Update on Harman’s Aftermarket Retail Plans

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Harman Infinity Car logo

We heard from Harman’s CEO last week, touting a new retrofit program to update older factory radios at the car dealer.  But what are Harman’s plans for aftermarket car audio retailers?

A corporate spokeswoman said that Harman is pursing both OEM and aftermarket upgrades. “The idea is to provide upgrades to existing HARMAN-built infotainment systems, both hardware and software based.  This may be offered through our OEM customers via their dealer network, or through aftermarket retailers,” she wrote.

“In the case of a strict software upgrade, this may be done through the OEM/dealers, or through a dealer online portal, or directly from HARMAN via the web.  These models are still all being evaluated,”  she added.

For more clarification, Glenn Ihrke, Harman Senior Sales Manager for the Mobile Aftermarket said Harman plans first to first expand its distribution in the car audio specialty channel and then add high tech aftermarket products using Harman’s “corporate proprietary technology, and bring it to the aftermarket.”

Harman hopes to add another 100 to 150 car audio specialists to its distribution.

“Once we establish a network of specialty dealers, we’re looking at more MS-8 type products.  Also more popular priced ways to upgrade the sound of OEM vehicles,” said Ihrke.

When the recession hit around 2007, Harman focused on the home, portable and OEM car markets and the aftermarket suffered from some “benign neglect,” said Irhke, whose mission is to rebuild the aftermarket side of the business.  Ihrke said  Harman, which sells JBL and Infinity-branded car audio, is very much courting the aftermarket specialist.

We’ll have to wait for more details.

Source: CEoutlook

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