Telecom Lead India: Harman, a global audio and
infotainment group, has finalized deal with Tata Motors of India to use the
company’s audio and infotainment systems.
Tata Motors selected Harman to develop a branded audio
and infotainment strategy for vehicles across Tata’s new vehicle range. The
agreement is Harman’s first with Tata, and marks the first time an Indian
automaker will bring branded audio and infotainment systems to the domestic
market.
Besides Tata Motors, Harman signed agreements with
automakers in China. The combined business, awarded by Geely Motors and BAIC
Motors of China and Tata Motors of India, represents more than $500 million.
These new awards further validate our strategic focus
and aggressive investments in the high-growth emerging markets,” said Dinesh C.
Paliwal, Harman Chairman, President and CEO.
Over the last four years, Harman built three
manufacturing plants, four engineering and two R&D centers in China and
India and employ 2000 people there.
Geely Motors, a Chinese automaker and parent company of
Volvo Cars, has selected Harman to develop an audio and infotainment system for
its upcoming sedan, and an infotainment platform for its new mid-sized luxury
SUV.
The new orders extend an earlier branded audio award from
Geely, and mark the first time HARMAN will provide infotainment systems to the
automaker.
China’s BAIC Motors has tapped Harman to provide JBL
audio system and infotainment solution for a sedan debuting in 2013.
The two companies will work to develop a platform based
on Harman’s next-generation software architecture that is readily adaptable to
new future vehicles. The agreement is HARMAN’s first with BAIC.
Harman provides connectivity, infotainment, and audio to
the global automakers, including Audi, BMW, Chrysler, FIAT, Ferrari, SGM,
Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Land Rover, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Toyota, and
Volkswagen.
Harman is expected to post $1.5 billion in revenues by
2015 in the BRIC countries, where sales increased by 32 percent during the most
recent fiscal quarter. The company’s employment in China and India has doubled
during the past year.
The company has opened flagship stores in Shanghai and
Beijing to showcase its brands, and recently opened its newest engineering and
manufacturing center in the Northern Chinese city of Dandong. Harman operates
R&D and manufacturing facilities in Shanghai, Suzhou, Shenzhen, and
Bangalore.
