Rockford Fosgate
 | |
| Public company | |
| Industry | Consumer electronics |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Headquarters | Tempe, Arizona U.S.A. |
Key people |
Bill Jackson Jim Fosgate |
| Products | Car audio |
| Website | Rockford Fosgate |
Rockford Fosgate is an American manufacturer of aftermarket and OEM car audio and other In-Car Entertainment (ICE) products and accessories, limited Pro Audio equipment, and personal mobile electronics such as earphones. Lightning Audio is an entry-level subsidiary brand of the company and Rockford Fosgate is the sole U.S. distributor for Brax and Helix, high end brands owned by Audiotec Fischer of Germany. Rockford also manages distribution of Brax and Helix in Canada through the selection of Trends Electronics International, Inc. as sole Canadian distributors of these brands.[1]
History
The Rockford Fosgate audio company was founded by Jim Fosgate in 1973. Fosgate worked from his garage in Arizona, and he thought of the idea of adding an amplifier formatted for low-impedance loads into cars. These amplifiers were applied to speakers, which in turn made it able to drown out road noise and any other noise that prevented someone from listening to their music.[2]
Products
The company markets currently three distinct product lines with the brand's name. Prime is its least expensive entry level products, Punch are its middle of the road products, and Power are their premier line representing what the company sees as its highest end product.
Associated Companies
Lightning Audio is an associated company founded in 1992.
New Technologies
In 2008 Rockford Fosgate introduced a new amplifier technology they call hybrid technology or HT for short. It was unveiled at the consumer electronics show (CES) in Las Vegas. The technology makes it possible for the amplifier to put out more power than it takes in during extended musical transients. The technology was invented by one of Rockford's Design Engineers, Anthony D'Amore.
Partnerships with Car Manufacturers
Rockford Fosgate and Toyota South Africa partnered to create the Yaris RF Edition in Sedan and Hatchback variations featuring upgraded Rockford Fosgate sound systems. The Yaris RF hatch features a two speaker upgrade plus subwoofer while the sedan version has a four-speaker upgrade. These models were sold as limited editions, priced higher than standard models. Rockford Fosgate also produces audio systems for Nissan as well as Mitsubishi Motors and Suzuki.[3]
Mitsubishi has in the past or currently uses the Rockford Fosgate premium sound system in these vehicles: Mitsubishi Lancer, Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, Mitsubishi Evolution, Mitsubishi Endeavor, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, Mitsubishi Galant, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, and Mitsubishi Outlander. The system features nine premium speakers plus a PUNCH subwoofer in the rear, and an external amplifier.
Nissan is the largest automotive manufacturer that uses Rockford Fosgate products in its vehicles. Nissan has in the past or currently uses Rockford Fosgate for these vehicles: Nissan Sentra, Nissan Juke, Nissan Xterra, Nissan Frontier, Nissan Cube and Nissan Titan. These systems in these vehicles usually feature six premium speakers and a PUNCH subwoofer in the rear, plus an external amplifier.
References
- ↑ Rockford Fosgate press releases
- ↑ "Historical Timeline." Rockford Fosgate. Rockford Fosgate, n.d. Web. 4 Dec 2010. <http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/history/>.
- ↑ Wheels24: 14 March 2008 08:05