Today’s consumers expect to integrate their favorite digital sources into their vehicle’s system. As a new solution for these consumers, Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of automotive mobile media solutions, today introduced the iXA-W407. The iXA-W407 is Alpine’s newest 2-DIN Digital Media Station, with optimized iPod®/iPhone® playback, large 7-inch touch screen and built-in Bluetooth™ powered by Parrot. Now shipping, the iXA-W407 is also available as a complete Audio/Video/Navigation (AVN) package for $1,100, which includes the NVE-M300 GPS Navigation Drive. (See pricing and availability below for more details.)

Many consumers are looking to save money by holding on to their vehicles longer.  Keeping those cars updated with the latest technology without breaking the bank is possible with the latest iPod® solution from Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of automotive mobile media solutions.  The new DPR-RDS1 Factory Radio Interface for iPod® and iPhone® makes it possible for consumers to play songs from their iPod or iPhone through any factory radio.

Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of audio and navigation solutions, today introduced the new NVE-M300 GPS Navigation Drive.  This high-performance black box navigation module makes it easy to add turn-by-turn navigation functionality to Alpine’s iXA-W404 and IVA-W505 Audio/Video (AV) head units.  Adding the NVE-M300 to these products results in two unique Audio/Video/Navigation (AVN) solutions. Consumers can have a $1,000 digital media solution combining the NVE-M300 and the iXA-W404 with its 4.3-inch touch screen that is optimized for iPod/iPhone playback.  Alternatively, they can create a $1,550 premium system based on the IVA-W505 with its 7-inch touch screen and DVD capability.

Consumers who desire better sound quality from their car audio system may not always want a full-blown system overhaul.  Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of automotive mobile media solutions, answers this need with the KTP-445 Head Unit Power Pack, which is now available in stores.

Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of automotive mobile media solutions, has been honored with the award for “Best Ever” CD receiver by Mobile Electronics magazine.  The online poll of the mobile electronics industry was conducted during the fall of 2008 and Mobile Electronics recently presented the award to Alpine.  In 1989, Alpine introduced the 7909 (with an SRI of $1,200) as the company’s flagship AM/FM CD receiver, targeted to audiophile consumers and auto sound competitors.  The 7909 was best known for its incredible sound quality at a time when the CD format was gaining major popularity in the car.  It used a dual Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) architecture designed to outperform other single DAC-based CD receivers. 

Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of automotive mobile media solutions, today introduced a new product that provides a multitude of entertainment options and navigation in one sleek in-dash system. The IVA-W203/P1 audio/video/navigation (AVN) system offers drivers touch-screen control over various digital media sources, Bluetooth® hands-free connectivity and navigation. “The in-car environment has become more complex, with features such as iPod®, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD Radio™, DVD video and navigation becoming the norm,” said Stephen Witt, vice president, marketing, Alpine Electronics. “Alpine’s IVA-W203/P1 delivers a completely integrated, easy-to-use solution to meet this new definition of the driving experience.”

As more and more states require “hands-free” cell phone use while driving, Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of automotive mobile media solutions, offers a new Bluetooth® solution for in-car use.  The new KCE-350BT Bluetooth Interface Module is now available to aid drivers by allowing hands-free conversations to be handled through the vehicle’s sound system.

With the eX-10, drivers no longer have to buy two separate products to use both their iPod and hands-free Bluetooth devices. The eX-10 on-dash solution enables consumers to upgrade their car by adding iPod control and Bluetooth hands-free calling features, with all audio transmitted through the car’s factory sound system. The eX-10 consists of a 2.4-inch color TFT display monitor that can be installed on top of the car’s dash, a wireless remote control and a power module that plugs into the car’s cigarette lighter.

With today’s on-the-go lifestyle, the portable navigation device (PND) is becoming a ubiquitous part of the driving experience. Consumers now demand both exceptional navigation performance and ease-of-use; sleek aesthetics are important, too. Answering this demand, Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of automotive mobile media solutions, today announced it is shipping the PND-K3 all-in-one portable navigation plus Bluetooth® hands-free system. The PND-K3’s natural voice text-to-speech and superior vehicle positioning technology work together for a seamless and accurate navigation and cellular hands-free experience.

Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of automotive mobile media solutions, announced its IVA-W505 Mobile Multimedia Station ($1,100 SRI) is now shipping to authorized Alpine dealers in the U.S. and Canada. The IVA-W505 is a full-featured DVD/CD/MP3/AAC/WMA/DivX audio/video head unit that boasts a new, intuitive graphical interface and touch-screen control over virtually any digital media source in the car, as well as Bluetooth connectivity.  The 2-DIN unit also serves as the in-dash docking station for Alpine’s PMD-B200 Blackbird portable navigation device, enabling consumers to enjoy the car-to-car convenience of a portable unit while also gaining the myriad benefits of a fixed navigation system.

Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of automotive mobile media solutions, today announced its “Rock the Dash™” music contest at http://www.RocktheDash.com is gaining momentum among emerging music artists. 

With the competition leader board changing almost daily since the contest launched in January, artists are encouraged to participate and fans urged to vote for their favorite artists before the contest ends on March 31, 2008.  The competition gives participants widespread exposure and a chance to win a full Alpine in-vehicle sound system and other prizes totaling more than $18,000.  “Rock the Dash” is part of the launch of Alpine’s new eX-10 Advanced iPod® Controller with Bluetooth, an easy plug-and-play solution for consumers who want both their iPod music and Bluetooth hands-free calling in the car.

For consumers seeking convergence of their must-have everyday technologies and their vehicle’s factory system, Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of automotive mobile media solutions, today introduced the eX-10 Advanced iPod® Controller with Bluetooth®.  The eX-10 is a new dash-top solution for iPod playback and Bluetooth connectivity that works with the vehicle’s factory system. The eX-10 consists of a no-installation display unit that sits on top of the dash, a remote control and a power module that plugs into the vehicle’s cigarette lighter.  The eX-10 was recently announced as a winner of a CES Innovations 2008 Design and Engineering Award, for the In-Vehicle Control/OEM Integration category.

“The demand for iPod and Bluetooth in the car is skyrocketing, and consumers previously have not been able to integrate these technologies into their existing sound systems through one product.  With Alpine’s new eX-10, consumers can easily add both iPod music playback and Bluetooth hands-free operation for cell phones into their vehicles with one simple, add-on solution,” said Stephen Witt, vice president, Marketing, Alpine Electronics.

Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of automotive mobile media solutions, is now shipping its second-generation Blackbird™ (PMD-B200), the company’s new portable navigation device (PND).  The new Blackbird is loaded with upgraded features that improve the driving experience including a built-in Bluetooth® module, a built-in traffic tuner and the flexibility to use the unit as either a portable or fixed unit with one of Alpine’s AV head units.

“Consumer demand for car navigation is expected to triple by 2012, and the market continues to get more competitive,” said Stephen Witt, vice president, Marketing, Alpine Electronics.  “The PMD-B200 has new features, such as Bluetooth compatibility, which consumers are beginning to expect in a PND.”

The PMD-B200 runs on the Microsoft Windows CE platform and comes with a built-in flash hard drive for preloaded NAVTEQ® map data of the United States and Canada (including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) and 6 million NAVTEQ Points of Interest (POIs).  The maps can be viewed four different ways including 3D mapping, 2D full map, split map and turn-by-turn arrow view.  These maps are accompanied by full turn-by-turn voice-delivered instructions, which are available in English, French and Spanish. 

Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of automotive mobile media solutions, today announced that the company’s innovative CDA-9887 IMPRINT™ head unit has started shipping.  The CDA-9887 is a CD/MP3/WMA/AAC receiver that is the first aftermarket head unit to incorporate Alpine’s IMPRINT sound architecture. Based on Audyssey Labs’ MultEQ® technology, the unit improves the in-vehicle listening experience by removing acoustical problems inherent to all vehicle interiors.  This automated tuning process tailors the sound system to each vehicle’s interior, allowing the sound system to accurately reproduce music as the artist intended it to be heard.

The interior space of a vehicle is a challenging environment for accurate sound reproduction because it distorts sound quality, making it difficult to create a system that delivers music as crisp, clear and defined as originally intended. The variety of surfaces and materials, as well as the size and shape of the car’s interior, collectively impact how the sound reaches the ears of the driver and passengers.  Alpine partnered with Audyssey Labs to develop an automotive application of their powerful MultEQ technology.  Audyssey’s research into the fundamental causes of acoustical distortion resulted in their creation of MultEQ, a breakthrough technology platform for minimizing sound distortion caused by the listening environment.

To further connect with its diverse customer base, Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of automotive mobile media solutions, today announced the launch of the Spanish version of its official North American Web site. Visitors to http://www.alpine-usa.com can access the Spanish site by clicking the “en Español” link on the top of the home page. A dedicated Spanish site URL is also available at http://espanol.alpine-usa.com .

“By offering a Spanish version of the site, our large Spanish-speaking audience can more easily and quickly get detailed, up-to-date information on Alpine products that will improve the driving experience,” said Stephen Witt, vice president, Marketing, Alpine Electronics. “We are continuously working to enhance the content and functionality of the Alpine North America Web site for all of our customers, and we are particularly excited to introduce this new feature.”

The Spanish site features extensive information on all Alpine products. Each individual product page offers a detailed description of the product, features and specifications, compatible accessories and a downloadable multi-language owner’s manual. Additionally, the site’s “Fun” section contains information, slideshows and videos of Alpine’s popular demo cars, including the show-stopping IMPRINT RLS, as well as details on the latest Alpine events and partner activities. Future press releases also will be translated into Spanish.