Clarion Corporation Collaborates With Directed Electronics Inc. For New 2004 Ungo Pro Security Line

GARDENA, Calif., Dec. 17, 2003 -- Clarion Corporation of America is pleased to announce a new business relationship with Directed Electronics Inc.

Mr. Matt Matsuda, President and CEO of Clarion Corporation of America and Mr. Jim Minarik, President and CEO for Directed Electronics, Inc., announce a strategic partnership between the two companies. Beginning in January 2004, Clarion will launch a new line of Ungo Pro Security products, which will be manufactured by Directed. The line will include a full range of products, including entry-level, remote start combo units and accessories. As part of this launch and to better support these products, Clarion will be significantly enhancing its technical support capabilities. Both Matsuda and Minarik acknowledged that this alliance, the first of its kind within the industry, would undoubtedly be a mutually rewarding relationship, prompting future growth for both businesses.

Matsuda continued "Clarion is very pleased to align itself with the industry leader in mobile security." Minarik added, "This new relationship provides Directed with a unique opportunity to enhance its market penetration, while ensuring that the product is marketed and delivered to mobile electronics specialists in a manner that does not conflict with Directed's product offerings. At the same time, this alliance will allow Clarion to offer some of the best quality engineered and feature rich products to the consumers."

Directed's success, demonstrated by their dominant market share in security and convenience products, and Clarion's extensive mobile electronics expertise, prompted this new venture. Matsuda concluded by saying, "A lot of hard work has gone into assembling this partnership and we look forward to a long and successful relationship."

About Clarion Corporation:

Clarion Corporation of America has its headquarters in Gardena, California. Clarion Corporation of America is the largest subsidiary of Tokyo based Clarion Company Ltd. ranked among the top 100 Global OEM Suppliers by Automotive News. Clarion, an international leader in car audio and electronics since 1940, is positioned as the number one independent car audio manufacturer. The company conducts research, development, engineering, design, manufacturing, sales and marketing of entertainment, communications, security, and navigation products for the automotive environment, including IVCS (in-vehicle computing systems). Clarion has more than 14,000 employees worldwide and 24 factories in 10 countries, with marketing and sales affiliates in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia. Clarion is located on the Web at www.clarion.com .

About Directed Electronics:

Directed Electronics manufactures such well-known security and remote start brands as Viper, Clifford, Python, Avital, Sidewinder and Valet, and offers 4 branded GPS Tracking Systems. Directed is also a prominent manufacturer of car audio equipment with their Directed Audio line, as well as a/d/s/, Precision Power (PPI) and Orion. The company also manufactures a full line of mobile entertainment products including LCD screens, DVD's, etc. Directed is registered in the ISO 9001 + QS 9000 international quality standards.

Directed Electronics is a portfolio company of Trivest, Inc., a private equity firm based in Miami, Florida. Since its founding in 1981, Trivest has sponsored more than 105 acquisitions and recapitalizations totaling more than $2 billion in value. For more information, please visit www.directed.com and www.trivest.com .