HARMAN Pune Plant Expansion: ₹345 Crore Boost for Connected Cars & 300 New Jobs!

By Karanth

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HARMAN Pune Plant Expansion

Image Source: autocarpro.in

Overview

  • Massive Investment: HARMAN (Samsung subsidiary) pumps ₹345 crore into Chakan, Pune plant, raising total to ₹554 crore since 2014.
  • Phased Growth: ₹45 crore immediately; ₹300 crore over 3 years for telematics and advanced connectivity tech.
  • Capacity Surge: +50% space (71,505 sq ft, 45,000 sq ft production); adds 4 SMT lines, module & speaker production.
  • Production Targets: By 2027: 4M audio components, 1.4M infotainment units, and 800K TCUs annually.
  • Job Creation: 300 new roles in Pune; supports 5,000-strong India automotive team.
  • Key Products: 5G/4G telematics for Tata, Maruti, and HARMAN Ready to connect with OTA, cybersecurity, and cloud.
  • Sustainability: Solar power (317,000 kWh/year, 200 tons CO2 saved); zero injuries; 100% renewable by 2030.
  • Market Fit: Serves Indian OEMs (Tata, Maruti, Mahindra) & exports; aligns with India’s 2.5M EV/PV sales in 2025.

HARMAN Expands Pune Plant with ₹345 Crore: Powers India’s Connected Car Future with Millions of Components

HARMAN, a fully-owned company under Samsung Electronics, is supercharging its automotive electronics factory in Chakan, Pune, with a huge ₹345 crore investment. This brings the total money poured into the plant since 2014 to ₹554 crore. The big expansion was officially opened by HARMAN CEO Christian Sobottka and aims to make India a global hub for smart car technology. With India’s car market booming (2.5 million sales expected in 2025) and connected features in demand, HARMAN’s move supports local makers like Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, and Mahindra & Mahindra, while exporting to Europe and North America.

Investment Breakdown: Two Phases for Smart Growth

The plan splits into two parts for steady progress:

  • Phase 1: ₹45 crore right away to kick off quick upgrades.
  • Phase 2: ₹300 crore spread over the next three years to build cutting-edge telematics and next-gen car connectivity systems.

This smart phasing helps HARMAN meet rising orders without delays, especially as cars get smarter with 5G, over-the-air updates, and cloud links.

Bigger Factory, Bigger Output

The expansion adds 71,505 square feet of space, including a massive 45,000 square foot production floor—that’s over 50% more room than before! Key upgrades include:

  • Four new surface-mount technology (SMT) lines for faster circuit board assembly.
  • New abilities to make complete modules and car speakers on-site.

By 2027, the plant will churn out:

  • 4 million car audio parts every year.
  • 1.4 million infotainment systems (screens, controls, entertainment).
  • 800,000 telematics control units (TCUs) for tracking, safety, and connectivity.

This huge jump means HARMAN can supply millions of smart components, helping cars stay safe, fun, and updated without visits to the garage.

Jobs and Community Boost

The growth creates 300 new jobs in Pune, adding to HARMAN’s 5,000 employees across India in areas like product design, software, hardware, manufacturing, and quality checks. These roles range from engineers to factory workers, boosting local skills and the economy. “We’re proud to grow with India’s auto talent,” said Sobottka.

Cutting-Edge Products for Indian Roads

The Pune factory focuses on connected car tech:

  • 5G and 4G telematics for Tata Motors and Maruti Suzuki—units that handle navigation, emergency calls, and remote diagnostics.
  • HARMAN Ready Connect: A ready-to-use TCU co-made with Samsung. It offers over-the-air (OTA) updates, strong cybersecurity, vehicle health checks, and cloud integration for seamless data flow.

These features make driving safer and easier, especially with India’s push for smarter vehicles under PM E-Drive and FAME-III.

Green and Safe Operations

HARMAN cares for the planet and people:

  • Solar panels produce 317,000 kilowatt-hours of clean energy yearly, cutting 200 metric tons of CO2—like planting thousands of trees!
  • Aiming for 100% renewable electricity by 2030.
  • Zero OSHA-recordable injuries since the plant started—top safety standards.

The facility joins HARMAN’s global network in China, Hungary, Mexico, Brazil, and Germany, but Pune stands out for innovation and sustainability.

Why Pune? India’s Auto Heartbeat

Pune is a hotspot for car manufacturing, close to giants like Tata and Mahindra. HARMAN supplies them directly, plus exports worldwide. With SUVs at 55% of PV sales and EV adoption at 7.31%, demand for infotainment and telematics soars. This expansion supports 72,000 chargers under PM E-Drive and counters global chip shortages.

The Big Picture

HARMAN’s ₹345 crore bet strengthens India’s role in global auto tech. From audio bliss to 5G safety, the Pune plant powers the future of driving—safer, greener, smarter. As CEO Sobottka said, “India is key to connected mobility worldwide.”

Source: autocarpro.in

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