CARIAD x HARMAN – The Power of In-Car Applications
​By 2030, nearly nine out of ten new cars will be connected (1). With increasing connectivity, cars are offering a continuously growing set of value-adding digital services and experiences. Software is no longer a supporting element—it’s the engine of this innovation. From infotainment to safety systems, software is at the heart of how vehicles operate and how users interact with them.​

​For drivers, this means journeys that are more seamless, more personal and more entertaining. For automakers, it means an opportunity to create differentiation and new revenue streams through apps and digital services. In this new reality, the in-vehicle app experience is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s a competitive edge.


HARMAN Ready Link Marketplace offers OEM partners white-label flexibility, robust security and complete control over a vast​ and varied app offering. It curates a carefully selected app catalog which spans entertainment, navigation, productivity, communication and vehicle-specific utilities—all designed and certified for safe, seamless operation in the automotive context.​

​The HARMAN - CARIAD Collaboration 

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In 2023, CARIAD launched the Group Application Store for the Volkswagen Group. It integrates with the HARMAN Ready Link Marketplace to deliver unique automotive-grade experiences to brands within the Volkswagen Group. This empowers CARIAD to maintain control over the app catalog and overall user experience. The Group Application Store initially became available with Audi – with additional Volkswagen Group brands to follow.


Key Success Factors of the Collaboration: 


Rapid Innovation Cycles 

By working in close partnership, CARIAD and HARMAN rapidly delivered new features that enabled a constantly improving and enhanced customer experience and generated tangible benefits.​​   


High Agility 
By aligning with the Volkswagen Group’s release model, HARMAN ensured relevant applications were available within a short time period, meeting OEM targets.


Adaptive Content Pipeline 
The Marketplace team and CARIAD continuously evolve its app onboarding pipeline, to grow the ecosystem in conjunction with Volkswagen Group’s strategic goals. 


Integrated Identity Management 
The Ready Link Marketplace portals were seamlessly integrated with the Group’s identity management.


Customer Success Obsession
CARIAD was assigned a dedicated Customer Success Manager, ensuring smooth collaboration and building a foundation for a long-term partnership. 


The powerful collaboration between CARIAD and HARMAN showcases the leading positioning of HARMAN Ready Link Marketplace and its value for OEMs.

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Developer Benefits 

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At the heart of HARMAN Ready Link Marketplace lies the Android Automotive Operating System (AAOS), which is emerging as the platform of choice for automotive infotainment. According to Gartner, 70% of the vehicles in operation by 2030 will use AAOS. The consolidation around AAOS creates an opportunity for developers to adapt mobile and tablet apps for native in-car environments at scale. Integrated platforms such as the HARMAN Ready Link Marketplace allow developers like you to distribute your apps directly to vehicles—much like mobile app stores. Developing apps for vehicles is becoming more accessible with standardized APIs, established development environments and growing documentation, lowering the barrier to entry into the automotive industry.


If you are ready to drive innovation in the automotive space, join us now. Bring your applications to drivers and passengers through the Group Application Store. Take advantage of our dedicated developer portal and seamless onboarding to accelerate your impact and reach new audiences in the rapidly evolving world of connected mobility. ​


Sources:

1. Statista Connected Cars Global Market Size Report 



Author

Arvin Baalu

​HARMAN Automotive 

Thought Leadership

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