Alpine 2014 Annual Report Download - page 6

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II. Operational Review
Audio Products Segment
In the Audio Products segment, Alpine launched a CD player equipped with the high-definition Rich
Display onto the North American aftermarket and worked to strengthen sales through sound system sales
promotions. In the European aftermarket, Alpine focused on expanding sales of entry-model CD players
equipped with Bluetooth function and CD players equipped with high-value-added functions compatible
with smartphone applications, which have been well received by the market. As a result, sales for
aftermarket increased.
In the OEM market, sales increased in association with the robust sales of audio products adopted for the
new cars that Japanese automakers began selling in North America from September 2012 and sound
systems for the U.S. automakers.
Accordingly, segment sales increased 17.4% compared with the previous fiscal year, to ¥69.3 billion.
Information and Communications Products Segment
Amid the increasing severity of sales competition with rival companies in the domestic aftermarket, the
Information and Communication Products segment promoted business tailored to specific car models and
continued to focus on expanding sales of the “BIG X” series of large-screen navigation systems. In
particular, Alpine ascertained the needs of families, and launched new products designed to bolster its
competitiveness by distinguishing it from competitors. In addition, Alpine continued to promote sales
activities to automobile dealers in addition to stores specializing in auto products and worked to expand
and upgrade its sales network. As a result, an increase in new cars sold prior to the consumption tax hike
provided a boost, resulting in strong sales. However, this was not enough to make up for the lower sales in
the first half of the fiscal year, and consequently sales for the year remained at the same level.
In the OEM market, there was a rise in the proportion of new cars built by Japanese automakers in the
North American market that are equipped with hybrid products with displays featuring navigation
functions at their cores. Furthermore, as in North America and China, sales continued to be robust in
European luxury automakers’ new cars equipped with our products, Alpine’s sales increased.
Owing to these factors, sales in this segment grew 32.7% compared with the previous fiscal year, to ¥216.5
billion.
Net Sales by Region Ratio of Net Sales by
Business Segment
Ratio of Net Sales by
Product Segment