Dual Electronics said it has delayed the launch of its first specialist-aimed car radios until this summer. And it will also add multimedia products to the specialist line named Axxera.
It will be Dual Electronics’ first car radio series to support a set Minimum Advertised Price (MAP), said Ed Sachs, new Dual president of sales, and formerly president of Pioneer Electronics’ mobile division.
Axxera was shown in January at the Consumer Electronics Show, with a March delivery date, as a handful of audio-only CD radios, some with built-in Bluetooth. It was delayed due to “outstanding issues,” said Sachs. The line will now also feature two double DIN AV radios, as well as 6 x 9 and 6.5 -inch speakers with most models shipping in June, July and August.
The company is also “having conversations” about adding Pandora control, he said.
Axxera will offer high margins, said Sachs. Details were not available on the multimedia radios, but the audio-only radios remain similar to those introduced in January. At that time the company announced a double DIN CD radio with a $249 suggested price with built-in stereo Bluetooth. It was shown as the X2DMA500, with dual USB inputs (front and rear), an SD card slot and steering wheel interface. Another feature was HD Radio compatibility and iPod/iPhone radio control or manual control. An XDMA 7800CD at $229 was shown as the single DIN version.
Also unveiled was an XDMA7600 at $179 with the same Bluetooth and dual USB but without the HD Radio compatibility. It was joined by an XDMA7200 at $159 and an XDMA7100 at $129 with direct control for an iPod, a front panel USB input and SD card slot.
Source: CEoutlook
