“In the aftermarket, you usually have to clip off all the Molex connectors. Now, though, you can direct-connect,” thanks to new technology. Hunter of Rockford Fosgate is pleased with how his company’s products stand up to the competition. “We took into account that there are others out there, one that is done very well and one that is more of a niche product that only fits BMWs,” he said. “We’re the only one with three different baskets.” While cost is always a concern, sometimes that has to come second to other
factors. “It costs more to get into (a new) market, but the flexibility you provide for consumers and shops is a benefit,” he said, and that benefit is a bigger share of the market, which should mean enough profits to outpace any costs. Memphis Car Audio responds to competition by creating a niche. “We’re unique in that we only sell through independent retailers, so we keep our ear very close to what they want,” said Allen. “We will build our business by helping our dealers sell to their customers.” One way the company keeps track of what its customers want is through its own 35-member sales force.
Te Evolving Marketplace That’s only one example of how the field is responding to consumers, Vinson said—by making products like speakers and subwoofers easier to install, more flexible, and less expensive. “We’re definitely seeing both—manufacturers responding to the DIY market- place and dealing with the 12-volt specialist market with products that are less labor-intensive,” he said. “What makes sense today is that you don’t have to be a single guy with a big vehicle to enjoy these products; you can be a dad or soccer mom, because these products play well with installers.” For Rockford Fosgate, the future means “pushing hard to have as many
direct-fit products as possible—it’s an ongoing exercise to add what the public is demanding,” said Hunter. In response, this year will see three more PBR models becoming available for motorcycles, among other items in the works. Memphis Car Audio’s Allen sees the car audio market as “continuing to splin- ter into a lot of smaller markets, so dealers have to be as versatile and flexible as possible. The days of waiting around for customers to walk in and ask for audio systems to be installed are gone.” It may have been slow in coming, but Brown said that Alpine “is seeing indi-
cators the economy is making a healthy rebound and forecasts that OEM is also expected to increase.” The company also sees the buyer mindset as focused on customization. In response to these economic trends and its research on customer interests, Alpine is about to introduce “the world’s first 9-inch GPS system—all-in-one, with everything you need to bolt it into the car, with vehicle-specific lighting and hard keys,” Brown announced. It will be for GM vehicles, with a Ford 150 kit coming and products for the different styles of dashboards in the Dodge Ram and a second Chevy product as well. The company is also looking at “more vehicle-specific sound systems to take
advantage of design trends and provide a full sound experience for the cus- tomer. We want to saturate the market with big-screen and quality sound solutions,” said Brown. Alpine is also looking at how people use their trucks and SUVs, such as for hauling boats and off-road vehicles, and thinking in terms of new products for those niches. The current market features more cars that are easier to sell, creating a larger consumer base, Vinson said, so manufacturers and the aftermarket can “cast a wider net. The more you can diversify and expand, the more business (these products) can generate.”
me-mag.com 23
Prima Sound Packs by Elettromedia USA
Tese bring together amplifiers, speak- ers, and set-up files for the DSP. Tey come with mounting accessories using OEM factory radios. Elettromedia’s new Sound Packs are pre-tuned for a specific car. Tey include Audison’s first amplifiers with built-in sound processing.
Axxera/Dual AX47S Digital Ultra Slim Series amps
Tese amps are only slightly larger than an iPhone, but “pack a lot of power thanks to their super-efficient design,” according to the company. Te amps are Class D Dig- ital, and feature an Advanced SMD (Surface Mount Device) circuitry for better current flow and reduced RF and EMF interference. Each amp also features high-level inputs with auto turn-on, low-level inputs (RCA).
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60