Sony expects car audio business in Middle East, Africa to grow

World IT Report, Jul 17, 2003

Sony Gulf FZE, predicting some 20 per cent growth this year for its car audio business in the Middle East and Africa region, said it was geared up to achieve this target with new product introductions followed by channel expansions in Africa and the Subcontinent.

According to Khaleej Times, M Tamagawa, general manager, Sony Gulf FZE, said the new generation car audio systems are giving a major boost to this segment by creating an increasing demand for replacing outdated OEM car audio stereo systems.

Speaking at the unveiling Wednesday of the latest in Sony's car audio segment at a Sony car audio systems seminar, he said Sony Gulf would be making market forays in Kenya, Nigeria and Pakistan. Last year, car audio segment, accounting for five per cent of Sony Gulf's regional business, recorded some 15 per cent growth, exceeding the industry average, he pointed out.

The new car audio systems with MP3 playback and the car audio speakers, are priced from Dh300 to Dh5,000 (Dh3.67=US$1).

Probir Mukherjee, assistant vice-president, Jumbo Electronics Co, distributors of Sony products, said for car audio systems, the UAE is one of the fastest growing markets in the Middle East. "