Advance Auto Parts and BELTRONICS Launch Nationwide Radar Detector Sales Event Across 2,800 Store Blitz

WEST CHESTER, Ohio, April 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- BELTRONICS Inc, maker of the world's best performing radar and laser detectors, today announced a national radar detector sales event in direct partnership with Minneapolis based Advance Auto Parts, one of the nation's largest consumer automotive parts retail chains.  "We recognize the leading presence of Advance Auto Parts in their service and support of millions of drivers across the nation.  As part of taking care of their customers, our April sales event is the perfect partnership to promote BELTRONICS class leading radar detector products to those millions of drivers for safety and protection," said Everett Morss, BELTRONICS National Sales Manager.  "Along with Advance Auto Parts, we will be promoting through multiple major marketing channels including leading consumer automotive print outlets, direct mail and email campaigns, flyers and special in-store signage.  "Through this event we hope to help Advance Auto Parts customers learn how they can stay protected throughout the year," Morss added.  "Through national promotions like this, we continue to raise awareness about our industry leading products and help more and more drivers understand that BELTRONICS performance rules."

BELTRONICS supported a thorough 600 in-store test conducted by Advance Auto Parts.  With overwhelming response from Advance Auto Parts customers, both firms agreed to support a major rollout of BELTRONICS Vector 955 and Vector 940 models across 2,800 Advance Auto Parts stores.  Part of the national rollout decision was based on Advance Auto Parts desire and ability to sell a more capable, class leading radar detector product to their customers.  

The BELTRONICS Vector Series radar detectors have similar feature sets as the bestselling top-of-the-line BELTRONICS radar detectors but will retail in the low $200 and under price range.  "BELTRONICS engineers have industry leading detector designs that are extended to the Vector series and accommodate the low $200 consumer price points.  The V955 and V940 models allow us to be able to offer premium radar and laser protection to more consumers at more accommodating prices," said Jeff Winston, for Advance Auto Parts.  The Vector 955 retails for $199.95 while the Vector 940 model retails for $169.95—however, as part of the national BELTRONICS and Advance Auto Parts radar detector promotion, the Vector 940 will be on sale for $149.95 through the month of April.

Advance Auto Parts customers win by having more choices, and, better pricing for higher, premium levels of radar detector performance.  With industry proven 'best radar performance' near and under $200, the Vector 955 and 940 models come equipped with features found on more expensive radar detectors such as multiple brightness display settings, user selectable preference settings and Digital Signal Processing.  

"Both of these Vector model detectors, priced under $200, do not miss any performance since they are the same platform design as our test-winning detectors that include our industry leading long-range performance," said Dave Smidebush, ESCORT Inc Vice-president of Marketing.  

A key component of the promotion is the marketing activity behind the launch—both firms have secured major ad space in highly targeted publications including Performance Auto Sound (PAS), Auto Week and Road & Track.  "One of the major keys to the success of this April promotion is our huge ad campaign that we have running in support of Advanced Auto Parts—several of the ad campaigns will feature their logo as the tag," said Smidebush.

The BELTRONICS Vector Series 955 and 940 model radar and laser detectors are on display at local Advance Auto Parts retail stores everywhere (sorry—VA stores excluded).  For more information on the BELTRONICS Vector 955 and 940 model radar and laser detectors and other BELTRONICS products, call 1.877.GET.1.BEL (1.877.438.1235) or visit online at BELTRONICS.com.  

About BELTRONICS and ESCORT, Inc.

BELTRONICS Inc. is a major brand under the ESCORT name who is the leading manufacturer of high-performance radar and laser detectors.  BELTRONICS manufactures products under the STi DRIVER, BELTRONICS and Vector brands.  The company is headquartered in West Chester, Ohio with its principal manufacturing facility located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

Editorial Contact:
  Ron Gividen
  513.870.8500
  [email protected]      

SOURCE BELTRONICS