Japan’s Pioneer Corporation to set up 2 R&D centers, 1 factory in India
These twin R&D centers would be Pioneer Corp’s first out-of-Japan facilities after China. Willing to develop more products and services in the mobility field, it targets growth in the Indian as well as Global Automotive Market.
NEW DELHI: In a major expansion spree announcement, Japan’s Pioneer Corporation said on Tuesday that it has plans to expand its research and development (R&D) footprint in India by setting up two R&D Centers – one in Gurugram and another in Bengaluru. The company also unfolded its long-term plans to set up a production facility in India to produce more products and services in the mobility field for Indian as well as global markets. The company, however didn’t divulge the amount of investment it plans to put in the upcoming R&D facilities as well as production facility.
While announcing its plans in New Delhi, the Pioneer Corporation said that by establishing R&D at Pioneer India in Gurugram (near New Delhi) and Bengaluru office, it would accelerate creation of innovation and develop innovative products and services in the mobility field as well as focusing on recruiting and training engineers with the aim of strengthening R&D. This will further strengthen company’s global strategy, including the fast-growing Indian market, and promote transforming itself into a solutions and services company that it aims to be.
Under its vision of “Creating the Future of Mobility Experiences,” announced in 2020, Pioneer has been stepping up its effort to transform itself into a global automotive solutions and services company.
Specifically, the company appointed industry veterans to strengthen the global strategy, including Siva Subramanian as Chief Innovation Officer of the Mobility Consumer Company in January 2023 and Arvin Baalu as Chief Product Officer of the Mobility Product Company in March 2023.
The company statement sated that the expansion of R&D in the India headquarters, based in Gurugram and the additional office in Bengaluru will be focused on growth areas such as infotainment, safety and security products, telematics, and connected solutions for the automotive market including electric vehicles and two-wheelers.
By expanding its R&D to India, Pioneer is better poised to bring next-generation mobility experiences to consumers in India and around the world, through auto makers, Tier 1 suppliers, and aftermarket distribution channels.
Shiro Yahara, President and CEO of Pioneer, said, “We are very pleased to announce the establishment of a new R&D center in India. We are confident that we will be able to provide new mobility experiences not only in the Indian market but also globally by establishing a system to provide products and services in a timely manner in the fast-growing Indian market.”
The company said that India R&D teams will work closely with Pioneer’s technology development centers in Japan and other countries to develop innovative new products and solutions for the Indian and global markets inching more closer to country’s vision of “Make in India.”
Siva Subramanian as Chief Innovation Officer of the Mobility Consumer Company said that a series of decisions taken by the PM Modi-led government had promoted the company to think of setting up production facility in India in time to come not only for the domestic market but also to meet the global demand. “We wish to make India as the production base not only for India but also for the world,” he added.
Hideaki Ishii, Managing Director, Pioneer India, said, “Pioneer’s expansion in India aligns with its long-term business goals and strategies by tapping into the fast-growing Indian automotive market. It enables Pioneer to establish a local presence for product development, targeting the specific needs of Indian consumers and leveraging the potential for growth in the country”.
