As with most products, the online share of many car audio categories gained during the pandemic, according to SEMA’s 2021 Market Report, which looked at 2020 sales patterns.
For “Sound Systems and Audio Accessories” the online share was close to two thirds of sales. It jumped to 64 percent, up from 55 percent in 2019. Of the 64 percent of online sales, however, 15 percent of that was picked up at a store and/or installed at a store.
The online share of sales also increased for other categories:
Alarms –57 percent in 2020 compared to 51 percent in 2019
Driver Assist– 61 percent in 2020 compared to 54 percent in 2019
Mobile TV and Camera–69 percent in 2020 compared to 66 percent in 2019
An exception was in the category of Navigation. Its online share fell slightly to 62 percent in 2020 from 63 percent in 2019.
SEMA estimates the market size for all of Mobile Electronics for 2020 at $3.34 billion in retail sales. In related categories, Lighting sales were estimated at $2.32 billion, Interior sales (floor mats, upholstery and seats, dash systems and gauges) were $2.59 billion and Driver Assist Systems sales were $0.74 billion.
By category in Mobile Electronics, Sound System sales increased to $1.06 billion in 2020, up from $1.03 billion the year prior.
Alarms and Security increased to $0.83 billion, up slightly from $0.82 billion in 2019. Navigation Systems held flat at $0.47 billion, and Mobile TV/Video Cameras also held flat at $0.45 billion.
Download the 2021 SEMA Market Report for more information.
