New Skyline II Range from Blaupunkt
In its efforts to secure a stronger and more visible presence of its Blaupunkt range of car audio products in Malaysia, Bosch is beefing up its retail network by 50%. Complementing this move is the introduction of the new Blaupunkt Skyline II range of audio systems recently.
The Skyline II range, comprising 5 models and priced between RM1,478.00 to RM2,368.00, is the second generation of Skyline car audio products which are named after famous cities such as San Francisco and New Orleans. Reputed to be more powerful with crystal clear reception, the styling presents clean lines with many new technological inclusions.
Cool designs and metallic hues identify the front of all Skyline II models. The brightly illuminated, large 24 sq cm-sized display is powered by six ultra-bright LEDs and scores a first as the most powerful LED technology available. Panel temperature is said to be dramatically reduced due to the use of LEDs instead of bulbs.
With coloured light diodes in orange, red or blue, the display remains brilliant and easy to read even in the dark. The distinction of the Skyline II is undoubtedly the unique display, which is a consummate match for the interior of many vehicles. At night, the display glows in coloured-flash design.
The radios are equipped with metallic operating elements which glow through the transparent keys against coloured backgrounds with their flash illumination, even during the day. Depending on the model, the front panel sports an anthracite black or silver-metallic look. At the touch of a button, the front panel folds down to reveal a MD, CD or Cassette Drive.
The Blaupunkt brand is owned by the Bosch Group, reputed to be one of the world’s best known brands within the automotive and power tools industries. The 115-year old corporation, headquartered in Germany, is a worldwide name in a large number of sectors, covering electrical and electronic automotive equipment, power tools, automation technology and packaging machines. In 1999, the group achieved a worldwide sales turnover of US$30 billion (RM 120 billion).
The Bosch Group has factories worldwide, including Malaysia where a manufacturing plant in Penang has making a wide range of products covering car radios, loudspeakers, relays and antennae, small motors, lighting equipment and even power tools. The plant was set up in 1972 and its first products were 8 mm movie cameras, which were designed with local R & D The production of car radios started in 1983 and production of digital car radio, which was also designed with local R & D, started in 1987.
“Malaysia is a very important market to us for the earning power of its people has improved over the years. Also, their disposable income has increased and lifestyle habits have changed to become more discerning and sophisticated,” noted Manfred Seitz, Managing Director of Robert Bosch (SEA) Pte Ltd.
“As a manufacturing base, we have seen many positive attributes through how the economic scenario was handled over the last few years, with no untoward negative effects to our plant in Penang. In fact, manufacturing went on smoothly during the 1997 – 1999 period, and there were appreciable increases in product capacity during that time,” he revealed.
