2021+ Ford Broncos during the 2022 SEMA Show, held in Las Vegas, Nev. from Nov. 1-4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, booth # 20137. The new LED Cargo Light Module is now shipping.

“The Ford Bronco is a great vehicle, but one area for improvement is the factory LED interior lighting in the cargo area,” said Justin Hartenstein, Oracle Lighting director of development. “We have been very impressed with the new Bronco but were totally unimpressed with the LED lighting for the cargo area. The existing lighting doesn’t provide enough usable illumination for storage space. The Bronco is made for adventuring, but this lack of lighting makes accessing cargo at night difficult while on the trail, camping, or tailgating. Because of this, we have developed an integrated cargo light module to easily add a bright LED light to the rear hatch cargo space and, at the same time, lights up the area around the vehicle.”

Oracle Lighting’s Ford Bronco cargo light is designed for hardtop models and uses the vehicle’s existing 12V power source. The design simply replaces the factory wiper motor cover with the new LED module. Installation is simple. Just swap in the new cover using the included parts and plug the adapter into your rear accessory socket. The lights can easily be turned on and off with the flush switch located on the panel.

Additional features and benefits include:
• Installs in factory location
• Replaces factory wiper motor cover
• Mounts using factory hardware
• Illuminated flush On/Off switch
• Dual 5000K white LED cargo light
• Illuminates cargo space and exterior
• Easy plug and play installation
• 1-Year replacement warranty
• Designed and engineered in the USA

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.

For more information on Oracle Lighting and its full product line, please visit www.oraclelights.com, call (800) 407-5776, or email info@oraclelights.com.

MB Quart Q Speakers Set the Bar for Listening

Posted on October 6, 2022 by 12VoltNews in Industry and tagged MB Quart.

LIBERTYVILLE, IL (10.07.22) – MB Quart Q Speakers are German-built and unleash higher quality sound in every aspect and detail of listening. ALL-NEW for 2022, MB Quart Q Speakers stand as the top-of-the-line speaker that MB Quart has to offer. Creating unmeasurable detail in sound and captivating immersive clarity throughout every beat and drop, Q Speakers deliver an experience that sets the bar in every category of listening and playback. Crisp detail, sharper beats, and ultimate playback in every aspect of listening – MB Quart Q Speakers look to redefine Music. Defined.

Brian Sherman, Vice President of Product and Marketing, said, “MB Quart has signified the epitome of world-class speakers, and with the highly anticipated launch of German-built Q Speakers, we are pushing the boundary in performance and sound quality while setting the bar in higher audio playback. I am extremely excited for customers to hear the sophisticated and redefined sound that Q speakers are going to showcase within car audio installations.”

ABOUT Q SPEAKERS

Creating immense clarity and detail in every note, German-built MB Quart Q Speakers bring out more layers of detail hidden away in every genre of music. From deeper treble highs in country to lower booms and pop in Hip-Hop, the bar of sound and listening is raised with richer levels in clearer details. Incredible listening detail demands innovation that meets expectations. Q Speakers are crafted with precision and impeccable detail, giving car audio installs a sleek and clean showcase.

Refueling audio with the next evolution of quality in playback, Q speakers transform audio with clearer detail and richness that places the listener in the center of every song. With 1-inch Military A-Spec Titanium dome tweeters with butyl rubber surrounds in a cast-aluminum housing and cone materials with lightweight mica-filled poly blend creating strength and superior frequency reproduction, every beat and note becomes evolved to new layers of immersion and listening dimensions. Audio sessions will never be the same once music is redefined through the Q level of playback and quality. Get ready to embrace the ultimate standard of MB Quart with Q Speakers.

FEATURES INCLUDE (QSE-216 Q Speakers):

• TWEETERS
1-inch military A spec titanium dome tweeter with butyl rubber surround in a cast-aluminum housing, specially made to dissipate heat for peak performance. Stamped in a 9-step progressive die, which gives the overall form a consistent shape. The phase lens is specifically designed for off-axis performance.

• CONE MATERIAL
Lightweight mica-filled poly blend for strength, superior frequency reproduction, and durability. This means that midbass frequencies remain very musical without the distortions that can be caused by the cone flexing and with the curvilinear design the geometry is specifically engineered for the best midbass response and off-axis performance.

• SURROUND / CONE COUPLING
Natural butyl rubber surround for smooth and durable performance. Flexible piston action UV-protected rubber which will be impervious to temperature swings of very warm and cold.

• VOICE COIL / FORMER ASSEMBLY
1.5-inch high-temperature copper voice on Kapton former. The former is lighter and strong than aluminum – which allows the component to support slightly higher frequency extension and efficiency.

• SPIDER
Woven fiber cotton-poly blend spider stabilizes the cone and voice coil in all musical situations.

• COOLING SYSTEM
Balanced Temperature Technology (BTT) is used throughout every component in this Q Speakers system. The cast aluminum radial sink speaker frame, crossover plate, and tweeter frame remove excess heat for predictable long-term performance.

• TWEETER HARDWARE
Hardware for multiple tweeter mounting solutions is included.

• FRAME
A diecast aluminum basket is designed to be lightweight and extremely rigid. The low-profile form can be easily installed in most factory locations with little or no modification.

• MOTOR
A solid neodymium magnet in a low-carbon steel containment cup is the strongest magnet that can be used and focuses all the energy around the voice coil.

• CONNECTORS
A gold-plated, 4-way connection terminal is oppositely mounted for consistent curvilinear cone performance. Connection types include solder, screw-down, spade, or fork terminal.

• ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Q Series audiophile in-ear studio monitors are included to bring the Q listening experience on the go. 3.5mm connection with adapters for both USB-C and Lightning connection.

“We are very excited for loyal MB Quart enthusiasts who have been with us from the beginning – to hear the rich detail, layered definition, and redefined clean sound integrated into every song. MB Quart engineers have innovated these speakers so that audio playback and quality will have been crafted and tuned perfectly – while remaining undistorted and sharp, producing crystal-clarity details,” concluded Sherman.

Alden Stiefel, President of Maxxsonics, mentioned, “I am anticipating MB Quart Q Speakers to symbolize what MB Quart stands for – Music that is redefined. Q Speakers will transform audio into richer quality playback that is crisp, detailed, and layered with higher quality sound. I am very excited for audio enthusiasts and customers to receive these top-of-the-line Q Speakers into their vehicle installations and to see their reaction when they hear music that’s truly defined.”

Sound demands quality met with precision, clarity, and detail – that is what MB Quart Q Speakers stand for. Through innovation and the evolution of technology, Q Speakers now stand as the beacon for sound quality in every MB Quart audio installation. The standard for music has transformed to higher levels of listening and playback with Q Speakers.

Make sure to contact your sales representative or customer service at 847-540-7700 immediately to secure your order.

See complete Q Speakers details on the MB Quart website at mbquart.com.

Echo Sales Announces the Launch of Sister Company Mobile Electronics Distribution (MED)

Posted on October 5, 2022 by 12VoltNews in Industry and tagged Echo Sales.

GRAYSLAKE, IL (10.06.22) – Echo Sales officially announced the new Mobile Electronics Distribution (MED) entity on October 1st 2022. The new company will be co-located with the existing Echo Sales Rep Firm. Rob Osheaski and Mike Lewis will drive Mobile Electronics Distribution (MED) into the future to serve dealers in the territory.

*Echo Sales and Mobile Electronics Distribution are located in Grayslake, IL.*

Osheaski related “Mike Lewis and I started Echo Sales in 2015. We had 2 separate 1-person rep firms and combined to double in size. When we got virtually shut down for Covid in March of 2020 we were concerned about vendors being shut down for an extended time, especially the California based companies. We decided to blow out one of our offices and small receiving area to stock some inventory. That was the start of Echo Distribution. Over the last two and a half years we added inventory space by knocking out our conference room and 2 additional offices since we were overflowing with product. In July of this year, we expanded to our current location in Grayslake.”

*Shelving is in place in the newly expanded warehouse area.*

Echo Sales will remain the name of the rep firm and the parent company of Mobile Electronics Distribution (MED). Osheaski and Lewis decided to change the name of the distribution entity so it could chart its own course and not necessarily following the original direction of Echo Sales, which was planned only as a Stocking Rep Distributor for lines represented and within Echo Sales territories. The new course of MED is full 12-volt distribution for lines and territories beyond that which is represented by Echo Sales. Plans are already in the works for an even larger location to continue the growth of Echo Sales and MED.

Osheaski and Lewis are joined by staff team members Patrick Virock,Adrian Manrique, Jennifer Fritz, Donna Lewis, Betty Yarborough, Don Geiger and Doug Hansen. Echo Sales has a presence in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota and small segment of Ohio. The firms specialize in Car, Motorcycle, Marine and RV products.

Echo Sales and MED are located 888 E Belvidere Rd Suite 419 Grayslake, IL 60030, 847-847-4775. See www.echosales.net for more

Design Engineering Releases C5 & C6 Corvette Transmission Tunnel Thermal Shields

Posted on October 5, 2022 by 12VoltNews in Industry and tagged Design Engineering.

AVON LAKE, OH (10.06.22) – Dramatically reduce the amount of heat transferred through the transmission tunnel and into the vehicle’s interior in Chevrolet Corvette C5 and C6 models with Transmission Tunnel Thermal Shields from Design Engineering, Inc.

Precision CNC-cut for a perfect fit and ease of installation, the shields reduce console and interior temperatures and serve as a barrier to unwanted road noise. Extremely lightweight, they are not affected by wind, water, or other harsh conditions.

“A well-known and longtime problem with many Corvettes is the amount of heat transferred into and through the console,” said Mike Buca of DEI. “These shields reduce the negative effects of in-cabin excessive high temperatures and improve the experience of driving a Corvette.”

Made of 10mil embossed aluminum bonded to a high-temp, finely woven, needle-punched glass fiber composite material, the shields can withstand direct temperatures up to 1750°F (955°C) and feature an aggressive self-adhesive backing that holds past 450°F (232°C)

They are available as a single Trans Tunnel Plate Heat Shield, a 4-piece Trans Tunnel Side Shield kit, or a complete 5-piece set (C5 #50530 & C6 #50532). Installation is performed without removal of the Transmission Tunnel Reinforcement Plate, and kits for C7 Corvette models will be available soon.

For more information about Transmission Tunnel Thermal Shields and DEI’s complete line of performance heat and sound control products visit www.designengineering.com.

Metra Electronics to Unveil Over 100 Products at SEMA 2022

Posted on October 4, 2022 by 12VoltNews in Industry and tagged Metra, SEMA Show.

HOLLY HILL, FL (10.05.22) – Metra Electronics has announced that it will have two booths at the 2022 SEMA Show, November 1st-4th at the Las Vegas Convention Center; booth #11139 in the North Hall and its off-roading and powersports products on display at booth #60031 in the West Hall. Metra has supported SEMA throughout its virtual events and other safety protocols because the trade show is so vital to 12volt and other industries. This year will mark a return to pre-pandemic attendance for the SEMA show, and the manufacturer is looking forward to welcoming a larger number of 12volt enthusiasts to their booths than they’ve seen in the past two years.

Metra Electronics is planning big surprises for this year’s SEMA show. The manufacturer will unveil a new brand developed under the Metra Electronics umbrella, focusing on offering high-quality products that every installer needs when designing flexible audio systems. Additionally, more than 100 new products will be introduced, including a new line of lithium series batteries under its Shuriken brand. These batteries are designed for numerous applications, including audio, motorcycle, marine, auto racing, powersports, and more. Also, Heise LED will introduce three new controllers that will work with an all-new mobile app for smartphones and tablets to allow users to control Heise RGB, RGBW, and Chasing lighting products all from one app. The brand will also display new LED wheel lights, rock lights, tailgate bars, lightbars, and more in an assortment of exciting new styles.

Metra continues to push forward with the development of new dash kits that, when combined with their radio replacement interfaces from Axxess, bring new vehicle fit applications to the market. An assortment of their newest additions to this product line will be unveiled at SEMA, with many more planned for the future. Metra will also showcase next-generation DSP products, new accessories for Ford Bronco and Jeep, and several new innovations from iBEAM Vehicle Safety Systems. The iBEAM display will include vehicle-specific rearview mirror T-harnesses, a Universal Streaming Rearview Mirror with a built-in 9″ Monitor, and more.

Also to be featured are motorcycle audio and lighting products from Saddle Tramp, including headlights, LED accent lighting, saddlebag lids, keystone lights, and more. Metra’s Install Baybrand will also be on display as it continues to add to its comprehensive collection of professional 12volt installation products with new connectors, terminals, fuses, cable ties, switches, relays, and more. These products are designed using the best available materials and construction to ensure ease of use and years of reliability.

Additional product announcements will be released leading up to the show with more details, and new product catalogs will be available to download at MetraOnline.com shortly after the event.

Pennzoil Dare to Perform Experience Combines Entertainment With Education

Posted on October 4, 2022 by 12VoltNews in Industry and tagged Penzoil, SEMA Show.

DIAMOND BAR, CA (10.05.22) – With dozens of industry influencers, celebrities, noteworthy builds, games, prizes and activities, Pennzoil’s “Dare to Perform” Experience at the 2022 SEMA Show combines fun, energetic entertainment with industry education that will help professionals in the automotive aftermarket.

In the 12,150-sq.-ft. area located in Booth #81059 outside the main entrance of the Las Vegas Convention Center, Showgoers will be able to connect with top names, including John Hennessey, Chelsea DeNofa, Vaughn Gittin Jr., Adam LZ, Joey Logano and more. Meanwhile, games and contests will be taking place, and technical experts will explain and conduct live demonstrations showcasing how motor oils protect a vehicle’s engine.

“The Pennzoil Dare to Perform Experience is a fun and engaging way for professionals at the SEMA Show to build career-boosting connections and learn what’s new in the industry,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “The interactive demonstrations and in-person activities contribute to an engaging experience that you can only get at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.”

Open to all credentialed SEMA Showgoers, the Pennzoil “Dare to Perform” Experience will have something happening throughout the week. Complimentary coffee will be available during Pennzoil’s “Perfect Pour,” Tuesday–Thursday, November, 1–3, from 8:00 a.m.–11:00 am. The celebrity appearance schedule will be posted at www.pennzoil.com/sema, as well as on www.SEMAShow.com and through the official SEMA Show mobile app.

To learn about all the interactive and engaging features at the 2022 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

Oracle Lighting Launches New Triple Fog LED Light for Bronco at SEMA Show

Posted on October 3, 2022 by 12VoltNews in Industry and tagged Oracle Lighting.

METAIRIE, LA (10.04.22) – Oracle Lighting will launch its new Triple Fog LED Light (Part Number 5890; MSRP: $359.95) for 2021+ Ford Broncos during the 2022 SEMA Show, held in Las Vegas, Nevada. from Nov. 1-4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Booth # 20137. Oracle’s new LED Fog LED Light is now shipping.

“If you are looking for a seamless fog light solution for your Ford Bronco like so many other have asked for, we’ve designed an amazing LED triple fog light kit for the steel bumper equipped Ford Broncos,” said Justin Hartenstein, Oracle Lighting director of development. “You can now easily add functional forward-facing LED lighting to your Bronco with this purpose-built kit for a fraction of what others charge.”

The six patented high-powered LED emitters provide significant visibility through advanced optics with a 6,000 raw Lumen output and a precision design that helps reduce glare. The steel plates are galvanized then have a powder coat finish applied for ultimate protection. This blacked-out appearance along with the IP68 waterproof rating offers a sleek look with superior durability to withstand any conditions.

“The simple bolt-on installation uses factory bolt locations and requires no drilling, modifications, nor assembly for this Bronco fog light kit,” explained Hartenstein. “Typical installation time is less than 30 minutes and each kit comes with a wiring harness for simple DIY wiring. This complete kit includes assembled steel housings, six LED emitters, switched relay wiring harness, and all necessary hardware – fully assembled and ready to install.”

Additional features and benefits include:

High quality ⅛-inch thick steel plate
Galvanized anti-rust treatment
Black powder coat finish
Mounts using factory hardware
Engineered and assembled in the USA
Available in white (p/n 5890-001) and yellow (p/n 5890-006)
2-Year warranty

For more information on Oracle Lighting and its full product line, please visit www.oraclelights.com, call (800) 407-5776, or email info@oraclelights.com.

SEMA Show TORA Feature Vehicle Trail Highlights Truck and Off-Road Trends

Posted on October 2, 2022 by 12VoltNews in Industry.

DIAMOND BAR, CA (10.03.22) – As part of the 2022 SEMA Show, the Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) Feature Vehicle Program will shine a spotlight on 10 vehicles that showcase diversity, trends and opportunities available in the truck and off-road market. Situated this year in a new location (outside walkway between West and North Halls), the area referred to as “TORA Feature Vehicle Trail” is a must-see attraction for all Showgoers.

Check it out to see the following modified vehicles in key market categories:

Category: Overland
Baja Designs: ’14 Lexus GX 460

Category: Side-by-Side
Thumper Fab, ’22 Can-Am Defender

Category: CUV/Crossover
BERG Performance Inc, ’08 Porsche Cayenne Turbo

Category: EV
Trulers, ’75 Volkswagen Sand Rail

Category: Off-Road
Proffitts, ’86 Toyota Land Cruiser

Category: SUV
Quadratec, ’22 Jeep Wrangler

Category: Off-Road
Baja Designs, ’22 Jeep Wrangler

Category: Lifted Truck
CDT Automotive, ‘21 Ford F-450

Category: Off-Road
Western Automotive, ’21 Jeep Wrangler JL

Category: Overland
Nisstec Lifts, ’22 Nissan Frontier

“As industry trends evolve, it’s important for TORA to reflect and showcase all current and future opportunities available,” said TORA Council Director Denise Waddingham. “The diverse array of vehicles will inspire and educate SEMA Showgoers to the unlimited possibilities.”

Visitors at the TORA Feature Vehicle Trail are invited to vote for their favorite vehicle for the TORA Feature Vehicle Best in Show Award. The winner will be announced during the TORA Industry Reception, November 2, at 5:00 p.m. in West Hall 3rd Floor Terrace.

Visit sema.org for more.

DOW Technologies Initiates Hurricane Ian Relief Drive

Posted on October 2, 2022 by 12VoltNews in Industry.

TAMPA, FL (10.03.22) – DOW Technologies will be donating 2.5% of sales over the next week to Hurricane Ian relief. As Hurricane Ian’s destruction has had wide ranging impacts on our home state of Florida, we want to offer assistance to those in need. Our plan to donate a percentage of sales also provides an opportunity for our customers to be involved. They can be confident that part of their purchase will go towards those impacted by the storm.

As a small/medium sized business ourselves, we recognize the importance and the responsibility of SMBs to communities. Many of our customers have been profoundly impacted by this hurricane, and we are striving to do our part to help get their communities back up and running.

DOW Technologies President and CEO John Yodzis provided the above information.