ANCHORAGE, AK (02.02.2021) – SoundShield, the premium sound deadening brand launched in 2019 by 12 volt industry veterans John Schwartz and Bryan Schmitt, recently welcomed CE Guys as their newest rep firm. CE Guys is representing the brand in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, and Hawaii.

“We are very pleased to welcome CE Guys as our newest rep firm, along with their distribution company, FDI, that will stock SoundShield,” commented John Schwartz. The fact that the CE Guys are essentially stocking reps via their distribution company mean that SoundShield availability in all of those states represented is just a one or two day shipment time in most cases.

Michael Foundation, CEO of CE Guys said, “We absolutely love the love and enthusiasm that John and Bryan have put into every detail of the product, from packaging to point-of-sale displays. These two guys are well-respected in the industry and that carries a lot of weight with dealers. We feel comfortable that we are selling the best Sound Deadening product on the market!”

For 2021, Foundation plans to position SoundShield as the go to sound deadening brand in all of their represented states. “There is zero reason to carry another brand. We have the service, product, and relationships to make this happen. SoundShield, CE GUYS, and FDI together is the winning trifecta to dominate in our markets,” commented Foundation.

One of the advantages Schwartz noted in choosing to go with CE Guys is that they are known as the #1 powersports / motorcycle rep firm in the country. They have a long-standing background and experience in car audio, though. In addition to traditional car audio, motorcycles and powersports, CE Guys also services RV and marine sales channels. “This means we have a great opportunity for brand exposure in different retailer categories and for shops that may be unfamiliar with the category of sound deadening, acoustic treatments and road noise control,” added Schwartz.

To learn more about SoundShield, request a dealer application from soundshieldusa.com. To learn more about CE Guys and their company, visit ceguys.com

GULFPORT, MS (02.01.2021) – Sound Solutions has been selected for the 2020 Best of Gulfport Award in the Electronics category by the Gulfport Award Program.

Brett Shank, Sound Solutions owner, related, “Receiving this award is an honor as a local Gulfport business owner. We have been in business in Gulfport for 23 years. This is the 7th consecutive Best of Gulfport Award for Sound Solutions. We continue working to enhance our store and being recognized with this award gives a feeling of accomplishment. We feel there is only one solution and that is Sound Solutions.”

Each year, the Gulfport Award Program identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and the Gulfport community. These exceptional companies help make the Gulfport area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2020 Gulfport Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners we determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Gulfport Award Program and data provided by third parties

The Gulfport Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Gulfport area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Gulfport Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.

Visit soundsolutionsgulfport.com for more.

SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA (02.02.2021) – Accele Electronics is pleased to announce the latest addition to their growing portfolio of QI Wireless Charging Solutions, Qi Wireless charging is a much sought after feature and one that everyone with a recent model Smart Phone can benefit from. The BU-WLCTRV4 is the first offering of vehicle specific applications and is a direct replacement, snap in panel kit for America’s best-selling SUV, 2019 – 2021 Toyota RAV4 vehicles.

Qi wireless charging is typically offered as part of expensive Technology packages from vehicle manufacturers. Similar to Bluetooth 10 years ago, it’s a feature everyone can use but not readily available or even offered by Retailers. Users can now place their smart device safely out of the way and charge it while connected to the vehicle via Car Play or Android Auto. Installers will appreciate its simple installation as the kit requires no additional wiring. An additional plus, the “Plug & Play” OE design does not require use of a vehicle’s existing USB or USB C ports. Here’s a link to show simple installation.

To insure quick and reliable charging, Accele uses high power circuitry delivering 15 Watts to connected devices. To ensure safe use of the phone, the charging pad is constructed of non slip Rubber, securing the device while driving. Three status indicators display On, Charging & Charged to keep users informed. This is the perfect product for Expeditors seeking additional items to offer their dealerships and for 12 Volt Specialists to offer their Retail customers and that’s why they’ve chosen the Number 1 selling SUV in America, the Toyota RAV4 as its first application.

The BU-WLCTRV4 will be available in mid-February and pre-orders are currently being taken, contact your Accele Sales Representative.

Visit www.accele.com for more.

NORTH SYRACUSE, NY (12.02.2020) – Installations Unlimited is a proactive, family owner retailer that offers a wide selection of car, boat and truck accessories.

A post Tuesday, December 1st, grabbed eyes in the 12volt Central Studios. The graphic post showcased a new Chevy 4WD pickup. Along with the image of the truck was a graphic of a full Zone Offroad lift kit that could be added to the popular 2021Chevy and GMC 1500 4WD Trucks.

Zone Offroad is now shipping a lift kits for the 2021 Chevy and GMC 1500 4WD Trucks. These kit offerings are based on the widely popular 2019-2020 GM1500 trucks, now confirmed compatible with the 2021 models of the Silverado, Silverado Trail Boss, Sierra, Sierra AT4 and Sierra Denali. Kit offerings include the 2″, 3.5″, 4″ and 6″ lift kits as well a optional accessories allowing clearance for up to 37″ tires. These ktis include Factory Protection Plus, the comprehensive extended warranty giving you peace of mind on or off the road.

Great work by the Installations Unlimited Team.

Visit instagram.com/team_iu and teamiu.com for more.

TEMPE, AZ (10.07.2020) – Mobile Solutions announces it will be participating in the education sessions of the upcoming SEMA360 virtual event with a 30 minute training session titled Restomod and Hot-Rod Interior Fabrication – Incorporating Modern Electronics. Mobile Solutions president and founder Bryan Schmitt, along with Juan “JT” Torres of Automotive Entertainment HB in Huntington Beach, CA will take virtual attendees through many time-saving and innovative techniques to elevate designing and fabricating automotive interiors to the next level. They will also be able to interact with the attendees by answering questions during the session and immediately afterward. The training takes place Thursday November 5, 2020 from 12-12:30pm Pacific Time.

“We were very pleased that SEMA reached out to request that we do this session virtually” said Schmitt. “We were originally scheduled to do an in-person session at this year’s SEMA Show, but with the cancelation of that event it was great that the SEMA Education folks came up with an alternative to offer this virtually for SEMA360” he continued. Last year at the 2019 SEMA Show, Schmitt and other co-presenters packed the training room so full that they hit the occupancy limit from the Las Vegas fire marshal. “With all the webinars going on, people may have become fatigued at the traditional PowerPoint style presentations. Our training session is hands-on and we’re building right in front of the camera so it’s the real deal” added JT Torres.

Training Highlights
• How to design effectively – where to start
• Tools to improve efficiency and outcomes
• Drawing the concept with real time examples (package tray, door panel, console, etc.)
• Identify and specify the materials and colors
• Building and duplicating shapes with layer and dimension
• Consistent gaps for perfect fit on final finishes – paint, vinyl, leather, carpet, etc.
• Design enhancements with embossing, aluminum inserts and more
• Serviceability and fastening techniques
• Safety observations when fabricating panels & parts
• And much, much more!

Who Should Attend?
• Fabricators of hot-rod and restomod-style builds
• Cut-and-sew interior professionals
• 12 volt fabricators and car audio technicians
• Anyone interested in expanding their horizons of integrated interior design

Those automotive aftermarket professionals interested in attending the training session must register for the SEMA360 event by visiting http://www.sema360.com. While registering, you will be able to select the education sessions in which you’re interested. Registration the entire event for SEMA members is free and $25 for non-members. Reminders for the education sessions and other SEMA360 events for which you select will be sent via email to pre-registered attendees. In order to view the sessions, attendees must be registered for SEMA360. They don’t, however, have to be registered for the specific session as long as they’re registered for SEMA360 and know when it’s happening, they’ll be able to connect through the SEMA360 site. Just like traditional SEMA Shows, the SEMA360 event is intended only for industry professionals.

For more insider details about the Restomod and Hot-Rod Interior Fabrication – Incorporating Modern Electronics education session during SEMA360 on November 5, 2020 12-12:30 Pacific Time, visit www.mobilesolutions-USA.com, watch their facebook and Instagram feeds, or call 480-968-2074.

NORTH READING, MA (10.01.2020) – Over the past 12 months, Bowers & Wilkins has enjoyed outstanding success with its flagship PX7 over-ear wireless headphones. These adaptive noise-cancelling designs offer an unmatched combination of breathtaking sound quality, smart features and supreme comfort which together have helped them win countless awards and recommendations around the world.

2020 also marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of Bowers & Wilkins first-ever headphone design, the iconic P5—a breakthrough model that would swiftly redefine customer expectations for build, design and sound quality in the premium performance headphone category.

Now it’s time to celebrate that success, with the launch of the PX7 Carbon Edition. Designed to highlight the PX7’s pioneering use of carbon-fiber composite reinforcement in its construction, the new Carbon Edition features a high- quality carbon black finish with diamond-cut detailing on each ear cup, creating an even more premium look that also evokes the illustrious heritage of Bowers & Wilkins headphones over the years, inspired by the original P5.

Smart design, smart features.

The PX7 Carbon Edition shares the same proven specification as the existing PX7 models. First and foremost, it delivers True Sound, offering maximum resolution while maintaining complete neutrality and tonal balance. The aim is to recreate your favorite music exactly as the artist intended – whether with or without noise-cancelling selected. The PX7 Carbon Edition’s immersive soundstage is the result of a specification that includes bespoke 43.6mm drivers, specially designed, developed and tuned by the world-renowned Bowers & Wilkins engineering

team responsible for the legendary 800 Series Diamond loudspeakers – as used in such world-famous professional environments as Abbey Road Studios and Skywalker Sound.

To maintain sound quality, the PX7 Carbon Edition also supports the latest wireless codecs including the recently launched Bluetooth aptX Adaptive technology, allowing the transfer of genuine high-resolution music wirelessly at 24-bit/48kHz streaming quality.

Much engineering effort was also spent on the design of the headband and earcup-supporting arms used in the PX7 Carbon Edition’s construction; as with all PX7s, these are made from a carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer for an optimal combination of lightness and stiffness. Memory foam ear pads also ensure that the headset starts with market-leading passive noise isolation. As for active noise cancellation, PX7 Carbon Edition’s adaptive technology

is capable of intelligently sensing the background environment and automatically selecting the appropriate type and level of noise cancellation. Users can also use the companion App to select an Ambient-Pass-Through feature that allows certain external sounds to be heard without removing the headset. The PX7 Carbon Edition isn’t just sophisticated, it’s intuitive to use. It features proximity sensors built into both ear cups, so your music is automatically paused when either ear cup is lifted and automatically resumes when placed back on your ear. At the same time, PX7 Carbon Edition also offers push-button access to Voice Assistant Support via either Siri or Google Assistant depending on the type of phone used.

Finally, the PX7 Carbon Edition’s long battery life of up to 30 hours from a single charge (with ANC activated) is backed by a 15min quick-charge facility that will enable five more hours of use.

The comfortable, musical and beautiful PX7 Carbon Edition will be available in October, priced at USD $399.99.

Visit bowerswilkins.com for more.

SHREVEPORT LA (09.05.20)  WTF…Win This Friday. Audio X Custom Car Audio won the 12volt News $100. Prize on Friday, September 4th.

The 12volt Spin-to-Win Wheel was created to bring an element of fun to the 12volt industry. Nine months ago we celebrated the first anniversary of the weekly 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel.

On Friday morning, September 4th, the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel rolled for the 92nd time and the Wheel landed on the 12volt News space. The Audio X Custom Car Audio slip was drawn from the jar. We placed a call to the Florence AL retailer and Mike House answered the phone. He was happy to hear the news after initially wondering if this was a robo scam call.
Spinning out a new winner each Friday, a 12volt retailer can win a cool prize and top brands receive visibility across the marketplace.

12volt brands with a space on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel include Kicker, NavAtlas, SiriusXM, Cadence, PowerBass, CRUX, DS18, SoundStream, AIS, Precision Power, JBL, Power Acoustik, Farenheit and Inkling Designs. 12volt News $100. cash awards have spaces on the 12volt Spin-To-Wheel for a winning 12volt retailer.

Past winners of the 12volt Spin-To-Win include…Stereo & Video Center-Tyler TX, The Outlaw Garage-Franklin TN, Exotic Sounds-West Palm Beach FL, Endless Possibilities-Aurora IL., Go Auto Sound in Union City NJ, Al&Ed’s South Bay CA, No Limitz Car Audio in Upland CA, Neil’s Specialty-Eureka CA, Sturgess Customs-Lexington SC, Audio By Art-San Antonio TX, SMS Car Audio in Marreo LA and Sweet Wheelz in Mississauga Ontario Canada, Cartronics in Biscayne FL, The CarAudio Shop in St Louis MO, Exotic Sounds in West Palm Beach FL, High North Customs in Grand Prairie Alberta Canada and AMS Audio in Bakersfield CA, Team QRT in Abbeyville LA and California Sound in Fontana CA and Jackie Cooper Electronics, Oklahoma City OK, MARS Audio-Orlando FL, All American Audio in Nutley NJ, Proline Car Stereo in Brooklyn NY, Custom Shop Miami, Tunes and Tint in Lakeland FL, Mobile Concepts Inc in Mokena IL, Seismic Auto Sound in Concord CA, Brooklyn Car Audio in Brooklyn NY, Audio Solutions in Florence MS, Enhanced Customs in Largo FL, Rayco Auto Clinic, Audio Design in San Jose CA, Go Bass Mode in Florida, Avenue Sound in Freeport NY, Audio Plus in Riverview FL, Stereo Zone in Whittier CA, In-Phase Car Audio in Omaha NE, AutoLife Group, N&H Electronics, SK Customs, Land & Sea, The Audio One, NC Custom Shop,Tint World Orlando, Ricky Smith’s Audio, VIP Custom Woks, Mobile Audio Concepts, Audio Lad, Sound Sensations, Dave’s Stereo, Stereo Design, Badlands Customs, Custom Audio-Erie PA, Voltz Autosports-Bridgeport CT, Infinity Sound and Security-Kissimmee, Autosport Plus-Canton OH, Stereo City Pros in Carmichael CA, Devine Concepts in Naples FL, The Sound Shop in Indian Trail NC, Extreme Performance Audio in Fresno CA, Audio Depot in Arlington TX, Audio Security in Houston TX, Earmark Car Audio and Marine in Lewisville TX, Audio Jam in Bear DE, Stereo City Ontario, Ontario CA, Audio By Art, San Antonio TX, Code Zero Customs in Tulsa OK, Ken’s Car Tunes in Mobile AL, Soundz Plus in Naperville IL, Markland Designs in Lithonia GA, Electronics Plus in Salinas CA, Xtreme Autosports in Santa Clarita CA, Superior Audio Sounds in San Angelo TX and Model Electronics in Ramsey NJ, Texas Dreamz Customs in Spring TX, Wired Electronics in Linden NJ and Intense Car Audio in OKC, OK, Underground Auto in Sarasota FL, Car Toys Tulsa in Tulsa OK,  Real Audio in Erie PA, Go Autosound in Union NJ, DFM Stereo in Ukiah CA, Impact Tint and Audio in Tyler TX, Mobile Sound Systems in Arlington TX, Redline Audio and Performance In Spindale NC and and Car Audio Land in San Diego CA. Congratulations to all.

WTF… Where’s the Fun. On the next spin of the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel Friday, September 11th.

This article was written by Michael Strong for TheDetroitBureau.com:

DETROIT, MI (07.24.2020) – There is a simple way to save more than 9,000 lives annually: use in-car technology to eliminate drunk driving.

That’s according to a new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which adds that if alcohol-detection devices were installed in vehicles, preventing non-sober drivers from getting on the road, it would make a massive difference.

Statistics show that during the past decade, alcohol has been a factor in about 30% of all roadway deaths each year. The numbers would be higher, except for the fact that police arrest about 1 million people a year for alcohol-impaired driving.

“We haven’t made much progress in the fight against drunk driving since the mid-1990s,” said Charles Farmer, IIHS vice president of research and statistical services and the author of the paper. “This is something that could put a real dent in the alcohol-impaired driving problem.”

Despite the fact that vehicles are safer than ever, one area that hasn’t improved significantly is the consistent removal of impaired drivers from the roads. The technology is in place to prevent drunk drivers from hitting the highway, but it’s only used in limited situations.

Ignition interlock attached to a breath-testing unit are required in many jurisdictions for repeat drunk driving offenders. The systems, while on the surface seeming to be an extreme measure, do have public support, IIHS notes. In a 2009 survey of U.S. drivers, nearly two-thirds of the respondents said they would support the installation of similar systems in all vehicles, as long as they were fast, accurate and unobtrusive.

“Alcohol-impaired driving has been a scourge in the U.S. for decades, claiming 10,511 lives in 2018, accounting for over a quarter of all traffic deaths that year,” the National Safety Council, a non-profit safety advocacy group.

“NSC knows systems that are able to detect alcohol in drivers’ blood and prevent them from driving can help make roadways in the country safer for all road users. This study showing the thousands of lives saved from such systems strengthens the case for their implementation in all vehicles, and NSC urges requirements for this life-saving technology as soon as possible.”

The study suggests that systems that would prevent people under the influence should be thought of the same way lane-keeping assist or emergency braking are — as advanced safety technologies. Several automakers have investigated how it could be done, although few seemingly as doggedly as Volvo did several years ago.

The automaker actually developed a system it called Alcoguard. It required the driver to blow into a device and it could measure the person’s blood-alcohol content, or BAC, and determine if they were legally allowed to drive. If not, it would deactivate the vehicle. It would even display the read out and “verdict” in the gauge cluster.

In the interim, a group called Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) has been working to find a solution. DADSS is a is a public-private partnership linking the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety, which represents the world’s leading automakers. It’s currently road-testing a passive alcohol sensor that detects the driver’s blood-alcohol content by measuring the driver’s breath or touch.

Click here to view the full article on TheDetroitBureau.com

TEMPE, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Rockford Fosgate the industry leader in high-performance audio systems, is pleased to announce the availability of new Element Ready™ products introduced last November. The M1 and M2 Series speakers and subwoofers as well as the Color Optix™ Controller and corresponding cables are now shipping to authorized retail locations.

The RF CONNECT™ App which interfaces with the Color Optix™ Controller to allow the user to choose from 30 different color scrolling options or choose any fixed color from the color wheel and dial in the speed and brightness of the LED lighting is available on both the Apple® and Android® app stores.The Color Optix™ M2 series includes 6.5 inch and 8-inch coaxial speakers, a standalone, high efficiency tweeter, as well as 10-inch dual 2 ohm and dual 4-ohm subwoofers.  Color Optix™ M1 Series 6-inch, 6.5 inch, and 8-inch coaxial speakers are available along with 8-inch, 10-inch and 12-inch subwoofers offered in dual 2 ohm and dual 4 ohm varieties.Black and white grille options are available on both M1 and M2 products. M2 takes customization a step further by including a stainless-steel grille insert so you may choose black with stainless or white with stainless as well.To achieve industry leading plug and play connectivity Deutsch™ and Amphenol™ connectors are integrated into the design on all the M1 and M2 drivers. This combined with their IP67 certification make these speakers and subwoofers Element Ready™ and truly purpose built for marine applications.For more information on the complete line of Color Optix™ products please visit RockfordFosgate.com.M2 Series Products Available:

• M2-65 / M2-65B – 6.5″ Color Optix Marine 2-Way System
• M2-8 / M2-8B – 8″ Color Optix Marine 2-Way System
• M2-TS – 1″ Marine Add-On Tweeter Kit
• M2D2-10I / M2D2-10IB – 10″ DVC 2Ω Color Optix Infinite Baffle Marine Subwoofer 
• M2D4-10I / M2D4-10IB – 10″ DVC 2Ω Color Optix Infinite Baffle Marine Subwoofer 

M1 Series Products Available:

• M1-6 / M1-6B – 6″ Color Optix Marine Speaker Pair
• M1-65 / M1-65B – 6.5″ Color Optix Marine Speaker Pair
• M1-8 / M1-8B – 8″ Color Optix Marine Speaker Pair
• M1D2-8 / M1D2-8B – 8″ DVC 2Ω Color Optix Marine Subwoofer
• M1D4-8 / M1D4-8B – 8″ DVC 4Ω Color Optix Marine Subwoofer
• M1D2-10 / M1D2-10B – 10″ DVC 2Ω Color Optix Marine Subwoofer
• M1D4-10 / M1D4-10B – 10″ DVC 4Ω Color Optix Marine Subwoofer
• M1D2-12 / M1D2-12B – 12″ DVC 2Ω Color Optix Marine Subwoofer
• M1D4-12 / M1D4-12B – 12″ DVC 4Ω Color Optix Marine Subwoofer

Controller and Cables Available:

• PMX-RGB – Color Optix Light Controller with Optional App Interface
• RGB-6C – 6 ft Color Optix Extension Cable for PMX-RGB 
• RGB-16C – 16 ft Color Optix Extension Cable for PMX-RGB
• RGB-25C – 25 ft Color Optix Extension Cable for PMX-RGB
• RGB-YC – Y-Adapter Color Optix Cable for PMX-RGB