Connected car: Samsung driving the American Harman

Connected car: Samsung driving the American Harman

connected car
Samsung strengthens its presence in the market of connected and intelligent cars

Samsungla logo Galaxy Crisis Note 7 is apparently far from impacting Samsung's international ambitions (www.samsung.com). The Korean giant has just announced, on Monday, November 14, 2016, the acquisition of Harman International Industries (www.harman.com) for $ 8 billion ($ 112 per share). Paid in cash please despite the fiasco of its note 7 to the explosive batteries.

Harman 'American Automotive Equipment, based in Connecticut, produces audio systems and other high-end embedded systems offering an internet connection for several automakers, including General Motors and Fiat Chrysler. "Harman completely completes Samsung in terms of technologies, products and solutions," said Samsung Vice President Kwon Oh-Hyun.

This external growth operation will enable the South Korean group to strengthen its presence in the market of connected and intelligent cars, including vehicles without a driver, whose annual growth rate is estimated at an average of 13% to 186.4 billion Dollars in 2025. This is not so for nothing if Samsung hopes to complete this acquisition, the most important in its history, before the end of the third quarter of 2017.
How Samsung intends to take advantage of this operation?

In order to better take advantage of this operation, the Korean giant intends to merge some of its consumer electronic divisions with the activities of the American equipment manufacturer, especially in the sound and the connected objects. This is also the case for its team specializing in automotive electronics and components for autonomous cars set up last year.
Before the acquisition of Harman, Samsung was already present on the automotive market

It counts, indeed, some brands of prevention, such as the car division of Bang & Olufsen. It also manufactures batteries for electric cars. Not to mention that he had already tried to the automotive industry in the 1990s, building Samsung stamped cars, before turning back. This brand still exists and it is sold only in Korea. Its capital is held at 80% by Renault and 20% by Samsung.