According to new data from the Mobile Electronics Association, car audio specialist sales were actually up for the year for the first half, thanks especially to a strong June compared to a weak June last year.
While sales were down 5 percent for the first quarter compared to last year, they rose 11 percent in Q2 over 2022. June sales were up an astounding 31 percent, while May saw a 10 percent increase over 2022. But MEA noted that June was a lackluster month last year.
All in all, the first half was up 3 percent compared to 2022, and up 23 percent compared to pre-pandemic 2019, reported MEA.
Its data is taken from 300 car audio specialists and extrapolated to 4,600 outlets. (This does not count Car Toys or Best Buy outlets), said MEA President Chris Cook.
The findings differ from CEoutlook’s informal queries to dealers on sales, who mostly say sales are down from 2022 and slightly up from 2019.
However, the Elite Distributor Alliance (EDA) with ten car audio distributor members, said its sales are up.
EDA Executive VP Jim Warren said, “At EDA we’re seeing consistent year over year growth from quarter to quarter and into Q3. Overall, we’re seeing mid-single digit growth in sell through which is very encouraging in that many suppliers have taken price decreases as logistics costs, chip costs, and other factors normalize post COVID.”
The Consumer Technology Association, reporting on all channels of aftermarket car audio (not just specialists), estimates the industry will see sales to dealers of $2.9 billion this year, which is flat with 2022. (This data includes personal navigation devices, dashcams and ADAS).
Photo: Slide presented by MEA at KnowledgeFest in Dallas last week.
