JVCKenwood records 30% sales boost in 2016
Japanese electronics manufacturer Kenwood hopes to repeat its 2016 sales increase in Thailand with another 30 per cent boost this year.
Satoshi Nojiri, managing director of JVCKenwood (Thailand) Co Ltd, said strong marketing drives in 2016 helped Kenwood achieve 30 per cent growth.
“We are continuing our marketing offence with a full lineup of new products for 2017,” he said.
Kenwood’s highlight is the DNX9170S that comes with a navigation system supplied by Garmin and features real-time traffic conditions, a high-definition seven-inch touchscreen, a DSD audio format, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and built-in Wi-Fi Dongle – allowing users to display smartphone screens.
Kenwood also introduced two new full HD real-time drive recorder models featuring smart features such as GPS, lane-keeping assist, collision warning and G-sensor.
“Although the lower-end car audio market suffered a 20-30 per cent decline last year as automobile companies are offering more decent audio systems as standard, Kenwood was able to increase sales by 30 per cent by concentrating on customers in the mid- and high-end markets who look for higher quality,” Nojiri said.
Drive recorders are enjoying strong growth globally, and Kenwood started production of the product in Thailand.
“Customers used to think all drive recorders are the same but as the market grows they are more interested in high-quality products,” he said.
Last year the company’s factory, located in Nakhon Ratchasima province, produced 1,800 drive recorders for sale in Thailand and for export to Japan, Europe and the US.
“With an addition of a second model to the production line this year, we expect to produce a total of 2,500 units,” Nojiri added.
He said the company has a marketing budget of Bt30 million this year.
Kenwood has 140 dealers nationwide, and plans to add another 20, mainly in the northeastern and southern regions.
Kenwood said it also enjoyed sales growth in other Asean countries in 2016.
It said sales in Cambodia surged 120-130 per cent thanks to the popularity of high-end car audio products while sales in Myanmar, where the market is mainly low end, grew 60-70 per cent.
This year Kenwood plans to expand its product portfolio and start offering headphones in Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines.
