Factory-to-dealer sales of consumer electronics are projected to exceed $155 billion in 2007, or seven percent growth, according to the semi-annual industry forecast released by the Consumer Electronics Association.
CEA projects that display technologies will continue to be the star category in the industry and account for $26 billion in revenues for 2007.
MP3 players continue to drive the audio market. CEA projects that MP3 players will account for 90 percent of the $6 billion in revenues for the portable entertainment market. Thirty-four million MP3 players shipped in 2006 and an additional 41 million are expected to ship in 2007.
Expect shipments of wearable satellite radio receivers to lift 10% this year as new products enter the market, said CEA while shipments of plug and play satellite radios are expected to level off beginning this year.
Total in-vehicle entertainment shipments are projected at $8.1 billion and aftermarket autosound is just over $2 billion of that figure. Also included in the $8.1 billion is the satellite radio receiver shipment category which is projected to be $470 million for the year.
HD Radio was not included in the figures because the technology is so new the trade group is still compiling data, a representative told RW Online.
