Car News Archives - ceoutlook.com

Zapco Gets New Master Distributor

Amy Gilroy — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 15:53:29 +0000

Zapco, a pioneering amplifier company in the early days of car audio and on the competition circuit, has reappointed Atrend, maker of speaker enclosures, as its master distributor. Atrend will handle all Zapco operations except manufacturing. Atrend was previously the master distributor for Zapco from 2014 to 2018. Zapco was one of the original car […]

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Compustar Goes Direct With Key Dealer

Amy Gilroy — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 16:09:54 +0000

Firstech, maker of Compustar and DroneMobile remote start and security, and Momento dash cameras announced a new direct partnership with Tint World, which now operates 107 franchise locations. Tint World worked with Firstech brands in the past, but through distribution, rather than a direct partnership. Tint World still retains its partnership also with VOXX and […]

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DS18 Looks to Acquire Legacy Brands

Amy Gilroy — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 16:18:44 +0000

DS18, a car and pro car audio brand that has grown since its US launch in 2014 to be leader in several car audio categories, is seeking to broaden the company’s market share by the acquisition of, or joint venture with other brands. DS18, in particular, is seeking to work with more established brands to […]

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Fox Acoustics Expands

Amy Gilroy — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 15:20:47 +0000

Fox Acoustics, Houma, Louisiana, maker of subwoofer boxes, is expanding its operations and expects to more than quadruple output over the next few years to become one of the larger suppliers in the category, it said. The company, which launched in 1996 by Joe Fox, had set out to expand years earlier but was hit […]

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Remote Start Sales Update

Amy Gilroy — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 17:38:33 +0000

Despite the fact that remote start is expected to be available on 90 percent of vehicles this year, according to the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), aftermarket remote start remains fairly steady. Compustar’s Justin Lee said, “There’s no falling off in sales. Our growth continues…We’re still seeing registration on newer vehicles from 2022 and 2023.” Retailers […]

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12 Volt Exits CES 2023

Amy Gilroy — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 15:05:11 +0000

Few if any car audio suppliers are planning to exhibit at CES 2023, and some said they do not expect to return to the iconic show for the foreseeable future. Last year, Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine and others opted out of CES due to COVID. But many are continuing to pass on CES ( January 5-8, […]

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Alpine Ships Drop-In Status Speakers

Amy Gilroy — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 20:17:51 +0000

Alpine (Alps Alpine North America) is now shipping the last of its new Status line components– three OEM-Fit speakers that work in factory openings. The speakers were developed especially for Hi-Res Audio playback and have an an ultra wide bandwidth of 55Hz – 40kHz. All are 6.5-inch models and include a 3-way component set, the […]

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Founder of the Car Amplifier Passes

Amy Gilroy — Sat, 10 Dec 2022 20:57:29 +0000

Jim Fosgate, 85, often called the inventor of the car audio amplifier, passed away Friday. He was the Founder of Rockford Fosgate and he later led the team that created Dolby Pro Logic II. His first amplifier debuted at the Consumer Electronics Show in 1973. under the company Fosgate Electronics. It was a 30-watt model, […]

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Note to Our Readers

Amy Gilroy — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 16:19:45 +0000

We recognize that our email headlines have been incorrect this week due to a glitch from our email provider. We are avidly working to fix the problem. Thank you for your patience! You may also see the latest news stories at www.facebook.com/ceoutlook

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One of First CarPlay Kits for Tesla

Amy Gilroy — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 01:32:16 +0000

ZZ-2 announced one of the first CarPlay kits to work with the touchscreen in Tesla vehicles. The ITZ-TSL, also provides wireless CarPlay. With the plug and play kit, the traditional CarPlay interface appears on the the factory screen with touch controls. The system also works with the factory Bluetooth for audio and phone calls. It […]

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12V Nightclub-Style Promo

Amy Gilroy — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 18:31:23 +0000

Last month, Tint World of Longwood-Orlando, FL, turned its new Orlando location into a Miami-style nightclub for a grand opening gala. Owner Pete Muller wanted to do something different for the grand opening and decided on the night club theme. His shop of six years in the area was already well known to the local […]

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Focal Debuts New Upscale K2 M Line

Amy Gilroy — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 15:20:22 +0000

Focal is launching a new updated K2 series of upscale car speakers that are positioned just below the brand’s ultra high end Utopia M series. The new line has many of the same features as Utopia, but the components are sold a la carte, rather than in a full system. The line, called K2 M […]

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Car Toys’ Sister Company Shuts Down

Amy Gilroy — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 00:37:55 +0000

Wireless Advocates, the sister company of 49-store car audio chain Car Toys, Seattle, suddenly shut its doors Monday and let go of approximately 1800 employees, according to reports. The company recently lost its long-time contract to operate the cellphone kiosks at 535 Costco stores and ended its operation of 65 kiosks for the Army & […]

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When Should You Unload Inventory

Amy Gilroy — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 14:28:45 +0000

By Mr Retail Many of us have been thinking about inventory, our levels, and if it is time to start unloading it. Vendors are once again introducing new models. In year’s past it was okay if we had some existing inventory as we would just sell through it. But in head units, more vendors are […]

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KENWOOD, JVC Ship New All-Wireless Decks

Amy Gilroy — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 15:47:30 +0000

KENWOOD and JVC are starting to ship new all wireless CarPlay/Android Auto decks that are also Maestro ready (for easier integration into vehicles). All three receivers are SiriusXM and Hi-Res Audio-ready and include 5-volt pre-outs. KENWOOD’s two new models include the eXcelon Reference DMX958XR deck with the above features plus Hi-Res Audio playback over a […]

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12V Rep Firm Closes

Amy Gilroy — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 16:30:35 +0000

A stocking rep firm for Alpine, and manufacturer’s rep for brands including JL Audio, Scosche, Elettromedia, Epsilon and Omega is closing its doors at the end of the month. Focused Marketing Solutions has been a rep for 17 years in the Mid-Atlantic and Metro NY areas, led by Principal Dominick Butta who is retiring. Butta […]

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Average Gas Price Heads to $3, Helps Holiday Sales

Amy Gilroy — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 17:38:55 +0000

The cost of gas is fast falling to the point it may be helping holiday sales. The average price at the pump was $3.50 as of Wednesday, said AAA, and it could drop below $3 by Christmas, said GasBuddy. The lower prices may have contributed to strong holiday sales over Thanksgiving weekend, reported The Washington […]

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CES Innovation Award Winners

Amy Gilroy — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 16:59:30 +0000

The Consumer Technology Assn. (CTA) announced the first batch of Innovation Award winners for 2023. Among the awards this year are technologies to improve dash screens that can run the length of the dashboard, new spatial audio surround, more cameras to monitor driver behavior, new thin film car speakers, advances in lidar and radar and […]

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Black Friday 12V Sales Results

Amy Gilroy — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 16:43:22 +0000

Most dealers we polled said Black Friday weekend sales were up over last year but down from pre-pandemic levels. Part of the reason is that the sales have become spread out over the full month of November, so the weekend doesn’t get the frenzied surge of shoppers in many cases. Sales were up 20 percent […]

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Sundown Audio Acquired by 12V Company

Amy Gilroy — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 17:21:37 +0000

Sundown Audio is in the process of being acquired for an undisclosed sum by a sister company to XS Power. The purchaser, called Systematic Audio, is owned by Scottie Johnson, who also owns XS Power. Johnson and Sundown Audio President and Owner Jacob Fuller are long time friends. Fuller will continue to run product development […]

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