 Help and advice for consumers, and support for suppliers in the UK In-Car Electronics aftermarket
The Mobile Media Specialist Association (MMSA) - incorporated in 2003 under the guidance of founding Secretary Mike Friston as a Company Limited by Guarantee (No. 4936203) - works to promote the specialist aftermarket in-car electronics industry in the UK and to help consumers with advice on the products and services available.
MMSA is a non-profit association. Its General Secretary and driving force is Kevin O'Byrne, former Editor of Car Stereo & Security magazine, assisted by a Board of Directors drawn from within the industry. The Association is neither backed or dictated by any particular brands or retailers and aims to support all brands and all independent specialist retailers in the in-car market, the only stipulations being that retailers must have a permanent on-site workshop/fitting facility and accept the Association's Code of Practice.
Why do we need an association for the in-car market? In the early days, new cars came without any kind of sound system
- not even a hole in the dash. But consumer demand for entertainment systems led to
auto electrical suppliers having to learn ways to make the most
of the little they had in the way of products. Valve radios, 8-track
cassette, compact cassette, coaxial speakers... these were the pioneering
days of in-car entertainment.
This spawned the specialist audio installer, many starting out as auto
electricians with a love of music. If a customer pulled
into the garage and wanted an audio upgrade, they got called over!
In time many set-up their own dedicated audio and security businesses,
and today many of those same businesses - as well as a whole new
generation - form what is known as the "in-car aftermarket".
The term 'aftermarket' comes from the products being fitted after
the vehicle has left the factory production line.
Since those early days, the in-car world has grown to include DAB Digital Radio, Satellite
navigation, In-car
telephones and mobile office equipment and TV, DVD, Seat & roof mounted video screens. There is an ever
growing list of in-car equipment that only the authorised vehicle
dealership or the independent specialist has the expertise to install
into today's sophisticated vehicles. Even your car's supplier will
often have limited experience and will only be able to offer a small
selection of ready-made upgrade packages.
The Mobile Media Specialist Association provides a way
for the industry to reach out to consumers with advice and guidance. Under the banner of the InCar Expert Installer Network, these independent retailers offer a specialised service as an alternative to the
high street multiples, who are far less equipped to provide the knowledgeable advice and service you should insist
on if you value your vehicle and the performance and safety of anything fitted to it away from the factory.
 Why
visiting an InCar Expert makes more sense!
The specialist retailers we list offer the very best fully installed deals on the highest
quality brand names available.
Knowledgeable sales staff are there to advise you on what products
will best suit you and your car.
High quality installation services maximize the performance of
products fitted in compliance with the car electronics manufacturers'
recommendations.
MMSA - helping to ensure a future for the UK's In-Car Mobile Media Specialists
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