Harman, a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, has announced an investment of Rs 3.45 billion ($42 million) to expand its automotive electronics manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune. Following the expansion, the company’s total investment in the plant will rise to Rs 5.54 billion ($67 million). The initiative aims to increase production capacity and meet the growing demand for connected automotive technologies across domestic and international markets. Operational since 2014, Harman’s Pune facility serves as a global hub for car infotainment systems, telematics control units (TCUs), and audio components. The latest expansion will raise manufacturing capacity by over 50 per cent, enabling the annual production of up to 4 million car audio components, 1.4 million infotainment units, and 0.8 million telematics units by 2027. The project is expected to create around 300 new jobs in Pune over the next two years. Harman has allocated Rs 450 million for immediate expansion of the plant’s built-up area by 71,500 sq ft, including a 45,000 sq ft production floor equipped with four new Surface Mount Technology (SMT) lines and enhanced module and speaker manufacturing capabilities. The remaining Rs 3 billion will be invested over the next three years to scale the production of advanced telematics and next-generation connectivity systems, including 4G and 5G TCUs. The Pune plant currently supplies leading Indian automakers such as Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, and Mahindra & Mahindra, as well as customers in Europe and North America. Harman’s new lineup will feature the locally manufactured Harman Ready Connect platform, co-developed with Samsung, integrating over-the-air updates, cybersecurity, diagnostics, and vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication features. Alongside capacity expansion, Harman is prioritising energy efficiency and sustainability. The facility generates over 317,000 kWh of solar power annually and aims to achieve 100 per cent renewable electricity use by 2030. Diesel generators have been phased out, and production lines optimised to reduce energy use and material waste. The Pune expansion is part of Harman’s global manufacturing network, which includes facilities in China, Hungary, Mexico, Brazil, and Germany. The investment underscores India’s growing role in the global automotive supply chain and Harman’s commitment to connected and sustainable mobility solutions.