CI: What is your strategy in respect of your competitors?
RM: Our direct competitors are Pioneer and Sony. We compete with our value-added features. Our products offer greater features and provide a better platform for interaction, choice and ease of use. We offer better LCD screens with improved display, short wave tuners, touchscreen functions such as scroll and drag and other features that ensure ease of operation while driving. If Kenwood charges more, it gives value for money as well.
CI: What is the lookout in the after-sales arena?
RM: Nippon take care of the after-market. They have a wide network across the country. We don’t plan to set up our own network, because we have our distributors out there. We take officials from Nippon for training to our headquarters, where we train them in product- and service-related issues. We also organise seminars and other events for them.
CI: Are there India-specific audio systems from Kenwood? What is the R&D in Indian requirements?
RM: We don’t have India-specific models, but we do have models according to Asian requirements. Asia is a vital zone for us, including big markets like Iran, the UAE, India, Indonesia and others. We have four kinds of models: the American type, European type, Asian type and Japanese type. Therefore, we do not focus only on one country, but the region as a whole.
