Kenwood and JVC Mobile are now each shipping two CarPlay/Android Auto decks at a $299 street price. The new price falls well below Kenwood’s previous price floor of $599 for a CarPlay/Android Auto deck. (See separate JVC announcement here).
Kenwood said the move reflects the growing popularity of CarPlay and Android Auto. “Multimedia receiver sales for models that are Apple CarPlay- and Android Auto-ready have now surpassed those sales of multimedia receivers that do not feature these technologies,” said a Kenwood press release.
“After heavy consideration and discussion with dealers, we felt that it was necessary to provide this type of product to meet the needs of customers…” said Kenwood VP Sales & Marketing, Mike Roberts.
From Kenwood are the DMX4707S and DMX47S. Both are mechless (no DVD) with 6.8” capacitive touch screens and shallow mounting depths of 3 inches.
Kenwood is also shipping 7 other car audio receivers announced at CES in January and a new high definition backup camera. Six of those decks are “all wireless” with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto wireless including the Kenwood DNX997XR (MAP $1,299.95), DDX9907XR (MAP $899.95), DMX957XR (MAP $799.95), and DDX9707S (MAP $699.95), DMX907S (MAP $649.95), and DMX9707S (MAP $599.95),
Kenwood DNX models offer built in navigation with three years of free Garmin map updates and expanded ‘Kenwood powered by INRIX services.’
Several Kenwood models offer USB Smartphone Mirroring for both iOS and Android as well as four Camera Inputs, a DRV-N520 Integrated Dash Cam connection, and iDatalink Maestro RR compatibility.
All of the new Kenwood decks offer SiriusXM compatibility.
They don’t have to sell Kenwood. You can get Chinese double din Android stereos off Alibaba with way more features and for less than $100 each and put them on Amazon for $299.
How much can a retailer profit off of $299, doesn’t surprise me. Fantastic for the customers and Internet D heads that rely and volume.