STILLWATER, OK (01.07.2025) – New judges for the SkillsUSA National Convention were named recently by the SkillsUSA Mobile Electronics Installation Technical Committee.
The orientation included a brief introduction from each judge that included their background and reason for joining the team. The judges will be on hand for the SkillsUSA National Convention to be held in Atalanta, GA the week of June 23rd.
The National Convention’s Electronics Installation portion consists of eight contest stations, each requiring two judges. Included in the orientation were SkillsUSA guidelines for interacting with the contestants, many of whom are minors.
DIAMOND BAR, CA (01.07.2025) – Lauren Wilbor has joined the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) as manager of digital communications and partnerships, adding new capabilities to the organization in an area of significant opportunity. Wilbor will support SEMA’s communications and grassroots efforts by leading outreach and relationship management with a variety of stakeholders and online content creators in the automotive enthusiast community, including influencers. She will be based out of SEMA’s Washington, D.C., office.
Wilbor has amassed significant experience in grassroots advocacy and relational organizing over her career, including a stint as Field Director for United Democracy Project, where she developed and executed the organization’s first-ever field organizing effort, helping to secure key victories in Congress. Wilbor has also run advocacy campaigns mobilizing voters nationwide to engage in legislative priorities impacting the oil and gas industry.
Lauren Wilbor
“It is with great excitement that we add someone of Lauren Wilbor’s caliber to the SEMA Government Affairs team,” said Karen Bailey-Chapman, SEMA’s senior vice president for public and government affairs. “Lauren brings a unique set of skills to grassroots organizing, and we’re excited to tap into her expertise to engage not just our members, but also the broader community of automotive enthusiasts, to affect change on the issues that matter most to their passions, whether restoring cars, racing them, or taking them offroad. Lauren’s ability to connect with people from across political, economic, and geographic divides, and unite them behind singular causes, will be a significant boost to the automotive aftermarket industry’s ability to maintain and grow its $337 billion annual economic impact on the U.S. economy.”
“I grew up around cars, and through my family have experienced first-hand the innovation and excitement that comes from the automotive aftermarket industry,” Wilbor said. “The best advocates bring with them an infectious energy and willingness to share their stories and perspectives, and that to me describes perfectly the outlook of those in the community of automotive enthusiasts with whom I’ll be meeting and supporting on a daily basis.”
Wilbor, a native of San Diego, holds a degree in political science from the University of Colorado Boulder.
METAIRIE, LA (01.06.24) – ORACLE Lighting has been proud to call New Orleans home for over 25 years, and our deep connection to this city’s vibrant culture and resilient spirit continues to inspire everything we do. New Orleans is more than where we do business; it is our home. We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that unfolded on New Year’s Day, and our hearts go out to the victims and their families during this difficult time.
In an effort to support those affected, ORACLE Lighting is dedicated to giving back to the community that has given us so much. On Friday, January 10, 2025, 100% of profits from all online orders placed on our website, oraclelights.com, will be donated to directly support the victims and their families through the United Way. Donations will help cover medical expenses, funeral costs, trauma counseling, and more. 100% of all donations will go directly to those impacted.
Additionally, throughout the entire month of January, customers can further support this effort by using the promo code ‘NOLA’ at checkout for any order placed on our website. All proceeds from these orders will also be donated directly to the victims and their families through the United Way.
“As a company born and raised in New Orleans, we feel a deep connection to this city and its people,” said Tiffanie Hartenstein, CEO of ORACLE Lighting. “During times of tragedy, it’s crucial that we come together to support one another. We’re proud to stand with our community and to contribute in any way we can.”
The strength and resilience of New Orleans have always been a source of inspiration. ORACLE Lighting is honored to play a part in supporting the recovery and healing process for those impacted by this tragedy. Together, we can make a difference.
For more information or to place an order, visit our website at www.oraclelights.com.
PHOENIX, AZ (01.06.24) – Orion Unveils the industry’s leading Lineup, giving installers a single solution for infinite design options
For installers, navigating the complexities seems never-ending. The process can be overwhelming, from sourcing the perfect mid-range sizes to selecting between 2-ohm and 4-ohm options and streamlining suppliers to ensure a harmoniously paired and balanced system. However, that’s all about to change.
Orion announced today the Ultimate lineup of Mid-Range solutions, from one manufacturer. Giving installers nine different sizes, both 2-ohm and 4-ohm all dynamically paired to provide the ultimate car audio design experience. Orion is now a one-stop solution for installers with this fully stocked assortment at its East and West coast warehouses.
The release of these versatile mid-ranges marks a pivotal moment for installers seeking to extract maximum power from their amplifiers and deliver an unparalleled audio experience that resonates – both in performance and quality.
Driven by the installer’s desire to achieve sonic excellence and the ability to fine-tune their systems to perfection, Orion’s Cobalt series offers a comprehensive selection of mid-range sizes, ensuring every facet of the sound profile can be tailored to suit individual preferences. Featuring sizes ranging from 6×9″, 5×7″, 6×8″, 10″, 8″, 6.5″, 5.25″, 4″, to 4×6″, and available in both 2ohm and 4ohm configurations, these mid-ranges provide a myriad of options for installers looking to craft soundscapes that are not only dynamic but also finely tuned.
Bill Turner, Orion’s Vice President of Dealer Success, emphasized the benefits of the new lineup saying, “With less resistance equating to more power, Orion grants installers the tools they need to maximize their design, whether aiming for a balanced audio output or a bass-heavy system. This release addresses a long-standing request from installers, and we are proud to deliver a solution that aligns with their aspirations and requirements.”
The comprehensive Cobalt mid-range lineup is now available for immediate shipment, enabling installers to elevate their audio installations and push the boundaries of car audio performance to new heights. Orion continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction by equipping installers with the flexibility and freedom to craft audio systems that not only meet but exceed expectations.
Retailers, ORION IS BACK.
“Don’t just take our word for it. Embark on a FREE test ride. Select up to $500 worth of Orion products, test them out for 60 days risk-free, and enjoy complimentary round-trip shipping on us,” says Bill Turner, Vice President of Dealer Success. “Contact us at family@orioncaraudio.com today to explore the world of Orion and take advantage of this unparalleled opportunity.”
From customers to competitors and every retailer in between, if you have a question, hit us up at Family@OrionCarAudio.com
PHOENIX, AZ (01.03.25) Orion is thrilled to announce its strategic partnership with A&W Distributors, a pioneering industry force since 1979, renowned for supplying top-tier brands to dealers, with a strong presence in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. According to Maher Awad, owner of A&W Distributors, “The passion for Orion within our market has always been robust. From installers to competitors, the timeless products are in high demand.”
Members of the A&W Team in front of the company’s HQ on Harry Hines Boulevard in Dallas, Texas.
Beyond mere distribution, A&W maintains a symbiotic relationship with its authorized dealers, providing a quality experience that perfectly aligns with Orion’s mission to support and foster independent specialty retailers across the United States.
Bill Turner, Orion’s Vice President of Dealer Success, emphasized, “Our focus is to expand the Orion family while ensuring exceptional support. A&W’s team consistently goes the extra mile, and we are proud to forge this partnership.”
A&W Distributors will now offer the complete line of Orion Car Audio, including amplifiers, speakers, woofers, and cabling accessories. Kane Naghwai, Sales & Purchasing Manager at A&W Distributors, highlighted, “Orion’s beauty lies in their diverse solutions catering to every price point, from the entry-level Cobalt series to the competition-grade HCCA and the American-made NT Amplifiers. No matter the customer walking into our dealers’ doors, Orion has the perfect solution.”
Retailers, ORION IS BACK. Don’t just take our word for it. Embark on a FREE test ride. Select up to $500 worth of Orion products, test them out for 60 days risk-free, and enjoy complimentary round-trip shipping on us,” says Bill Turner, Vice President of Dealer Success. “Contact us at family@orioncaraudio.com today to explore the world of Orion and take advantage of this unparalleled opportunity.”
From customers to competitors and every retailer in between, if you have a question, hit us up at Family@OrionCarAudio.com
About Orion Car Audio
As pioneers in the car audio industry, Orion Car Audio has a rich heritage dating back to its establishment in 1984. The brand is known for its commitment to excellence, delivering high-quality and powerful audio solutions for car enthusiasts. Orion Car Audio is dedicated to fostering the growth of American-made products and supporting independent specialty retailers.
Flower Mound, TX– January 2, 2025 – Uniden America is proud to announce its partnership with Specialty Marketing, a leading distributor in the 12v industry, to serve as the exclusive East Coast distribution partner for Uniden’s innovative portfolio of 12v products. This collaboration strengthens Uniden’s commitment to providing its retail partners with best-in-class radar detection and laser protection systems, tailored specifically for the 12v channel.
Specialty Marketing’s expertise in distribution and deep understanding of the automotive aftermarket make them an ideal partner to help expand Uniden’s reach and support dealers across the East Coast. Their reputation for exceptional service and product knowledge aligns perfectly with Uniden’s mission to deliver cutting-edge solutions and world-class support to its partners.
Ray Woolf, Director of Specialty Radar Sales for Uniden, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership: “Specialty Marketing’s reputation for excellence and their dedication to empowering dealers aligns perfectly with our vision for the 12v industry. We are excited to work alongside their talented team to strengthen Uniden’s presence on the East Coast and ensure our partners have the tools they need to succeed. This partnership reflects our commitment to providing unparalleled support to our dealer network.”
12VOLT CENTRAL STUDIOS (12.23.24) – The In-Store Experience is more important than ever to drive brick and retail sales. Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions totally overshadowed Small Business Saturday. The ever growing AI universe is adding to the problems on the horizon for all categories of brick and mortar retailers sales across the board.
Independent brick and mortal 12volt, along with A/V, retailers have a huge Ace in-the-hole…the In-Store Experience of demonstrating top quality sound with orchestrated in-store live demonstrations with consumers in their showrooms.
The new A/V showroom is the ideal setting for the ultimate in-store listening experience.
The 12volt demo area also offers a variety of top listening experiences.
Armando’s Sound in Niles IL highlights the 12volt category with displays for live demos.
Live music enthusiasts have been spending billions of dollars to see Taylor Swift and Beyonce concerts. Proactive12volt retailers can take those concerts to consumers vehicles without all the crowd aggravation for just a few hours. Plus their happy customers can continue enjoying their favorite artist’s concerts for free and in a much better concert hall… their vehicles!
To play that Ace in-the-hole retailers must be proactive to connect with consumers in their communities. Their showrooms must be setup to make those live demonstrations. Sales staffs must be ready to engage consumers with a solid sales presentation as they greet consumers entering their stores. Sales staff looking up from their smartphone behind the sales counter and saying “Need anything today?” is definitely a F minus.
Party City announced they were closing 850 stores across the US.… The party is over.
The party is over at Party City as the company announced the closing of 850 stores last Friday… BIG LOTS too. TGIF, Red Lobster, Walgreens, CVS, Express Mens and others have recently been in the news with store closing announcements. None on these companies had the in-store listening experience opportunities 12volt and A/V retailers have for consumers.
Offering expert installation is a second ACE in-the-hole tool proactive 12volt and A/V brick and mortar retailers have to be successful is this ever changing retail landscape.
Jonathon Schahrer’s Sound Works in Norfolk, NE offers a broad in-store exclusive for area consumers.
The desire to engage with consumers in-person demonstrations, in this ever-growing cyber and AI world, is the key card to driving retail sales in the brick and mortar retail environment.
Stay tuned as the 12volt Central Staff continues to showcase positives across the 12volt industry.
NEW YORK, NY (12.23.24) – SiriusXM will carry live play-by-play of every Division I FBS bowl game this postseason – including every game from the highly-anticipated 12-team College Football Playoff – as well as the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) National Championship game and other postseason All-Star games.
SiriusXM listeners can tune in to all these games in their cars and on the SiriusXM app. A schedule of postseason games – beginning December 14 – and their SiriusXM channel assignments can be found at: SiriusXM.com/Sports.
SiriusXM’s schedule will include every game from this year’s new 12-team expanded College Football Playoff, which will play out in four rounds: the first round games on Dec. 20-21, the Quarterfinals played in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31 and the Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl games on Jan. 1, the Semifinal matchups in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 9 and Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10, and ultimately the winner being crowned in the National Championship Game in Atlanta on Jan. 20.
The 12 teams in the College Football Playoff are Oregon, Georgia, Boise St., Arizona St., Texas, Penn St., Notre Dame, Ohio St., Tennessee, Indiana, SMU and Clemson.
In addition to the CFP games, SiriusXM will also air 36 other Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) bowl games, from the Celebration Bowl on Dec. 14 to the Bahamas Bowl on Jan. 4, and every game in between.
SiriusXM will carry Westwood One’s broadcast of the FCS Football Championship on January 6. SiriusXM will also air other postseason All-Star football games, including the East-West Shrine Bowl (Jan. 30), the Reese’s Senior Bowl (Feb. 1), the HBCU Legacy Bowl (Feb. 22) and the All-American Bowl, which will be played by the best high school players from around the country (Jan. 11).
Special pre- and post-game programming will air on these channels around the College Football Playoffs Quarterfinals, Semifinals and National Championship games. SiriusXM hosts broadcasting from game locations will include former coaches and players Rick Neuheisel, Jacob Hester, EJ Manuel, Roddy Jones and Ben Hartsock along with college sports experts Nicole Auerbach and Chris Childers.
This postseason, SiriusXM will carry the official radio broadcasts for many of the schools playing in Division I FBS bowl games through its agreements with LEARFIELD, Legends, Playfly, Van Wagner or individual universities. Twenty-five of the bowl game broadcasts – including the College Football Playoff games – are produced and provided by ESPN Radio or an affiliate. Other national broadcasts are provided by Bowl Season Radio and Touchdown Radio.
KNOXVILLE, TN (12.19.24) – The Performance & Racing Industry Show 2024 is known as the source of motorsports trends, merchandising ideas, new products, business strategies and more. The PRI Show hosts over 1,000 companies, and we stood out in a big way. As the leader of technology in the 12-volt, 14-volt, and 16-volt energy storage space, we debuted professional racer Bryant Goldstone’s brand-new Drag & Drive 1953 Corvette. This car was painted to match his existing XS Powered AMC Javelin, but his Corvette will host a plethora of upgrades over the Javelin.
Powered by our 14-Volt Titan8 PWR-S6, Bryant will be using all 1500 cranking amps to spin over his Steve Morris Engines SMX billet big block. The SMX is known to make well over 4,000hp with ease, and is a proven engine to go fast. Bryant was no stranger to us, as we’ve worked with him for years on different projects throughout his racing career. Bryant made the switch to a 14v system after seeing how well his fueling components worked at a higher voltage and was a no brainer when building this car. The battery is conveniently and tightly packed behind the passenger seat, and the wiring job was neatly and efficiently done to make sure there were no issues with current flow to his engine or components.
This car will compete in many Drag and Drive events in 2025, and the sport has gained popularity over the past couple of years. Drag & Drive encompasses the true meaning of a street car; not only do you have to make a fast pass down the track, but you also have to be able to do some miles on the street, hence the term Drag and Drive. With any fast car, getting more power to your components is key, and our Titan8 products deliver with ease the current needed for high performance fuel pumps, injectors, and so on.
On display, we had a huge array of our offerings. On the main table of our booth, we showcased our tried-and-true D3400 next to our Titan8 PWR-S5-3400. Those options side by side show a true comparison of the performance of our 12v Titan8 line of products, with the performance and weight savings being the biggest proponents in comparison. While the D3400 has more reserve capacity, we have something on the horizon we’ll be adding to our Titan8 lineup soon that will dwarf our D3400 in comparison.
Down the line we had our modular Titan8 PWR-S5 for those wanting to save some weight, next to our 14v modular Titan8 RSV-S6. For us, it was easy to show the difference between our modular 12v and 14v Titan8’s, and being able to show the difference between our Power-Series and Reserve-Series.
Included in our main display was our 16-volt options- Our S1600, D1600 and Titan8 RSV-S7-1600. Before Titan8’s inception, our S1600 was the option for light weight 16-volt performance, with our D1600 being the king of 16-volt batteries. With that being said, our Titan8 RSV-S7-1600 was the real star of the show (pictured in the middle). For the past couple of years, our RSV-S7-1600 has been picked up and used by some of the fastest drag racers with one goal in mind- to save weight and go faster. With almost identical performance to our D1600 at a fraction of the weight, RSV-S7-1600 surprised many this year given the performance, warranty length, and real-world results.
Included in our main display was our 16-volt options- Our S1600, D1600 and Titan8 RSV-S7-1600. Before Titan8’s inception, our S1600 was the option for light weight 16-volt performance, with our D1600 being the king of 16-volt batteries. With that being said, our Titan8 RSV-S7-1600 was the real star of the show (pictured in the middle). For the past couple of years, our RSV-S7-1600 has been picked up and used by some of the fastest drag racers with one goal in mind- to save weight and go faster. With almost identical performance to our D1600 at a fraction of the weight, RSV-S7-1600 surprised many this year given the performance, warranty length, and real-world results.
Also on display was our tried and true chargers: Our 1004 16-volt charger and our 1005 12/14/16-volt charger. Our 1005 is much more popular, as it can charge any 12-volt, 14-volt, and 16-volt AGM or Titan8 battery.
Last but never least, had our D925 and S1200 AGM batteries on display, as they are extremely popular sizes in race applications.
Overall, PRI 2024 was a huge success for XS Power Batteries, as we continue to push the boundaries of battery technology. We’ll see you all at PRI 2025!
LOS ANGELES, CA (12.19.24) – Massive Audio is proud to announce the launch of its latest products line, the Hippo Series High-Performance Amplifiers, engineered to perfectly complement its acclaimed Hippo Series Subwoofers. These amplifiers set a new benchmark in audio performance by delivering outstanding power, stability, and sound quality tailored to the needs of discerning car audio enthusiasts.
Designed and engineered by Massive Audio’s owner, Mr. Madani, who brings over 25 years of expertise in the audio industry, the Hippo Series Amplifiers are built to excel in demanding conditions. Featuring exceptional stability under low-impedance speaker loads, these amplifiers ensure reliable power output while maintaining pristine sound quality.
John Velez, Massive Audio Sales Manager, shows the new H5000 High-Performance Amplifier spotlighting Massive Audio’s latest innovation in power and sound quality.
Key Features of the Hippo Series Amplifiers:
Unparalleled Stability: Delivers flawless performance even under low-impedance speaker loads.
Audiophile-Grade Sound: Produces precise, distortion-free audio for an unmatched listening experience.
Exceptional Durability: Constructed with premium components for long-lasting, dependable performance.
Optimized Compatibility: Specially designed to enhance the performance of Hippo Series Subwoofers, offering a seamless audio solution.
“The Hippo Series Amplifiers exemplify our dedication to providing state-of-the-art audio solutions,” said John Velez, Sales Manager at Massive Audio. “With their exceptional stability, durability, and sound quality, these amplifiers pair perfectly with our Hippo Series Subwoofers, creating a listening experience that goes above and beyond expectations.”
The Hippo Series High-Performance Amplifiers are now available through Massive Audio’s network of authorized dealers and distributors worldwide, as well as on the company’s website. For more information, visit www.massiveaudio.com, or contact John Velez directly at jvelez@massiveaudio.com or by phone at +1 (626) 523-8954.
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