RINGWOOD, IL (11.16.23) – Race Sport Lighting, a leading innovator in automotive lighting solutions, proudly announces the release of their latest product, the HOODKIT2 (PN# 1007752) LED Knight Rider Scanning Hood Brow DRL Flex Cool White Kit. This revolutionary lighting kit is designed to enhance the aesthetic appeal and visibility of cars and jeeps, providing a modern and stylish touch on any vehicle. The highly flexible light contours along the bottom of the hood lid and is very similar to some modern cars on the road. This comes months after the successful launch of their nationwide popular HOODKIT1 which is longer, in length, for Trucks and larger SUV’s.

“We are thrilled to introduce the HOODKIT2 LED Knight Rider Scanning Hood Brow DRL Flex Cool White Kit to the market to fit on cars, Jeeps, and smaller SUVs. The HOODKIT1 for trucks and larger SUVs launched over the summer has quickly grown in popularity and risen on our top-ranking product list nationwide. It was logical that we would launch a smaller version that fits up on smaller-width vehicles. We have already moved much of our opening production, as dealers had this product on pre-order for a few months now.” said Steve Jergensen, President at Race Sport Lighting.

3 Key Features of the HOODKIT2:

1.       Knight Rider Scanning Effect: The HOODKIT2 features a distinctive Knight Rider scanning effect upon ignition before the final transition into a solid daytime running light while running. This attention-grabbing feature adds a touch of sophistication and modernity to the vehicle’s appearance.

2.       DRL Flex Cool White Technology: Equipped with cutting-edge Daytime Running Light (DRL) Flex Cool White technology, the HOODKIT2 ensures optimal visibility and safety on the road. The cool white illumination not only enhances the vehicle’s presence and safety during the day but also contributes to a sleek and contemporary look.

3.       Weather-Resistant Construction: Built to withstand various weather conditions, the HOODKIT2 is constructed with durable silicone materials that ensure long-lasting performance. Whether driving through rain, snow, article sub-temps in the northern hemisphere, or intense heat in the southern hemisphere, users can count on durability.

The HOODKIT2 LED Knight Rider Scanning Hood Brow DRL Flex Kit is now in stock and shipping from their Ringwood, IL warehouse to distributors and dealers near you. Resellers are encouraged to stock the HOODKIT1 and HOODKIT2 to universally service all small to larger body-width vehicles seeking to add safety and modern light effects.

Visit www.racesportinc.com for more.

BOCA RATON, FL (11.16.23) – In most AUDI vehicles from 2009-2019, ZZ2 integrates wireless CarPlay & Android Auto, front and rear cameras and more. Additionally, we offer a factory handle camera which retains the factory trunk appearance.

With our AUDI ZZPLAY line we offer wireless CarPlay and Android Auto solutions, bringing your vehicle up to date with one of the most desirable features in the market.

You can access the most relevant apps from your phone like iMessage, Spotify, Waze, WhatsApp, Google Maps and more, directly from factory controls. In addition to mirroring your smartphone, the ZZPLAY lineup includes USB audio and video playback, as well as a YouTube app.

Features:
Wireless CarPlay
Wireless Android Auto
SmartPhone Mirroring
USB A/V Playback
Front View Camera input
Rear View Camera input (w/ Dynamic Parking Lines)
Plug and Play

Please CLICK HERE to access the Audi section on the ZZ-2 website and get a full compatibility list.

EDMOND, OK (11.15.23) – Petra Industries is pleased to announce Ed Lacy, currently District Manager of Outside Sales, will now also oversee the company’s B2B Store operations.

Lacy started his career at Petra in 2008 as an inbound call representative. He was promoted to Will Call Customer Service Rep, became the company’s 12V Sales Specialist, and then was promoted to District Manager of Petra’s 12V Division, later retitled as District Manager of Outside Sales.

In 2015, when Will Call and 12V Sales moved into the company’s newly built B2B Store, Lacy followed and has since become a familiar and helpful face to many. His new duties include Will Call Manager, managing the B2B Store and staff, merchandising of products on display, and acting as the primary liaison of the Store with the responsibility to communicate and coordinate customer needs within Petra.

Taking on this added role provides Lacy the opportunity to better serve Petra’s customers and the company itself. “I am eager to connect, reconnect, and enhance the total customer experience at the B2B Store,” noted Lacy.

Tate Morgan, Petra President, said, “Ed is widely known for his product knowledge and great rapport with our customers. We look forward to his taking The B2B Store experience to the next level.”

Visit petra.com for more.

NEWTON, NC (11.15.23) – Sundown Audio proudly announces the launch of its all new website, designed to enhance user experience and streamline warranty claims. Simultaneously, Sundown Audio introduces a new enhanced warranty program for Stocking Dealers and Distributors.

The revamped website offers a user-friendly interface providing all Dealers and Distributors with seamless platform for faster and expedited warranty claims. This initiative aims to empower dealers and distributors with a swift and efficient processes for warranty support.

With the launch of our redesigned website and the introduction of our new warranty program we are dedicated to providing our valued dealers and distributors with an enhanced and expedited experience said Scottie Johnson CEO @ Sundown Audio. “This is initiative reflects our commitment to customer satisfaction and reinforces our position as an industry leader.”

For more information about the new website and warranty program, please visit www.sundownaudio.com.

POOLE, UK (11.14.23) – CELSUS UK, Poole-based distributor for KICKER AUDIO Marine in Europe, is displaying a highly anticipated Kicker KMC6 at METS 15 – 17th November. 

Chet Weddle and Aziz Masri are traveling from KICKER HQ in Stillwater, OK to be in to work with the CelsusUK team during the event.

KICKER AUDIO will display their new-for-2024 flagship premium source unit KMC6 for the first time globally at METS. The KMC6 boasts a truly unique combination of features which includes Digital Radio (DAB+), NMEA compatibility, 6 channels 40W at 2 ohm, Zone control, Camera/video input with trigger, IP66 waterproof rating and a 3.5” colour LCD display. This highly anticipated source unit gives boat owners future facing technology, flexibility for system design and integration with other vessel electronics. Release expected Q2 2024 with suggest retail price of €599.95. A full list of features and specification can be found below. 

Paul Baker Celsus UK Managing Director commented, “We are thrilled to launch thus new product from the fantastic manufacturing partner Kicker Marine. The introduction is a great addition to their range, we believe it will be received well by our growing network of distributors & OEM partners in Europe.”

For demonstrations of this product along with many others, visit the Celsus UK booth 01-531 in Hall 1 at RAI Amsterdam. 

For further information please contact Mark Baker at marketing@celsusgroup.net 

celsusice.co.uk | kicker.com

METAIRIE, LA (11.14.23) – ORACLE Lighting, the market leader in innovative LED solutions and high-quality automotive lighting products, announces the winners of its first-ever ORACLE Customer Awards. The awards were presented at the ORACLE Lighting booth during the 2023 SEMA Show in Las Vegas and recognize impressive sales growth and significant investment in building brand awareness and serving its respective customers in unique and exciting ways.

Warehouse Distributor (WD) of the Year: Turn5
The e-commerce powerhouse behind AmericanMuscle, ExtremeTerrain and AmericanTrucks, Turn5 has experienced the largest sales growth among ORACLE WD customers from 2019 to the present. By continually expanding its offering and having its finger on the pulse of what car, truck and off-road enthusiasts want, the company has seen a more than 300% increase in ORACLE product sales in the past two years.

Pole Position Award: Turn 14 Distribution
“Pole position” is a fitting analogy for Turn 14 Distribution’s status as the fastest-growing wholesale distributor of ORACLE products, tripling sales since it began offering the brand in 2021. With 723,000 square feet of modern distribution center space, Turn 14 Distribution boasts ground shipping coverage to 45% of the U.S. population in one day and 100% within two days, ensuring fast delivery of ORACLE products to customers nationwide.

Installer of the Year: Joe’s Jeep Jungle
Maryland-based Joe’s Jeep Jungle is a one-stop shop for all things Jeep. From lighting and suspension upgrades to complete builds and restorations, Joe’s modifies several Jeeps daily based on its customers’ needs. Known for using only real-world-tested products, the shop relies heavily on ORACLE products for its individual and Jeep club customer projects.

Customizer of the Year: Distinction Applied
Friends and family-owned and operated Distinction Applied has made a name for itself among Jeep enthusiasts for customizing OEM parts and offering only the best aftermarket upgrades. The company has created a unique process of offering the majority of ORACLE products custom painted for a truly unique touch and elevated experience for the customer.

Showstopper Award: Vision Industries
A fixture in Las Vegas car culture, the team at Vision Industries also travels to shows and meets across the country, offering sealed beam, underbody and other ORACLE products to classic, muscle car and truck, and lowrider enthusiasts. The innovative retailer and shop builds its own displays and vehicles from the ground up to showcase the latest ORACLE products.

“We want to thank our customers for being ORACLE brand champions and trusting us to deliver lighting products that match their own standards for quality and performance,” said Tiffanie Hartenstein, ORACLE Lighting’s CEO and co-founder. “The growth and commitment to the aftermarket industry represented by these companies is astounding, and we are thrilled to be part of their ongoing success.”

For more information on ORACLE Lighting and its complete product line, visit www.oraclelights.com, call (800) 407-5776 or email info@oraclelights.com.

HOUSTON, TX (11.13.23) – Texas is a key state in BPI for the 12volt industry overall. “The lighting category continues to grow and as the new Race Sport representative for Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi we put together a road trip with Ignacio Ayala to spend a week on the road seeing distributors and dealers between Houston and Dallas/Ft Worth” David Toliver, Synergy Marketing Principal, stated.

Ayala, Race Sport Lighting Product Specialist, arrived in Houston on October 30th and spent the balance of the week making stops in Houston, Waco and along the way to Dallas/Ft Worth in the Synergy Avalanche with Toliver behind the wheel.

“Our first stop in Houston was House of Sound. Alex Restrepo and his team do such amazing custom work on Slingslots, UTVs, trucks and cars. They truly understand how lighting adds to uniqueness of a customer’s project. Many of their projects also include custom body work. In Houston we also spent time with the Broadway crew who distribute Race Sport Lighting in the southern part of the territory.”

With daylight savings time the lighting category provides solutions for quality vehicle headlights for safety. Race Sport Lighting has many SKU’s that address vehicle lighting for safety.

“We wrapped the week seeing dealers in the DFW area along with A&W and LESCO as both distribute Race Sport Lighting. Ignacio really connected at each stop and provided specific info on how Race Sport Lighting products could open new sales opportunities for our business partners. He also opened my eyes to new opportunities” Toliver concluded.

Tim Crawford, based in the DFW area, covers the northern part of the rep firm’s territory. Synergy Marketing joined the Race Sport Lighting rep network in mid October of this year.

Visit /www.racesportinc.com for more.

POOLE, UK (11.13.23) – CELSUS UK, Poole based distributor for KICKER AUDIO Marine & DYNAMAT noise control solutions in Europe, are displaying two highly anticipated products from the market leading U.S. brands on booth 01.531 in hall 1 at METS 15 – 17th November. 

KICKER AUDIO display their new-for-2024 flagship premium source unit KMC6 for the first time globally at METS. The KMC6 boasts a truly unique combination of features which includes Digital Radio (DAB+), NMEA compatibility, 6 channels 40W at 2 ohm, Zone control, Camera/video input with trigger, IP66 waterproof rating and a 3.5” colour LCD display. This highly anticipated source unit gives boat owners future facing technology, flexibility for system design and integration with other vessel electronics. Release expected Q2 2024 with suggest retail price of €599.95. A full list of features and specification can be found below. 

In addition Celsus are displaying a fibre-based thermo-acoustic noise and heat absorber from DYNAMAT named ‘Dynacore™’. This lightweight and flexible material offers the unique structure needed to dissipate sound waves and absorb heat. Great for engine compartments, outboard cowls, generator/ machine housings and compressor/ water pump enclosures. Dynacore™ is the perfect partner to Dynamat Xtreme damping material and meets the 240 hour requirements of the standard derived from ASTM B117-19 salt-fog rating, compliant with UL94, MVSS302, UL HF1, UL HBF standards.. Out now in ½” and 1” thickness from €85.00 suggested retail price. A full list of specification can be found below. 

Paul Baker Celsus UK Managing Director commented, “We are thrilled to launch new products this year from two fantastic manufacturing partners of ours; Kicker Marine & Dynamat. Both the introductions are great additions to their respective ranges, we believe they will be received well by our growing network of distributors & OEM partners in Europe.”

For demonstrations of these products along with many others, visit the Celsus UK booth 01-531 in Hall 1 at RAI Amsterdam. 

For further information please contact; Mark Baker marketing@celsusgroup.net 

celsusice.co.uk | kicker.com | dynamateurope.com 

MESA, AZ (11.10.23) – MSC America is proud to announce the delivery of Audiotec Fischer DSP tuning kits. Free to dealers with a qualifying DSP order, the kits are the ideal solution to properly and efficiently set up and tune cars using proprietary software.

“The tuning kit has a laptop loaded with the current Audiotec Fischer DSP PC tool software, Audiotec Fischer MTK1 Tuning Microphone, AnyDesk so that we can login in remotely for assistance, two Audiotec Fischer PTK1 Polarity Testers, a Bosch Laser measurement tool, and all necessary USB connection cables,” explained Jason Digos, MSC America Vice President. “Since every installation is different and every customer has different wants and needs, it is an invaluable tool for every dealer and installer.”

MSC America has also been conducting its new Audiotec Fischer DSP Training for invited authorized dealers whereas these DSP tuning kits are featured. The purpose of these in-person trainings is to educate authorized Audiotec Fischer dealers on how to properly and efficiently set up and tune cars using proprietary software.

“We were thrilled to receive the DSP tuning kit from MSC America,” said Matt Hipps, manager of Sounds Good Mobile in Flagstaff, Ariz., who recently completed MSC America’s Audiotec Fischer DSP Training. “As vehicles and consumer behaviors evolve in the car audio market, MSC America has played a crucial role in preparing us for the fast changes. A time is approaching when after-market radios will be replaced by integrated factory systems. With Audiotech Fisher’s products at our disposal, their exclusive DSP integration technology has made the previously impossible, possible.”

MSC America tries to do as much hands-on as possible so that its dealers are in the cars using the software and performing the tuning process.

“We use simulators to show different scenarios they may see on today’s modern OEM audio systems and how to correct them,” Digos added.

Hipps concluded, “These tuning kits have simplified the integration process into vehicles, making it seamless. We have other test equipment at our store, and we have used the Audiotech Fisher tuning kit more than anything else in the last six months. Moreover, the tuned vehicles always sound exceptional. MSC America’s top-notch training and products always create an unforgettable experience. “

For more information, please visit www.msc-america.com, call 480-372-2929 (USA) or 403-698-3695 (Canada), or email sales@msc-america.com.

FORT SMITH, AR (11.10.23) – Tri-State Enterprises, Inc. has announced the recapitalization of the Company in partnership with HCI Equity Partners (“HCI”) and management. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Tri-State is based in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and is a warehouse distributor of automotive aftermarket hard parts, consumables, accessories, and paint. The Company serves automotive service centers, independent parts and accessories stores, e-commerce retailers, and business fleets, and also operates a network of company-owned stores.

The Company was founded in 1977 and acquired by long-time employee, Tristan Taylor, in 2015. Since that time, Tri-State has experienced rapid growth, culminating in its acquisition of fellow Parts Plus member WM Automotive in 2021.

Tristan Taylor, CEO of Tri-State, said, “Since the acquisition of WM Automotive and the opening of our 492,000 square foot Arlington Warehouse, the Tri-State team has had their eye on several new territories and further product line expansion to beter serve its customer base. HCI is the perfect partner to help us accelerate that growth. We are confident that their expertise in supporting growing businesses will help us implement our vision for future growth. Our commitment to customer satisfaction remains at the forefront of our business strategy, and HCI shares that view.”

Scot Gibaratz, Partner at HCI, said “HCI is excited to partner with the management team of Tri-State. We share a common vision for the future and will support the Tri-State team with our resources and expertise to help them continue their extraordinary growth and best-in-class customer service. Tri-State represents a unique opportunity to partner with a dynamic growth platform in the fragmented automotive aftermarket industry.”

“Our biggest goal in looking for a new financing partner was to find someone that shared our values. They needed to be a cultural fit for us. Throughout this entire process, I have been impressed with the HCI team and how they took the time to understand what makes us tick. We are extremely grateful for their trust and look forward to the future as we expand Tri-State Enterprises,” said Tristan Taylor.

Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, PLLC served as legal counsel to the Company. Dickinson Wright PLLC served as legal counsel to HCI.

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