Audiovox Car and Home Sirius Satellite Radio Shuttle System Scores Big with Retailers and Consumers
Company Announces New Boom Box & Home unit to round out line
LAS VEGAS, and HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., Jan. 8 -- "They are in the stores, they are selling and our retailers and their customers couldn't be happier," says Tom Malone, Senior VP, Sales, of Audiovox Electronics Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Audiovox Corporation . "They" are Audiovox's new Sirius Satellite Radio Shuttle, Home Dock and Mobile Dock, which when combined allow a consumer to have satellite radio service in their car, home or office. And the retailers Malone is talking about are Circuit City, Best Buy, BJ's, Sam's, Sears, Ultimate, Car Toy's, Tweeter and Crutchfield.
The Audiovox "Shuttle" receiver is the heart of the system. Consumers add optional mobile or home docks to expand their listening pleasure from their vehicles to their homes, their boats, you name it, and enjoy 100 stations of music, news, sports and entertainment, with all the clarity and quality that Sirius Satellite Radio offers.
Several key retailers have taken advantage of the "Combo Kit" that the company is offering, which combines a receiver with a mobile docking station at an MSRP of $149.99. A number of major chains are also offering consumers an opportunity to purchase an Audiovox Shuttle, Car Kit and Home Kit for $199.99 and receive a $49.99 rebate from Sirius.
Next up for Audiovox are the highly anticipated Satellite Boom Box and Home Receiver that fit into any décor in your home or office. "With this introduction we have developed a satellite radio system for absolutely every need," says Malone.
Add the Audiovox Satellite Radio Shuttle (SRS) to our new boom box (SIRBB1) and you have the portable solution for taking your satellite radio, and all the programming it delivers, anywhere. It operates on AC power or 8 D- cell batteries, and comes with an AC power adapter and the same type of antenna used with the home kit. A unique feature is a push button select switch that allows the user to switch between the satellite radio and the front panel, audio input jack. The Aux input gives the user the option of using an MP3/CD player or other peripheral products while using the internal amplifier and speakers incorporated into the SIRBB1, delivering more versatility than some competitors offer. MSRP: $99.00.
Malone says that the CE1000SR Home Receiver is an audiophile's dream. "It can be used with a rack system - CD, DVD, VCR, tuner, amplifier, the works - and features a large LCD screen with multiple display options and 30 presets with preset tuning. It has an easy-to-use Scroll/Tune that allows the user quick access to the 100-plus Sirius streams, plus Listing and Search Ahead by stream name, artist name or song title. It also has S-Seek, a unique memory capture function that stores 20 favorite songs. When activated, S-Seek will search all incoming Sirius streams for those songs. Add to this, time-based functions like an on-screen clock, an alarm, a sleep timer and a program alert that lets the unit switch to a pre-programmed stream at a selected time, and you have a customer-pleasing satellite radio system, housed in a slim, rack/shelf-mount design." MSRP: $249.99
"We believe that this new home system can virtually sell itself, not only to the consumer but in commercial applications such as bars, gyms and restaurants. Consumers are getting more and more familiar with the benefits of satellite radio and the prospect of being able to take this high-technology product and incorporate it into daily routines of travel, work and leisure time. They are beginning to embrace this medium in large numbers. We believe this new market will translate into increased sales and profits for our dealers and reinforce Audiovox's position as a consumer electronics leader," concluded Malone.
Audiovox Satellite Radio Models
-- Audiovox Satellite Radio Shuttle Receiver (SIRPNP2) - Key features of
the system include wireless connection thanks to the built in FM
modulator and an exclusive Memory Capture function called S-Seek that
can store user-favorite songs. When you hear a song you like, you push
a Memory button and capture it; you can do this with 20 songs. The SRS
will constantly search all incoming Sirius streams for those songs and
if that song comes on again, the unit alerts you that it is playing and
prompts you (with a beep) to switch to it if you want. The Shuttle also
features 30 presets with Preset Scan, (more than any system on the
market today), listing and search-ahead capabilities by Channel Name,
Artist Name, Song Title, Category, and Favorites and a selectable LCD
screen with multiple display options, and easy-to-use Scroll/Tune for
quick access to the more-than 100 Sirius streams. It has eye-catching
cosmetics, a clock with Alarm and Sleep Timer functions, Program Select
and an automatic dimmer. MSRP: $99.99.
-- The Mobile Dock (SIRCK1) for vehicle and boat applications has a built-
in FM transmitter with four frequency adjustments incorporated into the
docking station for a wireless connection to any vehicle radio. It
comes with a cigarette lighter power adapter, a small, and low-profile
magnetic roof-mount antenna and mounting bracket, that has multiple
mounting options for the dock. There is also a 1/8-inch jack to male
RCA connectors for integration into the vehicle audio system via Aux-In
or by using an aftermarket interface adapter. MSRP: $49.99.
-- Mobile Dock (SIRCK2) is a low-profile docking station with the same
features as the SIRCK1, but without an FM transmitter. It comes with a
cigarette lighter power adapter, small, low profile magnetic roof-mount
antenna and a mounting bracket. MSRP: $29.99
-- Home Dock (SIRHK1) allows users to connect this docking station --
designed for desktop or counter - to any receiver with left/right audio
inputs (like a home stereo or computer system). It brings all the
benefits of satellite radio into the home or office. The unit comes
with an AC/DC power adapter and a small adjustable weather-resistant
antenna designed to be placed on a windowsill for an optimum view to
the satellites. MSRP: $49.99
Audiovox Electronics Corporation (AEC) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Audiovox Corporation . AEC is a recognized leader in the marketing of automotive entertainment, vehicle security and consumer electronics products. The company is number one in mobile video and places in the top ten of almost every category that it sells. Among the products marketed by AEC are mobile video systems, portable DVD players, flat-panel TV's, auto sound systems including satellite radio, vehicle security, and consumer electronics products such as extended range two-way radios, multi media products like MP 3 players, and home and portable stereos. The company markets its products through an extensive distribution network that includes power retailers, 12 volt specialists, mass merchandisers and an OE sales group. The company markets products under the Audiovox, Jensen, Acoustic Research, Advent, Code Alarm and Prestige brands. For additional information, visit our web site at www.audiovox.com.
Except for historical information contained herein, statements made in this release that would constitute forward-looking statements may involve certain risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements made in this release are based on currently available information and the company assumes no responsibility to update any such forward-looking statement. The following factors, among others, may cause actual results to differ materially from the results suggested in the forward-looking statements. The factors include, but are not limited to: risks that may result from our ability to keep pace with technological advances; significant competition in the wireless, mobile and consumer electronics businesses; quality and consumer acceptance of newly introduced products; our relationships with key suppliers and customers; market volatility; non-availability of product; excess inventory; price and product competition; new product introductions; the possibility that the review of our prior filings by the SEC may result in changes to our financial statements; and the possibility that stockholders or regulatory authorities may initiate proceedings against Audiovox and/or our officers and directors as a result of any restatements. Risk factors associated with our business, including some of the factors set forth herein, are detailed in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal fourth quarter and year ended November 30, 2002 and its Form 10-Q for the three months ended August 31, 2003.
Public Relations Contact: Melvin Clapman Melvin Clapman Public Relations (718) 474-2528 mclapman@mindspring.com Investor and Financial Media Contact: Glenn Wiener GW Communications (212) 786-6011 gwiener@GWCco.com