Update | Harman chief sees China leading global trend for technology in vehicles
Harman chief Dinesh Paliwal sees mainland consumer interest in new technology driving global demand for connected vehicles
Embracing the era of a smart, connected car, US audio equipment and infotainment system provider Harman believes China will lead the global trend in using the technology in its vehicles.
Chinese consumers were open to new technologies as many of them were first-time car buyers, so the market would lead some of the technology trends ahead of other countries, Dinesh Paliwal, chairman of Harman International Industries, said at the Shanghai Auto Show.
Harman has partnered with Baidu this year in launching a vehicle networking solutions application called CarLife, powered by Baidu Maps. It connects drivers with information about locations, traffic conditions and in-car infotainment. It is poised to compete with Apple's CarPlay and Google's Android Auto.
Baidu surprised Paliwal with its efficiency in developing CarLife with more features and functionality than CarPlay and Android Auto, which Apple and Google spent years working on.
"It is so hard to work with Apple, it's not a problem to work with Google, but it's much easier to work with Baidu," Paliwal said. "Newly started companies have no baggage."
He said Harman also had some discussions with China's online entertainment company LeTV a couple of months ago as it announced plans to produce its own electric car.
Harman has also had preliminary talks with Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi.
