CERRITOS, CA (12.06.2021) – Harley Davidson motorcycle owners now have a simple solution for improving their audio systems and overall riding experience. SoundSkins Global, in collaboration with American Hard Bag, will roll out the market’s first-ever, full lineup of custom-cut sound deadening kits for Harley Davidson touring motorcycles in January 2022.   

SoundSkins Global has teased the release of this lineup since Knowledge Fest in 2019, and since then they released a line of pre-cut kits for ‘14 Street Glide, Electra Glide, Road Glide, and Road King saddlebags in June 2021. The rest of the upcoming lineup includes kits for saddlebags, speaker lids, fairings, and fairing speaker pods of Street Glide, Electra Glide, Road Glide, and Road King models from ’98-’13 and ‘14+.

“These kits are something we saw in the market that was missing,” said Dennis Garcia, Chief Operating Officer of SoundSkins Global. “A few competitors have tried to put something like this in the market, but no one else has the complete lineup that covers the entire bike.”

These kits will cut down on excess vibration and noise to create a smoother riding experience. The sound deadening material will also dramatically lower the resonant characteristics of the saddlebags, fairings, and fairing speaker pods, making them much better speaker enclosures. This results in increased speaker efficiency, allowing the speakers to do exactly what they were designed to do – project sound directly toward the listener.

Both SoundSkins Global and American Hard Bag will offer this lineup on their websites. The kits will be available as bundles and individual sections.

SoundSkins Global and American Hard Bag will display these new kits at Knowledge Fest in Las Vegas on February 18-20, 2022.

For more information about this new lineup, visit https://soundskinsglobal.com/ or contact SoundSkins Global at usa@soundskinsglobal.com.

DALLAS, TX (12.03.2021) – Blue Tiger USA has won the CES 2022 Innovation Awards for the Solare headset, the world’s first solar-powered communications headset for hands-free driving. The powerful Solare Headset harvests light from any source – indoor or outdoor for continuous use without the need to recharge a battery. Blue Tiger will be introducing Solare at CES 2022, held in Las Vegas from January 5-8, 2022 at the Cosmopolitan Hotel.

Military Grade — Never Recharge with Solare’s Sustainable Solar Energy Technology

Targeted to the demanding needs of road warriors, such as truckers, professional drivers, commuters, and long distance travelers, the Blue Tiger Solare military-grade Bluetooth headset combines patented solar technology for virtually unlimited use without recharging, with powerful 97% noise cancelation technology and high-quality speaker components — all powered by a flexible solar cell for a seamless driving communications experience. Solare continuously self-charges when exposed to indoor or outdoor sunlight, eliminating the worry about battery life, so drivers always receive and transmit essential communications clearly.

“We are honored to win the CES 2022 Innovation Award for our break-through solar powered innovation. With the Blue Tiger Solare, professional drivers can now travel more safely without worrying about distractions and potential accidents that can be caused by plugging in a headset to charge while driving,” said Chantal Saah, CEO and Co-founder, Blue Tiger USA. “With Solare, drivers connect to important weather alerts, accident and traffic reports, GPS instructions, dispatchers, fellow drivers, friends, and loved ones. And because of Solare’s solar technology, truckers and other drivers never again have to worry about dead batteries or remembering to charge their headsets.”

For more information, see the website at: bluetigerheadsets.com/bluetigersolare and bluetigerheadsets.com.

This article was written by Larry Printz for TheDetroitBureau.com

DETROIT, MI (12.03.2021) – As automakers rush to develop self-driving cars, trucks, SUVs and minivans, most consumers have an incorrect perception of the emerging technology. That’s the latest finding of the J.D. Power 2021 Mobility Confidence Index Study released Tuesday.

Driver education is key

When asked to choose one of seven possible descriptions that correctly defines fully automated self-driving vehicles, a mere 37% of respondents chose one of the two correct answers, with one defining Level 4 autonomy, the other Level 5. Fifty-five percent of respondents incorrectly selected descriptions of driver assist technology rather than self-driving technology.

What’s worse is that among drivers who profess to have more knowledge of fully automated self-driving vehicles, only 32% could describe it correctly. Among those who knew nothing of the technology, 37% described it correctly.

“This is a ‘Danger, Will Robinson’ moment for the fully automated self-driving vehicle industry,” said Lisa Boor, senior manager of global automotive at J.D. Power. “There is a significant gap between actual and perceived AV knowledge. Right now, consumers don’t know what they don’t know.”

Others agree.

Acceptance of AVs is rising

But overall confidence in automated automobiles is growing according to J.D. Power, with 42% of those surveyed expressing confidence in fully automated self-driving vehicles. That’s up from 34% a year ago. And 31% had full confidence in fully automated delivery vehicles. But that level of acceptance rises to 47% among those whose vehicles have driver assist technology. When asked, consumers also saw AVs as being a boon to those who can’t drive due to age, illness or injury.

But acceptance will increase only if the safety of AVs is assured. 

Click to continue reading this story on TheDetroitBureau.com

PITTSBURG, PA (12.02.2021) – 96.1 KISS is Pittsburgh’s #1 Hit Music Radio Station and they are making a hit again this year with their annual Stuff-A-Bus campaign to support the Marines Toys For Tots Drive. Pro sports teams, area organizations plus a growing list of local businesses are contributing to the success of this year’s event. Team Nutz is one of the local businesses working to Stuff-A-Bus.

Ed Nuttall related, for Team Nutz, “This is such a worthy initiative. The 96.1 KISS Stuff-A-Bus Christmas campaign has been going on over 20 years and this is actually our first year to participate. This campaign lasts through this week, ending Saturday December 4th. and so far 22 large school buses have been packed with unwrapped toys. The seats and aisles are filled. They are looking to stuff close to 50 buses before the week is out.”

All Ways Safe is a safety truck company in a Pittsburg suburb and is a sponsor. Team Nutz completed an amazing installation in this truck and it was on display in the Special Vehicles area at SEMA 2021 and loaded with Memphis Audio gear.

“My wife Nina and I went shopping at Big Lots and Five Below stores last night and completely filled the Team Nutz van with a wide variety of toys. We dropped the load off at Robinson Town Centre and certainly helped to Stuff-A-Bus for the Marines Toys For Tots Drive 2021.”

It is terrific to see 12volt companies, like Team Nutz, participate in local community events.

See more @teamnutzpgh on Instagram

AVON LAKE, OH (12.02.2021) – Design Engineering Inc. introduces its new 2022 Full Line Catalog, containing complete information on its entire line of innovative heat and sound control solutions for any automotive project. Request your digital or print copy today or stop by DEI’s PRI booth (#301) to pick one up.

From vehicle-specific to universal application solutions, powersports kits to exhaust wraps and heat protective sleevings, DEI thermal and noise control products are the choice for professional builders and DIY mechanics looking to keep their rides cool and comfortable.

The 60-page catalog features nearly 30 new products and more than 80 new part numbers for race and street performance. Featured products include vehicle-specific insulation kits, high quality heat reflective tapes and sprays, headliner insulators, engine and interior heat barriers, sensor covers, and a growing collection of motorcycle and powersports components and side-by-side heat barrier kits.

These new products join DEI’s long list of proven heat and sound control solutions, including its popular exhaust wraps, turbo heat shields, plug boot and wire protectors, extreme heat barriers and wide range of interior components, plus information on the company’s tools and accessories, safety products, and even marketing materials for retailers.

Visit designengineering.com for more.

LAFAYETTE, LA (11.30.2021) – Saturday, November 27th, the Louisiana Jeepers set up in the shopping center in front of Ricky Smiths Audio in Lafayette. The Louisiana Jeepers Club was collecting Christmas gifts for Little Lambs which aids the children and families of the incarcerated.

“The Christmas Holiday season is certainly a special time of the year. The shopping center schedules a Santa’s Sleigh activity each Saturday in December leading up to Christmas. Ricky Smiths Audio frequently hosts events in front of the store with Louisiana Jeepers. Since the Jeep is a very popular vehicle for aftermarket upgrades we have done systems for several of their members” Ricky Smith Audio’s Alan Benit stated.

Under a cloudy sky on Saturday members of the Louisiana Jeepers set up a tent, table and boxes for donations. Team members also positioned their Jeeps as a group in the shopping center parking lot.

“We set up a Christmas tree outside by the front door with chairs for Mrs Claus and an Elf. When the event concluded a couple of boxes were left that we placed in the showroom to continue the donation efforts for the Little Lambs” Benit concluded.

For more see @rickysmithsaudio

SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA (11.30.2021) –  Just in time for the Holiday Gift season, Accele Electronics is pleased to announce a new addition to their industry leading array of Rear Seat Entertainment solutions for Expeditors, Retailers, Van Converters and 12 Volt Specialists.

The Accele DVD9855 is an all in one Multimedia Player featuring adjustable brackets that enable mounting to most vehicle Headrest posts. The system can be mounted to any headrest, Active or Passive, and mounts in minutes. The Universal system has adjustments for different headrest pillow depths and features a quick release mechanism for removal and a single mini cable for easy installation through the seat.

The DVD9855 is the perfect solution for displaying Video content in a widescreen 16:9 Format on a large 9″ LCD screen from a smart device that has HDMI or Video outputs, or it’s built in Disc Drive. Additionally, it has an SD Card Slot and USB Port, a single DVD system can be used individually or two can be purchased and cross connected together to display separate sources or the same source. Audio is available through Headphones with a built in two channel IR headphone transmitter, built in FM Modulator or it’s built in speakers.

The 9” widescreen Active Matrix TFT LCD display has resolution of 800 x 480 x 3 and is LED Backlight with a Brightness rated at 350 NIT. The Disc player picks up where it left off before power was interrupted with the Auto-Resume feature. Included are (1) side mounted HDMI and (1) 3.5mm AV input.

The included Video games CD with Wireless Video Game controller ensures your rear seat passengers of all ages will no longer ask “Are we there yet?”

The DVD9855 is available immediately, please contact your Accele Sales Representative.

Visit www.accele.com for more.

HENDERSON, NV (11.19.2021) – The RPOD6 has been re-designed to have a slimmer mounting depth of just 2.44” and accepts the same 6.5” speakers as before. With the new slimmer profile, the RPOD6A can be mounted in a variety of new locations to add speakers to any classic car that didn’t originally come with an audio system without the need to cut or modify the interior.

RetroPods are built with a rugged ABS plastic that can either be painted, wrapped in vinyl, or carpeted to match a vehicle’s interior for a fully customized look. The angled design directs sound towards the listener for better stereo imaging and an enjoyable listening experience. The RPOD6A accepts a 6.5” speaker and is available with RetroSound’s S-62 Stereo Speakers or their Premium R-652N Stereo Speakers.

The RPOD6A is available now for $51.99 at www.retromanufacturing.com