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.
LAS VEGAS, NV (02.17.26) – Diamond Audio, the industry leader in high-performance motorcycle audio, proudly announced the debut of its groundbreaking 8×12″ Cut-In Lid Kit designed specifically for 2024 and newer Harley-Davidson touring models. Unveiled at KnowledgeFest Las Vegas, this kit represents a massive leap forward in output and integration for the new generation of Harley saddlebags.
The largest cone area meets precision engineering for the Ultimate Bagger Audio Experience.
At the heart of this innovation is a Patent Pending design (US Provisional Patent Application No.: 63/951,910) that utilizes a massive 8″x12″ HMXFB Series speaker. By opting for this unique oval format, Diamond Audio provides riders with the largest possible cone area for maximum sound pressure levels while strategically retaining usable storage space within the saddlebag—a feat previously thought impossible with drivers of this scale.
The large Cerwin Vega/Diamond Audio booth was a stand out on the show floor.
“On Day 2 at KnowledgeFest Nathan Larson, Director of Powersports, gave an in depth presentation on the show floor in the Cerwin Vega/Diamond Audio booth. The presentation covered the huge commitment for new products for both the Cerwin Vega and Diamond Audio brands in the Side-x-Side Market with over 160 new products combined in just this category” John Catalano, Director Product Development and Controlled Chaos, related.
Contunuing “Following Nathan’s well attended and very informative presentation we spent over 20 minutes fielding questions including inquiries about the new stuff. We just wish it was already in stock. Beginning in March-May we will see all the new products in inventory.”
Nathan Larson opens the training Day 2.
The kit features the all-new HMXFB 2-way speakers, engineered for the harsh environment of the open road: Carbon Fiber Cone: Delivers intense impact and lightning-fast transient response.
1.5″ Compression Loaded Titanium Tweeter: Provides crisp, musical high-frequency detail and increased output to cut through wind and exhaust noise.
Neodymium Motor: A high-energy magnet structure that offers immense power handling while significantly reducing weight. Fiber-Reinforced Basket: Ensures rigid stiffness and durability without the bulk of traditional cast baskets. Rugged, Reliable Engineering
Following the presentation, Nathan Larson was taking questions for over 20 minutes.
The Diamond Audio demo bike was loaded with power.
The Lid Kit is built for the long haul, featuring brass inserts to ensure the inner gasket and outer housing maintain a perfect, reliable, and water-tight fit. For riders seeking the absolute maximum in low-end punch, Diamond Audio is also offering an optional tunable port kit to further enhance bass impact and overall output.
“With the 2024+ Harley platform, we didn’t just want to make another speaker kit; we wanted to dominate the space. By utilizing the 8″x12″ format and our patent-pending housing, we are giving riders more air movement and more volume than anything else on the market, all while keeping their bags functional” Catalano concluded.
Availability: The Diamond Audio 2024+ Harley Cut-In Lid Kit is scheduled to begin shipping in April 2026.
METAIRIE, LA (02.17.26) – ORACLE Lighting is proud to announce the launch of its latest innovation for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter owners: the all-new Dual In-Dash Switch Pod engineered specifically for the 2018+ W907/W910 Sprinter platform. This OEM-style solution seamlessly integrates dual accessory controls into the vehicle’s dashboard, delivering professional fit, refined aesthetics, and intuitive functionality designed for modern adventure van builds, professional fleets, and custom conversions.
With demand accelerating for clean, efficient accessory control systems that preserve factory interior quality, ORACLE Lighting’s Dual In-Dash Switch Pod answers the call. This precision-molded pod installs directly into the Sprinter’s original dash switch location without modification, offering a finished look that blends with the vehicle’s interior architecture.
“We designed this switch pod to deliver both form and functionality for Sprinter owners who want accessory control without compromising the dashboard’s factory look,” said an ORACLE Lighting spokesperson. “Whether you’re outfitting a campervan, overland rig, or work van, this solution provides intuitive access to your 12V accessories with OEM-quality styling.”
Key Features and Benefits
Factory-Integrated Design: Precision-engineered for the 2018+ Mercedes-Benz Sprinter W907/W910 to install seamlessly in the OEM dash location — no cutting or custom trimming required.
Dual Accessory Control: Two dedicated switches allow independent operation of 12V accessories such as LED lighting, compressors, fridges, and more.
Universal 12V Compatibility: Ideal for a range of aftermarket 12V accessories, providing flexible electrical control in a compact, integrated package.
Straightforward Installation: Snap-in mount with detachable wiring ensures serviceability and tidy wiring management.
This dual switch pod enables Sprinter owners to centralize electrical accessory controls in the most ergonomic and visually-cohesive way possible, preserving both the interior’s refined aesthetic and practical utility.
Availability: The ORACLE Lighting Dual In-Dash Switch Pod is currently available for pre-order exclusively through ORACLE Lighting’s online store.
For detailed product information, installation guidance, and high-resolution images, visit www.oraclelights.com.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 16, 2026) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is celebrating the Trump Administration’s decision to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding and Greenhouse Gas Vehicle Standards, dubious policy positions that empowered regulators at the federal and state levels to override consumer choices on vehicles. Among those abuses were federal- and state-led efforts to ban internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and impose nationwide electric vehicle (EV) mandates.
By following through with its intent to repeal the GHG endangerment finding, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is unleashing innovation in a significant segment of the automotive aftermarket industry that is entirely dependent on ICE technology. That segment, which has a $100 billion annual economic impact and employs more than 330,000 Americans, is now free to rely on free-market solutions to our emissions challenges.
“This is a tremendous decision by the EPA to course-correct after nearly two decades of abuses by previous administrations at the federal and state levels, and instead return sanity to our nation’s environmental policies,” said SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola. “It was with great trepidation that SEMA watched our nation’s leaders demonize and ban the very motor vehicles that serve as the bedrock upon which the American people – families, small businesses, and automotive enthusiasts – rely to live their best, most prosperous lives. It was even more infuriating to watch these policymakers brazenly justify their actions with a dubious policy position that now rightly goes away, to be replaced with a common-sense, free-market view of what drives our nation’s prosperity.”
BACKGROUND
The EPA’s decision will directly impact federal new car requirements and does not impact existing emissions laws established by the Clean Air Act. Instead, it will ensure that automakers produce vehicles driven by consumer demand, rather than greenhouse gas limits, that latter of which has significantly influenced the models of vehicles available to the American people since 2009. This policy shift will directly impact the range of new vehicle choices that exist in the coming years.
In comments responding to the EPA’s rulemaking for Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2025–0194 — Reconsideration of the 2009 Endangerment Finding and Greenhouse Gas Vehicle Standards, SEMA identified economic and cultural considerations for re-establishing a foundation of vehicle choice in the U.S. automotive market, which, because of recent GHG emissions policies, have experienced an erosion of affordability and innovation.
SEMA and its 7,000 member businesses are the heart of the U.S. automotive aftermarket industry, which annually contributes more than $337 billion to the U.S. economy and supports more than 1.3 million American jobs.
Most of the businesses that make up the aftermarket are small businesses, but there is nothing small about the innovation and ingenuity they show every day. The products that aftermarket businesses manufacture, sell, and distribute to automotive enthusiasts worldwide are a testament to our nation’s engineering superiority.
The SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the largest trade show in North America, with 160,000 attendees expected, annually includes the centerpiece “FutureTech Studio” activation, where the organization showcases different propulsion technologies, including EV, hybrid, hydrogen, alternative fuels, and other technological advancements that represent the “what’s next, what’s possible” of the American automotive industry.
SEMA is not anti-EV, nor will it ever be. Rather, SEMA is passionate about protecting the freedom of businesses to deliver the next groundbreaking product, and the American consumer’s freedom to choose whether that product fits their needs and lifestyle. Such innovation can only be delivered through technology-neutral government policy and by allowing the marketplace to drive demand for these products.
ORANGE CITY, FL (02.13.26) – On Tuesday, January 9th, PowerBass was on the road in Florida heading for a stop at LESCO Distributing in Orange City. Jeff Falk, National Sales Manager, and Territory rep Nelson Pierantoni, Tri-Srar Marketing were set for a day covering new products and a conduct a training session with the LESCO Team.
Jeff Falk (L) and Nelson Pierantoni at the Buc-cees stop.
Their first stop was for fuel at Buc-cees and this was Nelson‘s first experience at the well-known truck stop chain. ‘He said it was incredible and he has now become Buc-ceeatized and is hooked on the Beaver Nuggets,’’ Falk commented.
Once they got to the LESCO location Scott Austin -Sales Manager had everything set to go and the meeting got underway.
The training session underway with Scott Austin on the right.
New products were covered with individual images on the screen.
In the meeting room, Jeff Falk led the presentation for the 7 staff members and used a monitor to highlight the products covered. Scott Austin commented, “The 2026 new products for Teslas, Proaudio, new PowerBass Marine Amps and marine products will be hot sellers for LESCO to supply to our dealers in the territory.”
LESCO and PowerBass have been business partners for many years and has earned several PowerBass distributor awards through the years.
LESCO has branches in Sound Bend IN, Carrollton TX and Miami FL in addition to Orange City.
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