DIAMOND BAR, CA (03.25.22) – Crossover Utility Vehicles (CUVs) are the fastest-selling type of vehicle in the United States, accounting for 45% of passenger vehicles sold in 2021. They are also the most common type of vehicle on the road, accounting for almost one in four vehicles on the road, according to the new “CUV Market Snapshot” from SEMA Market Research.

The report, which helps businesses better understand the CUV market and identify opportunities, provides detailed analysis on the CUV landscape, opportunities for the aftermarket, accessorizer profiles, and an outlook for the future.

As vehicle preferences among Americans change, light trucks (pickups, SUVs, CUVs, and vans) are becoming a larger share of the overall vehicle population. OEMs are shifting production away from passenger cars to more profitable light-truck platforms, largely driven by CUVs.

Additional key findings from the SEMA report include:

• Consumers spent $7.7 billion on specialty-equipment parts for CUVs in 2020 – more than was spent on SUVs.
• Off-roading is an emerging opportunity segment within the CUV market. Thirteen percent of CUVs modified in 2020 were taken off-road, and vehicle manufacturers are introducing new options to their CUV lineups specifically aimed at off-road enthusiasts.
• Electrification is coming to the CUV market. Forty new electric CUV models are slated to be released in the next three years.
• By 2035, 59% of new CUVs sold are expected to be electric, hybrid, plug-in, or fuel cell.
• 47% of CUV accessorizers research parts using social media or online videos.
• There are currently more than 130 CUV models on the road, and more than 170 models projected to be sold from 2022-2028.
• CUV accessorizers can be found in any age group. The diverse spread of makes and models make these vehicles a match for almost anyone.

The complete “CUV Market Snapshot” is available to download for free at www.sema.org/research.

This report is the focus of the upcoming SEMA webinar “CUV Market Snapshot – Emerging Opportunities” on March 31.

Click here to register for the webinar

MT. GILEAD, OH (03.25.22) – Lubrication Specialties Inc. (LSI), manufacturer of Hot Shot’s Secret and international distributor of high performance lubricants, announces the company’s 25th anniversary. The company owned by CEO Chris Gabrelcik began modestly as a home-based business in 1997. Gabrelcik, who holds certifications as a Certified Lubrication Specialist (CLS) and Oil Management Analyst (OMA), initially developed lubrication solutions for major industrial clients. The company’s mission was to solve real world industry specific problems unaddressed by the market with the highest quality lubricant solutions.

In 2003, Gabrelcik was approached by Navistar International, manufacturer of the Power Stroke engine for Ford Motor Company, to help determine why HEUI injectors in the 6.0 and 7.3-liter Power Stroke engine were consistently failing prematurely. Gabrelcik discovered the issue was stiction, a sticky varnish that was occurring on the oil service side of the injectors and formulated the ideal lubricant solution; a powerful oil additive that removed stiction and provided lubrication that could restore HEUI injectors to full operation nine times out of 10.

The formula, Hot Shot’s Secret Stiction Eliminator, was branded at a time when hot shot truckers were busy transporting FEMA trailers to the Gulf Coast to assist with the Katrina hurricane clean-up. Today, Hot Shot’s Secret has developed into the fastest growing performance lubricant brand in the USA and boasts over 50 high performance oil and fuel additives for diesel- and gas-powered vehicles, race products including racing oil, transmission fluid, gear oil, and oils and fluids for specialty needs —import, heavy duty and more. Diesel Extreme and Everyday Diesel Treatment soon followed Stiction Eliminator and Hot Shot’s Secret quickly became known as the “Diesel Experts.”

In the past 25 years, LSI has grown both organically and through acquisition adding multiple divisions – LSI Chemical, Frantz Filters and Fluid Recovery. Sixty employees operate at their headquarters and recently acquired shipping distribution center in Mt. Gilead, OH. In 2014, LSI purchased Frantz Filters and Fluid Recovery. In 2017, Hot Shot’s Secret incorporated motorsports sponsorships and the brand spread by word of mouth as diesel race champions using Hot Shot’s Secret products chalked up wins. To keep up with growth, LSI greatly expanded the company’s bottling and blending capabilities by building a new facility that included offices, manufacturing, blending, R&D, sales and marketing. In 2020, LSI formed LSI Chemical, a division with a focus on developing high performance additives to be marketed to downstream refinery operations and private label, and to market Hot Shot’s Secret internationally. In a few short years, LSI Chemical under the leadership of Todd Cawley has established 16 distributors in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Central and South America. Last year, LSI invested in a new 24,000 square foot distribution / shipping hub to accommodate 50 plus SKUs of Hot Shot’s Secret and LSI Chemical product lines.

Hot Shot’s Secret products are now sold at many mass merchandisers and major auto retail establishments such as Walmart, Tractor Supply, O’Reilly Auto Parts, AutoZone, at top truck and travel centers – Pilot, TA/Petro, Love’s, as well as independent dealers and retailers and performance shops in this continent and via distribution centers abroad. Powered by science, LSI has become known as an expert in the field of nano lubricant technology and develops problem specific solutions for multiple markets including motorsports, automotive, off-road, import, fleet, RV, heavy duty transportation and oil and gas refinery.

“At LSI, we only create products that are the best they can be for their designed purpose which is the primary difference between our company and larger manufacturers. Our success has been afforded by staying true to this principle, working with the brightest minds in the industry and being forward thinking about consumer needs and industry trends. Lubrication Specialties is poised to grow again this year with expanded retail distribution of the Hot Shot’s Secret brand and continued growth in independent performance dealers and online sales. This is an exciting time for our company, and we are looking forward to the challenges of the next 25 years.”

-LSI President Brett Tennar

Last year, LSI launched the Steve Sommers Overnight Drive Show, a live call-in late night trucking show that airs Monday – Friday from midnight to 5 a.m. and sponsored Firepunk Diesel’s S10 that holds the world record for the fastest diesel on the planet – 3.998 seconds in the 1/8th mile.

Visit LubricationSpecialties.com for more.

LEHIGHTON, PA (03.24.22) – More than a decade ago, 1sixty8 media was just an idea in the head of ambitious, try-anything-once retail storeowner Mitch Schaffer. His store’s website, mobileedgeonline.com, was constantly being updated with the latest template, pop-up, form or graphic: anything to better engage customers. While many retailers thought of the Internet as the enemy, Schaffer sought to leverage its influence to enhance his brick-and-mortar business. 

With his store’s site serving as guinea pig, Schaffer dedicated himself to understanding how content and keywords impacted search results, the power of online advertising, and the mysterious algorithms that made the difference between popularity and obscurity. In 2012, Schaffer formed what he learned and experienced into a customizable but scalable business. 1sixty8 media empowered retailers to gain customers and grow their profitability from the same Internet they’d viewed as a competitor.

This year, 1sixty8 media is celebrating a decade of serving the mobile enhancement industry. To date, more than 200 retail locations throughout North America have gained new business from the enhanced online exposure the service offers. Since its inception, 1sixty8 media has added to its offerings to become a powerful marketing and advertising tool for proactive retailers. 

“I was an early adopter of content marketing,” said Schaffer. “I was able to get my store found in my local market by writing educational content and publishing it to my website. Other shops took notice of this and asked for my help. This eventually became 1sixty8 media.”

The first offering of 1sixty8 media consisted of writing original, search-friendly content for retailers’ websites. As a way to optimize services, Schaffer expanded to selling hosted websites with continually updated, high-quality content, and providing design services. In 2016, 1sixty8 media added its own consumer-facing website, BestCarAudio.com, as a way to educate consumers on the world of mobile enhancement and push business toward the company’s subscribing retailers. And in 2018, the company became the exclusive reseller of the ProDemand vehicle installation software to the mobile enhancement industry.

1sixty8 media carried forth community outreach that originated with the Mobile Edge retail store. The Coats for Kids program, which collects coats at the store for needy locals, was offered through the 1sixty8 media retail network to allow other retailers to create positive impact in their areas. And when the country was ravaged by COVID-19, BestCarAudio.com pointed consumers, hospitals and frontline workers toward retail stores that had repurposed their shops to produce Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).

As the pandemic has waned, 1sixty8 media has seen progress in every service offering. Retailers that experienced significant growth over the last two years have benefitted from a dynamic and visible presence online, and a wealth of invaluable data through ProDemand within the store. Schaffer continues to monitor cutting-edge technologies to integrate into 1sixty8 media’s services to empower retail customers. 

“Over the next 10 years, I’m confident we will still be working closely with retailers to help them stay relevant online,” added Schaffer. “We will continue to evolve our services and technology, and I’m sure we will be doing things we haven’t thought of yet.”

To learn more about 1sixty8 media, visit 1sixty8.com. 

This article was written by Michael A. Strong for TheDetroitBureau.com.

DETROIT, MI (03.24.22) – Toyota is partnering with Aurora Innovation to begin testing autonomous vehicles on U.S. roads, running a shuttle that includes trips to or from the airport. The service comes as other companies, such as Waymo, Cruise and others are in the midst of extensive studies underway.

The Japanese automaker is using specially equipped Sienna minivans for the trials. The minivans don’t use a driver, but there are two support personnel in the van to ensure it operates safely. The vehicles are retrofitted with Aurora technology and are driving through a variety of scenarios, including highways and runs to and the airport.

“The route showcases Aurora’s ability to safely operate at highway speeds, a key technical differentiator that allows it to prioritize popular and lucrative rides,” the U.S. company told Reuters in a statement.

Growing segment

The push by Toyota and Aurora isn’t much of a surprise as more and more automakers are playing in it. In fact, General Motors just spent $2.1 billion buying Japan’s SoftBank’s share of its own AV subisidiary, Cruise Automation.

GM also said it will invest an additional $1.35 billion in Cruise as part of its focus on bringing autonomous vehicle technology to market. The company has held a majority stake in Cruise since 2016, though the San Francisco-based operation has received significant capital from several other investors, including both SoftBank and Honda.

“We continue to believe our investment represents an extraordinary opportunity for creating long-term shareholder value,” GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra said in a statement.

Cruise has been testing prototype vehicles for several years on public roads, using them as part of a pilot ride-sharing service. It recently received approval from California regulators to begin offering rides to paying customers using fully driverless vehicles. That will begin in San Francisco, though GM CEO Barra has indicated the goal is to quickly expand to other U.S. markets.

The next step is to begin production of the Cruise Origin, a toaster-shaped shuttle designed to serve as the primary vehicle for a commercial driverless ride-sharing service.

Industry analysts have long contended that pulling the driver out of the equation is the critical step towards making ride-sharing a viable alternative to vehicle ownership.

View the full article at TheDetroitBureau.com.

NEW YORK, NY (03.23.22) – In collaboration with the Recording Academy, The GRAMMY Channel returns to SiriusXM to celebrate the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

To salute this year’s nominees, The GRAMMY Channel will feature artists, music and albums from across the GRAMMY Awards’ fields and categories, including top nominees Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, H.E.R., Jon Batiste, Justin Bieber, Olivia Rodrigo and more, all leading up to the live broadcast of Music’s Biggest Night on April 3 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.

Listeners can also expect to hear music from GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees such as Bonnie Raitt and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, as well as exclusive interviews with music’s biggest stars from behind the scenes at the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards.  For a complete nominations list, visit: https://www.grammy.com/awards/64th-annual-grammy-awards-2021.

The limited-edition channel will begin March 23 and run through April 6 on SiriusXM channel 105.

SiriusXM is available to subscribers in their car, on their phone and connected devices at home with the SXM App. Streaming access is included with all of our trials and most popular plans. Go to www.siriusxm.com/ways-to-listen to learn more.