Blaupunkt
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Blaupunkt (Template:Audio) is a German brand for consumer electronics. As of 2023, 50 licensees are responsible for product development and distribution.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> Since its foundation in the early 20th century, the brand has been known for car radios, consumer electronics, and at times also for equipment used in professional audio and television studios.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":2">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":3">Template:Cite news</ref> Today, in addition to radios and other consumer electronics like appliances, the brand is also associated with e-bikes, as well as power tools<ref name=":1" /> and electric garden equipment.<ref name=":4">Template:Cite web</ref>
History
The brand originated from the company Ideal Radiotelefon- & Apparatefabrik GmbH, founded in Berlin in November 1923.<ref name=":5">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The company initially produced headphones, which were marked with a small blue celluloid dot once they had passed the final quality check.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> The popularity of these headphones with this blue dot led to the brand name "Blaupunkt" (German for "blue dot").<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" />
In 1930, Ideal was acquired by the Robert Bosch Group, initially via a Liechtenstein-based holding company due to existing licensing agreements with Telefunken that restricted outside involvement. The acquisition became official in 1933, making Ideal a Bosch subsidiary.<ref name=":3" /> One year earlier, in 1932, Ideal launched the AS 5, the first car radio in Europe.<ref name=":7">Template:Cite news</ref> Ideal was officially renamed Blaupunkt in 1938.<ref name=":1" />
After World War II, Blaupunkt moved its headquarters and production to Hildesheim.<ref name=":3" /> In 1949, Blaupunkt advertised the first FM-capable car radio<ref name="White">Template:Cite magazine</ref> and in 1959, Blaupunkt produced its one millionth car radio.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> By the 1960s and 1970s, Blaupunkt had become one of the leading German brands of car radios and car audio equipment.<ref name=":1" /> Blaupunkt launched the first car radio with a traffic information receiver in 1974.<ref name=":7" /> Nine years later, in 1983, the first Blaupunkt in-dash CD player was introduced.<ref name="White" /> In 1989, the first mass production ready traffic navigation system was launched.<ref name=":7" /> The company went on to introduce its first web-linked navigation system in 2002.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Between 2008 and 2009, Bosch sold Blaupunkt to the Munich-based Aurelius Group.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /> On 12 July 2012, Blaupunkt signed an agreement with Rockford Fosgate granting the Rockford Corporation exclusive distribution rights for their car multimedia and headphones range for the North American market. Rockford Fosgate started selling Blaupunkt products, including car radios, navigation, amplifiers, loudspeakers, rear seat entertainment, connectivity, and electronics for the OEM market, through distributors.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2014, Aurelius sold Hildesheim-based Blaupunkt GmbH, a company operating under licence and using the Blaupunkt name, to a British investment fund.<ref name=":1" /> The Blaupunkt brand and trademark rights were not part of this transaction and remained with Aurelius. Blaupunkt GmbH filed for bankruptcy in late 2015<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> with liquidation proceedings completed in early 2016.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Blaupunkt brand itself continued uninterrupted under licence.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2018, Blaupunkt entered the e-mobility market by launching two pedelecs.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2023, the Blaupunkt brand rights were acquired by Established. Inc.,<ref name=":0" /> a global licensing company backed by Ares Management and Crosstimbers Capital Group.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Products
Blaupunkt operates as a licensing brand<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> for products such as consumer electronics, home appliances, mobility, and home safety, extending beyond its origins in car radio manufacturing.<ref name=":4" />
In the field of audio, home entertainment, and automotive technology, Blaupunkt-branded devices include radios, speakers, headphones, and home cinema systems. In the automotive sector, the brand is featured on multimedia and driver assistance systems, including in-car entertainment and retro-style components.<ref name=":6">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> (Folding) e-bikes and e-bike components,<ref name=":4" /> kitchen appliances,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> cleaning devices, power tools<ref name=":1" /> and electric garden equipment are also sold under the Blaupunkt brand.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The production facility for Blaupunkt-branded bicycles for the European market is located in Poland. For the U.S. market, production takes place in Paraguay, where a car audio manufacturing plant was opened in 2018.<ref name=":4" />
Gallery
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BTX Decoder DC 36
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VHS-C camcorder CR 4500
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PA2150 Class T amplifier
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Blaupunkt-Stockholm Radio (1963)
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Blaupunkt Radio (1954)
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Radio Blaupunkt Köln (1958)
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