Auto industry has to bring in more technology: Harman CEO

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03:25

Facing uncertain demands, changing regulations and consumer restraint, Harman CEO Dinesh Paliwal said that the auto industry has to squeeze costs, but bring in more technological content.

“The auto industry has no alternative but to bring in more electronics, more intelligence, and more cloud-based technologies,” Paliwal stressed.

As the automotive world is heading for a period of adjustment, he said that the auto sector is realizing the significance of better cost control, with which “consumers are willing to pay.”

Despite that Chinese auto market experiencing its firs slowdown in 2018, Paliwal is confident in double-digit growth in the Chinese market this year.

And he thought some Chinese car brands are producing “excellent-quality cars and (have) the best cost management. So that puts lots of pressure on European, Japanese, and American.”

CGTN Photo

Harman is also seeking for ways to become more efficient and productive.

“And the most important thing is the scale,” he said, “now we are approaching almost double digits in our top line, so we have the scale.”

Harman embraces 5G

Some predict that 5G in the auto sector will enable safer applications, more reliable connectivity, faster connectivity and counteraction to network loads brought on by the increase in IoT devices.

“5G is over particular. I'm anxiously waiting for the full deployment of 5G. And here again, China will lead,” Paliwal said.

Harman announced the launch of its all-new 5G-ready multiband conformal antennas for automotive applications last June. The antennas have been derived from its parent company Samsung's deep experience in mobile antenna design.

Paliwal hoped that the 5G solution would bring new experience to customers “And I'm very excited for our chances to be in that space,” he added.