Christian Sobottka, CEO of Harman International, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, visited China for the first time since taking office. He described China as a hub for automotive industry innovation and expressed ambitions to deliver differentiated experiences in the auto sector through Harman’s “Ready” product lineup. He emphasized strengthening synergies with Samsung and advancing AI-related technology development.
According to China Daily on the 20th, Sobottka stated during an interview, “China is not just a market. It is an innovation hub where cutting-edge technology meets a passion for speed and accessibility.”
Sobottka’s visit comes just two months after his appointment as CEO in March. He attended the “Shanghai Motor Show 2025,” held from April 23 to May 2 in Shanghai, to strengthen ties with local partners.
“We operate a strong team in China, with over 1,200 engineers and more than 5,000 employees across six major hubs,” Sobottka explained. He reiterated the strategic importance of the Chinese market, calling it “the epicenter of dramatic changes in the automotive industry.”
Even during his tenure as president of Harman’s automotive division last year, Sobottka visited the Beijing Motor Show to oversee business operations. This year, he again attended the motor show, taking the lead in promoting Harman’s automotive and audio products in China.
At the Shanghai Motor Show, Harman showcased its “Ready” suite of automotive solutions designed to enhance the driving experience through advanced technology. The lineup includes Ready Care, a system that monitors driver eye activity, psychological state, and biometric signals to improve safety and comfort. Another highlight was Ready Engage, an emotional intelligence AI system that personalizes in-car interactions. Additionally, Harman presented Ready Connect, a telematics control unit (TCU) powered by Samsung’s connectivity technology, enabling seamless vehicle communication.
Christian Sobottka, Harman’s CEO, emphasized that the Ready solutions are tailored to help automakers (OEMs) quickly deliver superior user experiences. “This isn’t just innovation for its own sake—it’s a practical answer to the challenges the auto industry faces today,” he said.
Regarding Harman’s audio brands, he said, “JBL and Harman Kardon have built highly successful businesses in China. These brands are already mainstream and carry cultural significance.” He added, “While they currently exist as standalone products, they will eventually integrate into a larger ecosystem. We’re exploring ways to connect automotive and lifestyle audio through an interoperable platform, linked with Samsung’s ecosystem.”
As part of Harman’s long-term growth strategy, Sobottka highlighted collaboration with Samsung and enhancing brand value. “We’re closely working with Samsung to leverage necessary technologies for our applications while focusing on our brands, which are cultural assets, not just labels,” he said.
He also shared Harman’s AI development roadmap. “From voice assistants to new interaction methods, we’re advancing tech that uses large language models (LLMs) to access external data. We’re also developing avatar technology for entirely new ways to interact with vehicles,” Sobottka explained.
