Directed Announces New, Lower Priced Viper SmartStart Models and Free Roadside Assistance via the Viper Motor Club

Friday, October 22, 2010 -- Directed Electronics has announced what it calls Viper SmartStart 2.0 — a comprehensive update to its Viper SmartStart product line, which allows users to control vehicle security and convenience features using their iPhone, BlackBerry or Android smartphone.

With Viper SmartStart 2.0, Directed has lowered pricing, with dealers advertising Viper SmartStart as low as $199 as an add-on to compatible Viper systems. According to Mike Simmons, Executive VP of Directed Electronics, “We optimized the design and engineered costs out to put Viper SmartStart within reach of as many customers as possible.”

“We created the smartphone car integration category last year with the launch of Viper SmartStart,” said Simmons. “It’s exciting to see all the attention the category has been getting lately, with OnStar and many of the OEMs pre-announcing their products on the drawing board. It’s clear that customers are very interested in controlling their car from their smartphone, and we will continue to lead this category by being first to market with the most advanced — and most affordable — solutions.”

Directed has also introduced its new Viper Motor Club, which offers free roadside assistance with Viper SmartStart 2.0. Customers in a bind can access the Viper Motor Club with just the push of a button in the Viper SmartStart app. The company stated that this is one of many features Directed will be adding starting in the fourth quarter. “We are focused on delivering a simple and affordable smartphone solution with features that drivers really value, including the new Viper Motor Club,” added Simmons.

“It is hard to believe we launched Viper SmartStart just one year ago,” said Kevin Duffy, President of Directed Electronics. “Viper SmartStart received an onslaught of media attention, and introduced a completely new product category in mobile electronics. We expect the launch of Viper SmartStart 2.0 to drive a whole new wave of customer interest over the next few months, especially with cold weather on its way.”

The new Viper SmartStart 2.0 Module (VSM200) allows retailer to sell SmartStart capabilities to the millions of people who own cars with Viper systems installed. Most Viper remote start and security systems installed since 2003 are SmartStart compatible.

In addition, Directed introduced two new complete Viper SmartStart systems, the Viper VSS3000 Remote Start System, advertised at a price as low as $299, and the Viper VSS5000 Security with Remote Start System, which is being advertised as low as $499. For more information, including a store locator, please visit www.viper.com/smartstart.

DIRECTED ELECTRONICS NAMED MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR

Directed was honored as the MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR at Mobile Electronics magazine’s 2010 Dealer’s Choice Awards at the MERA KnowledgeFest show
(MECP Certified Master Technician Andy Hartshorne pictured here accepting award)










Sunday, October 10, 2010 --




Mobile Electronics magazine presented its 2010 Industry Awards at the 2010 MERA KnowledgeFest show in Dallas. Texas, and announced the winners of the Dealer Choice awards for best manufacturer programs and service in a range of categories, the Retailer of the Year awards in the single-store, small chain and medium/large chain store categories and the Installer of the Year award. Parrot presented its Certified Installer of the Year award.

At the Mobile Electronics Industry Awards reception, attendees ate, drank and networked at the Gaylord Texan hotel and conference center before sitting down to honor their colleagues and find out who the winners were. Editor Todd Ramsey talked about the industry and later how the finalists in the award categories were judged.

Mobile Electronics’ Publisher Joni Owens presented the Dealer Choice Awards, which ask retailers to rate the industry vendors they work with in a variety of categories. These awards were given based on responses from retailers.

For the Dealer Choice Awards, Mobile Electronics honored companies with first, second and third place award in each category and gave an overall “Manufacturer of the Year” award.

The Retailer of the Year awards and Installer of the Year award were given based on an extensive process that involved industry nominations and voting to determine the retailer and installer finalists and then the judging of materials submitted by the retailer and installer finalists.

For those of you keeping score Directed Electronics also came home with the following awards:

• #1 in Technical Support
• #1 in Customer Service
• #1 in Warranty Programs
• #3 in Dealer Programs

DIRECTED ELECTRONICS LAUNCHES NEW VIPER SMART START 2.0

Since the launch, the new Smart Start has far exceeded our wildest expectations. SmartStart received over a half billion media impressions in the first year. This combined with Apple selecting SmartStart as a hot new featured app in TV, print, and online advertisements created an overwhelming media frenzy. SmartStart introduced a completely new product category in Mobile Electronics, which dealers, installers and consumers passionately embraced.

So what's new?

• The SmartStart Module will be advertised at $199

• New features:
- Smart Start Motor Club – Free 24/7/365 roadside assistance is included with all new SmartStart Secure service plans. That’s a $79/year value included at no additional charge.

o Smart Alerts – Customers receive a text message to their smartphone if their alarm triggers (with compatible security systems).

• New service plans –
- SmartStart Secure 1-Year service plan for $49.99 up front including the Smart Start Motor Club service.
- SmartStart Secure 3-Year service plan for $99.98 up front (that’s equivalent to one year included FREE, or less than $3/month).


• More compatible smartphones:
o Now Directed StartStart works not only with iPhone, but with BlackBerry and Android smartphones as well.

• More compatible systems
- New SmartStart compatible with older Viper, Clifford & Python security & remote start systems as well as Directed's Avital line of remote start & security sytems



When you activate your SmartStart service plan, you receive a full membership to the Motor Club. Locked out? Dead battery? Need a tow? We’ve got your back with 24/7/365 roadside assistance throughout the US and Canada and our licensed, insured fleet of 30,000 service providers is constantly available at the push of a button!


SMART START MOTOR CLUB 24-HOUR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
SmartStart owners who subscribe to a SmartStart Secure Service Plan ($49.99/year) are eligible for a Full Membership in the Motor Club roadside assistance program.
MOTOR CLUB FULL MEMBERSHIP
Benefits of the SmartStart Motor Club Full Membership include:
24-HOUR TOLL-FREE EMERGENCY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE is available throughout the United States and Canada, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Coverage is provided to any driver of the covered vehicle, pre-registered with SmartStart Motor Club. Roadside assistance includes:
1. Towing
When towing is necessary, the Customer's disabled vehicle will be towed (up to 5 miles at no additional charge) to the nearest qualified service facility or to any location requested by the member.
2. Battery Service/Vehicle Won't Start
If a battery failure occurs, a jump start will be applied to start the Customer's vehicle.
3. Flat Tire Assistance
Service consists of the removal of the flat tire and its replacement with the spare tire.
4. Gasoline, Oil, Fluid and Water Delivery Service
An emergency supply of gasoline, oil, fluid and water will be delivered to any Customer in
immediate need.
5. Lock-out Assistance
If a Customer's keys are locked inside of their vehicle, the service will provide for assistance in gaining entry to the Customer's vehicle.
Benefits listed above are subject to a "Per Disablement Limit" maximum of SEVENTY FIVE dollars ($75.00). Costs in excess of $75.00 will be the responsibility of the member and will be collected by the service provider at the time of service.
Roadside assistance is available by calling 877-373-9763 or selecting the Smart Start Motor Club Member Hotline from within the SmartStart App.

VIPER SMARTSTART VIDEO

DIRECTED ELECTRONICS RELEASES NEW VIPER SMARTSTART™ APP FOR ANDROID®

Start your car from virtually anywhere with your Android, iPhone® or BlackBerry® Smartphone

Vista, California (July 29, 2010) – Directed Electronics today announced the availability of its popular Viper SmartStart app on the Google Android smartphone platform. The free app is available at http://www.viper.com/ and the Android Market.

“The Android operating system enables millions of smartphones on all major carrier networks and across a full range of price points,” said Kevin Duffy, President of Directed Electronics. “With this app release, our Viper SmartStart solution is available to more than 75% of all smartphone users.”

Viper SmartStart is available to users with iPhones, BlackBerry smartphones, and now Android smartphones. When the Viper SmartStart hardware is installed on the user’s vehicle along with a compatible Viper remote start or security system, the app allows users to control their car from virtually anywhere with their smartphone. Users with a Viper remote start system can start their engine with the push of a button, to pre-warm it in the winter or pre-cool it in the summer. Depending on the installation, users can also lock and unlock the doors, pop the trunk, or arm their security system and get an alert on their smartphone if their alarm is triggered. Users can even control multiple cars from one smartphone.

According to Mike Simmons, Executive Vice President of Directed Electronics, “Android users are a rapidly growing segment of our customer base and the overall smartphone market, and we’re excited to deliver the Viper SmartStart app to them. Many Android users are early adopters of technology, and we’re proud to be first to enable them to replace their car keyfob with their smartphone. We’ve been leading the automotive industry in smartphone integration, and will continue to deliver ‘first-to-market’ solutions to customers in the future.”

For more information please visit www.viper.com/smartstart

Directed Invests in Phone System That Can Route Consumer Calls to Dealers

Wednesday, April 28, 2010 -- Directed Electronics has invested in a new, high-tech phone system that allows consumers calling Directed to voluntarily talk to a local dealer instead. The company said this system, called “Direct Connect,” has sent more than 40,000 consumer phone calls to local dealers since Directed implemented it.

The company said that the system works as follows: The caller selects their brand (Orion, Viper, Clifford, Python or Avital) and then enters their zip code. Their call then routes to a dealer in, or closest to, the zip code the caller entered. The phone will then ring in the dealer’s store.

According to Glenn Busse, Senior VP of Sales and Customer Care, “There is no better way to serve our dealers during the economic recovery than to send them more business, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. Dealers are increasingly focused on service, helping consumers out with replacement remotes, and making customers for life.”

“No one else in the industry currently offers this level of consumer-to-dealer connectivity,” said Jeff Burt, Director of Technical Support. “No robotic message, no more go to the web and look it up, and no frustrated consumers waiting on hold. Instead they call Directed, and the phone rings in the dealer’s store — with a motivated new customer on the line! The program is working, consumers are using it, and our dealers are taking the calls.”

For more information about Directed’s new “Direct Connect” telephone dealer locator, you can talk to your Directed Sales Manager or call (800) 876-0800.

NEW APPLE iPHONE 3GS TV AD FEATURES VIPER SMART START

Apple recently unveiled their newest iPhone television ad titled "Family Man" which features the Viper Smart Start as one of the featured apps. In the ad the Smart Start is shown opening the trunk of a VW Toureg revealing a trunk full of camping or picnic gear. Directed Electronics is estatic over being featured in an Apple commercial and preliminary reports state that after airing on Tuesday (April 20th) night in the 9pm to 10pm prime time slot on popular shows like ABC's Lost, CBS's NCIS: LA, & TNT's NBA Playoff, Directed received more than 5000 hits on the Viper dealer locator page.

If you haven't checked out the Viper Smart Start for yourself already, Directed has scheduled a national "Start Me Up" campaign for consecutive Saturday's in May (15th & 22nd). Factory Sales managers will be performing live demo's in select Viper dealer showrooms and giving away entry cards for a free drawing to win a complete Smart Start system.

For more information contact your local Viper dealer