Directed Electronics, Inc., often abbreviated DEI, is a
Orlando, Florida-based producer of car security products, including Viper car alarms and accessories. It is a subsidiary of
VOXX Automotive, which is owned by VOXX International.
History
DEI was founded in
Cleveland, Ohio in 1982 by
Darrell
Darrell is a given name derived from an English surname, which was derived from Norman-French , originally denoting one who came from Airelle in France. There are no longer any towns in France called Airelle, but is the French word for huckleber ...
and Kathy Issa.
Darrell served as the company's first CEO.
In 1986, the company headquarters moved to
Vista, California
Vista (; Spanish for "view") is a city in San Diego County, California. Vista is a medium-sized city within the San Diego-Carlsbad, CA Metropolitan Area and has a population of 101,638. Vista's sphere of influence also includes portions of ...
, in San Diego County. In 1999, the Issas sold their share of DEI to Miami, Florida-based private equity firm
Trivest.
[
In 2000, Darrell Issa was elected to the ]House of Representatives
House of Representatives is the name of legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national entitles. In many countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often c ...
, and Jim Minarik replaced him as CEO.
In 2008, DEI adapted a holding company
A holding company is a company whose primary business is holding a controlling interest in the securities of other companies. A holding company usually does not produce goods or services itself. Its purpose is to own shares of other companies ...
strategy, and its parent company became DEI Holdings, Inc.[
In July 2020, VOXX International acquired the majority of Directed's automotive aftermarket business, adding eight brands, headlined by Viper.
]
Products
The company distributes various brands of car alarm
A car alarm is an electronic device installed in a vehicle in an attempt to discourage theft of the vehicle itself, its contents, or both. Car alarms work by emitting high-volume sound (often a vehicle-mounted siren, klaxon, pre-recorded verbal ...
s and vehicle start systems, including AstroStart, Automate, Autostart, Avital, Clifford, Python and Viper.
External links
Directed Electronics, Inc.
References
{{reflist
1982 establishments in Ohio
Companies based in Orlando, Florida
Manufacturing companies established in 1982
Orlando, Florida