Harman International, a Samsung Electronics subsidiary, has announced a ₹345 crore investment to expand its automotive electronics manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune. The expansion will add new surface-mount technology (SMT) lines, enhance telematics and cockpit electronics production, and is expected to create around 300 new jobs.
The project, spread over the next three years, strengthens India’s positioning as a global manufacturing hub for connected-car technology — moving the country’s auto industry beyond low-cost assembly to high-value innovation. The Pune facility already supplies key components for Indian automakers like Tata, Mahindra, and Maruti, and also serves export markets. With this expansion, capacity is set to rise by nearly 50%.
Why does this matter? Because connected vehicles are the next big leap in automotive technology. As cars become rolling computers, the demand for advanced telematics, infotainment, and connectivity modules is exploding. By expanding in India, Harman isn’t just chasing lower costs — it’s betting on India’s growing engineering and electronics ecosystem.
The investment also fits neatly into India’s “Make in India, for the World” push. But the optimism comes with caveats. India still depends heavily on imported capital equipment and components from China and other regions. Local suppliers will need to meet higher quality and testing standards to truly benefit from this shift.
If India wants to turn such investments into long-term strategic advantage, it must fix upstream gaps — skilled workforce development, component ecosystem depth, and smoother capital imports. Otherwise, these projects risk becoming assembly islands rather than capability clusters.
Harman’s ₹345 crore bet is more than an expansion — it’s a signal. The next wave of India’s growth won’t just be about building more; it’ll be about building smarter.
