The average MERA car audio dealer sells $276,000 a year in car audio products (excluding labor), according to new data from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the Mobile Electronics Retailers Association (MERA).
The findings, announced at KnowledgeFest Sunday, are part of a new car audio industry data program by both organizations. They will collect point of sale information anonymously from 100 dealers each month through MERA’s TSS point of sale software, used by many car audio specialists.
The program will begin next year, but a teaser report was presented at KnowledgeFest.
It showed that head units represent 24 percent of aftermarket revenues and speakers represent about 11 percent and amplifiers about 10 percent of retailer revenues. Remote start accounts for 7 percent.
Chevrolet vehicles generate the most aftermarket installation revenue, followed closely by Ford. Toyota was ranked third for aftermarket install revenues, followed by Dodge and then Honda. Together, the 5 vehicle makers accounted for 57 percent of car audio installation revenues, said the new CEA-MERA report.
Also, while general consumer electronics retailers generate 40 percent of their income during Q4, for car audio retailers the year end quarter represents only 28 percent of annual revenue. Car audio retailers also don’t see a sales spike until December.
Under the new data program, retailers who use MERA’s TSS point of sale software may elect to be included in the data tracking in exchange for reports that will show information such as average selling prices in their region. Then MERA will sample 100 anonymous retailers each month (the data is encrypted to maintain anonymity) for a report that is then tabulated by the CEA.
The data will help define car audio more closely than in the past, said MERA.
Source: CEoutlook
