SONICblue's Rio Division and Car Toys Form Retail Partnership; Premier Car Audio Retailer Becomes World's First Reseller for Rio Car Player
VANCOUVER, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 6, 2001--Rio(R), a division of SONICblue(TM) Incorporated (Nasdaq:SBLU), today kicked off a retail partnership with Car Toys to resell Rio Car(TM), Rio's recently announced removable in-dash digital audio players that store over 1,000 hours of music. With immediate availability of the players on its website and in all of its 40 locations, Car Toys becomes the world's first reseller for Rio Car and a strong, long-term retail partner for Rio's car audio initiative.
"A top car audio retailer, we believe Car Toys brings the right mix of sales expertise and customers to help us quickly and effectively move Rio Car into the mobile electronics market," said Tony Storino, vice president of Merchandising for Rio. "Moving forward, we will seek to further expand this retail presence nationally and to establish strong OEM partnerships that will place the Rio Car and follow-on product offerings in the forefront of the premium car audio market."
"With its mass-storage capability, Rio Car represents a revolutionary new audio technology that we believe car enthusiasts will be quick to adopt," said Rik Tokuno, president and chief operating officer for Car Toys. "Through our unique partnership with Rio, we are able to give our customers an exclusive first retail offering of this new look, sound and feel in car audio components."
About Rio Car
Rio Car products make it easier to enjoy music on the road by conveniently storing an entire music collection in a portable, customizable in-dash MP3 player -- doing away with the hassle of carrying CDs or cassettes. With models ranging from 10GB to 60GB, the Rio Car can store over 18,000 MP3 songs. Rio Car features an Intel(R) StrongARM processor and ships with a docking unit, software, AC adapter, USB cable, serial cable, 9-to-25 way serial adapter and wireless remote control.
About Rio
Rio, a division of SONICblue, is a pioneer and acknowledged leader in digital audio. Focused on delivering a family of digital audio products designed for various lifestyles, Rio is dedicated to engineering superior portable, home and car digital audio products for consumers.
About SONICblue Incorporated (www.SONICblue.com)
SONICblue is a leader in the converging Internet, digital media and consumer device markets. Working with partners that include some of the biggest brands in consumer electronics, SONICblue creates and markets products that let consumers enjoy all the benefits of a digital home and connected lifestyle. SONICblue holds significant financial assets, global marketing capabilities and a focused technology portfolio, that includes Rio digital audio players, HomeFree(TM) home networking solutions, Diamond(TM) Internet access products and frontpath(TM) Information Appliances.
About Car Toys
A premier team of experts committed to providing high quality mobile electronic products and services that exceed customers' expectations, Car Toys has 39 stores throughout Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Texas. In 1998, Car Toys was ranked the 89th largest consumer electronics company in the USA. Car Toys was the only car audio retailer in the "Top 100" list of consumer electronic retailers that include larger retailers such as Sears, Circuit City, and Best Buy.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements as to the expansion nationally of Rio Car's retail presence and the establishment of strong OEM partnerships, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to, the ability of Rio to enter into additional relationships with retailers and into OEM partnerships, the ability of Rio to manufacture and develop Rio Car and follow-annual report on Form 10-Q for the year ended December 31, 2000. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. SONICblue and Rio disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. SONICblue, HomeFree, Diamond and frontpath are trademarks of SONICblue. Rio is a registered trademark of RioPort, Inc. and is used by SONICblue under license from RioPort, Inc. Other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners.
CONTACT: Porter Novelli for Rio
Rob McMurtrie, 206/727-2880 (Editorial)
rob.mcmurtrie@porternovelli.com
or
SONICblue Incorporated
Tracy L. Perry, 408/588-8086 (Investor)
ir@sonicblue.com
or
Car Toys, Inc.
Tracy Mooney, 206/443-0980 x308
tmooney@cartoys.com |
