LIBERTYVILLE, IL (09.25.26) – Built for clean audio reproduction and efficient power delivery, the MB Quart DA2 amplifier series packs proven Discus performance into a sleek, space-saving chassis. Top-mounted controls make system adjustments quick and convenient, while the compact footprint makes these amplifiers an ideal fit for installations with tight space. Compact footprint. Powerful power.

Built to perform where the action takes you, the MB Quart Discus DA2 amplifier series combines efficient Class-D power with the durability needed for Marine and Powersports applications. Every DA2 model delivers clean, efficient output in a compact size. Efficient power meets easy tuning.

To learn more, click here.

CASTLE SHANNON, PA (09.12.26) – Saturday, September 12th was the day the car community gathered at the Castle Shannon Memorial Hall outside of Pittsburgh for a charity event to benefit the Castle Shannon Volunteer Fire Department. The event was filled with amazing cars, delicious food and awards plus several vendors on site and offering ticket auctions for prizes. The dunk tank was fun also and brought smiles from many.

“Saturday was a terrific day for us at Team Nutz and Fuel Required for the fundraiser. The combined activities helped raise over $6000 for the fire department. It was a great event for the car community and we gave away over 200 bags filled with giveaways, coupons, and discounts for all that entered the judging for classics at the event. Connecting and growing all aspects of the car community is so important for the mobile electronics industry. Overall, it was just a great day” Ed Nuttall related for Team Nutz.

“A special thanks to all of the local businesses that donated to the Rollin’ In Hot Car Show. Local businesses are always the backbone of supporting local causes. All help raise over $6000 for the CSVFD. We recently learned that the CSVFD is self-funded and they are not funded by tax money or insurance money. In recent years, the funding opportunities were put on hold from the Covid lockdowns. Support from the car community, local businesses and neighbors are what helped keep them moving forward to protect the surrounding communities. We thank all of those who came out to the show to make this happen” Nuttall concluded.

Visit teamnutztechnology.com for more.

ELKHART, IA (09.14.26) – Main Machine Cycles hosted the 9th Annual Small Town Throwdown on Saturday, September 12th in Elkhart IA. The event featured burnouts, a stereo battle, a bike show, vendors, live music, food and more.

Mean Machine Cycles owner Robb Boggs related “This was the 9th annual event and it was a blast. The turnout was great and the weather was amazing. Having Chris bring the JBL trailer and Al Condon on site with Euphoria added tremendously.”

Chris Pace rolled the Arrowhead Sales and Marketing JBL ‘Dare to Listen’ trailer from Kansas City. It was on site to showcase and demo JBL products and more. He also highlighted motorcycle products from Precision Power and brands that Mean Machine Cycles carries.

“Robb really put on a great community event for bikers in the small town of Elkhart. The streets were lined with bikes for blocks and there was a lot of action underneath the vendor tents with many custom bikes too. Our industry definitely needs more retailers like Robb hosting events like this to engage consumers and enthusiast” Pace commented.

A Big 12volt Central Studios thank you to Chris Pace for images and input.

For more visit meanmachinecycles.com.

DIAMOND BAR, CA (09.14.26) – The second annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) ADAS Symposium brought together an expanded cross-section of the automotive industry for candid discussions about advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) performance, calibration and serviceability.

Co-hosted by the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Aftermarket Suppliers, the symposium included representatives from vehicle manufacturers, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), SAE International, the Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI), and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), along with companies involved in ADAS testing, diagnostics, calibration, software, technical training and vehicle technology. The event drew 63 attendees representing 47 companies and organizations.

ADAS use cameras, radar and other sensors to support vehicle safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot detection and adaptive cruise control. As these systems become more common and complex, their performance can be affected by vehicle design, collision repair, calibration, software updates and aftermarket modifications.

“Through the SEMA Garage, we see firsthand the questions manufacturers encounter as they develop products for ADAS-equipped vehicles,” said SEMA Vice President of OEM and Product Development Jim Moore. “The symposium brings those practical experiences into a broader conversation with automakers, researchers, standards experts and repair professionals, creating greater transparency and opportunities for future collaboration.”

Broadening the ADAS Conversation
The inaugural symposium in May 2025 concentrated primarily on ADAS calibration and compatibility challenges facing aftermarket service, repair and vehicle-modification businesses. This year’s program widened the lens by incorporating perspectives from organizations that influence how ADAS technologies are designed, evaluated, standardized and supported throughout the vehicle lifecycle.

The expanded participation reflected the interconnected nature of ADAS and created opportunities for participants to compare how the same challenges appear across vehicle design, testing, repair, calibration, standards, software, modifications and public policy.

The symposium complements SEMA’s year-round work through the SEMA Garage, where specialty-equipment manufacturers can access ADAS research, calibration testing and technical resources to help them develop products for vehicles equipped with advanced safety technologies.

Participants explored three broad areas:
Performance and testing: Real-world ADAS performance, emerging technologies and new approaches to validation.
Standards and serviceability: Calibration, diagnostics, technical information, modified vehicles and standards under development.
Technology and public policy: Software, cybersecurity, vehicle inspections and the evolving federal legislative environment.
Industry Perspectives
Participants representing safety research, standards development, vehicle testing, product development, repair and technical education offered perspectives on maintaining ADAS performance throughout the vehicle lifecycle.

“The ADAS Symposium was an outstanding opportunity to connect with industry leaders, exchange ideas and gain valuable perspective on where ADAS technology is headed. The depth of expertise and collaboration across the industry made for an incredibly engaging and insightful event. I’m already looking forward to the next one,” said Dan Aldrich, director of automotive technical training at Christian Brothers Automotive Corporation.

“It was great to build on the findings of last year’s conference and continue meaningful cross-functional discussions about gaps in current ADAS standards and other hurdles facing the industry. These conversations lead to real-time problem-solving and help the industry continue pursuing a path forward as ADAS technologies evolve,” said Anthony Ascare, engineering manager at Fox Factory Vehicles.

“One of the clearest takeaways from this week’s symposium was that the job doesn’t end when a vehicle leaves the factory. We’ve done a great job encouraging the adoption of crash-avoidance technologies and educating consumers about their benefits, but we need to ensure these systems continue to perform as intended throughout a vehicle’s life, even after repairs, modifications and ownership changes,” said David Kidd, Ph.D., vice president of vehicle research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

“The symposium reinforced the importance of repeatable, objective testing as ADAS technologies become more complex and are evaluated across a growing range of vehicles and operating conditions,” said Mike McPike, managing director at AB Dynamics. “Bringing together the organizations that design, test, repair, calibrate and modify vehicles can help the industry better understand where consistent test methods and comparable data are needed.”

“The MEMA and SEMA ADAS Symposium brought together valuable industry perspectives on advancing ADAS technologies safely and effectively. My key takeaway was the importance of continued collaboration and consensus-based standards to align development, accelerate deployment and build public trust,” said Christian Thiele, senior director of global ground vehicle standards at SAE International.

Connecting Technical Discussion and Public Policy
The breadth of perspectives also informed discussions about the public-policy environment surrounding ADAS functionality, integrity, repairability and calibration.

SEMA Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs Eric Snyder provided an update on federal legislative and policy developments, including the “ADAS Functionality and Integrity Act.” The bipartisan bill would require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to study the impact of common modifications on ADAS calibration and authorize the agency to develop guidelines identifying modifications that maintain calibration. The legislation was included in the highway bill reauthorization approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee and is one of SEMA’s top legislative priorities.

Creating Greater Transparency
The symposium combined technical presentations with eight facilitated workshops, giving participants opportunities to compare perspectives and discuss how ADAS challenges appear in different parts of the industry. The forum focused on improving visibility across industry sectors, identifying shared questions and highlighting areas that warrant continued technical work and collaboration.

SEMA will use perspectives shared during the symposium to inform its continued ADAS communications, education and technical programming, including work through the SEMA Garage to help members understand how advanced safety technologies affect product development and vehicle modification.

For more information about SEMA’s ADAS initiatives and SEMA Garage product-development resources, visit www.semagarage.com.

ROSENBERG, TX (09.09.26) – Wet Sounds has announced its new SCOUT 6 Series Coaxial Speakers will be available to the aftermarket beginning September 1, 2026. Designed to deliver impressive sound, reliable marine-grade performance and premium styling at an approachable price, SCOUT 6 makes it easier for more boaters to upgrade their onboard audio experience.

“The SCOUT 6 Series gives customers a highly efficient, cost-effective speaker without sacrificing the sound quality or design they expect from Wet Sounds,” said Lee Teeples, Vice President of New Product Development at Wet Sounds. “These speakers deliver a premium appearance and impressive performance without requiring an external amplifier, creating an upgrade that is both accessible and easy to integrate.”

Engineered to Wet Sounds’ rigorous performance standards, SCOUT 6 is an ideal solution for pontoons, bass boats and other recreational marine applications where efficiency, clarity and simplicity matter. The speakers can be powered directly from a compatible source unit, allowing customers to install up to four pairs without adding an external amplifier.

This efficient design makes SCOUT 6 an ideal companion for the Wet Sounds WS-MC-RND Round Media Center, providing boaters with a streamlined audio system that delivers clear, reliable sound without the complexity or expense of a larger amplified setup.

Each IP65-rated SCOUT 6 speaker is rated at 30 watts RMS and 60 watts peak power. Its performance-focused construction includes a polypropylene cone, Santoprene surround, Conex spider and one-inch PEI tweeter for balanced, dependable sound in demanding marine environments.

SCOUT 6 speakers are available with either integrated RGB LED illumination or a non-RGB configuration. Both options feature premium textured grilles offered in Dark Titanium or White, giving customers the flexibility to complement their boat’s design.
The SCOUT 6 RGB model carries an MRP of $124.99, while the SCOUT 6 non-RGB model carries an MRP of $109.99.

The Wet Sounds SCOUT 6 Series will be available to aftermarket customers beginning September 1, 2026, through Wet Sounds and its network of authorized dealers.

Order on the web shop.wetsounds.com.

DIAMOND BAR, CA (09.09.26) – The 2026 SEMA Show is accelerating excitement with the announcement that Harley-Davidson, one of the most iconic and influential brands in motorcycling, will join the Show’s expanded Powersports, SxS & Lifestyle section. The addition of Harley-Davidson highlights the growing significance of powersports within the aftermarket industry and brings one of the world’s most recognized motorcycle manufacturers to the SEMA Show.

Harley-Davidson joins a growing roster of exhibitors that includes Kawasaki Motors, Kymco, Mahindra, Massimo Motor, and Showa Performance, signaling strong industry support for the expanded section. Created to connect manufacturers, buyers, builders, retailers, distributors, and other industry professionals across the powersports market, the section will showcase the latest innovations in performance parts, accessories, customization, and related technologies. Placing the Powersports section adjacent to the Trucks & Off-Road section reflects the strong crossover between the two markets, making it easier for businesses serving both segments to discover new products, connect with suppliers, and identify emerging trends.

“The addition of Harley-Davidson brings an iconic name and a passionate enthusiast base to the SEMA Show’s Powersports section,” said SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso. “Harley-Davidson has helped shape motorcycle culture for generations, and its participation reinforces the strong connection between powersports and the automotive aftermarket. We’re seeing tremendous interest from leading brands, and this section will give attendees a front-row seat to the innovations shaping the future of powersports.”

Attendees will be able to explore the latest in powersports vehicles, SxS platforms, suspension systems, performance upgrades, accessories, and lifestyle products, along with emerging technologies designed to enhance durability, capability, and rider experience. The section continues to grow rapidly, offering a comprehensive look at innovations driving both recreational and utility-focused segments.

The connection between powersports and automotive enthusiasts is reinforced by findings from the annual SEMA Market Report, which found that more than half (54%) of automotive accessorizers own at least one recreational vehicle or powersports product. The report also shows that automotive accessorizers are more likely than non-accessorizers to own recreational equipment that commonly drives towing, hauling, and utility accessory purchases, including ATVs, UTVs, motorcycles, RVs, trailers, and other outdoor recreation vehicles.

According to the report, powersports owners are heavily represented among automotive accessorizers, with significant ownership rates for products such as ATVs (15%), UTVs/side-by-sides (8%), off-road motorcycles (8%), and on-road/dual-purpose motorcycles (7%). This substantial overlap highlights the natural crossover between the automotive aftermarket and powersports markets, creating opportunities for brands that serve both enthusiast communities.

Overall, exhibitor commitments for the 2026 SEMA Show have already surpassed 1 million net square feet, with more than 2,000 brands preparing to connect with a global audience Nov. 3–6 in Las Vegas. The event remains one of the largest and most influential trade shows in the country, reflecting sustained growth across the aftermarket.

In addition to this new section, the 2026 SEMA Show will feature strong participation across performance, trucks, collision repair, mobile electronics, tools and equipment, and emerging technologies. Major OEMs, including Toyota, Ford, Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Stellantis, will also return, reinforcing the connection between factory engineering and aftermarket innovation.

Attendees can also experience signature features such as the New Products Showcase, Battle of the Builders, which now includes the Bike Builder Shootout, and FutureTech Studio, all offering insight into the trends and technologies influencing the next generation of vehicles, on-road and off.

The 2026 SEMA Show will take place Nov. 3–6 in Las Vegas as part of the broader “SEMA Week” experience, which includes public access on Friday and the high-energy SEMA Fest.

To learn more or register, visit semashow.com.

OCEAN CITY, MD (09.09.2026) – The Ocean City Jeep Fest just wrapped up, and if that weekend proved anything, it’s that a Wrangler sounds best when the bass can hang with the beach, the sand course, and a boardwalk full of Jeeps.

The KICKER Jeep Wrangler-Specific L7T Enclosure (51KJPL7T122) is built for that life. It mounts to the inner tailgate with included custom hardware, so you keep cab space and rear legroom instead of parking a box in the cargo area. The heavy-duty roto-molded enclosure is weather-resistant and front-firing with a grille, which matters when the top is off and the environment is demanding.

Inside is the thin-profile Solo-Baric L7T 12-inch square sub. The square cone moves up to 20 percent more air than a similar-sized round sub, and the thin L7T motor still brings a large voice coil, bumped top plate, SoloKon cone with 360-degree back bracing, and UniPlate heat management.

Recommended power is 300 to 600 watts RMS into a single 2-ohm terminal. Frequency response is 25 to 100 Hz. Fitment covers Jeep Wrangler JK (2007-2018) and JL (2018-2026). If your Jeep has the factory passenger-side sub, that assembly has to come out for clearance. Replacement non-sub trim panels are available from MOPAR and online retailers.

You don’t need a custom fab shop to give a Wrangler real KICKER bass. Bolt it to the tailgate, add a matching mono amp, and take the energy with you every day.

For more see kicker.com.

The KICKER booth with the XRV stretches a football field into the background.

OCEAN CITY, MD (09.01.26) – KICKER returned for the 9th-year as The Title Sponsor of the annual Ocean City JEEP FEST, a celebration of all things Jeep, the owners and Jeepers who love them. The annual Jeep Festival in Ocean City was Livin’Loud August 27th – August 30th. Jeep owners, fans and the public hit the picturesque beaches of Ocean City to show off and admire the infinite ways Jeep vehicles can be enjoyed and customized.

The KICKER XRV rolled into the Convention Center after the 1400 mile trip from Stillwater OK with Jeremy Wynn and Steven Bambrough in the cab. KICKER’s new National Sales Director Matt Matheson was in the house. Territory rep firm Opus Marketing was in the house with Jamie White, Chuck Ottati, Todd Ess and Greg Boylan. Darren Thomas and his team from AudioWorks of Delaware handled sales and onsite installations under a long line of tents.

KICKER was set up on a large footprint at the Roland E Powell Convention Center by the main gate with the XRV featuring the subwoofer packed Boom Room. Many loaded Jeep demos stretched the length of the booth with AudioWorks installation tents and sales tables set up. Customized AudioWorks of Delaware store vehicles, along with customer’s Jeeps, stretched for nearly a football field.

Jamie White, Opus Marketing Principal, related “The energy throughout the event was amazing. There was always traffic in the booth and off site too on the beach and light shows in the evenings plus sand courses, all was Cookin’ at the Park too. KICKER provided a tremendous party atmosphere for everyone at the 2026 OC JEEP FEST!” White also contributed super images in this article.

“Once again the OC Jeep Fest was great for us. Rain knocked us out on Friday but the weather was perfect the rest of the event. Every year we see past customers and our fiends from the area. Yesterday, Monday, we were slammed with followup business from the event. During the event we closed our store our 5 member team did installs all day and into the evening. Danny Remer from Poptronics came to help also. Everyone at KICKER and OPUS were so helpful too!” Thomas related.

“Steven and I always enjoy spotlighting the XRV and this year’s OC Jeep Fest event was very special… Looking forward to 2027” KICKER’s Jeremy Wynn, Events and Promotions Manager, stated.

See more at kicker.com for more.

DIAMOND BAR, CA (09.01.26) – The California Legislature has passed a landmark, SEMA-sponsored bill that will create a new conditional sales pathway for aftermarket emissions-related products to reach the market while under consideration for the state’s full approval for sales.

SB 1069, authored by Sen. Tim Grayson (D-Concord) and now headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom for his consideration, represents a thoughtful approach that maintains California’s emissions standards while creating meaningful improvements for manufacturers that invest in compliance.

• SB 1069 applies to emissions-related automotive aftermarket products that require a CARB Executive Order (EO) before they can be legally sold, advertised, or installed in California. An EO confirms that a product has demonstrated compliance with the state’s applicable emissions requirements and is therefore eligible for sale in the California market.

“SB 1069 will give manufacturers that have invested in emissions testing and compliance a meaningful pathway to get qualifying products to market faster in California, and enable new products to reach consumers, provide small businesses with certainty to invest, and keep American companies competitive,” said SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola. “SEMA greatly appreciates CARB’s willingness to work collaboratively with us on SB 1069 to craft common-sense legislation that will bolster the automotive aftermarket industry, help California maintain its emissions standards, and support the small businesses who rely on certainty as they establish themselves in a highly competitive marketplace. We also thank Sen. Grayson for his leadership in guiding this legislation through the legislature.”

ABOUT SB 1069
The bill would grant conditional approval to sell, advertise, and install qualifying products to manufacturers who submit complete EO applications to CARB, supported by required emissions testing and technical documentation. This conditional approval would remain in place while CARB completes its final review.

This new pathway would help aftermarket manufacturers bring qualifying products to market faster in California, while preserving California’s emissions standards and CARB’s authority to review applications and ultimately approve or deny an EO.

Specifically, SB 1069 would create a new conditional approval process for qualifying aftermarket emissions-related products:

• Manufacturers would submit a complete CARB EO application supported by required emissions testing and technical documentation.
• Qualifying applicants could receive conditional approval to sell, advertise, and install covered products while CARB completes its final review.
• CARB would retain its authority to ultimately approve or deny the EO, and California’s existing emissions standards would remain unchanged.

If signed by Gov. Newsom, SB 1069 would take effect on January 1, 2027, with the program in place by July 1, 2028.

BACKGROUND
For decades, SEMA has helped aftermarket manufacturers navigate California’s emissions requirements and lawfully bring products to market.

The SEMA Garage provides manufacturers with emissions testing, engineering expertise, and compliance assistance, and over the past eight years, it has assisted with approximately 50% of all aftermarket EOs issued by CARB and completed more than 800 EO applications on behalf of member companies.

Of the 7,000 automotive aftermarket businesses nationwide that SEMA represents, more than 1,200 are California manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. California’s specialty automotive aftermarket generates $40.44 billion in economic output, supports more than 149,000 jobs, delivers $13.47 billion in wages and benefits, and pays $6.16 billion in state and local taxes.

• The automotive aftermarket is predominantly comprised of small businesses that continually invest in new products, technology, engineering, and compliance. SB 1069 would help qualifying manufacturers bring compliant products to California customers sooner.

SEMA has a lengthy track record of supporting emissions compliance at the federal level and in California. This includes more than $30 million invested in emissions compliance through the SEMA Garage program, including Emissions Compliance Centers in Diamond Bar, Calif., and Plymouth, Mich.

For more information, visit www.sema.org.

WINCHESTER BAY, OR (08.18.26) – The Stereo King Team rolled into Winchester Bay OR for another very successful UTV takeover event. There were five team members aboard that handled sales and many installations that took place during the event August 12th-15th. Bethany and Kevin Cornutt, along with Anthony handled the sales while Corey and Brad completed over 30 installations.

Jeff Oliver, Team Progressive, was in the house supporting Rockford Fosgate sales plus preparing breakfast and lunch as the
Master Chef. All stayed in a rental home by a near by lake.

Kevin Cornutt, behind the wheel for the event, related. “Our team is a very well oiled machine and we have those team members at each event. Once the sales team members write the ticket the installation team members work together to get the jobs done. Attendance was definitely up this year and was reported to approach 5,000.”

Continuing “Stereo King and Rockford Fosgate work together to drive sales at the UTV Takeover events. A large amount of inventory, along with tents for the area and supplies packed the trailer, to make the 200 mile trip from our Portland location. Stereo King began exhibiting at the UTV Takeovers with a 10’ x 20’ booth, which has growing into a 20’ x 60‘ booth with separate tents for showroom area along with installation bays. At the Winchester Bay event we also showcased MB Quart and UTV Stereo products. Aggressor Air Horns also drove sales. Handing out Stereo King event cards helps us track store traffic from UTV Takeover events.”

This year Stereo King also drive the Jeep Gladiator Hot Wheels to the event. The Hot Wheels is decked out with audio and sets on 42” wheels. The Hot Wheels was setup in a close by parking lot and when Bethany cranked up the volume it drew a crowd.

“We have been doing the UTV Takeover events for over 10 years. Once the word gets out in the area about an upcoming event we start getting jobs in our stores for enthusiast who want to have a new system on their UTV at the event. During the event we make several complete installations each day. While at the event enthusiasts also make appointments to bring their ride to the store for an upgrade because they don’t want to give up their ride for a day during the event. Winchester Bay and Coos Bay UTV Takeovers were very successful this year and we look forward to UTV Takeover events in 2027 and beyond” Cornutt concluded.

For more see stereoking.com.