Navigation and entertainment systems aid market’s 10 percent boost  Sales in the mobile electronics market grew 10.6 percent in 2006 to $6.1 billion, up from $5.5 billion in 2005. |
Driven by strong demand for navigation and entertainment, sales in the mobile electronics market grew 10.6 percent in 2006 to $6.1 billion, up from $5.5 billion in 2005, according to research from the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA).
According to a recent report featured in SEMA’s eNews, audio systems still comprise the greatest share of the segment. However, navigation and entertainment systems, defined as systems integrating audio, video, DVD players and game consoles, grew to 23.5 percent market share in 2006 — $1.4 billion in retail sales.
"People want to bring their MP3 players, mobile phones, DVD players and videogame consoles in the car with them," says SEMA News Mobile Electronics Editor Doug Newcomb. "While more automakers offer OEM mobile electronics solutions, the specialty-equipment market levels the playing field so that anyone can integrate portable electronics into their vehicle. Hence the mobile electronics market is showing significant growth. And with portable navigation becoming more affordable, it's also fueling this growth."
Consider this: The 2007 SEMA Show featured 218 mobile electronics exhibitors (including 74 first-timers) — up from 199 the previous year.
In many instances, state law governs when and in what manner certain in-vehicle mobile electronics can be used, the report adds.
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