Audiovox Launches Car Connection and Care Connection

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- International CES, Center Hall, Booth 10404-10415 -- Audiovox Electronics Corp. (AEC), a wholly owned subsidiary of VOXX International Corporation (Nasdaq:VOXX), today announced the launch of its Care Connection and Car Connection products, both location based service systems (LBS) that will utilize Sprint's Nationwide Network in the U.S.A.

'Car Connection' is a new plug in On-Board Diagnostic (OBDII) device that will allow consumers to monitor, manage and maintain not only their own and other family drivers habits, but also vehicle performance and maintenance. It is a DIY solution that simply plugs into the vehicle's OBDII port, a standard feature on all vehicles since 1996.

'Care Connection' is a wearable personal tracking system that features two way voice communication that will help the 'sandwich generation' secure, protect and locate the people that they value most- their young children, teen drivers and aging parents.   Both systems will utilize Sprint's wireless network for connectivity.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, "Of the 5.4 million Americans currently living with Alzheimer's, 6 out of 10 will wander and become lost at some point during the course of the disease.  Wandering poses immediate safety concerns and creates significant stress for caregivers.  The Alzheimer's Association commends companies like Audiovox for providing families with quality safety services."

"We are pleased to endorse these new Audiovox products," said Keith Jarrett, Founder of AmberWatch.  "They bring us closer to our mission which is to provide the programs and technology solutions that protect children against abduction, predators and the dangers of the digital world." 

"Today's technology allows us to take our responsibility for caring for our families...whether old or young, to a whole new level. That same technology puts in the hands of the consumer the ability to monitor and manage their vehicle like never before," said Tom Malone, President of Audiovox Electronics Corp. "Tracking the movements of our aging parents or young children...and monitoring the driving habits of our teenagers are just some of the peace of mind features available with these products.  In addition, the Car Connection is an On-Board Diagnostic device that allows consumers to tie directly into their vehicle to make more educated decisions on personalized fuel saving and maintenance."

Car Connection features include the ability to disable text messaging in the vehicle as well as the ability to monitor drivers to detect reckless driving habits, a vehicle locator, geofencing and speed alerts.  For consumers and fleet owners alike, there are automobile maintenance alerts and reminders as well as driver safety alerts.  The systems also include driver coaching and allows for partnering with insurance companies to offer Usage-Based-Insurance (UBI)   discounts.  Car Connection is a small module that fits in the palm of your hand and plugs in under the dash in the OBDII portal...which makes it a complete DIY product.

With Care Connection, caregivers and users maintain contact via two-way voice, SMS alerts and a web portal. The voice feature guarantees that you can be in touch with your loved ones 24/7.  One touch on the device connects them to your phone.   The core device can be integrated with a variety of wearable's including a watch strap, clip, lanyard and even an in-car mount.   Care Connection will provide GPS and GPS tracking, geofencing, two way communications and includes a wearer emergency button.  Care Connection can also send text alerts based on preset parameters. 

"There are other LBS services out there that focus on one or more solutions but no program is as complete as ours, allowing our dealers to take full advantage of this growing market.  With Car and Care Connection they can limit the number of SKUs and merchandising space while offering the maximum in connectivity," Malone continued. 

"There will be a number of attractive service plans for both Car and Care Connection providing consumers with the flexibility to select the package that best suits their needs.  We also gain immediate recognition among a large base of consumers by pairing Sprint's strong national brand with Audiovox's well-known national distribution network," Malone added.  "Sprint is an ideal partner, with a well-established commitment to our product category and extensive capabilities that include a comprehensive range of communications services for more than 53 million customers."

"With this launch, Audiovox has demonstrated how to combine multiple machine-to-machine technologies to bring a whole new level of value to consumers. Sprint is proud to help enable these solutions, along with Audiovox's other partners for this program," said Wayne Ward, vice president of Sprint's Emerging Solutions Group.

In addition to Sprint, Audiovox has partnered with Agnik and Omnilink for this program. Agnik will be supplying the vehicle performance data analytics engine that resides in the OBDII Hardware.

The Agnik onboard software will analyze the diagnostic, location, driving and other performance data using Agnik's patented data stream mining algorithms for creating all of the analytics required to determine vehicle health and driver scoring as well as manage the gateway to our back-end servers that the consumer will use to monitor this information. Agnik has significant expertise in the analytics and mining of all of the data coming out of the vehicle and converting it into useful information for a consumer. 

Omnilink will host the consumer website, which will be branded Audiovox Care and Car Connection and will be responsible for the management of the back-end services and consumer billing for both Car & Care Connection.  They will provide all of the location-based services functionality, including tracking, and geofencing, as well as alerting and a web-based user interface. 

The new products will be shown at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January and Audiovox anticipates retail distribution in Q1 2012.

The Audiovox brand is marketed by Audiovox Electronics Corp., subsidiary of VOXX International Corp, (NASDAQ VOXX).

For information on becoming an Audiovox Dealer in the US - email us at [email protected]

For more information on Audiovox's product lines please visit: http://audiovoxproducts.com

About Audiovox Electronics Corporation (AEC):

Audiovox Electronics Corporation (AEC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of VOXX International Corporation (NASDAQ:VOXX), a leading, global supplier of mobile and consumer electronics products.  The Company holds number one market share in rear seat entertainment as well as remote start systems and is the exclusive provider of SIRIUS XM satellite radio products in the aftermarket.  AEC is also a recognized leader in the marketing of automotive entertainment, rear observation, and vehicle security.  Its extensive distribution network includes power retailers and 12-volt specialists as well as nearly all of the major vehicle manufacturers ("OEMs"), both domestically and abroad.

Audiovox Electronics possesses a strong brand portfolio and its products ranks among the top ten in almost every category in which they sell.  Primary brands include Audiovox®, Invision®, Jensen®, Omega®, Advent®, Code Alarm®, Prestige®, and Excalibur®.

Headquartered in Hauppauge, NY, Audiovox Electronics has a manufacturing facility in the United States, and a robust international footprint with offices in Europe, Canada, Mexico and Venezuela.  For additional information, please visit our Web site at www.audiovoxproducts.com.

About VOXX International Corporation:

VOXX International Corporation (NASDAQ:VOXX).  The Company that began as Audiovox over 45 years ago has morphed into a worldwide leader in many automotive and consumer electronics and accessories categories, and now into premium high-end audio.  The Company's brands hold leading market positions across a wide-spectrum of consumer and automotive segments.

Today, VOXX International is a global company...with an extensive distribution network that includes some of the world's Fortune 500 companies and an international footprint in Europe, Asia, Mexico and South America, and a growing brand portfolio, which is now comprised of over 30 trusted brands including Audiovox®, Klipsch®, RCA®, Invision®, Code Alarm®, Jensen®, Acoustic Research®, Jamo®, Energy®, Mac Audio®, Magnat®, Heco®, Schwaiger®, and Oehlbach®, among others.  The Company continues to drive innovation throughout all of its subsidiaries, and maintains its commitment to exceeding the needs of the consumers it serves.  For additional information, please visit our Web site at www.voxxintl.com.

Safe  Harbor Statement:

Except for historical information contained herein, statements made in this release that would constitute forward-looking statements may involve certain risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements made in this release are based on currently available information and the Company assumes no responsibility to update any such forward-looking statement. The following factors, among others, may cause actual results to differ materially from the results suggested in the forward-looking statements. The factors include, but are not limited to risks that may result from changes in the Company's business operations; our ability to keep pace with technological advances; significant competition in the mobile and consumer electronics businesses as well as the accessories business; our relationships with key suppliers and customers; quality and consumer acceptance of newly introduced products; market volatility; non-availability of product; excess inventory; price and product competition; new product introductions; the possibility that the review of our prior filings by the SEC may result in changes to our financial statements; and the possibility that stockholders or regulatory authorities may initiate proceedings against VOXX International Corporation and/or our officers and directors as a result of any restatements. Risk factors associated with our business, including some of the facts set forth herein, are detailed in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2011.

Audiovox Contacts:
Jeremy Stoehr                                   Mary Kate Joyce, Marina Maher Communications
Phone: 1-631-436-6371                       Phone: 1-212-485-6865
Email: [email protected]             Email: [email protected]

SOURCE VOXX International Corporation