MESA Adds Accessory Vendor

By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 3/12/2010

Northfield, N.J. - Mobile Electronics Specialists of America (MESA) expanded its roster of vendor members with the addition of iPod-integration supplier USA Spec.

 The supplier joins a growing list of companies that recently became members. They are Alpine, ATrend, Directed Electronics, Hertz/Audison, HushMat, Ixos, Metra and Rockford Fosgate. MESA's first members were JL Audio and Kenwood.

The dealer-owned marketing and selling group plans to announce suppliers in such categories as window tinting, video and radar detectors, said executive director David Schwartz.

MESA, owned by independent 12-volt dealers, was founded in November 2009 as a marketing and selling group that pools members' expertise, creates marketing materials for members, develops dealer-branded literature, and obtains training, marketing and promotion commitments from vendor members. Dealer members step up their commitment to vendor partners and get the opportunity to take advantage of vendor specials.

 With the assistance of an ad agency, the group has already developed TV, radio and print ads and a magazine that can be retailer-branded and distributed to car dealers, car clubs and the like.

 The group's goal is to expand the dealer-owner roster to 30 by the end of May, with a targeted maximum of 60 dealer owners.