Harman India is in discussions with multiple two-wheeler and commercial vehicle manufacturers to supply in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) and cockpit domain controller (CDC) systems, according to a senior company executive. This would mark Harman Automotive’s expansion beyond its traditional passenger vehicle business in India.
The Samsung-owned automotive technology company currently supplies infotainment systems, connected vehicle technologies and premium audio systems to passenger vehicle makers including Tata Motors, Mahindra and Maruti Suzuki, while also exporting products manufactured in India to markets such as Europe.
"We are in talks with multiple OEMs in the two-wheeler and commercial vehicle space," Krishna Kumar G, managing director and senior vice president at Harman India and Harman Automotive R&D country lead, told Autocar Professional. He did not disclose the names of the manufacturers or indicate when supplies could begin.
The move comes as Harman looks to tap growing demand for digital cockpit technologies across more vehicle segments. IVI systems integrate features such as touchscreen displays, navigation, media playback, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice assistants, vehicle settings and connected car functions. Cockpit domain controllers manage multiple cockpit functions through a central computing platform.
Globally, Harman offers a dedicated connectivity platform for two-wheelers through its Ready Ride, an end-to-end solution that combines a telematics control unit, software stack, cellular connectivity and an OEM backend. It supports over-the-air updates, remote diagnostics, vehicle health monitoring and smartphone integration through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The platform is built to motorcycle-grade standards with IP69 protection and is designed to improve rider safety, security and convenience. It enables features such as crash detection, eCall readiness, Advanced Ride Assistance Systems (ARAS), theft alerts, stolen vehicle tracking and remote vehicle functions, while helping manufacturers reduce development costs and speed up product launches across global markets.
For heavy trucks and buses, Harman globally offers include HARMAN Ignite, OTA updates, a scalable Intelligent Cockpit Platform and multivehicle communication solutions, as well as Ready Care ensure the driver's safety and reduce their fatigue.
In India, high-resolution, full-colour TFT instrument clusters are no longer limited to passenger cars. They are increasingly finding their way into two-wheelers, trucks and buses, offering a richer and more interactive user experience.
Beyond displaying essential vehicle information, these digital clusters provide features such as gear position indicators, real-time fuel efficiency, Bluetooth-enabled smartphone connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation, music controls, call management and vehicle alerts—all accessible through the display.
Harman's planned expansion into new vehicle segments comes as it expects its automotive business in India to double over the next five years, driven by growing demand for connected vehicles, software-defined technologies and premium in-car experiences.
The company entered India more than a decade ago as a global engineering centre and has since expanded into manufacturing and product development for domestic automakers.
It now manufactures infotainment systems, speaker assemblies and telematics units at its Pune facility, which was expanded last year following an investment of about Rs 350 crore. Harman's cumulative investment in India has crossed Rs 550 crore, Kumar said.
India has also become Harman's largest engineering base globally, employing around 4,000 engineers across Bengaluru and Pune.
Kumar said the role of the Indian operations has evolved beyond engineering support, with local teams now leading the development of several connected vehicle technologies for global markets.
Harman's automotive business in India spans four key areas - car audio, intelligent cockpit, connectivity and automotive engineering services. Its car audio portfolio includes premium brands such as JBL, Harman Kardon and Infinity.
The intelligent cockpit division develops infotainment systems and digital cockpit electronics, while the connectivity business provides telematics solutions that enable vehicles to connect through 4G, 5G and satellite communication networks. The engineering services division offers software development and engineering support for automotive customers.
In India, Harman supplies JBL audio systems to Tata Motors, Harman Kardon systems to Mahindra and Infinity-branded products to Maruti Suzuki, besides providing infotainment electronics to several automakers.
The company's strongest presence remains in car audio and intelligent cockpit systems, which continue to form the core of its automotive business. A successful entry into the two-wheeler and commercial vehicle segments would broaden Harman's customer base in India as automakers across categories increasingly adopt connected technologies and digital displays in their vehicles.