HARMAN International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., has announced an investment of INR 3.45 billion (USD 42 million) to expand its automotive electronics manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune. The new investment will increase production capacity by over 50 percent and create 300 additional jobs by 2027.
According to a press release issued by HARMAN on 27 October 2025, the latest commitment brings the company’s cumulative investment in the Pune plant to INR 5.54 billion (USD 67 million) since its inception in 2014. The expansion includes INR 450 million earmarked for immediate capacity enhancement and an additional INR 3 billion over the next three years to support advanced telematics and connectivity programmes.
The expanded facility adds 71,505 square feet of built-up area, including a 45,000-square-foot production floor. It introduces four new surface-mount technology (SMT) lines and new capabilities for module production and speaker manufacturing. Once fully operational, the plant will be able to produce four million car audio components, 1.4 million infotainment units, and 0.8 million telematics control units (TCUs) annually by 2027.
“This investment is a clear signal of our commitment to India,” said Christian Sobottka, CEO and President of Automotive, HARMAN. “Pune is not just adding capacity—it is 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,” he said.
The new expansion will also localise production of HARMAN Ready Connect, a next-generation telematics control unit co-developed with Samsung. The product integrates over-the-air updates, cybersecurity, diagnostics, and cloud connectivity, and is already being adopted by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) across Asia and North America. HARMAN stated that production of 5G-enabled Ready Connect units at Pune will help automotive partners accelerate deployment of connected and safety-enhancing vehicle technologies.
“India is where HARMAN designs, builds, and exports the next generation of in-car experiences,” said Krishna Kumar, Managing Director and Automotive Head, HARMAN India. “From connected infotainment to immersive audio and telematics solutions, our engineers here serve the world. That is why India sits at the heart of HARMAN’s global automotive strategy,” he said.
HARMAN’s Pune plant currently supplies connected vehicle technologies—including cockpits, telematics units, and car audio systems—to Indian OEMs such as Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, and Mahindra & Mahindra, along with export customers in Europe and North America. The facility’s on-site solar installations generate more than 317,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, reducing about 200 metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
The company said the site is targeting 100 percent renewable electricity use by 2030 and has eliminated diesel generators, optimised production for energy efficiency, and maintained a zero recordable injury rate under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards since its inception.
HARMAN’s expanded Pune facility complements its global manufacturing network in China, Hungary, Mexico, Brazil, and Germany. The company said the investment reinforces India’s role as a key hub in its strategy for developing connected, intelligent, and sustainable automotive solutions.
