TEMPE, AZ (02.25.26) – Automotive audio pioneer Wayne Harris will feature his world-famous Terminator vehicle during a special live interview during MasterTech Expo 2026, held March 12-15, 2026 at the Mesa Convention Center in Mesa, Ariz., offering attendees a rare look into one of the most iconic builds in car audio history.
Open to all MasterTech attendees and exhibitors, the Terminator will be on hand and the featured session will take place March 12 from 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM in the Delta AZ Ballroom.
Harris has been a driving force in the 12-volt automotive audio industry since the early 1980s. A designer, engineer, entrepreneur, and innovator, he has earned multiple Design & Engineering awards, he holds several patents for audio technology innovations, and was named one of the Top Ten Most Influential People in Car Audio from 1987–1992.
Originally built in the mid-1980s – well ahead of its time – the Terminator featured groundbreaking concepts including one of the first true symmetry-based system layouts, including six Power 1000 amplifiers and a rotating amplifier rack that redefined what was possible in mobile audio design. The vehicle pushed extreme power levels for its era and became a benchmark for competitive audio builds.
The Terminator Vehicle The Terminator began life as a 1960 Cadillac hearse before Harris transformed it into one of the most legendary show vehicles in automotive audio history. Packed with massive subwoofers, multiple drivers, and staggering power output for the time, it helped shape early competition culture and left a lasting impression on anyone who experienced it in person.
Today, Harris has been carefully modernizing, refurbishing, and rewiring the Terminator, preserving its original spirit while ensuring it remains period-correct. Decades later, the vehicle remains a cultural icon, still talked about by competitors and enthusiasts who remember seeing – and hearing – it dominate early car audio events.
Live Interview & Walk-Through Attendees will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear directly from Harris as he walks through the history, design philosophy, and technical innovation behind the Terminator.
The session will be hosted by Matt Schaefer and Gary Bell of the Old Fashion Podcast.
For anyone passionate about car audio history, innovation, and legendary builds, this is a moment not to be missed.
LIBERTYVILLE, IL (02.25.26) – Hifonics Colossus Mini amplifiers create higher PRO POWER where you need it the most. The smallest size footprint of the Colossus family of amplifiers – Colossus Mini amplifiers are innovated with a sleek, bold design that blends into any car or vehicle interior.
Incorporating full-range Class-D chipsets (including the mono models) – all Colossus Mini amplifiers are compatible with a wide range of drivers, especially pro-style speakers.
(02.24.26) – With a career built on exceptional sales acumen and an enduring passion for automobiles, Dan represents the perfect balance of strategy and drive. His approach transforms every negotiation into an art form and every sale into a calculated success.
Join Dan as he shares proven techniques and forward-thinking strategies designed to help you unlock new levels of profitability, customer engagement, and long-term growth. Experience the synergy between strategic brilliance and automotive passion — and discover how to turn opportunity into achievement.
What You’ll Learn:
Day 1 – Attachments & Upsells: Master the art of value expansion and maximizing every customer interaction.
Day 2 – Diversified Revenue Streams: Learn how to build multiple pathways for sustained business growth.
Day 3 – Social Media & Marketing as a Sales Tool: Leverage modern platforms to amplify your reach and drive results.
Don’t miss this powerful three-day Sales Summit that will redefine how you sell, connect, and succeed in today’s competitive marketplace.
WASHINGTON, DC (02.23.26) – In response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling to strike down the Trump Administration’s tariffs issued under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA), the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) made the following statement:
“SEMA hopes this court decision enables the space to establish a transition period where American companies can reshore their operations, diversify their supply chains, and re-establish their domestic manufacturing capabilities. We encourage President Trump to continue to remove regulatory barriers that hamper the ability of small manufacturers to thrive domestically.”
BACKGROUND Tariffs on automotive parts, as well as steel- and aluminum-derivative items, are not impacted by this legal decision. SEMA will continue to advocate for a level playing field for those who depend on domestically sourced raw materials.
The automotive aftermarket that SEMA represents has an annual economic impact of $337 billion, supporting more than 1.3 million American jobs.
The vast majority of SEMA member businesses, and of the broader automotive aftermarket, are small, domestic manufacturers who are committed to Made in America principles.
SEMA, in a previous letter to the Trump Administration, has urged the use of incentives that support American manufacturers as they transition their capabilities, including tariff exemptions for things like molds, tooling, and machinery brought back to the United States, as well as tax incentives to offset the associated costs.
LIBERTYVILLE, IL (02.23.26) – Patent pending VU Meter technology is placed directly on top of every V-DRIVE amplifier, allowing for convenient tuning for capturing the best possible sound from your Crunch car audio installation. Selectable logo illumination modes include switching between full constant red LED lights, VU Meter mode, or full off.
V-DRIVE amplifiers come in mono, 2-channel, and 4-channel configurations and feature clean and undistorted sound in a smaller space that takes audio to new levels of power for deeper output and richer listening gains.
ITASCA, IL (02.20.26) – Lucas Lighting is pleased to share details of the new standard in mini bulbs, M-Series. Vice President Steve Rogers reports, “After more than three years of development and more prototypes than any other project in our history, we have delivered what I believe are the finest automotive mini bulbs available today. Our design criteria were significant, and we were able to achieve everything we set out to accomplish.”
Lucas bulb installation in a 2019 Ford Escape
Highlights of the line include:
Position matching of LED chipsets to the original halogen bulb to optimize light pattern and amplification from the original factory housing.
Custom tooled 31 and 74 series connectors to ensure a tight click in fit.
These utilize headlight chipsets to optimize output using fewer chips (light sources) than typically found on mini bulbs.
Addition of red single and dual output bulbs to optimize visibility with proper color retention for braking.
Optimized current draw eliminates the need for resistors on turn signals and better than 90% of bulb checking systems.
Advanced heat dissipation for prolonged life.
“While all the bulbs are fantastic, the T15 style may be the one I am most proud of. The style is exclusively used as a reverse bulb and for truck bed lighting. This compact model has nearly double the output of a halogen headlight bulb and 5 times that of a standard T15! Our first recommendation when upgrading lighting is the low beam position, the second is reverse lights. If you have a backup camera, it will work more effectively in the dark. If you have tinted windows, you will see significantly better through the glass,” Rogers added.
TORRANCE, CA (02.20.2026) – Rydeen Mobile Electronics has announced key additions to its Midwest sales representative network. Through partnerships with two established manufacturer’s representative firms, Rydeen is bringing premium vehicle safety solutions closer to retailers and installers across Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Western Pennsylvania, making advanced safety technology like digital rear view mirrors and 360° view camera systems more accessible throughout the region.
With the aftermarket playing an increasingly vital role in vehicle safety, Rydeen continues to invest in strong regional partnerships that deliver superior support and service to local dealers.
“Expanding our Midwest territory with these experienced partners ensures that car audio retailers and professional installers have the resources and inventory they need to meet growing consumer demand for advanced safety technology,” says Rex Berfield,
Rydeen’s National Sales Manager. We are proud to announce the appointment of Midwest Sales and Online Representatives to help us expand our brand coverage.
Midwest Sales Midwest Sales, a leading manufacturers’ representative firm in Michigan, is proud to announce the addition of Rydeen Mobile Electronics to its portfolio of innovative brands. This new partnership strengthens Midwest Sales’ commitment to delivering technology driven mobile electronics solutions to the marketplace.
“This brand is an exciting addition to our line card, and we are happy to partner with the Rydeen Team,” said Michael Schafer. “Rydeen Mobile brings a strong reputation for innovation and reliability, and we’re thrilled to represent a brand that aligns so well with our vision and the needs of our customers. “With this new representation, Midwest Sales will provide sales, support, and market development for Rydeen Mobile’s product line, ensuring strong visibility and growth across the region.
Online Marketing Online Marketing is a rep firm committed to your success. We strengthen and support our dealer partners by representing multiple manufacturers across Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan.
“Online Marketing is looking forward to working with the Rydeen Mobile team. Rydeen has proven to be a trusted and reliable manufacturer for many years, and one that we look forward to helping support and grow with independent dealers in our market.”
OXNARD, CA (02.19.26) – BOSS Audio Systems is proud to announce it has named its Elite Regional Rep Firms of the Year during the recent KnowledgeFest Las Vegas, held Feb. 3-5, 2026.
The Elite Rep Firms of the Year are: • Eastern: 12 Volt Marketing Group • Central: Echo Sales • Western: Ovation
BOSS Elite recently awarded Echo Sales its Central Region Rep Firm of the Year. (l-r) Nick Sugino (Elite Sales) with Echo Sales’ Don Geiger, Adrian Manrique, Doug Hanson, Chris Hilbert, and Justin Sura.
BOSS Elite recently awarded Ovation its Western Region Rep Firm of the Year. (l-r) Colin Ross (Elite Brand Manager), Greg Orlando (Elite Sales Manager), with Ovation’s Clay Nelson and Rick Nissenson.
“BOSS Elite has worked overtime the past few years to continually gain traction and a dedicated following across the country as we continually roll out new products across our speaker, amplifier, and source unit lines,” said Matt Delgado, BOSS Elite Director of Sales. “It takes a dedicated group of partners to help us achieve these goals out in the market. We are proud to present our annual awards to 12 Volt Marketing Group, Echo Sales, and Ovation for their exemplary dedication and performance as we look forward to another exciting year ahead.”
(02.19.26) – With a career built on exceptional sales acumen and an enduring passion for automobiles, Dan represents the perfect balance of strategy and drive. His approach transforms every negotiation into an art form and every sale into a calculated success.
Join Dan as he shares proven techniques and forward-thinking strategies designed to help you unlock new levels of profitability, customer engagement, and long-term growth. Experience the synergy between strategic brilliance and automotive passion — and discover how to turn opportunity into achievement.
What You’ll Learn:
Day 1 – Attachments & Upsells: Master the art of value expansion and maximizing every customer interaction.
Day 2 – Diversified Revenue Streams: Learn how to build multiple pathways for sustained business growth.
Day 3 – Social Media & Marketing as a Sales Tool: Leverage modern platforms to amplify your reach and drive results.
Don’t miss this powerful three-day Sales Summit that will redefine how you sell, connect, and succeed in today’s competitive marketplace.
DIAMOND BAR, CA (02.18.26) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is sponsoring legislation to provide more certainty in the process by which the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approves aftermarket emissions products seeking clearance to be sold in the state. Senate Bill 1069, authored by Sen. Tim Grayson, D-Concord, would provide specific timelines to which CARB must adhere when manufacturers navigate the board’s Executive Order (EO) process. EOs for aftermarket parts ensure companies are in compliance with CARB emissions standards and serve to greenlight the manufacturing, sale, or installation of an aftermarket product in California. Under the bill, companies would be refunded a portion of the application costs incurred if the time it takes to receive an EO becomes unreasonable.
The application to receive a CARB EO was once free, with fees later added to help speed the process and enable the hiring of staff who could facilitate the review of these applications. But despite this administrative support provided via the monetary investment of applicants, the process continues to lag and deprive well-meaning companies of their opportunity to reach the California market with their innovative, emissions-compliant products.
According to SEMA data, it currently can take CARB 12-18 months to approve EOs, and sometimes up to two years. Businesses cannot afford to wait that long to bring products to market.
“This is a necessary bill for lawmakers to prove to their constituents that they’re serious about clean air in California and providing small businesses with a pathway to thrive. SEMA has invested heavily to support aftermarket businesses that seek to serve the California marketplace with innovative products that adhere to state and federal emissions laws. We have known for a long time that the CARB EO process is in sore need of reform; it is slow, costly, and wrought with administrative delays that are a disservice to companies and consumers. We thank Senator Grayson for authoring this bill, which encourages companies to continue their good-faith efforts to adhere to California laws, while improving compliance and ensuring that California consumers have access to the cleanest aftermarket products available,” said SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola.
“California’s automotive enthusiasts deserve the opportunity to buy these products for their cars and trucks, and the path must be cleared for businesses that have committed to work to meet our state’s standards,” said Sen. Grayson. “When I attend the SEMA Show, I always marvel at the innovation brought forth by the automotive aftermarket, highlighted by advanced, clean-emissions products for consumers’ vehicles. Supporting car culture is not a zero-sum game with environmental stewardship and this bill reflects that – a tangible path toward cleaner air, business success, and consumer satisfaction.”
ABOUT THE BILL The legislation will provide the following reforms:
After companies submit their applications for an EO, CARB would have 30 days to state whether the application is in order, and then 60 more days to approve or deny the application.
If an application is denied, CARB is to provide the applicant a list of reasons for the denial; applicants will then have a 30-day “cure” period to keep an application on track.
If CARB fails to adhere to this reasonable timeline, applicants are entitled to a 50% refund of their fees.
Fees for CARB EOs can reach the thousands of dollars. Currently, those fees are:
$500 for companies with fewer than 100 employees, and
$1,000 for companies with 100 or more employees.
Analysis conducted for 2025 by the SEMA Garage shows that aftermarket companies pay $1,600-$3,200 per product for which they seek an EO, based on an average of 3.2 application breakouts, which result in three distinct charges for the same product.
In some examples, there are enough breakouts to cost companies well beyond $20,000 for a single product. Such cases force companies to make difficult decisions over whether to even apply for coverage on all their products.
BACKGROUND SEMA has invested over $30 million in the past ten years to help the aftermarket industry with emissions compliance. SEMA has two emissions compliance centers – Diamond Bar, Calif., and Plymouth, Mich. – with each offering a suite of aftermarket product testing optimized with state-of-the-art testing equipment. SEMA has made it its mission to hire experienced professional emissions staff to educate the industry and its members on emissions issues and the need for compliance.
In California, SEMA works with CARB to issue EOs.
SEMA’s Diamond Bar, Calif., Emissions Compliance Center, part of the SEMA Garage, is recognized by CARB as a Certification Ready Automotive Emissions Testing Laboratory. This facility is integral to SEMA’s work with CARB, offering SEMA members a complete product development resource, geared toward manufacturers and providing assistance in all aspects of securing CARB EOs and EPA emissions compliance to demonstrate that vehicles are emissions-compliant after a product is installed.
Over the last 10 years, SEMA has assisted with approximately 50% of all aftermarket EOs issued by CARB, and its compliance team has completed over 800 CARB EO applications for members. The SEMA Garage helps member companies and other aftermarket businesses to test and sell emissions-compliant products.
12VoltNews.com 