Audiovox Electronics has hired a leading car audio executive, Steve Witt, to the new post of VP Mobile Audio and Advanced Accessories.
His job will be to increase the market share of Jensen in the retail space and to help Audiovox expand other mobile electronics categories.
Audiovox Electronics President Tom Malone said there are no plans to make Jensen a select distribution brand. “Steve wasn’t brought in to revamp or change our direction in car audio,” he told us.
Much of Witt’s focus will be on expanding Audiovox’s line of OE-fit radios that are sold to expeditors—a growing channel for Audiovox over the past few years. Witt will also expand Audiovox’s role in accessories and driver safety/assistance.
Malone admitted that the car electronics category will “continue to be very challenging.”
”We as an industry and as a company, need to look aggressively at new and diversified categories. OE integration, DICE solutions seat heaters, connectivity products, safety products, absolutely top our list as a priority for the next generation of products. That’s our future,” said Malone. “We think the mobile electronics industry will look different in years to come. A lot of the categories will still exist, but growth will come from these new categories.”
Witt worked at Alpine for over 27 years and has been active in the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) for 18 years. He’s had leadership roles with the CEA’s Automotive Electronics Division Board for 17 years. He was most recently Executive VP at DICE Electronics, which became Audiovox Driven by DICE through a sales and distribution deal.
Malone concluded, “Adding a professional of Steve’s stature confirms our commitment to the mobile electronics category.”
Source: Audiovox Electronics
