The brand partnership of US premium audio technology designer Harman and British high-end audio specialist Bowers & Wilkins has now led to a major OEM deal.
From 2013, the iconic Italian sports car maker, Maserati, will be the first automaker to feature the high-performance in-car sound systems that are emerging from the alliance of the two partners.
The Maserati partnership was announced at this year’s Paris Motor Show by Bowers & Wilkins Executive VP Evert Huizing and Harman´s Sachin Lawande, Executive Vice President and Co-President, Lifestyle and Infotainment.
In 2008, Harman and Bowers & Wilkins agreed to unite their technical and commercial strengths, and over 100 years of combined expertise in the premium audio field, to design and develop new branded audio solutions for the automotive sector.
Harman, global representative of Bowers & Wilkins for applications of technologies to the automotive OEM sector, is confident of success. “We are delighted to be working with Bowers & Wilkins in bringing our audio technology to the legendary Maserati vehicles,” says Sachin Lawande, Executive Vice President and Co-President, Lifestyle and Infotainment. “Harman and Bowers & Wilkins share a proud heritage of traditional craftsmanship, engineering excellence, and continue to set benchmarks for performance and design in our industries. The new audio system will perfectly complement the luxury driving experience of a Maserati.”
Although no details about the forthcoming car audio system are yet available, Bowers & Wilkins Executive VP Evert Huizing says that there is plenty to get excited about. “I’m confident we’ve come up with something very special,” said Huizing. “By working closely with Maserati, Harman and Bowers & Wilkins engineers have designed a system perfectly adapted to the unique challenges of the car environment, and one which will deliver great sound and transform the driving experience.”