Car audio is one of the few aftermarket areas in SEMA’s Accessory & Appearance segment expected to decline this year, according to a 2025 SEMA Market Report.
Mobile electronics sales to consumers are expected to fall to $3.31 billion in 2025, down from $3.37 billion in 2024. The segment includes car audio/video, camera, alarms, navigation, and smartphone integration.
By comparison, lighting, truck accessories, ADAS and wheels & tires are expected to grow.
Lighting sales are forecast to increase to $2.51 billion from $2.48 billion, truck accessories to $6.13 billion from $6.08 billion, ADAS to $0.79 billion from $0.78 billion, and wheels & tires to $6.86 billion from $6.76 billion.
Mobile Electronics Strategy
The average number of transactions at 12 volt specialists has been gradually declining. If you compare first quarter sales over the past 3 years, the average number of transactions fell 23 percent, according to the Mobile Electronics Association.
Retailers are doing their best to maximize each sale, as foot traffic continues to fall. A key way to do that is by diversifying into other automotive categories. And as noted above, these categories are growing. MEA President Chris Cook said, “The shops that diversified to be all about the vehicle are doing well as compared to those who have not. Car audio itself is flat to down.”
An example is Titan Motoring, TN which provided us a break down of its sales by category through June. Car audio and related sales were up only one percent but bolt-on truck and other accessories were up 37 percent. Vinyl wraps were up 58 percent and mechanical lift kits, wheels and tires were up 31 percent. Owner Philip Lindsley said he learned from a past failed shop that diversification is key.
source: https://www.ceoutlook.com/2025/08/12/more-numbers-for-car-audio-dealers/
