The present HARMAN Automotive Division resulted on the one hand from the takeover of German car radio manufacturer Becker by the US-based HARMAN International Industries group in 1995 as well as by different takeovers of further acoustics companies.
This strategic move brought sound specialist HARMAN International key expertise in the area of navigation and multimedia, providing the perfect complement to its extensive experience in automotive sound systems.
HARMAN International delivered the first speaker system for cars in 1953, followed by the first door speakers specially developed for cars in 1966, and the first JBL brand sound system for Ford cars in 1985. Like HARMAN International in the audio area, since its establishment in 1949, Becker has been regarded as a driving force for innovation and as the “Mercedes of car radios”. This excellent reputation was not undeserved; after all there was good reason why Daimler-Benz exclusively used Becker radios in its top-class cars. 1953 marked the market launch of the legendary “Becker Mexico” with the world’s first automatic transmitter search and ultra short wave reception. “The Mexico should simply be excluded from the competition for the best car radio for the next few years,” read a newspaper article in the Frankfurter Allgemeine on 20 January 1954, going on to qualify this statement: “It is quite simply too good.” Other milestones included the first car radio with integrated cassette player in 1969, the first microprocessor-controlled fully electronic car radio in 1980, the first car radio with integrated CD player in 1985, the first two-receiver concept (“Diversity”) for improved radio reception in 1987, the first “Becker Traffic Star” navigation system with radio and CD player in 1997, Audio 30 APS the first OEM navigation system for Mercedes cars in 1999, the first Internet navigation radio “Becker Online-Pro” and the first fully integrated infotainment system with innovative Logic 7 surround sound technology, navigation and voice control functionality in 2001.
Over the years, the company has consistently developed its expertise in audio and infotainment systems for cars. Driven by the conviction that maximum flexibility and stability can only be achieved if the entire system defines the functionality of the various electronic components in the car, rather than the other way around, the Automotive Division has gained superior know-how in all key infotainment areas in recent years.
Using groundbreaking technology from leading brands such as AKG®, Becker®, HARMAN Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, JBL Professional®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®, the company now offers extensive system competence: this ranges from branded audio systems to complete system solutions with navigation, integration of mobile consumer devices, telephone and telematic applications, multimedia player, voice-activated control, analog/digital tuner and receiver, headphones and rear seat entertainment.
The decisive competitive advantage enjoyed here is that HARMAN Automotive Division not only develops and produces key individual components, but also integrates these in cars to optimum effect. Particularly energy-efficient technology also contributes to an increase in efficiency, even for future cars with alternative drives. Thus, HARMAN Automotive Division embodies the infotainment concept like no other company, representing the optimum symbiosis of entertainment, information and communication systems.