DIAMOND BAR, CA (08.29.22) – SEMA is calling all SEMA Show car builders to register for SEMA Battle of the Builders, the aftermarket industry’s ultimate vehicle competition. Open exclusively to builders with a car or truck displayed at the annual trade show, the competition celebrates and honors top builders for participating in what many consider to be the pinnacle of automotive events.

“Since 2014, we’ve provided vehicle builders a special platform to showcase their imagination, creativity, and craftsmanship while also fueling the love for competition and pride of accomplishment,” said RJ de Vera, SEMA vice president of marketing. “SEMA Show Exhibitors are tremendously selective with the vehicles they choose to showcase their products, capture attention, and drive traffic to their booths. SEMA Battle of the Builders not only offers an additional avenue for further exposure by featuring the top builders and brands that exhibit at the SEMA Show but also provides a chance for top builders from different genres to learn from each other building meaningful connections as they judge each other’s builds in the final round.”

SEMA Battle of the Builders gives builders to opportunity to gain global recognition, including possible inclusion in a one-hour television special or SEMA’s social channels, and a chance to be recognized and named as the industry’s top builder. The competition recognizes one winner in four different categories— 1) Hot Rod & Hot Rod Truck; 2) 4 Wheel Drive & Off-Road; 3) Sport Compact, Import Performance, Luxury & Exotic; 4) Young Guns —before crowning the coveted title, Battle of the Builders Champion.

The four categories have evolved for the 2022 competition. Hot Rod Trucks will now compete with traditional Hot Rod builds. The former Truck class becomes more focused on 4 Wheel Drive & Off-Road builds while the Sport Compact class is expanded to include Import Performance, Luxury & Exotic builds as well. The age limit for the Young Guns class has also been raised from 27 to 29 years old. As part of SEMA’s initiative to support and encourage the next generation of builders in the industry, the association will continue its SEMA Young Guns category for builders who are 29 and younger.

“Each year, we meet amazing young builders through the Young Guns program,” said de Vera. “It is inspiring to witness the passion, drive, and courage they have to put their blood, sweat, and tears into their projects and to compete with their pride and joy in this competition. To see the industry embrace them as they build a network of contacts and connections that will fuel a lifelong career is exactly why the Young Guns class was created. Fortune definitely favors the brave, and we want to highlight that.”

Although the SEMA Show is a trade-only event, consumers can experience the excitement of the event and see the winning Battle of the Builder vehicles during the SEMA Cruise and at SEMA Ignited (www.semaignited.com), the official SEMA Show after-party taking place from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the West Hall parking lot of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

For more information on the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition or to register, visit www.semabotb.com. The deadline to register is October 14. Calling all builders!

SHREVEPORT, LA (08.29.22) – In today’s world, and the 12volt world, it’s hard to find positive news. The 12volt Chevy Studio was on the road in Big D this weekend. 12volt News, and the 12volt Central Studios staffs, work to deliver positive industry news each business day. Creating the 12voltSTP Tool was another example of making it easy for industry members to deliver their company’s brand and activities to members of the 12volt industry.

Check out action with the 12voltSTP Tool this past weekend from OC Jeep Week in Ocean City MD and KFest in Big D. KICKER and Alpine both had a major presence at OC Jeep Week. KICKER was on site with the XRV, Audio Works of Delaware doing sales and installations along with area rep firm Opus Marketing.

Alpine had 3 demo Jeeps, event truck and trailer. The Proline Car Stereo crew was on site performing installations and they were packed for the 3 day run.

At KFest in Big D KENWOOD unveiled the amazing new in-booth sales kiosk that displays information selected in a PowerPoint format. Nakamichi was onsite and Robin McNeal spotlighted new products to dealers like Carmil Car Stereo from Springfield MO.

JVC and Kenwood hosted training sessions and presented a prize to attendees. Curtis Dickens from C&S Car Audio won a JVC Multimedia receiver in one of the 2 JVC training sessions. Chris Reed from Stereo Video Center in Tyler TX won a KENWOOD STZ-RF200D in one of the 2 KENWOOD sessions.

The New JVC Sonic demo, highlighting new waterproof amplifiers, was spotlighted in the JVC booth. DB DRIVE President Robert Diaz was in the showing products from the Euphoria line and more with area rep Dave Gill from SMS.

The KICKER FIAT 500 demo brought a lot of technology to the event with KEY line of all-in-one amplifies/processors. Paul Trueman in the SiriusXM booth offered a raffle prize package for dealers registering for the SXM training website.

The above examples are some of the 3 dozen posts made this past weekend from 12volt industry members who utilized the 12voltSTP Tool. Check out over 500 posts #12voltstp on Instagram.

The 12volt STP Tool makes it easier than ever to showcase your company’s positive activities and products. Snap..Txt..Presto.. your company’s positive news and activities could be in the news. 318 465 0844 is the number. With the advent of social media, Facebook and Instagram platforms became key vehicles to deliver information and news. The fact remains people still need, and look forward to, receiving positive news. That is also true for the business realm that includes the 12volt Industry.

To deliver fresh industry news to members of the mobile electronics industry the 12volt Central Studios staff makes multiple posts on Instagram and Facebook each business day. The 12volt STP Tool was created in 2020 for members of the 12volt industry to send their news to the 12volt Central Studios. Snap and Txt an image to 318-465-0844. Presto, your positive news could be delivered to members of the 12volt industry.

On Instagram and Facebook, @12voltnews has over 10,000 followers on each platform. Those followers are dedicated members of the 12volt industry.

Click to see over 500 posts #12voltstp on Instagram.

Look forward to seeing your company’s brand and activities in the 12volt News.

OXNARD, CA (08.21.22) – It is with great sadness all at BOSS Audio learned of Ken’s Johnson’s passing on August 18th, 2022. Ken was the company’s Senior Product Manager and had been here with BOSS for the past year and a half and previously for 5 years working mostly in the BOSS Audio China headquarters.

“Ken was not only a great colleague to work with but truly a great and kind friend to everyone. He always had a positive attitude and it showed through his personality and behavior. His knowledge and experience made us at BOSS a better company. He will be missed. Our hearts and sincere condolences go out to Ken’s family and friends for their loss,” Douglas Kern, Vice President Sales BOSS International Group, stated.

“It is with deep sorrow that we learned of Ken Johnson’s passing. Kenny was a former Dual Electronics Director of Product Management. Colleagues, suppliers and customers will all remember Kenny for his industry knowledge, professionalism, and creativity. Those of us that worked closely with him will remember and miss his humor, dedication, and friendship. Kenny was never too busy to help a friend or colleague and he will be sorely missed. Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers go out to his Family for their loss,” Matt Vinson, Senior Vice President Dual Electronics Corp, related.

“The loss of Kenny is a hard hit to all that knew him whether within or outside of our industry. As a former Voxx team member rolling in from our acquisition of Jensen many moons ago, Kenny brought his deep technical and practical product knowledge to our group and was an essential part of our product development team. He was not only a colleague to many of us in our professional lives, he was also a great friend who will be dearly missed. His passing reopens several wounds of a near and dear industry veteran who passed way too early. Our deepest condolences and our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family during this difficult time,” Joe Caltabiano, Vice President Vehicle Entertainment VOXX Electronics Corporation relayed.

Please remember Ken Johnson and his contributions to the 12volt industry.