JVC vs Kenwood vs Sony

Yeah, what happened there?

They were both acquired by other companies.  Nakamichi was purchased by the Chinese company Grande Group who also own Akai and Sansui among others.  McIntosh was purchased by D&M Holdings of Taiwan who are also Denon, Marantz, Snell, Boston Acoustics and others.  Nakamichi still makes car audio gear but only in Asia and Europe and last time I checked there is no US importer.  McIntosh car audio was discontinued when Denon bought them.  McIntosh amplifiers were made in the USA but their head units were manufactured by Clarion.  I heard rumors last year that there would be a new Denon-manufactured McIntosh head unit, but no sign of it yet.