The Android head-unit market is crowded with trading companies, resellers and a smaller number of genuine factories — and they can look identical online. Pick the wrong partner and the real cost shows up later as returns, dead touchscreens, wrong fitments and missed shipping windows. For an importer, distributor, retail chain or private-label brand, supplier choice is the single decision that most affects margins and reputation.
This checklist gives buyers a practical way to evaluate a Chinese Android car stereo manufacturer, separate factories from middlemen, and run a safe sample-to-bulk first order. Use it as a scorecard when comparing quotes.
Factory or trading company? Verify first
Many “manufacturers” on marketplaces are trading firms buying from factories. That is not always wrong, but it adds margin, slows technical support and limits customization. Confirm real production by asking for:
- Live or recent factory video showing SMT lines, assembly, aging racks and the specific products you want
- A video call or on-site / third-party audit (or an inspection report from a recognized agency)
- Business license and the ability to issue technical, not just sales, answers
- Depth of the vehicle-specific fitment range — real factories develop CAN protocols and frames; resellers usually offer only generic universals
- Willingness to do OEM/ODM on hardware, software and packaging
The 10-point supplier evaluation checklist
| # | What to evaluate | What a strong supplier looks like |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Experience & focus | 10+ years specialized in car electronics/audio; a stable, focused product line rather than a general trader |
| 2 | In-house production & QC | Own SMT and assembly; incoming-material checks; high-temperature power aging, screen/touch and audio tests; documented defect and on-time rates |
| 3 | Fitment & CAN-bus capability | A maintained compatibility database; vehicle-specific frames, harnesses and CAN decoders; steering controls, cameras and climate retained |
| 4 | OEM/ODM capability | Custom logo, boot screen, UI, pre-installed apps, language, packaging and hardware specs; an in-house R&D/engineering team |
| 5 | MOQ & samples | Sample units available before bulk; low-MOQ trial/pilot orders (often under 50 units) to test your market; volume tier pricing |
| 6 | Lead time & capacity | Clear lead times (stocked models commonly ship within days to ~2 weeks), stated monthly capacity, FOB terms, mixed-order consolidation |
| 7 | Compliance & certification | Actual certificates (e.g. CE, RoHS, FCC and ISO9001 where applicable) shown on request with certificate numbers — not just logos on a picture |
| 8 | Warranty & after-sales | Written warranty/RMA policy, spare parts and harnesses, firmware updates, technical documentation and responsive English support |
| 9 | Payment & buyer protection | A clear contract and invoice; common terms such as a deposit with balance against the bill-of-lading copy; Trade Assurance or third-party inspection for first orders |
| 10 | Market understanding | Knows your region’s best-selling models, languages and homologation; recommends SKUs instead of simply quoting everything |
Benchmark figures you may encounter — sub-2% defect rates, 95%+ on-time delivery, MOQs from a single sample up to several hundred units — are industry reference points, not guarantees. Always get the figures and terms in writing for your order.
Questions to ask before your first order
- Which of these units do you manufacture yourselves, and which are sourced?
- Can you share a fitment list for my target models, including LHD/RHD and year ranges?
- What functions are retained on each fitment (steering controls, reverse/360 camera, climate, TPMS)?
- What RAM/ROM and processor configurations are available at each price tier?
- What is the sample price, sample lead time and the MOQ/tier pricing after approval?
- What warranty period, RMA process and firmware support do you provide?
- Can I see current certificates and a recent factory video or audit report?
- What OEM options (logo, boot screen, UI, packaging) are available and at what MOQ?
- What shipping terms do you support, and can you consolidate head units, clusters and accessories?
- Who handles technical questions after the sale — a salesperson or an engineer?
A safe sample-to-bulk workflow
- 1. Sample — order 1–2 units of each key model, including one vehicle-specific kit; test fitment, screen, audio, CarPlay/Android Auto, heat and boot time in a real vehicle.
- 2. Small pilot — place a low-MOQ mixed order covering your best-selling models; measure packaging, delivery and any DOA/early-failure rate.
- 3. Standardize — lock SKUs, firmware version, accessories and packaging; agree QC and inspection terms.
- 4. Scale — move to volume, add private label, and schedule replenishment around your selling season.
For first orders, use a protected payment channel or arrange third-party inspection before the balance is settled. Never let a supplier rush you past the sample stage on vehicle-specific products.
Why distributors work with AURLIZO
AURLIZO is the in-house brand of Guangzhou Junhui Automotive Parts Co., Ltd., a car-electronics manufacturer since 2011 with a 4,000㎡ production and warehousing facility in Guangzhou. We build two core lines — Android head units and full-LCD digital instrument clusters — across vehicle-specific and universal fitments for 2,000+ models, shipped to 60+ countries.
- Real factory: in-house SMT, assembly, power-aging and multi-point QC, not a trading desk
- Fitment depth: one of the broadest Land Rover, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Toyota, Honda and Nissan ranges, plus Tesla-style, dual-screen, physical-button, ultra-thin and 13″+ form factors
- Two categories, one shipment: head units, digital clusters, climate panels and rear entertainment in mixed orders
- OEM/ODM: logo, boot screen, UI, packaging and model-specific projects with engineering support
- Flexible start: samples and low-MOQ pilot orders, dealer pricing by volume, export documentation
See how units are built and tested on the About / factory page, and browse the range in the product catalog. Compliance documentation is provided on request for confirmed orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is a typical MOQ for wholesale Android car stereos?
It ranges widely — samples can be 1 unit, trial orders are often under 50 units, and volume/custom projects may require hundreds. A factory that supports low-MOQ pilots lets you test fitment and demand before committing to a container.
Can I sell head units under my own brand?
Yes. Most genuine factories offer OEM/ODM — custom logo, boot screen, UI, manuals and packaging, with higher customization (firmware, hardware) for larger or ongoing programs. Confirm the MOQ for each customization.
Can I audit or visit the factory before ordering?
A serious manufacturer welcomes factory visits, live video tours or third-party inspections. Reluctance to show production, aging and warehousing is a warning sign.
How long does production and shipping take?
Stocked universal and popular vehicle-specific units commonly ship within days to about two weeks; custom or out-of-stock projects take longer. Get the lead time, shipping term (FOB/EXW/CIF as agreed) and packing list in writing per order.
How are payments usually handled?
A deposit to start production with the balance settled against a copy of the bill of lading is common. For first orders, use a protected platform or third-party inspection, and always obtain a contract and commercial invoice.
Tell us your market and target models and we will recommend SKUs, fitments and configurations. Browse aurlizo.com/products or contact the factory directly:
Email aurlizo@outlook.com | WhatsApp +86 193 7895 2101 | Contact page