SONICBlue Axes Rio
Staff -- TWICE, 6/3/2002
SANTA CLARA, CALIF.— SONICBlue said it discontinued selling its Rio In Car system to the aftermarket in favor of pursuing OEM channels.
The RF modulated, 10GB-60GB system, which started at $1,299, began selling in late February, 2001, on the Internet and then through Car Toys beginning last June. The retail version of the product was discontinued in the fourth quarter with the remaining inventory selling through in the first quarter of this year, said the company.
A SONICBlue spokeswoman said the "company as a whole is focusing more tightly on the electronic home and the Rio Car didn't fit with this any longer." She said, however, that SONICBlue "will continue to work with major car manufacturers and key OEM car stereo suppliers with a focus on producing custom or co-branded Rio Car products for volume applications."
