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.
