RENO, NV (02.11.22) – The KICKER AMA Pro ArenaCross 6-City Series, with 10 races, raced into the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center for Rounds 7 and 8, February 4th and 5th. Reno KICKER dealer Nevada Auto Sound was on site in the KICKER lobby display and connected with enthusiasts throughout both evenings.

“Nevada Auto Sound store owner Curtis Weethee and Thomas Wing certainly had a lot of face time with members of the crowd,” Lorin Morrell, Maddog_Media who orchestrates KICKER’s presents at the events, stated.

Weethee who has owned the store since 1990, related, “Thomas and I definitely talked with a ton of people at the KICKER tent. We printed fliers offering a 10% discount on KICKER products and handed out over 100 at the event. The marine season is just around the corner and there was a lot of interest in the Tower Speakers. Also in our area there is a lot of interest in Powersports so the KICKER PowerBar certainly got attention.”

Continuing, Weethee offered, “Several people saw the new thin down firing KICKER systems in the booth and were interested in upgrading the sound in their pickups.”

Dana Doyle-Doyle Sales Company, area KICKER rep firm, related, “Nevada Auto Sound believes having a presence at these events helps their business. They participated in this Reno event and look forward to upcoming events. The KICKER fliers they made up, with a 10% discount for customers to come into their store after the event, will pay off. While in the booth they also spent time with many crowd members plus with old customers.”

Doyle added, “Off-roading is big in this part of the US. The KICKER PowerBar really grabbed attention. Also the marine towers. The BullFrog was a product most had not seen and they were amazed at the sound. There is a good chance several people will head to the store with the 10% off coupon to pick up a Bullfrog. It was a great 2-day event for me to spend time with this key dealer and interact with so many consumers.”

Recapping the Reno event, Morrell related, “Friday night was a good night and Saturday night was packed. Attendees were very engaged with action on the track. Amateur riders took to the track during the day and pro riders took the track through the evening from 6 until well after 10PM. In addition to the action on the track KICKER T-shirts were fired into the crowd during Pro Race breaks and track maintenance periods. A special T had a certificate wrapped inside for a KICKER BullFrog to be picked up at the KICKER display in the lobby. The lucky lady from the crowd had a big smile when she picked up the BullFrog. In fact, her husband is a racer. The PA system announced the T-Shirt contest and there were people who came to the booth to ask ‘what is a KICKER BullFrog’? The PA system announcements also highlighted Nevada Auto Sound’s presence under the lobby KICKER tent.”

Concluding, Morrell offered, “The KICKER AMA Pro ArenaCross got off to a great start in Loveland CO. Successful events in Amarillo, Oklahoma City/Guthrie OK and Greensboro NC preceded Reno. Each event has added excitement to the 2022 Series. Next stop is Denver CO, February 11th and 12th, with Rounds 9 and 10. The KICKER AMA Pro ArenaCross is Livin’Loud in 2022.”

Visit kicker.com for more.

STILLWATER, OK (02.11.22) – KICKER is pleased to announce the promotion of longtime employee Bart Deal to Vice President of Product Strategy and OEM.

Deal’s expansive history in the mobile-audio industry began more than 40 years ago in an installation bay. His experiences were further developed in the field as a sales rep, in retail management, and in the customer service and training departments. He has also been a sales manager for several car-audio manufacturers.

“Bart Deal is our newest KICKER VP, and we couldn’t be happier,” said KICKER President and founder Steve Irby. “He has proven himself in management positions here for almost 22 years and has excelled in every one.  Bart is a multi-talented individual with expertise in many diverse areas, so he will be an invaluable addition to our VP Team.”

Joining KICKER in 2000, Deal first served as a regional sales manager and then was promoted to oversee international sales. 

After 15 years of successful sales management for the company, Deal was promoted in 2017 to Senior Director of Product Strategy and OEM. He values the concept of being able to help the company pursue the “next, greatest product coming down the pipe,” as well as providing a forum for coworkers to offer ideas. In his new role as Vice President, the Marine Audio Systems Unit Director and Brand Protection Manager now both report to him, in addition to his previous responsibilities.

“I’ve always been very product-centric,” Deal said. “I saw (product) on more of a global scale – how it works as part of a whole to create great music.  Now my other responsibilities will be focused on my direct reports, ensuring they continue to grow and have paths to grow through.”

Visit kicker.com for more.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (02.11.22) – Sony Car Audio will have two demo cars, four trainings, and their entire team at the upcoming Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) KnowledgeFest taking place at the South Point Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, from February 18 through February 20. Sony retailers are encouraged to contact their distributor rep or Sony Car Audio team members for a code to register for the event for free.

Booth #601 on the trade show floor will show off Mike Rundel’s Toyota CH-R and Jared Bahley’s Toyota Tacoma, both of which show off complete Sony Mobile ES audio systems, and highlight the extraordinary XAV-9500ES head unit. Attendees will be able to sit in the vehicles for a guided demo of these excellent sound systems.

National Trainer Kris Bulla will provide three trainings for Sony Mobile ES, including some new products that will be released in the near future, and one training highlighting the benefits and support received as a Sony Car Audio retailer. Attendees are encouraged to register ahead of time by clicking the training links below:

Sony Dealer Support Training

• Friday, Feb 19, 4:15PM-5:15PM, Napa B

Sony Mobile ES Trainings

• Friday, Feb 18, 3:00PM-4:00PM, Napa B
• Saturday, Feb 19, 5:30PM-6:30PM, Napa B
• Sunday, Feb 20, 10:45AM-11:45AM, Napa B

For more information, contact Kris Bulla at kris.bulla@actionlink.com.

TEMPE, AZ (02.10.22) – Mobile Solutions announced that Bill Jackson, president, and CEO of Rockford Corporation, will present a State of the Industry address at the first annual MasterTech Expo, scheduled for March 6-9 at the Mesa Convention Center in Mesa, Ariz. The presentation will take place on the last day of the show, preceding the MasterTech Build-Off awards ceremony sponsored by Rockford Fosgate.

Jackson will share his thoughts on keys to success in our complex and constantly evolving business landscape. He will also discuss the benefit of assessing your business to create change through focus, investment, and execution so that retailers identify and adopt new methods of business.

Bill Jackson has had a colorful industry career, staring in retail sales at Iowa’s Audio Room in 1980. He advanced to managing multiple stores for the company until founding his own rep firm 12 years later. Joining Rockford Corporation in 1995, Jackson worked his way from Sales Manager to Brand Managing Director, and on to Vice President of Sales and Marketing before accepting the roles of President and CEO in 2006. Jackson has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Coe College and attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

“I was honored when Bryan asked me to share my insights with the attendees of the first MasterTech Expo,” said Jackson. “We think MasterTech Expo is brilliant because it focuses on where our industry is going: away from the content itself and more toward how content is personalized and experienced. Rockford fully supports this event’s mission of equipping our retailers and their staffs with the knowledge and skill to meet new market possibilities, and we look forward to being a part of it.”

For more information, or to register for MasterTech Expo, visit mastertechexpo.com.

MIAMI, FL (02.10.22) – Nakamichi Car Audio will once again be part of KnowledgeFest taking place February 18-20, 2022 at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Nevada..

On display will be a broad sampling of head units including new 2022 models as well as speakers, amplifiers and DSP units. The company will also be preview some new models slated for introduction later this year.

Robin McNeal, Nakamichi National Sales Manager, will be in the booth along with David Bradman and Guillermo Mendez from Diplomat Trading.  Jason Proios will be on hand to answer technical questions. The group is looking forward to meeting with customers and sales reps coming in from around the country.

“Nakamichi is excited to be back at Knowledgfest”, noted Robin McNeal, “We have a number of key appointments already set”.

Nakamichi Mobile Audio can be found at booth #714 in the convention hall of the South Point.

For more information visit www.nakamichicaraudio.com or www.knowledgefest.com

Knowlegefest attendees interested in scheduling an appointment can email robin@usa-nakamichi.com

STILLWATER, OK (02.04.22) – In its first product release for 2022, KICKER Audio announces a trio of down-firing loaded enclosures, each featuring KICKER’s thin-mount L7T™ square subwoofers. All enclosures come with a single 2-Ohm terminal, and are available in 8-, 10-, and 12-inch models. The enclosures are available for purchase at Authorized KICKER Dealers in-store and online.  Soon to be introduced to the world on the KICKER UnMASKED! Live™ Weekly show, L7T Loaded Down-Firing Enclosures will retail from $279.99-$379.99. L7T Loaded Down-Firing Enclosures are also available at http://www.kicker.com.

Designed to fit perfectly under a seat or in your cargo area, each thin enclosure features plush black carpeting with rounded corners and custom embroidery. Inside the enclosure, thick MDF construction and heavy internal bracing offers strength and stability despite the stacked cargo that may be on top. The enclosures are carpeted and custom embroidered with the KICKER logo.

The inner workings of the L7T thin-mount subwoofer are unprecedented.  L7T features an innovative “Forced-Air Cooling™” system that uses the woofer’s own cone movement to route more air through its motor, forcing unwanted heat out of vents built into the backplate and allowing the sub to run cooler than previous versions.  Users get the bass they love, the sleek look, and the reliability beyond expectations.

KICKER’s exclusive UniPlate™ combines the pole piece and back-plate, making them a single, seamless unit that assists in pushing damaging heat away from the subwoofer. Perimeter venting is also used above the sub’s extended top-plate, pulling additional cooling air in and around the motor. The subwoofer’s top-plate utilizes a patented “bumped” design, allowing extra excursion and longer throw for deeper overall bass in an extremely thin design. Additionally, the unique, patented square cone provides nearly 20 percent additional cone area compared to a standard round-shaped sub of the same size, making a 12-inch square sub perform like a 13-inch round subwoofer, for example. As a result, the listener enjoys more volume and deeper bass.

Visit kicker.com for more.

FULLERTON, CA (02.02.22) – Vision Tech America, Inc. believes in providing customers with the state-of-the-art technology in automobile engineering with the best possible prices to modernize vehicles.

In this regard, BOYO unveiled VTC703AHD, VTC703AHD-Q2, and VTC703AHD-Q4, which are 2.4 GHz Wireless AHD Vehicle Backup Camera Systems with 7” Digital Monitor and Heavy-Duty Backup Cameras.

“Our new VTC703AHD series are AHD wireless systems for RVs and large Trucks. It offers high resolution display with multi-channel (1CH, 2CH, 4CH) cameras depending on the needs of our customers. Customers can easily install this wireless camera system without any hard wiring. It will help anyone to drive and park safely with confidence,” said Richard Hong, VP Sales.

Key Product Features:
AHD 1080P high-definition camera and monitor for clear image.
Long Range Wireless System – 2.4GHz 300’ long range connectivity between a camera and the monitor for reliable video transmission.
Multi-Channel (1CH, 2CH, 4CH) Camera options
Built-In DVR function for all models
Heavy-duty camera with IP68 waterproof rating and IR light for night vision.
No High-Speed Dropouts
Built-in Speaker and Microphone
Parking guidelines on/off switch, reverse/non-reverse switch

For more information, visit www.visiontechamerica.com.

NEW YORK, NY (02.04.22) – 12volt retailers now have the most up to date training information at their fingertips.

This one-page announcement has all the details. 12volt retailer staff members simply scan the QR code and sign up for the training. Once the training has been completed the user will be sent a 90 day free streaming code and also be entered in for a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card.

There will be 10 monthly $50 Amazon gift card winners and 1 quarterly $250 Amazon gift card winner.

Visit siriusxm.com for more.

AVON LAKE, OH (01.28.22) – Reduce under-hood temperatures and the chance of getting burned while working on a hot engine with the new Wastegate Heat Shield (#10142) from Design Engineering, Inc.

Great addition to a DEI Turbo Heat Shield for total turbo system protection, the Wastegate Heat Shield features high-tech composite materials with superior thermal insulating properties to help turbos run as efficiently as possible.

“We incorporated all of our experience building the absolute best Turbo Shield on the market, and applied it to building the best Wastegate Heat Shield,” says Mike Buca of DEI. “Offering a precise fit over the wastegate/BOV, it is without a doubt the strongest, most heat-resistant shield available.” Ideal fit for TurboSmart 40mm – 45mm wastegates – CompGate & HyperGate.

Thermal protection starts with a Titanium LR Technology™ outer layer encasing multiple stainless steel and silica inner layers. Stainless mesh and thread ensure durability even on the hottest engines, while stainless wire and true riveted tie-downs allow for a secure, simple installation.

The DEI Wastegate Heat Shield is lightweight for high-performance applications, controlling extreme heat for improved turbo system efficiency and function.

For more information about the Wastegate Heat Shield and DEI’s complete line of performance heat and sound control products, visit www.DesignEngineering.com.

AVON LAKE, OH (01.12.22) – Help prevent burns and block uncomfortable cabin heat from hot exhaust pipes with new Titanium Knitted Sleeves from Design Engineering, Inc.

Designed to fit 4″ OD tube sizes, the sleeves have a max temperature rating of 1,800°F and a continuous rating of 1,382°F. They are available in 12″ (#10038) and 24″ (#10040) lengths and can be cut to fit.

“Prevent burns and block uncomfortable heat with these new Titanium Knitted Sleeves,” says Mike Buca of DEI. “Designed to protect components from heat damage, they are perfect for larger exhaust pipes, as they can expand up to 1.5 times their normal diameter to install over flanges and sensor threads.”

Featuring a thick basalt material, the lightweight sleeves can easily be trimmed to size and rolled at the ends. Kits include locking ties and tool to secure the sleeves to the pipes.

For more information about Titanium Knitted Sleeves and DEI’s complete line of performance heat and sound control products, visit www.DesignEngineering.com.