SOUTH DAYTONA, FL (05.23.25) – Virtually every consumer that walks into a 12volt retailer’s store is a candidate for a dash cam. Dash cam products offer so many safety and real time accident liability protection opportunities. The category should be showcased in each retailers showroom.

SoundCrafters in South Daytona has taken that to the next level. Store manager, Anthony St Thomas and the team has put together a great Thinkware display that is spotlighted in the showroom. The full-featured Thinkware U3000 dash cam is ready for fast and complete demos.

During a recent road trip, Scott Hochmuth, Real Performance Marketing Principal and ThinkWare rep in the Southeast, made a stop at SoundCrafters. As he was in the store Scott and Anthony snapped this image by the display.

Anthony St Thomas related “Since setting up the ThinkWare display our dash cam sales have gone from a few a month to as many as two or three a day. Our team supplied power to the display board where the U3000 is on display. Now we can easily show customers a quick and easy full demo and spotlight the video quality. In addition now to ThinkWare dash cam can record sales presentations for training purposes as well as showroom surveillance.”

“The display with the ThinkWare U3000 available for live customer demos is terrific….so much better than the salesman saying ‘Our dash cams are in the glass showcase over there and you can read the features on the box. I will let all our dealers know how SoundCrafters’ sales have grown,’” Hochmuth commented.

St Thomas joined SoundCrafters as an installation technician, and now six years later, he is a store manager along with wearing other hats. The SoundCraters team functions as a family and treat every consumer coming in as a family member.

Since Paul Papadeas founded SoundCrafters 46 years ago…. providing the best possible performance, style and sound experience that a 12volt specialty retailer can offer is still at the top of the top of their list.

Visit thinkwarestore.com and soundcraftersdb.com for more.

WASHINGTON, DC (05.23.25) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) today is rejoicing in the successful, bipartisan effort to end EV mandates, the result of a monumental, years-long effort to educate voters and lawmakers on the importance of preserving vehicle choice in the U.S. By halting a California-led effort to ban internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles through EV mandates for 40% of the nation’s population, the Senate, and before it the House of Representatives, has shown courage in the face of radical policymakers and exhibited confidence in American innovation and ingenuity borne out of the automotive aftermarket industry.

• California’s Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulation jeopardized a significant sector of the American economy. A third of the specialty automotive aftermarket is based on ICE technology. Today’s Senate vote to end California’s national EV mandate and ICE vehicle ban protects $100 billion of annual economic impact to the nation’s economy and the more than 330,000 American jobs these policies threatened. With its actions, Congress has safeguarded this important hub of innovation and American engineering prowess, providing stability for millions of American households employed by the aftermarket. 

“SEMA thanks the lawmakers from both sides of the aisle who stood up for Americans’ freedom to determine which vehicles are best for them,” said SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola. “We thank those in the nation’s community of automotive enthusiasts and the aftermarket businesses who engaged in the advocacy process, many for the first time, to remind lawmakers that this is the United States of America, not the United States of California. Congress’ vote gives the nation’s automotive marketplace much-needed stability, which will deliver renewed investment and sufficient resources to aid our industry in doing what we do best: innovating the future of automotive technology.

“This victory would not be possible without the courage and fortitude shown by Majority Leader John Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson to look beyond the opposition’s lies and underhanded effort to undermine the will of the people,” Spagnola said. “We look forward to President Donald Trump putting an end to this nightmarish EV mandates policy with his signature and thus fulfill an important promise he made to the American people.”

SEMA STEERS THE CONVERSATION ON EV MANDATES AND ICE VEHICLE BANS

SEMA was, and never will be, anti-EV; rather, it champions a technology-neutral approach that fosters innovation and ingenuity. The association will continue efforts to preserve Americans’ rights to vehicle choice and the automotive aftermarket industry’s ability to design, manufacture, and bring to market products that help solve the emissions challenge.

Beginning in 2023, SEMA led a national effort to educate voters and lawmakers on the damage of EV mandates on families, the working class, and American small businesses. In February, when the effort to overturn the California waiver kicked into high gear, SEMA mobilized an army of advocates to:

• Send more than 56,000 letters to lawmakers in the House and Senate
• Build a coalition of 335 small businesses for an April letter urging House and Senate leadership to hold votes to put an immediate stop to the implementation of the ACC II regulation
• Host aftermarket business leaders and automotive influencers for 56 in-person meetings in Washington, D.C., with lawmakers and their staffs
• Dominate the digital media landscape with countless memes and posts on the harms of EV mandates, reaching more than 2 million voters in key states, and running online ads that put pressure on lawmakers and staff around the Capitol

Along the way, states not named California got wise to the harms of EV mandates. Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Vermont each backed off pledges to follow California’s emissions policies while North Carolina, Texas, Ohio, West Virginia, and eight other states passed SEMA-supported “ban the ban” legislation to ensure such mandates never take effect again.

This follows a significant financial investment by SEMA to educate voters throughout the 2024 presidential campaign via its Driving Force Action SuperPAC, with ads running the battleground states of Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.

For more information, visit www.sema.org.

PHOENIX, AZ (05.22.25) – MTX Announces that BEI, Inc. has secured a new distribution partnership with LESCO Distributing, bringing them on board as an official MTX distributor for Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, and West Virginia. Known for their outstanding customer service and strong dealer relationships, LESCO is a valued addition to the MTX distribution network.

“LESCO will be stocking a full range of MTX products, including Mobile Audio, Power Sports, and Marine lines—helping BEI Inc reach more customers with the performance, reliability, and innovation that define the MTX brand” Mike Beyersdoerfer, BEI Inc. Principal stated.

“Having first worked with LESCO in 2012, we know firsthand the strength of their team and the value they bring to the table. We’re looking forward to reuniting and working closely together to launch new products and drive continued MTX growth in these key markets” Beyersdoerfer concluded.

For more email beimike555@gmail.com or 970-310-9598.

TORRANCE, CA (05.22.25) – Pioneer Electronics Inc appoints AJ’s Audio Distributing, LLC’, located in Gadsden AL as the Pioneer Distributor for Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, representing a key milestone in Pioneer’s new go-to-market distribution strategy designed to enhance reach, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

To celebrate, Pioneer Electronics Inc excited offers a grand prize giveaway! Dealers who place a minimum order of $1000 with AJ’s will be entered into a drawing to win one of two DMH-W3000NEX receivers. This is an amazing opportunity to expand your inventory of Pioneer products, build your partnership with AJ’s, and potentially win an exceptional Pioneer in-dash receiver.

One winner will be selected each month from June through August 2025.

AJ’s Audio Distributing is a family-owned distributor that has well over 30 years of experience in this industry. Currently distributing over twenty lines, AJ’s takes pride in offering Pioneer to all its dealers. They value dealers like family and offer weekly specials. Operation out of Gadsden, AL with over 50,000 sq ft of warehouse space.

For inquiries, please contact Jaysam Odeh, Pioneer Team Lead and a 12-year industry veteran, at 256-547-9896 or visit www.ajsaudiodist.com

Pioneer is committed to supporting AJ’s Audio Distributing, LLC in this growth phase, providing the necessary resources, and backing to ensure a seamless and successful transition.

MONTREAL, QC (05.21.25) – Automotive Data Solutions Inc. (ADS), a leading innovator in OEM
integration solutions, proudly announces the initial shipment of its new iDatalink Maestro APX kits,
marking a major milestone after a strong wave of pre-orders from its network of authorized dealers
and distributors.

The iDatalink Maestro APX kits bring advanced OEM integration to a new category of radios featuring
large 10.1-inch floating and OEM-style 8-inch screens, offering streamlined installation and enhanced
vehicle coverage while blending in with factory aesthetics. These next-generation solutions are
engineered to reduce complexity and maximize performance, making them the go-to integration
platform for today’s increasingly sophisticated vehicle systems.

“Maestro APX is more than just a product; it’s a revolutionary solution built for our technology
partners and professional installers alike,” said Robert Di Cesare, General Manager of ADS. “ We’ re
proud to help solve today’ s complex integration challenges while keeping radio replacement at the
forefront of the specialist retailer’s business.”

The iDatalink Maestro APX platform is fully compatible with a range of premium head units from
launch partner JVCKenwood, ensuring a seamless integration experience. Supported models include
the JVC KW-Z800AW and KW-Z1000AW, as well as the Kenwood DAX8000S, Kenwood eXcelon
Reference DAX800XR, and DAX1050XR. These trusted radios, paired with an iDatalink Maestro APX
kit, provide users with a superior aftermarket solution for upgrading in-vehicle entertainment and
OEM retention.

For more information about ADS, visit www.adsdata.ca

DIAMOND BAR, CA (05.21.25) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has opened nominations for its prestigious SEMA Industry Awards at www.sema.org/awards.

The SEMA Industry Awards are presented to individuals and companies that have made outstanding contributions to the automotive specialty equipment industry during the past year. The program recognizes honorees in six different categories: Channel Partner of the Year, Content Creator of the Year, Gen-III Innovator of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year, Person of the Year, and the Visionary 8.

“It takes hard work to grow an automotive specialty-equipment business – even more so to grow an entire industry,” said SEMA Manager of Recognition Programs Jose Escobar. “Award nominees should exemplify outstanding professionalism and service that has propelled the industry forward.”

Nominations are open for:  

• Channel Partner of the Year: Honors a sales channel partner for its outstanding service to the sales, distribution, retail, and/or e-commerce channel(s) of the industry. This includes maintaining proper inventories to service its respective channel and exceeding standards in providing suppliers with input and regular communication to help their products and programs succeed. 
• Content Creator of the Year: Honors a content creator for their outstanding contributions to the automotive culture and for creating a positive impact with automotive enthusiasts.
• Gen-III Innovator of the Year: Honors a young, entrepreneurial individual, 40 years old or younger, who is creating innovative breakthroughs within the area(s) of industry opportunities, advancement, best business practices, technology, and/or trends. 
• Manufacturer of the Year: Honors a manufacturing company for its outstanding industry contributions and innovations.  
• Person of the Year: Honors an individual for their outstanding contributions to SEMA and the broader automotive specialty-equipment market.  
• Visionary 8: Honors eight emerging leaders on track to drive innovation and positive change in the automotive aftermarket industry. This award showcases up-and-coming talent, honors their accomplishments, and introduces them to their community.

The SEMA Show is where automotive icons and next-gen disruptors converge to celebrate the past, present, and future of the aftermarket industry. The festivities shift into gear on Tuesday, Nov. 4, with the Kickoff Breakfast, where 15 cutting-edge New Product Awards will be unveiled alongside top honors for Channel Partner of the Year and Manufacturer of the Year.

On Thursday, Nov. 6, the highly anticipated Visionary 8 and SEMA’s Best Engineered Vehicle of the Year winner will be announced live at SEMA Central. The momentum will continue the same day at the newly reimagined industry homecoming – SEMA Industry Honors – now staged at the iconic Fontainebleau. This red-carpet-style gathering brings together the industry’s biggest names to spotlight standout achievements, including Content Creator of the Year, Gen-III Innovator of the Year, and the coveted Person of the Year.

Entries for Best Engineered Vehicle of the Year – a SEMA Industry Award that recognizes exceptional quality of engineering on a vehicle build – will open in August. Learn more at www.sema.org/awards.

LONG BEACH, CA (05.20.25) – JVC’s Direct Replacement receivers are now officially shipping, giving installers a smarter way to upgrade factory audio systems — without the hassle of custom dash work. First shown at KnowledgeFest Las Vegas 2025, this new product line is designed for today’s vehicles, with a clean fit, premium features, and seamless integration.

And now, with iDatalink Maestro APX kits also shipping, the full solution is in dealers’ hands.
Built around a T-Harness type installation made possible by iDatalink Maestro APX, JVC’s Direct Replacement receivers mount directly into factory dash locations and connect to OEM harnesses — no cutting, crimping, or soldering required.

Now Shipping:
• KW-Z800AW – Clean, modern design with powerful features
• KW-Z1000AW – Larger display and expanded performance

About the New iDatalink Maestro APX Kits:
• 12 kits cover all supported vehicles at launch, giving dealers fewer SKUs and more install flexibility
• Each kit includes metal mounting brackets to adapt to factory dash points
• Includes vehicle-specific T-Harness wiring for true plug-free, streamlined installation
• Requires the ACC-HU-KEN-1 harness to enable full direct-connect capability

Key Product Features:
• Factory-Look Integration with support for over 50 million vehicles
• Hi-Res Audio, Split-Screen CarPlay/Android Auto, Modular Chassis, and more
• Bright 8″ and 10″ HD displays deliver a high-end look and feel
• Designed to install quickly — and look like it’s always been there

“The combination of our Direct Replacement receivers and the new iDatalink Maestro APX kits gives dealers the tools they’ve been asking for,” said Steve Cote, Director of Sales for JVC Mobile Entertainment. “It simplifies the install, expands compatibility, and preserves the factory look customers love.”

JVC’s ready. iDatalink Maestro’s ready. The next chapter in in-car integration has officially begun.

Learn more at www.jvc.com/usa

LIBERTYVILLE, IL (05.20.25) – Maxxsonics is poised for higher success in 2025 with the addition of new Regional Sales Manager — Chris Brinkley. With over two decades of experience in the car audio and mobile electronics industry, Chris Brinkley brings a deep and extensive background in (B2B) sales, installation, training, marketing, vehicle-specific integration, and brand development — along with a deep passion for the mobile audio space.

“I have an extensive background in some of the newest technologies in our industry and hope to help grow the passion, excitement, and drive the popularity of the entire family of Maxxsonics car audio brands,” said Brinkley.

“I am excited to be joining the Maxxsonics team — between the four different brands and their amazing story and history, I couldn’t be happier. I’m looking forward to building awareness and showing how good of a partner Maxxsonics can be for its dealers and distributors,” concluded Chris.

Chris’s career began in 2001, and from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2014 to 2022, he served as a manufacturer’s representative covering the TX, OK, LA, and AR territory. In 2022, he transitioned into a larger direct role with another car audio manufacturer, where he was instrumental in sales strategy, technical training, marketing efforts, and overall brand growth. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Chris is uniquely positioned to support a diverse customer base and provide exceptional service across multiple regions.

Over the years, Chris has built strong relationships with dealers and distributors through his hands-on approach, technical expertise, and industry presence.

“Chris has the experience, energy, and industry knowledge we value. He’s joining a team of real enthusiasts and hitting the ground running with a product lineup that continues to gain momentum — from our Jeep and Tacoma STAGE Kits to the strong performance we’re seeing in car audio with Hifonics and Crunch,” said Eddie Ramirez, Maxxsonics National Sales Manager.

Chris Brinkley is expected to play a key role in enhancing Maxxsonics’ market presence, strengthening dealer and distributor relationships, and driving growth across all brand platforms. Known throughout the industry as @caraudiochris, his passion for the category and commitment to dealer success make him a valuable addition to the Maxxsonics team.

“We’re thrilled to have Chris join the Maxxsonics family,” said Alden Stiefel, President of Maxxsonics. “His technical expertise, bilingual communication skills, and passion for the industry make him an outstanding asset to our team. We’re confident that Chris will make an immediate impact and help us take our sales and customer support efforts to new heights.”

Chris Brinkley’s addition to the Sales team reassures Maxxsonics’ commitment to investing in top-tier employee and sales talent to support its growth and innovation initiatives across the mobile audio industry landscape.

Maxxsonics continues to grow its presence across both aftermarket and OEM markets, investing in people, products, and partners to drive long-term success.

Follow the link for complete details on Maxxsonics and their entire family of audio brands. https://maxxsonics.com/

DALLAS, TX (05.19.25) – The timing was perfect for SSR Distributors to introduce and showcase the new Banda Car Audio lineup at the Show in Dallas on Sunday, May 18. During the event other breaking Banda news was David Toliver, Synergy Marketing, was announced as the new Banda Car Audio rep firm for Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

Tom Fritschi, National Sales Manager, flew in from North Carolina to showcase the company’s broad lineup, introduce David, connect with dealers and the SSR Team in addition to hosting product trainings.

“David’s professionalism and caring for the customer with a ‘do whatever it takes to get the job done’ makes him the perfect choice for Banda” Fritschi stated.

Tracy Farr, SSR VP of Sales and Operations, related, “We had been looking at the Banda line for some time and a few weeks ago deecided to move forward as a distributor in the territory. The timing was perfect with our show just a few days after our first order arrived. The products were very well received on the show for and dealers took advantage of some of the specials that we had at the show.”

Dealer turn out for the Sunday show was very strong as dealers checked out over 40 brands on the show floor, attended training sessions, enjoyed networking while they had great burgers from the food truck. Being a family affair many dealers brought their wives and family to add to the enjoyment for the day.

Banda Car Audio is a family owned company in Sao Paulo Brazil. Amplifiers and Sound Processors are stocked in the Miami FL warehouse. Banda is now celebrating 24 years and makes everything they bring to market.

Watch for much much more coverage on the SSR Distributors Dealer Show 2025 the coming days.

Great images from Tom and David from the SSR Show.

Visit ssrdistributors.com for more.

TORRANCE, CA (05.16.25) – Rydeen Mobile is excited to announce its participation in the upcoming Pacific NW Mobile Electronics Expo (PNWCEE), taking place May 19–21 at the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton in Seattle, Washington.

“We’re thrilled to connect with industry professionals in the Pacific Northwest,” said Ruben Torres, Director of Sales at Rydeen Mobile. “This region is a key market for 12-volt electronics, and PNWCEE is the premier event for meeting dealers, installers, and manufacturers. We’re proud to showcase Rydeen’s latest innovations and demonstrate our commitment to providing high-quality, cutting-edge solutions for the mobile electronics market.”

As one of the leading events in the region, PNWCEE offers a unique opportunity for industry professionals to explore new products, network with top brands, and stay up to date on the latest trends. Rydeen Mobile will be showcasing its newest mobile electronics offerings, with hands-on displays and expert support available to attendees.

Rydeen’s New Products:

• **OED-01** – is a dash cam with 1080P HD recording and HD video output for optional PV8 digital mirror monitor, 140° wide-angle lens, app control, and loop recording. Including Wi-Fi connectability to your smartphone APP.
• **R10X-SPL** – offers a 4K/2K front camera, waterproof rear camera, HDR night vision, time laps recording and Wi-Fi for real-time streaming.
• **R10-SPL** – features a 10-inch touchscreen, 1080P front camera, and IP67 waterproof rear camera with night vision.
• **PV8-A** – 8.2″ OEM style ultra-bright digital rearview mirror with a high-definition AHD backup camera, delivering real-time HD video and enhanced safety with a 110° field of view.
• **PV8-B** – sharp edge style ultra-bright digital rearview mirror with a high-definition AHD backup camera, delivering real-time HD video and enhanced safety with a 110° field of view.

Rydeen’s Best Seller:

• **TOMBO360X** – 10-inch frameless touchscreen rearview mirror with 4K dash cam, 360° surround view recording, proximity sensor, blind spot indicator compatibility, and full installation kit for enhanced driving safety and monitoring.

The event provides Rydeen Mobile with an excellent platform to strengthen relationships, expand its presence in the region, and engage with professionals across the mobile electronics industry.

For more information about Rydeen Mobile products or to inquire about partnership opportunities, please visit www.rydeenmobile.com.