ARLINGTON, VA, Jan. 10 -- Manufacturer-to-dealer sales of consumer electronics will reach a record-high of $125.7 billion in 2005, according to the Consumer Electronics Association, an 11% climb year-on-year.

CEA estimated 2004 would exceed initial expectations, reaching $113.5 billion, up 11% over 2003.

"These numbers reflect that consumer electronics is a hot industry," said CEA president and CEO Gary Shapiro. "Sales continue to surpass our expectations and break existing records year after year, because this is an everchanging industry that delivers innovative products that enhance consumers' lives."

Digital television continued to be a frontrunner, with sales rising 78% to $10.7 billion. Unit sales were up 63% to 7.3 million. Sales of LCD TVs topped $2 billion in 2004 and will surpass $3 billion in 2005. Plasma TVs will experience similar growth as unit sales reached 853,000 in 2004 and then grow to over 1.4 million units in 2005.

MP3 player unit sales more than doubled, to over 6.9 million units and revenues tripled to $1.2 billion. CEA forecasts revenues will hit $1.7 billion on 10 million units sold and in 2005. Satellite radio and video navigation are also helping to drive the aftermarket category. Mobile navigation devices sales topped $782 million in 2004, up 35%. Navigation device sales will hit $935 million in 2005, CEA said.

Flash media card sales rose 200% to more than $3 billion in 2004, CEA estimates. Demand for storage will push the market to nearly $6 billion this year.

Portable PC product revenues were up 10% to a record $17.2 billion. 2005 revenues are forecast to surpass $18 billion.

Phones with built-in digital cameras have helped add to the projected growth of 15% in revenues in 2004. Unit sales topped 79.6 million units and will grow to 89.2 million units in 2005. Wireless will reach a new high of $11.3 billion in 2005, CEA forecasts.

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