Brax, Helix Getting New Components

By Joseph Palenchar On Aug 22 2011 - 4:01am

TEMPE, ARIZ. – Rockford is expanding its selection of Brax-brand autosound components and replacing two Helix-brand component speaker systems.

Brax is positioned as a luxury brand of amplifiers and speakers, and the company likens Helix’s series of amps and speakers to a lower-priced series in the BMW line of cars.

In late 2010, Rockford acquired the exclusive North American distribution rights to the brands, which are owned by Audiotec Fischer of Germany.

 

Backup-Camera Options Grow

By Lisa Johnston On Feb 21 2011 - 6:01am

NEW YORK — Steelmate USA added 12 backup-camera models to its iPark lineup, and Magellan announced that its $299-suggested RoadMate 9055 PND with 7-inch screen will accept an optional backup camera in the future.

Steelmate’s selection includes 10 vehiclespecific models and two universal models. The products are classified into two groups: one using CMOS camera technology and the other using CCD technology. Models in the former category retail for a suggested $160, while the latter are $180.

OE-Look Factory-Fit Radios: A Fit For Retail?

By Joseph Palenchar On Mar 21 2011 - 4:01am

NEW YORK — OE-look factory-fit radios fit nonstandard dash openings in specific vehicle models and look like they came from the factory. The radios plug into factory wiring harnesses without additional harness adapters, and many plug into OEM databus systems to ensure that other factory electronics, such as OnStar, continue to work as designed.

But are factory-fit radios a good fit for the retail channel?

OE-Look Radios: Potential Profit Upside

By Joseph Palenchar On Mar 21 2011 - 4:01am

NEW YORK — OE-look radios could deliver higher ticket sales and more profit dollars for aftermarket retailers than traditional single- and double-DIN installs, marketers told TWICE.

Rosen’s OE-look multimedia-navigation systems, said sales and marketing VP Steve Weimar, typically retail for $1,500, or $200 to $400 more than a standard double-DIN multimedia-nav system, including adapters and interfaces.

Factory-Fit Dealers Face Supply-Side Economics

By TWICE Staff On Mar 21 2011 - 4:01am

NEW YORK – For now, retailers looking for factory-fit radios are wondering whether there will be an ample supply available to them.

Rosen Entertainment sells to expediters and Crutchfield but isn’t contemplating a broad move into retail distribution. Audiovox, which has begun shipping eight of nine OE-look head units unveiled at CES to expand its selection, has no plans for now to sell outside the the expediter channel. And Myron & Davis sells a handful of models through online retailers.

Suppliers Stepping Up Internet Radio Promos

By Joseph Palenchar On Apr 18 2011 - 4:01am

NEW YORK – Internet radio will play a key role in the promotional plans of select car audio suppliers and retailers in the coming months now that the technology is hitting mainstream price points and becoming available in a broad selection of head units from key suppliers.

JVC Campaign Highlights iHeart App

By Joseph Palenchar On Apr 18 2011 - 4:01am

NEW YORK — For its fourth annual Turn Me On webvideo campaign, JVC will take viewers on a four-decade tour of music, hairstyles and car audio technology ranging from a JVC cassette deck from the early 1980s to a 2011 head unit that controls an iHeart Internet radio app installed on a cable-connected iPhone.

JVC Mobile was there for all four decades, having launched car audio in the U.S. in 1982.

JVC Mobile Strengthens Ties To Internet

By Joseph Palenchar On Jan 6 2011 - 6:01am

LAS VEGAS — JVC Mobile is making a lot of changes to this year’s mobile electronics lineup.

JVC is adding head-unit control of iPhone-stored Pandora and iHeart Internet radio apps for the first time and launching its first two HD Radio head units that display Artist Experience images transmitted by select stations.

In other changes, JVC is:

• launching a new entry-level amplifier, speaker and sub series called DRVN, with voicing and aggressive looks to compete better with entry-level models from U.S. companies.

Dual's Axxera Brand Makes Connections

By Joseph Palenchar On Jan 6 2011 - 6:01am

LAS VEGAS — Dual is coming to CES with its first line of car audio products targeted exclusively to independent retailers and 12- volt specialists.

Sony Adds Car Internet Radio Plans, Car Blu-ray

By Joseph Palenchar On Jan 6 2011 - 6:01am

LAS VEGAS – Sony’s mobile electronics group is coming to International CES to launch its first two head units that control an Internet-radio smartphone app, its first OE-integration product for aftermarket channels, and an expanded selection of A/V heads.

Also in the convention center’s North Hall, the mobile group will:

• demo an unfinished version of its first Blu-ray player, a double-DIN A/V unit. A ship date hasn’t been set.