View Poll Results: Do you care about new products?

I've seen all the new 09 stuff, nothing excites me to talk about it.

30.43%

I'm excited, but got no money, so no point in talking about it.

4.35%

I havn't heard or seen anything about any new gear.

52.17%

What is CES?

13.04%

Voters: 23. You may not vote on this poll

2009 Products/CES - Interested?

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Jan 19, 2009 | 10:24 AM

#31

Sikk Nation

500 Watt CAFz'r

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Posts: 992

we've had increases in starer sales as well.

Jan 21, 2009 | 08:25 AM

#32

ChinaMan

500 Watt CAFz'r

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Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 877

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkinthetrunk

............ and firing staff too.

Can anyone confirm that the sales for remote starts was way down this winter ?? That's like a staple for shops to tide things over the cold Canadian months. I've also heard that there's a list out now of all the cars that shops just won't touch for these things............. and that the list is BIG and growing.

I also concur that I believe car audio is going back to the small independents. I don't think it's going to fade away into nothing but that it will be a VERY small and specialized market. The good ole days are gone................. modern cars are actually pretty decent audio wise and getting complicated to integrate into without spending some money. Still do-able but it's going to cost the customer.

Marine audio market is good.

Restoration market is good.

Starter sales did seem to be a bit slower this year (at least where I am)... Owners of more expensive vehicle owners seem to be quite turned off at the costs of installation and the amount of time needed to get it done. While there's a growing number of DIY's, there's also more people heading to private shops (versus big box) to get these installed.

I think I have to agree that the market is going to be more specialized... reflecting how it was in the early 90's. With all the new cars on the road with half decent to incredibly impressive (B&O, Mark Levison, Dynaudio... ) the average consumer isn't going to need any upgrades. Not like the early/mid 90's when the market was saturated with tape players and everyone had the option to upgrade to CD's/DAT's/MD's... etc... because that change actually WAS an upgrade. Without new technology... I find it hard for the average consumer to feel the need to change. OEM is adapting quite quickly as well.

Looks like there's that edge for specialization... maybe someone can re-release the car LP player! For the audio purists...