AVS Discussions
General => A/V Industry News => Topic started by: HomeTheaterGuy on November 14, 2016, 11:50:57 AM
-
Samsung is set to acquire Harman International for approximately $8 billion. The bulk of Harman's business is been in the automotive world and Samsung sees this purchase as a way to get their software and displays into connected cars.
Harman owns the brands: JBL, Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson, AKG, Lexicon, and Infinity. In automotive applications, the company also has licenses with the Bowers & Wilkins and Bang & Olufsen brands. The car manufacturers that use Harman audio systems is: Mercedes, BMW, Dodge, Jeep, Hyundai, Kia, Volvo, Chrysler, Subaru, and more. About 65% of Harman’s reported sales last year were automotive-related. Harmon also has recently made deals with General Motors and Fiat.
More information: http://www.soundandvision.com/content/breaking-news-samsung-acquire-harman-international
-
Having once owned a Lexicon, this makes an interesting story. And look at the rest of those Harmon brands...
-
JBL owned by Samsung, wow.
-
I have mixed feelings on this. On the one hand I don't want to see a Company that is good go out of Business, but on the other hand I don't like to see a Monopoly either.
-
Yeah. My concern is that Lexicon, HK, JBL, etc. get driven down while we don't get a high end replacement from Samsung. Or the monopoly "gives" the replacement at even more unrealistic costs.