SHREVEPORT, LA (4.6.26) – In today’s internet driven AI and social media world is more important than ever for members of the 12volt industry to connect with industry members and consumers. These activities are more important than ever to drive business into brick and mortar stores. Consumers many times do you know do not know what we offer for their rides and they certainly can’t feel the bass in their chest or experience the separation of highs and mids on a smartphone or a laptop.

14 years ago 12volt News staff recognize the value of QR Codes for industry members to connect digitally with a QR code.
qrspots.net was created. The tagline was ‘This spots for you’. Unfortunately at the time the industry felt that would drive consumers to the Internet and suggested continuing with that QR code was not good for the industry. We paused that activity even though we had demonstrated positive results. Today qrspots.net is not active.

Through the years, the usage of QR Codes has grown dramatically and it’s so hard to look at a flyer or catalog or even TV ad and not see a customized QR code. Unfortunately only scanning menus are reported by industry members.

A couple of years ago, the 12volt Central Studios created a new QR Code and have made numerous custom QR Codes for other industry members. As we’re ‘Cranking it up’ in 2026 we are cranking up visibility for custom QR Codes and will again showcase the value that QR Codes represent for all across the 12volt industry.

Contact the 12volt Central Studios for information to create your company’s custom QR Code.

For more see 12voltnews.com

TAMPA, FL (04.03.26) – DOW Technologies hosted the 4-City KICKER U Training TOUR In South Florida from March 30th through April 2nd. The KICKER U Training series included stops in Tampa, Orlando, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale.

Lori Boyer, Southeast Regional Sales Manager, and John Myers flew in from KICKER HQ in Stillwater to host each session with John upfront bringing the energy, education and information for dealers to sell smarter and sound better. From deep product dives to real-world install tips the trainings were built to help retailers boost confidence, close more deals and deliver next level audio experiences to their customers across South Florida. John Myers is KICKER Tech Force SeniorTrainer.

Dealer attendance at each of the four stops was very good with dealers in the audience being very engaged. The in-person experiences connected DOW Team members with attendees. Dinner and refreshments made each of the KICKER U stops an experience dealers could take back to their shops and get everyone to be Livin’Loud with KICKER.

John Schneid and Bruno Maffucci, with area rep firm Dynamic Sales and Marketing were in the house. Booth spent time connecting with dealers to increase attendance at the KICKER U Trainings.

DOW Technologies Team members Mike Barcia, Dave Elkin, Micheal Stampfli and Justin Roberts participated in select sessions across the 4-City swing.

“Dealers attending the 4-City KICKER U Trainings will certainly go back to their stores energized to drive business” Mike Barcia, Florida Territory Manager, 12volt related.

Stay tuned for more from the DOW Technologies KICKER U Training Tour.

For more see dowtechnologoes.com.

LOUISVILLE, KY (04.03.26) – Prodigy Audio is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Daville Customs, appointing the company as the authorized area distributor for the Kentucky, Tennessee, and Southern Indiana markets. This collaboration marks a significant expansion of Prodigy Audio’s distribution network, ensuring localized support and streamlined logistics for retailers across the region.

Daville Customs, led by industry veteran Chris Brown, brings decades of combined experience and technical expertise to the Prodigy Audio family. Known for their deep roots in the car audio community and a reputation for excellence in both service and installation, Brown and his team are uniquely positioned to represent Prodigy Audio’s high-performance product line.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chris Brown and the Daville Customs team to our distribution network,” said National Sales Manager Brett Barnes, Prodigy Audio. “Their extensive knowledge of the car audio landscape and commitment to dealer success align perfectly with our mission. By placing our inventory in their capable hands, we are ensuring our dealers in the Midwest and South receive the elite service they deserve.”

With strategic logistics and local Support, based in Louisville KY, Daville Customs operates out of a prime location near the UPS Worldport hub. This geographic advantage allows for industry-leading shipping times and efficient inventory management, providing dealers in the tri-state area with faster access to Prodigy Audio’s latest innovations.

Retailers located in the new territory can contact Daville Customs immediately for opening order information and product training.

For more see prodigyaudio.com and davillecustoms.com

LIBERTYVILLE, IL (04.03.26) – Bring that concert dimension of LOUD into your vehicle innovated with GROUND POUNDER. GROUND POUNDER amplifiers push BIGGER POWER within every song to unleash their full potential. Get ready to feel the rush of audio adrenaline with cleaner bass and sharper treble details as you turn every audio session into a LIVE concert. GROUND POUNDER transforms sound.

GROUND POUNDER amplifiers offer HIGH POWER output, ensuring deep bass and crisp highs for an immersive listening experience. Utilizing either Class A/B or Class D technology, every GP amplifier optimizes efficiency while maintaining excellent
audio clarity. It’s all in the details. Feel MORE.

To learn more, click here.

OZARK, MO (03.27.26) – The Ozarks will turn up the volume on April 4th with AMP’D UP in the Ozarks. This is a car show that is Audio focused and brings enthusiast, custom vehicles and major industry brands together for a one day showcase of sound and innovation.

Hosted by Creative Audio, a well established and trusted retailer specializing in car, home, and marine audio the event will highlight the latest technology in mobile sound systems and vehicle customization.

The show will feature booths and demonstrations from leading audio brands, alongside a wide range of custom vehicles showcasing powerful audio installations and creative builds.

AMP’D UP in the Ozarks aims to celebrate the growth of the Car-Audio community by giving enthusiast the opportunity to experience cutting edge audio systems, meet industry experts and connect with others who share a passion for high performance sound.

Organizers expect attendees from across the region for what is shaping up to be one of the Ozarks most exciting Audio focused automotive events of the year.

The 2025 AMP’D UP event filled the Convention Center with vender booths and demos, show cars and enthusiasts. Creative Audio, KICKER, KENWOOD, HERTZ, JBL, Memphis Audio, Rockford Fosgate, Cicada and Wet Sounds plus ORCA/Focal were featured exhibitors.

For more see ampdupintheozarks.com

GASTONIA, NC (03.25.26) – The 2026 Shiflet & Dickson 34th Annual Dealer Show ‘Cranked It Up’!. The event kicked off Saturday night at 7pm for the party with food and drinks at the Shiflet & Dickson location at 2480 Bessemer City Rd in Gastonia NC 28052. Live music and pork BBQ was on the menu plus time with manufacturer staff members, reps, fellow dealers and Shiflet & Dickson Team members David Holland, Dave, Chris, Lisa, Billie, Andy and Maureen. Over 50 dealers spent the night as guests in the local Hampton Saturday night.

Sunday was show day that ran from 9AM until 5PM with over 40 brands represented. There was lunch on Sunday with
delicious burgers and sides as the show ran from 9 AM until 5PM. The showroom was packed with vendor booths and well as
demo vehicles and bikes outside along with special unveilings.

A very happy David Holland stated “This was our 34th Annual Dealer Show and our company’s 71st Anniversary… and it was TERRIFIC. Many dealers had not had the ability to go to a show recently to see the newest 12volt products. With vendor motorcycles, side by sides and pickups in the house we let our customers hear what these products sound like in a real world setting…. other than a YouTube video on a smartphone or laptop. The DB Drive Experience and KICKER Toyota righthand drive Lite Ace rig, with almost 100,000 watts on board, were standouts and dealers liked seeing Mike Colundjia, MC Sales, show the latest radios from Linkswell.”

”DB Drive unveiled company’s new DB Experience….a full showroom on wheels with live demos and product displays.
In addition, Randy Goodwin and Leo Gonzalez showed new products and also selling profitability as a topic of discussions with dealers along with the new products.”

DK Electronics again had 2 decked out demo bikes, featuring DB Drive and PowerBass gear, for live demos. T J Lee showcased the bike installations. The new PowerBass PBM amps, with Jeff Falk spotlighting the features of the small footprint amp on the PowerBass bike, was a hit with dealers.

“MAXPro, with Allison and Ricky Parker, always provide the latest on Window film and PPF offerings at Shiflet’s Spring Show. “We discussed our new films and really dug into the benefits of adding PPF with Shiflet’s dealers this year. Shiflet sells a good amount of architectural products for his dealers. Now is the time for the tinting season and in rural areas farmers can really benefit with film installed. Also PPF protection has shown to help retain the resale value of a vehicle” Allison Parker stated.

Concluding Holland stated “Our show was one again like having our large family come into our facility for a large get together. We also had many of our vendors that offered us special discounts before and after the show to make our dealers more profitable on their sales floors. We thank all of our extended family members for coming to the 34th Annual Dealer Show this past weekend. A huge thank you to our business partners also.”

Stay tuned for more from the 12volt Central Studios.

Visit shifletdickson.com for more.

TORRANCE, CA (03.25.26) – Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc., a leading provider of aftermarket mobile electronics, is excited to announce the appointment of The Wholesale House as the exclusive distributor for the Wisconsin and Northern Illinois territories. The Wholesale House succeeds House Electronics after a long and valued partnership.

In addition to these exclusive territories, The Wholesale House has been assigned coverage for Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. This transition reflects Pioneer’s commitment to strengthening market reach, efficiency, and the overall customer experience across the region. The Wholesale House will bring enhanced speed and robust dealer support to drive improved service levels.

Larry Rougas, Revenue & Growth Officer and Executive Vice President at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc., expressed enthusiasm about the newly minted relationship. “We are delighted to have assigned The Wholesale House to these important markets,” said Rougas. “Their dedication to speed, coverage, and high levels of dealer satisfaction will assist the Pioneer brand and undoubtedly improve the customer experience.”
 

Mark Yoder, President of The Wholesale, stated, “This is a tremendous opportunity for The Wholesale House. We appreciate the opportunity to better serve Pioneer in the territories we know so well.”

For inquiries, please email: info@twhouse.com or call 419-542-7739.

LIBERTYVILLE, IL (03.25.26) – MASSIVE in power — BRUTUS BG amplifiers deliver the legendary Hifonics performance you expect — with a NEW built-in VU Meter and dual toroidal transformer PWM power supply. Get ready to raise your amplifier game through BRUTUS GAMMA innovation.

Hifonics BRUTUS BG amplifiers feature mass-loaded extruded aluminum heat sinks that result in better thermal management and output performance. In addition, every BRUTUS BG amplifier comes innovated with MOSFETS designed for higher output power gainsand fast thermal dissipation, making your audio cleaner and sharper.

To learn more, click here.

LIBERTYVILLE, IL (03.19.26) – Maxxsonics is pleased to announce that Beata Wasilewski has stepped into the role of Eastern Regional Sales Manager / Strategic Accounts Manager. This strategic move reinforces Maxxsonics’ continued commitment to strengthening regional leadership and supporting key account growth into 2026 and beyond.

“This is a natural next step for Beata and she knows our customers, understands our products, and has consistently shown the drive and professionalism needed to grow the business. I have a lot of confidence in her ability to step into this role and make an immediate impact,” said Eddie Ramirez, Maxxsonics National Sales Manager.

Beata has been an integral part of the Maxxsonics team for many years, consistently demonstrating dedication to both the company and its customers. Over the past six years, she has been deeply involved in sales operations, working closely with key accounts, distributors, and rep firms. Her experience includes collaboration with established rep and distribution businesses, giving her a comprehensive understanding of customer needs, product strategy, and market development.

In her expanded position, Beata will continue managing strategic accounts while assuming full responsibility for sales leadership across the Eastern region. Her combined experience in account management and regional development positions her to further strengthen dealer relationships, expand distribution opportunities, and drive continued growth across all Maxxsonics brands.

“Maxxsonics has always been about delivering innovative products and supporting the people who sell them. I’m grateful for the opportunity to take on this new role and continue working closely with our dealers and partners to help grow their business while expanding the reach of our brands. I can’t wait to continue contributing to the momentum Maxxsonics has built and I look forward to creating new relationships while strengthening the foundations of what we have already established,” said Beata Wasilewski, Maxxsonics Eastern Regional Sales Manager / Strategic Accounts Manager.

Beata is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing Maxxsonics’ market presence, reinforcing partnerships, and delivering consistent successful results throughout the Eastern territory.

For more info, visit maxxsonics.com

METAIRIE, LA (03.19.26) –  ORACLE Lighting has announced the upcoming release of its groundbreaking Lensless LED Headlights designed specifically for the 5th Generation Toyota 4Runner. Building on the company’s patent-pending lensless lighting architecture, this new system represents a major advancement in durability, maintenance, and real-world performance for off-road vehicles and adventure-focused platforms.

For more than a century, automotive headlights have relied on a clear outer lens to protect the light source. While lighting technologies have evolved from halogen to HID to modern LEDs, the basic architecture has remained largely unchanged. ORACLE Lighting’s lensless design challenges that convention, removing the traditional polycarbonate lens entirely and replacing it with a modular system of sealed LED emitter pods integrated directly into the headlight housing.

Each emitter module contains precision optics constructed from ballistics-grade PMMA acrylic, delivering exceptional optical clarity and impact resistance. At one inch thick, these optics are engineered to withstand harsh environmental conditions, highway debris, and off-road use. Unlike traditional headlights where a damaged lens requires replacing the entire assembly, ORACLE’s modular system allows individual components to be serviced or replaced, dramatically improving long-term ownership value.

“Removing the lens allowed us to rethink the entire headlight system from the ground up,” said Justin Hartenstein, Founder and Director of Product Development at ORACLE Lighting. “The result is a design that eliminates the most common failure points found in modern headlights like fogging, cracking, oxidation, and condensation… all while introducing a level of durability and serviceability that just didn’t exist before.”

One of the most innovative aspects of the new 4Runner headlight system is its integrated thermal management architecture. The projector bezels are manufactured from aircraft-grade aluminum and serve as part of the active thermal dissipation system for the high-output LED emitters. As the LEDs operate, heat is transferred into the aluminum bezels and housing where it is dissipated efficiently to maintain optimal operating temperatures.

This thermal integration not only allows the LEDs to operate optimally, it also provides a significant real-world advantage in winter environments. Unlike many modern LED headlights that remain cold and allow snow or ice to accumulate on the lens, the ORACLE system naturally becomes warm during operation, helping melt snow and ice buildup during driving. The design provides improved visibility in cold climates without requiring separate heating elements or additional electrical load.

Beyond durability and thermal performance, the lensless architecture also opens new possibilities for styling and customization. Without a traditional lens covering the front surface, the headlight housing itself becomes a visible design element. The exterior surfaces can be paint-matched to the vehicle, giving builders and enthusiasts new creative flexibility for OEM-plus builds and custom vehicles.

The headlights also feature reinforced, replaceable mounting brackets, reducing the likelihood of damage during installation, transport, or off-road use. If a bracket is ever damaged, it can be replaced independently without replacing the entire headlight assembly.

Designed specifically for the Toyota 4Runner platform, the new lensless headlights maintain a factory-style fit while delivering modern lighting performance and an aggressive, purpose-built appearance suited to the vehicle’s reputation for durability and adventure.

“Vehicles like the 4Runner are built for harsh environments, and their lighting systems should reflect that,” Hartenstein added. “This product was designed for real-world use, from trail dust and rock impacts to winter snowstorms… all while also pushing the boundaries of what automotive lighting can look like.”

Toyota 4Runner Lensless Headlights are expected to become available in late 2026, with additional vehicle applications already in development.

For more information visit www.oraclelights.com