This question is a question posed by the Consumer Electronics Association, as it’s the title of a seminar to be held at the Consumer Electronics Show in January led by the editor of SEMA news, John Stewart.
“Opportunities for suppliers and retailers of aftermarket technology have reached an all-time low as it has become increasingly difficult to integrate audio systems … into OEM dashboards,” reads the seminar description. “Automotive and aftermarket executives face off in a spirited debate over the future of the car aftermarket.”
The CEA also announced that 7 auto makers will display at CES, marking record attendance by the auto industry. That’s 7 out of the 10 leading car makers including Audi, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Kia and Subaru, which is exhibiting at CES for the first time in 2013.
“More than 110 total automotive tech companies, including Delphi, Mitek, Pioneer and more will display their latest automotive technologies and services on the show floor,” said the CEA.
About 15 percent of U.S. households now own a vehicle with a connected communication/entertainment system, according to CEA research. “CEA expects this figure to rise quickly in the coming years as car companies make these solutions available across more models,” it said.
Here are some auto-related events at CES 2013 of interest to the aftermarket:
Are Automakers Running the Aftermarket Off the Road?
Panelists will include Lonnie Miller, an analyst at R.L. Polk & Co. The seminar will take place January 8, from 11am to noon in the North Hall N259.
Dashboard Tech: Five Hot Trends Coming Down the Pike
Keith Lehmann of Kenwood will be a panelist at this seminar which focuses on apps in the dashboard and smartphone integration. It will be held January 10, 2-3pm, also in N259.
The Aftermarket X-Factor: Designing for Technology and the Consumer
Panelists will include Chris Cook, President of MERA, The Mobile Electronics Retailers Association and Jake Sigal, Founder of Livio Radio. John Waraniak of SEMA will moderate. It will be held January 10, from 9 am- 10:15 in N258.
Bridging the Gap: Integrating Automotive and Consumer Electronics Content and Context
The panel will include the head of Ford Electrical and Engineering, James Buczkowski and will discuss how cloud tech is changing the dashboard. Hint: the cloud is increasing the speed of bringing new features and services to the dashboard. The seminar will be held January 10 from 10:30 to 11:45 at N258.
Source:CEA
This comes under the heading of; “Everybody talks about the weather but nobody does anything about it.” There have been meetings, panels, articles, and discussions adnausium about this subject. The opportunities are amazing. They will never be realized until the people in the industry are willing and committed to making meaningful changes at every level. I am sure it will be a spirited discussion that will accomplish nothing. Please feel free to prove me wrong.