Factory-to-dealer sales of consumer electronics are projected to exceed $155 billion in 2007, or 7 percent growth, according to the semi-annual industry forecast released by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) Arlington, Va.

Todd Thibodeaux, CEA’s senior vice president of industry relations, acknowledged 2006 industry growth far exceeded CEA’s conservative forecast at the beginning of the year. “We originally forecast 8 percent growth, but when all was said and done, we saw an impressive 13 percent growth for the year,” Thibodeaux declared.

The CEA projects that display technologies will continue to be the star category in the industry and account for $22 billion in revenues for 2007.

“U.S. Consumer Electronics Sales and Forecasts 2002-2007” (January 2007) is published twice per year, in January and July. The complete report is available free to CEA member companies. Non-members may purchase the study for $499 athttp://www.ebrain.org.