CYPRESS, Calif., Jan. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Clarion Corporation of America was named an International CES Innovations 2013 Design and Engineering Award Honoree for their FX503 in-dash digital media player with smartphone connectivity and access to their exclusive Smart Access cloud server.  Products entered in this prestigious program are judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, engineers and members of the media to honor outstanding design and engineering in cutting edge consumer electronics products across 29 product categories.

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Clarion's FX503 Multimedia Unit provides effortless connectivity to Android and iPhone smartphones and offers access to multiple in-vehicle optimized apps via Clarion's award winning Smart Access Cloud Server.

"We are thrilled to receive this prestigious award," stated Allen H. Gharapetian, Vice President of Marketing, Clarion Corporation of America. "At Clarion, we understand the importance of connecting people with information while in the vehicle so we have taken advantage of our significant technological advancements and know how to provide consumers a great experience when using our FX503 Multimedia Unit which offers seamlessly connectivity to the ever-growing apps, services and activities available via smartphones. We are very encouraged that our efforts have been recognized by CEA by having received the Excellence in Design award."

The prestigious Innovations Design and Engineering Awards are sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^®, the producer of the International CES, the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow, and have been recognizing achievements in product design and engineering since 1976.

Clarion's FX503 will be displayed in The Venetian at the 2013 International CES, which runs January 8-11, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Honorees will also be displayed at CES Unveiled: The Official Press Event of the International CES from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, January 6 in the South Seas Ballroom C at Mandalay Bay.

The Innovations entries are judged based on the following criteria:

• Engineering qualities, based on technical specs and materials used
• Aesthetic and design qualities, using photos provided
• The product's intended use/function and user value
• Unique/novel features that consumers would find attractive
• How the design and innovation of the product compares to other products in the marketplace

Products chosen as an Innovations honoree reflect innovative design and engineering of the entries. Examples may include the first time various technologies are combined in a single product or dramatic enhancements to previous product designs.

Innovations 2013 Design and Engineering honoree products are featured on http://cesweb.org/Awards/CES-Innovations-Awards.aspx, which lists product categories, as well as each product name, manufacturer information, designer, description, photo and URL.

Clarion's FX503's suggested retail price is $799.99 and availability is expected in the second quarter of 2013.

About Clarion
Headquartered in Cypress, California, Clarion Corporation of America is a subsidiary of Japan-based Clarion Co. Ltd, which has been a consolidated subsidiary of the Hitachi Group since 2006. Clarion has been an international leader in car audio and electronics since 1940.  The company is engaged  in the research, development, engineering, design, manufacturing, sales and marketing of mobile entertainment, navigation, infotainment, communication, safety and security products for the automotive, marine, recreational vehicle, commercial fleet and heavy industry environments.  Clarion has been the recipient of numerous excellence awards for design, innovation, support, manufacturing and product reliability from independent organizations.  The company  has marketing and sales affiliates in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia.  Clarion is located on the web at www.clarion.com.

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SOURCE Clarion Corporation of America