Mitsubishi Radios In Tune

PLYMOUTH, Mich.--For the second consecutive year, the combination AM/FM/cassette/single CD player from Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America Inc. (MEAA) has been ranked highest in audio quality by consumers, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2000 Audio Component Quality Report released this month.

Powers has conducted the audio quality report since 1995, and Mitsubishi is the only supplier to receive the award two years in a row in the same category.

This type of radio is the most popular audio combination used in cars and trucks today, representing 37 percent of all units factory-installed in vehicles, according to the company.

MEAA received the award based on responses from more than 85,000 owners of new cars and light trucks who indicated their new vehicle is equipped with a factory-installed stereo system. Seventeen suppliers of audio components were included in the study, including Panasonic, Pioneer, Alpine, Clarion, Visteon, Delphi/Delco and Fujitsu TEN. Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America supplies this audio system to DaimlerChrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, Plymouth, Volvo and Mitsubishi Motors.

The award is based on overall performance, design and features and focuses on several criteria such as radio reception, and cassette or CD skipping, ejection, loading and operation.

“We have ranked as having the highest quality AM/FM/cassette/single CD player with the lowest TGW, or things gone wrong, incidence: 3.8 out of a possible 100,” says Hank Sugimoto, MEAA group president. “We’re honored to be recognized for the attributes we value most--quality and responsiveness to our automotive customers’ and consumers’ needs.”

According to the study, consumers are most satisfied with the quantity of radio stations their audio system can store in its memory and the quality of its sound. The most dissatisfaction among consumers regards the ease of use and understanding of the audio system’s controls. The sound system problems reported most often are radio reception, CDs that skip or jump, and difficulty in operating the system.

The AM/FM/cassette/single CD player represents 37 percent of all receiver/playback models. The AM/FM/single CD player accounts for 24 percent of the audio systems sold, gaining five percentage points since 1999; the AM/FM/cassette has 20 percent market share; single and multi-CD changers make up the balance.

MEAA, a U.S. subsidiary of Mitsubishi Electric, was established in 1979 in response to the continued growth of the North American automotive business.

For more information, contact www.meaa-mea.com.