NAV-TV Adds Back up Cam/Navi to Dodge Uconnect

The Uconnect TouchT 4.3 in the 2011 Dodge Charger has nearly everything: a sexy 4.3 inch LCD touch screen in the middle of the dash, a remotely mounted CD player, a USB port for iPod control or MP3 and WMA playback from a USB device. It’s got Bluetooth, voice recognition, and Sirius satellite radio. It controls the heating and AC system via touch screen. But it doesn’t have a back up camera or navigation system as options.

NAV-TV is taking pre-orders on what it says is the first integration device for the Uconnect TouchT 4.3. And it will develop a line of plug and play add-on modules for the system.

The new back up camera interface module, UCI-11C ships at the end of August. It is available with a separate rear view camera (CHARGER-CAM) that links the camera directly to the vehicle’s brake light without requiring any alternations or modifications to the car. The image displays on the touch screen automatically when the car is placed into reverse, and it also shows you “parking lines” or markers for judging distance.

“Safety is a big concern for people. Nobody wants to run over a child. The LCD screen is already there and, in conjunction with a reverse camera, can help the driver see in blind spots to avoid a tragic accident. However, the option is not available from Chrysler/Dodge,” said NAV-TV president Constance Melman. She said the company surpassed sales on the first day of pre-order, selling as many models as were expected to move in the first two weeks.

The UCI-11C will also work with a navigation option to be offered by NAV-TV in the near future.

NAV-TV says the technology is an important breakthrough for the aftermarket in working with difficult vehicle installations. “Most vehicle manufacturers today are choosing to incorporate color LCD touch screens with a remotely mounted control brain in lieu of traditional radios and buttons. This method saves money by reducing excess wiring and weight while giving the customer the same, if not better, ease of operation. However, it makes it difficult or even impossible to retrofit the vehicle with an aftermarket radio… Our new UCI product line is a huge step forward …” said VP Derek Schmiedl.

Pricing will be announced shortly.

Source: NAV-TV

Mercedes-Benz Shows 3D Car Screen

3D may not be selling like gangbusters on a Nintendo DS but Mercedes Benz expects to offer 3D viewing on a car screen.

The car maker believes 3D can enhance navigation map views on a car screen and recently showed off a concept 3D display to the press.

Autoevolution wrote, “According to Mercedes-Benz, three-dimensional on-screen presentations enable information to be absorbed more intuitively.”

The auto maker is also planning to offer more “natural speech” voice control that will let you ask the radio a question and receive an answer.

There’s no word on when these features will be available but Mercedes-Benz will start offering apps such as Facebook, Twitter and Google this fall.

Source: Autoevolution

Photo via TG Daily

Rockford Raises Prices, Reports Solid Q2

Rockford Corp. noted it raised prices slightly last month, while announcing solid results for its second quarter ending June 30, 2011.

Citing strong sales in both aftermarket and OEM car audio products, Rockford said net income was $1.8 million compared to $1.1 million for Q2 a year ago.

Net sales rose 14.2 percent to $17 million compared to $14.9 million a year ago.

Regarding the price hike, CEO and president Bill Jackson said “Currency fluctuations and rising commodity prices continue to put pressure on the business and, in response, we announced a slight price increase at the end of the second quarter.”

Overall, Jackson said of the quarter, “All of our business and distribution channels contributed to the gain. Our specialist and international channels continue to perform well,”

“Several areas in the US are experiencing improved retail traffic, while others are still feeling the impact of the weak economy,” he added. “Gas prices appear to have stabilized and our retailers are beginning to take a more optimistic view. Gross margins have improved compared to last year and expenses are tracking to plan.”

Jackson also credited Rockford’s SoundLab demo vehicles with helping to boost sales.

The company said its OEM royalty revenue rose for the fiscal first half to $1.4 million, compared to $1.1 million a year ago.

See the full report here.

Source: Rockford Corporation

OnStar Highlights Best Buy in Ad Campaign

General Motors’ OnStar is launching on August 1, a TV ad campaign for its new rear view mirror that allows almost any car to work with the OnStar service.

The ads will include the message of “everything you need in a box” and the ads will show people coming into a Best Buy store to pick up the new retail mirror, which just went on sale during the past two weeks.

OnStar confirmed: “The campaign will focus on the box and will begin on August 1….Best Buy will be central to the message as well.”

GM’s VP of business extensions Greg Ross told Marketing Daily OnStar’s ads will include cable and network TV spots and an Internet campaign including marketing on Facebook where OnStar has 280,000 fans.

He added, that while OnStar knows a lot about assisting drivers, it doesn’t know that much about selling at retail.  “So a partner like Best Buy helps a lot in things we might not have even thought about, like how to present OnStar at retail, and even what the box itself should look like.”

Best Buy had a private sale for the mirror last Sunday for its Reward Zone members in several hundred stores around the country.

Source: MediaPost, CEoutlook

Rockford on Motorcycle Market

Rockford Fosgate said it may offer products specifically for the motorcycle audio market.

The company unexpectedly entered the segment when it launched the small paperback-book sized PBR300X4 amp in June intended for the car audio market and found it became popular with motorcycle enthusiasts.

“It’s encouraging us to really look at the market and potentially develop other products for it in the future,” said Rockford’s Theresa Hephner.

The typical factory system installed on a motorcycle lacks an amplifier. It includes “a source unit and four speakers and since it’s not amplified, it’s hard to hear the speakers with the wind rushing past your head,” said Hephner.

Motorcycle audio is still considered a small niche at about one percent of the car audio market, but some say it may continue to expand for several years.

Once it became apparent that Rockford’s 300 watt by 4 amp was adorning a large number of “baggers,”, the company responded with this YouTube video on how to install it in a motorcycle.

Our guess is you’ll see a few more Harleys at the car electronics booths at the Consumer Electronics Show in January.

Source: CEoutlook

Ford Says Car CD Players on the Outs

Ford announced it omitted the CD changer in its new Ford Focus for the European market and says the day is at hand when it will ditch the CD player altogether.

We referenced this story in our July 25 newsletter, but decided to give it some additional exploration.

Instead of the CD changer, the company is offering a Sync ‘infotainment hub’ that can accept a WiFi dongle on the all-new Ford Focus that lets drivers access their music library through the Internet through Internet Radio, or services like Apple’s new iCloud.

Sheryl Connelly, global trends and futuring manager at Ford, said “In-car entertainment technology is moving digital more rapidly than almost any other element of the vehicle experience.” She added, “The in-car CD player – much like pay telephones – is destined to fade away in the face of exciting new technology.”

The Ford comments were offered to the UK press, but a U.S. spokesman confirmed that the CD changer has also been scrapped in the U.S. on the MyFord Touch, and the trend away from the CD player is true in the U.S. as well.

“With MyFord Touch, we’re now down to a single CD player slot, versus having a multi-disc changer. But, we’ve increased the USB ports from 1 to 2, and added Bluetooth streaming audio, so that customers are able to easily connect their digital music players or stream music from their smartphones,” said the U.S. spokesman.

Ford isn’t ready to state when it will ditch the CD slot entirely. “We’re not announcing a specific model or time frame. We’re acknowledging the trend in consumers moving from CDs to digital music players,” he added.

Of course, the aftermarket has offered fully CD-less radios since 2007, led first by the IDA-X001 from Alpine, and later joined by decks from just about every key brand.

Source: Daily Mail, AM-Online, CEoutlook

Photo via Daily Mail

Mobile Solutions’ Smart Templates Awarded Patent

Mobile Solutions has been awarded its first U.S. patent for the innovative design of its Smart Templates for installer fabricators.

U.S. design patent D640,685 was granted on June 28, 2011 for an audio template kit.

Smart Templates were conceived with one goal in mind – to provide installation professionals an easy way to design, fabricate, and replicate custom panels of all shapes and sizes.

“Over the years, I’ve seen technicians use a variety of things around the shop to derive a shape or contour from – a roll of duct tape, the plastic case 3M tape comes in, an aerosol can, nearly anything,” said Bryan Schmitt of Mobile Solutions.

“Smart Templates were born of the idea to provide technicians a formal way to get consistent and repeatable results each and every time. After developing the first Smart Templates kits, I began producing them on a small CNC router in the corner of my garage. Now that we’re in our second commercial location, we have an entire room dedicated to their production and the routers run nearly non-stop producing kits,” he said.

Mobile Solutions expanded its offerings to 21 different Smart Templates kits covering numerous shapes and contours, each offering professionals a way to easily differentiate their work from the pack.

Schmitt noted, “To see an idea of mine be awarded a U.S. design patent truly validates my company’s dedication and commitment to the 12 volt industry. This is an accomplishment that I’m very proud of. I’d like to give a big thanks to all of our customers that have supported us through the years and spread the word about Smart Templates!”

Contact Mobile Solutions toll free at (480)-968-2074.

Toyota Demos Heart Monitoring Steering Wheel

In May Ford showed off a car seat that can monitor your heart activity and last week Toyota demo’d in Japan a steering wheel that can do the same.

Why?

Because heart disease causes accidents.

In a survey of more than 170 fatal accidents, about 17 to 18 percent were due to heart disease affecting the driver’s physical condition, according to Toyota.

Toyota’s steering wheel monitors the driver through optical sensors placed where the driver grasps the wheel. In the experimental system installed in a Prius, the driver’s heartbeat and electrocardiogram were viewed on the display of the car’s navigation system, reported The Wall Street Journal.

Will car audio suppliers join the fray and enter the mobile health business down the road?  We sent out several inquiries but received no answers of substance.  But as soon as a Pioneer or Sony radio has a heart monitor app that works with a steering wheel, we’ll be all over it.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Scosche Ships Scion TC Kit

Scosche is now shipping a radio installation kit for the Scion TC.

The kit permits both double and single DIN head units to fit in the 2011 Scion TC dashboard.

The model SCN4200B carries a retail price of $29.95 including necessary hardware. A matching harness, TA02B, costs an additional $12.95.

Source: Scosche Industries

Clarion Expands Lesco’s Distribution

Clarion expanded its partnership with distributor Lesco to include four new states.

Lesco Distributing will now serve Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana in addition to its current distribution territory for Clarion in Florida, Indiana and Kentucky.

“Clarion will be positioned as Lesco’s number-one full-line car audio brand.  We look forward to working with Lesco to expand Clarion’s market share within this important market region,” said Clarion VP of aftermarket sales, Frank Pierce.

Lesco will also become one of Clarion’s largest regional distributors, said Clarion.

Source: Clarion

ICE Partners with Bassworx

The In Car Experts (ICE) car stereo buying/marketing group announced it partnered with Bassworx to provide members a way to increase the average selling price of speaker enclosures.

As part of the partnership, every ICE members’ showroom will be outfitted with a free Bassworx enclosure display rack along with three free speaker boxes.

An ICE dealer locator has also been placed on the Bassworx website.

ICE is a $250 million buying group with more 200 storefronts in over 40 states.

Source: In Car Experts

How Popular is Internet Radio in Car Radios?

Just how popular are car radios that can control Pandora or Internet Radio?

It’s a bit early to draw conclusions, but some indicators are filtering in.

Our quick poll of retailers says few consumers are coming into stores asking for the feature, BUT some retailers say that the number of interested consumers is slowly starting to rise.

Pandora or Internet Radio is offered as a feature on new car radios that can control, say Pandora, from the radio’s buttons so you don’t have to fumble with the phone while driving.

The Consumer Electronics Association predicts that approximately 6 percent of aftermarket car radios sold to retailers this year will include a form of Internet Radio and that figure will increase to about 14 percent by 2015, said the CEA.

A leading car stereo chain, Freeman’s Stereo Video said 1 in 5 people  or 1 in 10 (depending on the storefront) will come in asking for Internet Radio control.  “More and more people are coming in asking for it… It hasn’t hit mass demand yet. [It] may be an awareness issue,” said general manager J.R. Stocks

Jeff Pitts of the Mickey Shorr chain said, “We’re advertising Pandora quite a bit on one of our pieces , but we’re not seeing much. It’s not a huge category yet.”

Two car stereo specialist retailers–Westminster Speed & Sound and The Specialists–said people want the feature when its demonstrated, “Up till now I am not having many people coming up specifically looking for it but we have found that when people are told that it is an option, many people like it,” said Mark Miller, owner of Westminster Speed & Sound.

A  second recent study was announced concluding that in the new car market, Internet Radio may be a slow starter. ABI Research said drivers in the  US, UK, France, Germany, Japan and China prefer navigation over Internet Radio.

Of the 1,500 people studied, if someone had never used an infotainment service, then between 59% and 72% said they would choose navigation over Internet Radio in all countries except China, where the greatest interest was in concierge services.

“Internet Radio only showed average levels of interest among non-users, even in the US… Surprisingly email, social media, and networking integration scored very low,” said ABI’s Dominique Bonte. He notes that people may prefer navigation because they are familiar with it.

Another notable finding in the study  is that those who did use Internet Radio, tended to use it frequently.

“…the high frequency of use of Internet radio among users suggests that car owners embrace new services once they have become familiar.”

Consumers in the study believed a “connected radio” with navigation or Internet Radio would cost under $700 plus $10/month service fees.

Strategy Analytics found similar results on the OEM side, but said Internet Radio may prove more successful in the aftermarket where you have more tech savvy consumers that seek out new technology.

Source: CEoutlook, ABI Research

Mid City Launches New Starter Module, Web site

Chicago, IL–Mid City Engineering has launched a new web sites for its products as well as a new SmartKey remote starter interface module for Sprinter Vans.

The SmartKey interface is the only plug & play remote start option available for Sprinter vans.  It works with vans made by Mercedes-Benz, Dodge, and Freightliner.

The  SmartKey SKS906 also integrates seamlessly with Compustar and Directed Electronics alarm systems via a single data cable. The D2D connection to this unit also controls components like door locks via the Sprinter’s computer to cut down installation time.

To control the SKS906 without an alarm system, users need only connect a compatible antenna and transmitter.

The new Mid City web sites may be found at midcityengineering.com and smartkeystarter.com. They provide detailed photos and descriptions of Mid City products also offer dealer locators and discussion forums.

For info contact:

Sales@midcityengineering.com
Press@midcityengineering.com

New Advent OE Radio

Audiovox continues to expand its OE replacement radio line with a new model for the Toyota Tundra and Sequoia under the Advent line.

The unit  is Advent’s tenth in its OE line. It includes a  rear view backup camera with instant on as well as navigation and Parrot Bluetooth with an external mic.  The deck has a 7-inch touch screen, and is Made for iPhone and iPod and XM ready and has a USB input that allows video from an iPod or iPhone.

The model OTOTUN1 includes navigation features such as 11 million points of interest and 3D landmarks.

Source: Audiovox Electronics

12 Volt’s Last Gadget Standing

Five new/game-changing products will compete in a format similar to “America’s Got Talent,” at a KnowledgeFest seminar called “The Pitch.”

3M, Mobileye, OnStar, Pioneer and other suppliers will each get 3 minutes to pitch their product to the crowd and to a panel of judges to include yours truly at CEoutlook.

With each round, one company will be booted off stage until one is left standing. The format also resembles “The Last Gadget Standing” forum held at the Consumer Electronics Show.

Other judges will include Kris Bulla, MERA VP content and education and most likely other members of the press.

The seminar will be held Sunday, August 28 from 1:30 to 3:00 pm.

KnowledgeFest will be held August 28-30 at the Gaylord Texan Hotel and Conference Center near Dallas. It is sponsored by the

Mobile Electronics Retailers Association (MERA).

Source: MERA

“New Marketing” One of Themes of K’Fest

This August’s car electronics KnowledgeFest trade event will offer 24 seminars with one of its themes to be the “New Marketing.”

“As TV, radio and newspaper are quickly taking a back seat to online marketing opportunities, mobile electronics retailers have lagged in keeping up with the changes,” said the event’s sponsor, the Mobile Electronics Retailers Association (MERA).

One seminar focusing on the topic is “Cloud Marketing on a Sunny Day: How to Evolve into a Modern Day Marketer” presented by Kara Holder and Mike Cacciabondo of Revenew Systems.

Another seminar will be presented by Al & Ed’s chief merchandiser, John Haynes on “Navigating the Internet”

The main theme of KnowlegeFest, as always, is to help retailers growth their business.

Some of the other seminars this year will help store owners put into practice what they already know.

A seminar by Avidworx’s Marcel Newell challenges store owners to create a business identity and then maintain it despite shifts in the economy and other factors. It’s called “Creating Your Business Vision.”

Keynote speaker Jim Ackerman who wrote the book, “How to Market Your Crap When the Economy is the Toilet,” will speak on “How to Get More Customers Who Will Pay You More Money, More Often.”

Also MERA leaders Chris Cook, Paul Pirro and Kris Bulla will join Alpine Electronics’ Steve Brown to present “Mission Impossible: Making the Sale Fit the Car.”

Other KnowledgeFest seminars:

“Making the Car Dealer Work for You: How To Become A Serious Expeditor.”

“The 30/60/90 Minute Tune” presented by Mark Eldridge and Alpine’s Steve Brown.

“1.21 Gigawatts!!” presented by Jeff Meece (on how mobile electronics additions affect the operational capabilities of a vehicle)

“Identifying Wires & Signals” presented by Nav-TV’s Derek Schmiedl and Directed’s Andy Hartshorne (on types electronic signals that in-vehicle components use to communicate with each other)

“Profitable Fabrication,” led by Bryan Schmitt (on how to get great ROI while giving the customer a well-executed, custom installation experience).

All installation seminars will be lead by MECP certified installers.

KnowledgeFest will be held August 28-30 at the Gaylord Texan Hotel and Conference Center near Dallas.

Source: MERA

Samsung May Outshine Apple in Smartphone Sales

Watch out Apple.  Samsung sales of smartphones may have outpaced or matched those of Apple for the first time, according to an analyst.

Samsung, which makes Android-based smartphones, sold between 18 and 21 million smartphones worldwide in the April – June quarter, Strategy Analytics told Bloomberg,  while Apple sold 20.3 million. The estimates also put Samsung ahead of Nokia, which sold 16.7 million smartphones during the quarter.

“Samsung stands a reasonable chance of capturing the top spot on a quarterly basis if it can continue expanding its Android portfolio across high-growth markets like China and Brazil. Samsung and Apple will be at similar levels in smartphones by the end of the year,” said Neil Mawston of Strategy Analytics.  –Lynn Shannon

Read more here.

Source: Bloomberg

World’s 1st Pedestrian Collision Avoidance System

Toyota and other car makers already offer crash prevention systems but they are designed to avert careening into large objects, such as another car.

Toyota’s new system, which it claims is the first in the world, is able to prevent hitting pedestrians.

It uses a millimeter wave radio and stereo camera to monitor objects in front of the car. If a pedestrian is in their path, drivers get an audible warning, and if they don’t slow down, the system will stop the car.

The system should begin appearing in Toyota vehicles in the near future, said PC World.

Toyota is also developing a steering wheel that measures the heartbeat of the driver to prevent crashes that occur when a driver has a heart attack, said the AP.

Source: Techworld, PC World, the AP via BellaMedia.com

Photo via the Associated Press

TomTom Reports “Steep” Decline in U.S. PND Market

TomTom reported a 23 percent decline in its consumer business, which includes portable navigation devices (PND)s as the market fell fast in the U.S.

“We have seen a decline of the PND market against a background of a weak consumer electronics market which impacted our Consumer business,” said TomTom’s CEO Harold Goddijn.

The company labeled the U.S. decline as “steep,” and said TomTom’s core PNDs markets will decline by 15 to 20 percent.

During the second quarter ending June 30, PND volume in the North America was 2.4 million units compared to 3.3 million in the same quarter last year. TomTom’s market share was 21 percent.

TomTom, has been branching into other markets including traffic, mapping and automotive services but its earnings still nosedived for the quarter.

The Netherlands-based company reported a loss of 489 million euros ($705 million) after an impairment charge of 512 million euros.  Revenues  fell to 314 million euros compared to 362 million euros a year ago. Without the impairment charge, the company would have reported a positive net income of 11 million euros.

Source: TomTom, AP via Yahoo!News

Sony Phases Out Xplod on Head Units

Updated!

Xplod, Sony’s sub-brand for car audio in the U.S.  is gradually being relegated for use with subwoofers and amps, but most Sony head units will soon  bear the Sony name.

Xplod was launched at a time when SPL and loud boom boom car stereos were king, but Sony is now shifting its strategy back to high tech car audio and it believes the Sony name is more reflective of high technology, said Mike Kahn, director of Alpha Camera Systems and Mobile Music Business Units.

Sony first dropped the Xplod name on the DSX-S100 receiver about a year ago but still used the name in its single CD lineup.

“On the higher ASP [average selling priced] mobile electronics, we’ve started dropping off the Xplod name…the more sophisticated electronics will be branded Sony. We will still keep the Xplod brand on the head units for Walmart,” said Kahn explaining, “We did some testing and that brand resonated well with people looking to buy car stereo equipment at Walmart. They have unique models.”

Update/clarification from Sony: “Sony branding has always been on all of our car audio products, in addition to the Xplod brand. ”

Source: CEoutlook

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