Blaupunkt Intros Dealer Program, Fights Transships

By Staff On Oct 13 2003 - 6:00am

Blaupunkt has introduced a Select Dealer program to better support independent specialists. The program includes more aggressive sales training, promotion and merchandising, including new point-of-purchase materials, said the company.

Blaupunkt also recently hired NetEnforcers to stop unauthorized Internet dealers and to enforce no-transshipping agreements.

Blaupunkt said it is also taking steps to become a "full line supplier," said Lutz Marschall, new GM for North America. "You can't just be a head unit company anymore because you are going to loose that slot in the dash eventually."

In two to three years, a third to a half of the business will be in mobile video, he said. He said the company is adding its mobile video lineup and adding a line of video accessories.

The company recently began shipping a new intelligent video controller for up to three independent sources and three monitors to seamlessly integrate them into a mobile video system. The new controller allows a single hook-up and allows independent control of power, audio and video signals available locally at each of up to three monitors, says Blaupunkt. Called the IVSC-3302, it is available at a suggested retail price of $379.95.