SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA (10.16.24) – The Remote Starter season is on the near horizon and the 4-City Compustar Training Series, hosted by Scott Bauhgman and Brent Fujii with Reliable Product Marketing, will prepare dealers in the NorCal area to maximize sales in the coming months. Make your plans to attend. Please see all the details following below.

Ladies and gentlemen it is training time.
October 21st to 24th

Reliable Product Marketing will be hosting 4 nights of food, fun and freebies…. Oh and KNOWLEDGE!

We will be going over ALL THINGS My Firstech so this training is for the entire store!
Learn about new products like
New Compustar PRO Program and Products
Momento’s XC Updates and tech tricks!
New Maestro AR applications as well as new dash kits…
New Idata link remote start solutions
and much much more!
You will also learn the latest install tips and tricks straight from the MyFirstech training centers in Washington and Texas

We are holding 4 trainings
All trainings are 6:00 to 9 pm

We ask that you PLEASE plan to attend! Schedule light that afternoon and plan on closing early so you can be there on time. Trainings are an important part of our industry and if you don’t support them our vendors will stop supporting you.

Monday October 21st
Fresno, CA
Black Bear Diner

Tuesday October 22nd
Walnut Creek, CA
Black Bear Diner

Wednesday October 23rd
Sacramento/Natomas, CA
Black Bear Diner

Thursday October 24th
Milpitas, CA
Black Bear Diner

Space is limited. Please plan to attend!

For more information and to RSVP, click here.

LIBERTYVILLE, IL (10.16.24) – Transform your Jeep Wrangler JK into a high-performance audio machine with Jeep JK Tuned Audio. Delivering more detail in volume, cleaner playback within every beat, and ready to take on the adventure ahead — hear any song come alive in your Jeep Wrangler JK vehicle.

Whether you’re cruising the open road or tackling rugged trails, Jeep Wrangler JK Tuned Audio delivers unmatched clarity, powerful bass, and immersive listening sessions tailored to your Jeep JK vehicle. Specifically engineered for 2007-2018 Wrangler JK models, MB Quart JK Tuned vehicle kits create concert-quality sound to your off-road journey that will make you crave more.

The MBQJK-STG2AH-1 is an 800-watt STAGE 2 Jeep Wrangler JK Tuned two-speaker audio system upgrade. Included in this STAGE 2 Wrangler JK kit are two 6.5-inch drivers, two 1-inch Titanium dome drivers, and two 400-watt Class-D amplifiers.

Delivering incredible levels of audio gains and playback to your Jeep Wrangler JK vehicle (2007-2018 models) – the MBQJK-STG2AH-1 STAGE 2 Kit still requires an aftermarket source unit and rear speakers/soundbar.

Innovated in a black and clean finish to blend in with the interior of every Jeep Wrangler JK vehicle, the front speakers feature a shallow lightweight frame design for maximum airspace creating steady and clean playback.

The STAGE 2 Jeep Wrangler JK Kit is prewired and has additional space on the amplifier bracket to easily add a tailgate-mounted subwoofer system (MBQJL-302 – see below). Plug & Play OEM-style installation that’s easy and simple!

Learn more HERE on the MBQJK-STG2AH-1 800-watt STAGE 2 Jeep Wrangler JK Tuned Audio System.

Jeep Wrangler JK Tuned Rear Soundbars feature 8-inch Coaxial speakers within an enclosure that deliver deeper details into every song. Choose from either the MBQJK-28CRGB (RGB LED lighting included) Tuned Rear Soundbar, MBQJK-28C (no RGB LED lighting included) Tuned Rear Soundbar, or MBQJK-28E (just enclosure) Rear Soundbar Enclosure. Infuse your Wrangler JK vehicle with higher detail!

The speakers feature tweeters innovated with 1-inch pure Titanium domes and carry a crossover of 12db high-pass and a frequency response of 25Hz-22KHz. With easy and simple Plug & Play OEM-style installation – enjoy dynamic levels of overhead audio creating LOUD and clean sound.

Learn more HERE on the MBQJK-28CRGB Rear Overhead Soundbar, HERE for the MBQJK-28C Rear Overhead Soundbar, or HERE for the MBQJK-28E Rear Overhead Soundbar Enclosure.

The MBQJL-302 Jeep JL/JK Tailgate Subwoofer System brings BASS GAINS and is purposely engineered for Jeep Wrangler JL (2018 — Current models) AND Jeep Wrangler JK (2007-2018 models). This subwoofer features a MASSIVE 12 inches of bass with an application-specific long-throw High Output design. Wired at 2-Ohm, embrace 400 watts of high-efficiency power with an included water-resistant full-range Class-D amplifier.

Learn more HERE about the MBQJL-302 Jeep Wrangler JL/JK Tailgate Subwoofer System.

PHOENIX, AZ (10.15.24) – Orion Car Audio is thrilled to unveil the latest addition to its product lineup, the Orion XTRPRO subwoofers, now available for shipping from both its east and west coast warehouse facilities.

Vice President of Dealer Success Bill Turner expressed his excitement for the new release, stating, “The Orion XTRPRO subwoofers have been meticulously designed to redefine the audio experience for car enthusiasts and music lovers alike. We are proud to offer a product that delivers unparalleled bass performance and precision engineering.”

“With the XTRPRO Subwoofers, customers can expect a transformative audio experience that elevates every beat to new heights,” notes Bill Turner, Vice President of Dealer Success at Orion.

Designed for durability and peak performance, these subwoofers are the ideal upgrade for any car audio system, whether you’re a dedicated bass-head or a discerning audiophile.

To sweeten the deal, Orion is offering an exclusive promotion to retailers in the form of $500 worth of FREE Orion point-of-purchase materials for dealers who sign up this year. This comprehensive offer includes a range of promotional items such as shirts, banners, and displays, providing retailers with the tools they need to showcase the Orion XTRPRO subwoofers effectively.

Experience the exceptional power and performance of the Orion XTRPRO subwoofers today and elevate your car audio system to new heights with Orion Car Audio.

Contact family@orioncaraudio.com today to place your opening order and for complete program details. Ask about our exclusive Inventory Swap Program to upgrade your inventory seamlessly and our 60-day free test ride program.

From customers to competitors and every retailer in between, if you have a question, hit us up at Family@OrionCarAudio.com

POMPANO BEACH, FL (10.15.24) – Brendan here with ZZ2 tech team and I’m here to answer your most frequently asked questions.

YES! Winter is here, and so is the need for added safety on the roads.Whether you’re plowing through snow or navigating winter’s challenging conditions, ZWAGZ is here to help keep you visible and safe.
With our newly designed Plow Mode, your headlights will flash at a slower rate, helping to reduce load on your plow lights while keeping your vehicle highly visible. Plow Mode disables both high and low beams from flashing to avoid any stress on the plow light, ensuring your lighting system is functioning optimally while protecting visibility.

Key Benefits:

• Slows down the flashing pattern for better control.
• Disables high and low beams, reducing load on plow lights.
• Enhances visibility and safety for your vehicle in challenging weather conditions.
• Don’t let the snow slow you down this season! Equip your truck with ZWAGZ Plow Mode and enjoy a safer winter driving experience.

Want to learn more? Click here to explore our latest updates and make sure your vehicle is winter-ready!

We have a full team ready to go to answer all your questions. You can email us or directly message us. We’ll be able to get back to you ASAP!

Let us know if you would like to see any videos of most common FAQ’s you may have!

Click here to shop now.

NASHVILLE, TN (10.14.24) – The Mobile Electronics Certified Professional Program (MECP) understands the wide range of effects a catastrophic natural disaster or event can cause, from damage from wind, flooding, and excessive rain and moisture to business loss from consumers whose priorities shift from nice-to-have accessories to required food, shelter, and medical supplies.

The recovery and rebuilding process also has several phases, which can be complicated for business owners trying to navigate their businesses through the catastrophe, manage employees, and formulate a strategy to rebound.

MECP is offering free certification courses and exams to help those who are safe but waiting for their business or suppliers to reopen. We aim to keep you and your employees productive and engaged in job-related activities, even if they cannot be at the store. This support can be part of your strategy to reopen with a more efficient staff, demonstrating your commitment to serving your recovering customers more effectively.

You are eligible for this support if you work in or manage a store, distributor, or fleet technician team from Cedar Key through Ormond Beach on the Northern end and from Marco Island through Miami on the Southern end. We value your contribution to the industry and are here to assist you. Requests should be made by December 15^th, 2024. You can request our assistance here: https://bit.ly/MECPhurricanemilton 

Free course/renewal options include:

• MECP Product Technology Specialist (1-year)
• MECP Apprentice Installation Technician (1-year)
• MECP Skilled Installation Technician (1-year)
• MECP Autosound Specialist (1-year)
• MECP Security & Convenience Specialist (1-year)
• MECP Light Duty Fleet Services Specialist (1-year)

MECP has its Admin staff on standby to temporarily deactivate store locations in the Technician Finder Tool upon request by the Company Admin or to create your store location and link employees if necessary. Adjustment or linking requests can be made by emailing administrator@mecp.com. 

All MECP courses and exams are available online and are easily accessible on any phone, tablet, or computer that has Internet access. It works great even on hotel, airplane, STARLINK, and mobile hotspot WiFi, so being removed from your normal area or connections should not impact your ability to access the content.

For more information, visit the website or contact the MECP team at mecp@mecp.com.

COMMERCE, CA (10.14.24) – The AM3 is an add-on to the ALUMA SERIES Speaker set. The high-quality custom 3″ Mid-Range Component Speakers are created with a very sophisticated Italian design by engineers from Zucattii™ and Massive Audio.

These products are for a new generation of music with more content that requires more drivers to spread out the increased bandwidth for more accurate audio reproduction. Don’t miss a beat or get caught up listening to limp sound.

The AM3 features True Aluminum cone for increased thermal power handling and pinpoint accuracy plus Chrome Aluminum cast bast to prevent eddies, torque, and unwanted distortion. The Neodymium high-power magnet delivers the fastest possible transient response.

More Massive Audio/Zucattii™ collaboration products will be unveiling soon at SEMA 2024 Las Vegas in North Hall Booth 10321.

Massive Value. Massive Performance. Get Massive.

Visit massiveaudio.com for more.

MISSISSAUGA, ON (10.04.24) – JVCKENWOOD Canada (JKCA) is pleased to announce Dave MacKinnon as Ontario Sales Representative for the Mobility & Telematics Division, serving JVC and KENWOOD car audio dealers across Ontario. 

With an extensive background in installation, technical support, sales, and product development, Dave has also published over 1,000 articles reviewing car audio products and technologies. He is well-known and well-respected in the industry and will be an asset to the JVCKENWOOD Canada team. 

“Dave MacKinnon is considered a Car Audio Guru in Canada and beyond,” said Glen Swackhamer, Vice President, Mobility & Telematics Division at JVCKENWOOD Canada Inc. “He is an incredible addition to our team and will be a key component for future growth of the JVCKENWOOD Automotive Sector.” 

Dave MacKinnon will be stepping into the position currently held by Dan Berry, the long-time Ontario Region Sales Representative, who is set to retire. To ensure a seamless transition, there will be a period of overlap between the two. 

Visit www.ca.jvckenwood.com for more.

FORT SMITH, AR (10.04.24) – Driven Distribution, LLC (“Driven Distribution”), a warehouse distributor of automotive aftermarket hard parts, consumables, and accessories backed by HCI Equity Partners (“HCI”) announced that it has acquired the auto parts and accessories distribution business of Chicago Parts & Sound (“CPS” or the “Company”). Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. This transaction marks the second transaction in the Driven Distribution platform, following the recapitalization of Tri-State Enterprises, Inc. (“Tri-State”) in November 2023. 

Based in Elk Grove Village, IL, with additional locations in Illinois and Wisconsin, Chicago Parts & Sound is a warehouse distributor focused on automotive aftermarket parts, batteries, consumables, and accessories. The Company serves auto dealerships, independent repair shops, municipalities / governments, and company fleets. 

Chicago Parts & Sound was founded in 1978 and acquired by Bob and Jackie Lederer in 2002. Since then, CPS has had a tremendous track record of success built by providing excellent, value-added products and services to its clients in addition to completing several acquisitions. Bob and Jackie are reinvesting in the Driven Distribution platform as part of the transaction and will separately continue to own and operate Police Department Systems (police and emergency vehicle upfitting services) and Coachcraft & Precision Services (specialty auto restoration services). 

Bob Lederer, Co-Owner of CPS, said, “the history of Tri-State Enterprises is in many ways parallel to that of CPS – just in a different part of the country. Opportunities to combine businesses of such similar backgrounds, ideologies, culture, and customer focus make tremendous sense for all stakeholders in each company.” 

“We are extremely impressed with the stellar business and established market reputation Bob and Jackie Lederer have built over the past 22 years. The combination of CPS and Tri-State as part of the Driven Distribution platform will enable us to expand our resources and capabilities to better serve our employees and customers,” said Tristan Taylor, CEO of Tri-State. 

Scott Gibaratz, Partner at HCI, said “we are thrilled to welcome the CPS team to the Driven Distribution platform. Consistent with our original platform thesis, CPS represents a geographically strategic beachhead in the Midwest and is a great complement to Tri-State’s existing product categories. We look forward to working together to achieve our shared vision for growth.” 

Dickinson Wright PLLC served as legal counsel to Driven Distribution and HCI. 

Visit www.etristate.com and www.hciequity.com for more.

OLATHE, KS (10.03.24) – Garmin (NYSE: GRMN), the world’s most innovative and recognized marine electronics manufacturer, today announced the new Fusion Apollo™ Marine Speakers and Subwoofers that merge crystal-clear, premium sound quality with enhanced visual features. For a superior onboard entertainment experience, the Apollo speakers and subwoofers boast dual-hue LED lighting rings and easily interchangeable grilles to match any boat’s design.

“We’re excited to expand our award-winning Apollo series with new speakers and subwoofers that allow boaters to hear their music louder and clearer than ever before. Blending style and substance, the Apollo series has been redesigned to offer an exceptional audio experience with an attractive new look and feel that’s easy to customize and install.” –Dan Bartel, Garmin Vice President of Global Consumer Sales Audio excellence

Garmin is on site at the IBEX Show in Tampa… Booth 3-2019

The Apollo speakers and subwoofers are engineered to produce premium and engaging audio at higher volumes, thanks to an updated motor design and a new composite material. The coaxial speakers deliver high-fidelity sound throughout the audio curve, while the subwoofers bring crystal-clear premium bass to boaters who want to feel their music.

For superior performance, users can easily integrate their Apollo speakers and subwoofers with Fusion stereos and amplifiers (sold separately) to experience the maximum listening volume with minimal distortion. Fusion products are designed to work together as an optimized ecosystem and can be controlled from a compatible Garmin smartwatch or smartphone using the Fusion Audio App.

Combinations to fit any style

The Apollo series stands out from other speakers and subwoofers on the market with removable grilles, dual-hue LED lighting rings and a distinct hexagonal-shaped tweeter that provides a sleek, unique-looking sound source. Boaters can customize the look with easily interchangeable grilles offered in sports white or sports gray, or the optional shielded white or shielded gray (sold separately). The grilles are easy to install and have a seamless finish without visible screws.

With new dual LED lighting rings, the Apollo speakers and subwoofers provide users with an extraordinary spectrum of color – from soft pastels to vibrant hues – to match their mood or music. Accent lighting is bright yet elegant and understated with support for traditional red, green and blue LEDs in addition to cool white or warm white. Integrate with the Garmin Spectra™ LED control modules for full LED illumination control from a compatible Garmin chartplotter or the ActiveCaptain app on a smartphone.

The Apollo series includes a variety of size options that suit the needs of any boat type, with the coaxial marine speakers available in 6.5”, 7.7” and 8.8” models and the premium marine subwoofers available in 10” and 12” designs.

Superior marinized durability

Engineered to perform year after year, the Apollo series speakers and subwoofers are rated to IP66 and IP67 for dust and water protection, with ISO12216 compliance in pressure and water tightness tests. They’re built to withstand dust, salt fog, temperature, vibration and UV rays, giving boaters confidence that their speakers and subwoofers will stand the test of time. The full range also includes a 3-year consumer warranty.

All Apollo series speakers and subwoofers utilize new embedded plug-and-play, water-resistant connectors that meet industry standards (ABYC) for simplified aftermarket and OEM installation and enhanced protection against the elements.

The Fusion Apollo speakers and subwoofers have suggested retail prices ranging from $549.99 to $949.99. Visit garmin.com/fusion to learn more about the Apollo series and its seamless integration with Garmin marine electronics.

This article originated from garmin.com.

CORAL SPRINGS, FL (10.03.24) – NAV-TV’s aftermarket division (brand and assets) has been purchased and the company will continue offering its customers the same outstanding support, service and product quality it has always been known for. Development of exciting new products has picked up right where they left off. General manager of mObridge, Fraser Ryan will be managing the NAV-TV brand going forward.

NAV-TV Corp CEO Moni Melman said “The NAV-TV brand has been synonymous with cutting edge infotainment integration since its very early days 25 years ago. I trust the new management will continue our tradition of innovation and top notch customer service. I would like to thank our thousands of loyal customers throughout the years for your trust and support, it’s been an awesome ride!”
NAV-TV General Manager, and industry stalwart Tony Yankovsky, said “this deal ensures the future supply of all current NAV-TV products, as well as the products we distribute, such as BlackVue, for all of our loyal customers who have been using and installing NAV-TV products for over two decades.”

Tony also said “Our customers will soon be able to order all product lines, and their orders will be seamlessly shipped from our Florida and/or California warehouses, for the convenience of our customers on both coasts.”

Fraser Ryan, said “this is an exciting development as we have a long-term view of the market and an absolute focus on investing in innovative new products for the future. NAV-TV is famous for its industry leading integration components. We all know that integration is becoming more and more important. I am very excited to be a part of the best integration team in the 12v industry. There will truly be no rival to the next generation of our products.”

Visit nav-tv.com for more.