HARMAN, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics CO Ltd, has announced an investment of Rs 3.45 billion ($42 million) to expand its automotive electronics manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune, India. 

HARMAN’s Pune facility serves as a global manufacturing hub for connected car technologies—including digital cockpits, telematics units, and car audio systems, supplying all major Indian OEMs such as Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, and Mahindra & Mahindra, as well as export customers across Europe and North America.

Key Highlights:

• 3.45 billion ($42 million) investment to expand the Pune automotive manufacturing plant
• 50 per cent increase in production capacity to meet growing global demand
• 300 new jobs to be created as part of the expansion initiative
• HARMAN Ready Connect, the next-generation telematics control unit, to be Made in India
• Commitment to sustainability, with a 100 per cent green energy transition by 2030

The investment includes Rs 450 million ($5.5 million) for immediate expansion and an additional Rs 3,000 million ($36.5 million) over the next three years to support advanced telematics and next-generation automotive connectivity programs. With these new commitments, HARMAN’s cumulative investments in the Pune plant now stand at Rs 55.4 billion ($67 million) since its inception in 2014.This expansion will create 300 new jobs in Pune by 2027.

Christian Sobottka, CEO and President of Automotive, HARMAN said, “This investment is a clear signal of our commitment to India. Pune is not just adding capacity - it’s building the future of connected cars. From 5G telematics to sustainable manufacturing, India’s talent and innovation strength make it central to HARMAN’s global automotive growth.”

The new facility will manufacture the next-generation HARMAN Ready Connect—a 5G-enabled telematics control unit developed with Samsung. It features OTA updates, cyber security, diagnostics, and cloud integration, supporting OEMs such as Tata Motors and Maruti Suzuki.

Harman India’s role as a global automotive R&D hub:

India has emerged as the innovation backbone of HARMAN’s global automotive business. HARMAN Automotive India’s 5000-strong team has end-to-end capabilities in product management, software and hardware engineering, manufacturing and quality.

The Pune facility also continues to lead the company’s sustainability journey. Its on-site solar installations generate over 317,000 KWh of electricity annually - mitigating nearly 200 metric tons of CO? emissions. The team’s commitment to world-class performance has earned prestigious industry recognitions, including the CII Award for Energy Efficient Unit.

Krishna Kumar, Managing Director & Automotive Head, HARMAN India said, “India is where HARMAN designs, builds, and exports the next generation of in-car experiences. From connected infotainment to immersive audio to telematics and connected safety solutions, our engineers here don’t just serve India - they serve the world. That’s why India sits at the heart of HARMAN’s global automotive strategy.”

Aligned with HARMAN’s global Sound Purpose ESG framework, strategy and commitment, the facility is progressing toward 100 per cent renewable electricity use by 2030. It has eliminated diesel generators, optimised production lines for energy efficiency, and incorporated eco-conscious design principles to minimise material waste and lifecycle impact.

Since its inception, the Pune facility has maintained a zero OSHA-recordable injury rate, underscoring HARMAN’s commitment to the highest standards of safety and operational excellence.

The expanded Pune facility complements HARMAN’s global manufacturing network across China, Hungary, Mexico, Brazil, and Germany, underscoring India’s pivotal role in driving connected, intelligent, and sustainable automotive solutions.

Through local innovation, clean energy adoption, and advanced telematics manufacturing, HARMAN demonstrates that sustainability and technology leadership go hand-in-hand—reaffirming the company’s belief that smarter mobility can also be more sustainable.