CES 2009: Panasonic Exits Aftermarket Car Stereo

By TWICE Staff -- TWICE, January 10, 2009

Las Vegas — Panasonic exited the car stereo aftermarket and will focus only on OEM sales in the segment, said the company, marking further consolidation in consumer car electronics.

As of April 1, the company will transfer car electronics from the Panasonic Consumer Electronics Co. to the Panasonic Automotive Systems Co. of America, it said.

The announcement follows similar departures by Blaupunkt and Audiobahn from the U.S. car audio aftermarket in the past six months. Suppliers JVC and Kenwood, who continue to operate in the market have merged their operations and Clarion was purchased by Hitachi.

Panasonic was an aftermarket car stereo supplier for more than 30 years. Several of its product managers including Rob Lopez and Jonathan Frank left the company in the past 18 months.