HELLA and Faurecia are now working together under the FORVIA umbrella brand. Faurecia's business groups present themselves in short video clips. Clarion Electronics concludes the series.

Thursday 2022-03-17

Under the joint umbrella FORVIA, the electronics units of HELLA and Faurecia will work closely together in the future. Technologically, regionally and in terms of the customer portfolio, the two units complement each other excellently. After Björn Twiehaus, Managing Director responsible for the Electronics area at HELLA, has already shared his vision of the electronics business in a video statement, Olivier Durand, Executive Vice President Faurecia Clarion Electronics, now adds his thoughts on Faurecia's electronics unit and his personal view about the business. (Editor's note: The video was taken before Russia's attack on Ukraine).

In Faurecia's business portfolio, the Clarion Electronics Business Group is something of a newcomer: in spring 2019, Faurecia acquired the electronics manufacturer based in Saitama, Japan. Two other companies that Faurecia had also previously acquired have also been integrated into the division.

The product range of Faurecia Clarion Electronics comprises three product lines: cockpit electronics such as infotainment solutions, driver assistance systems, for example for assisted parking, and display technologies. These can have a length of up to 1.5 meters. "We are spending more and more time in the car. Fortunately, we have technologies that can make this time safer, more comfortable and more enjoyable," says Olivier Durand in his video contribution. What's more, together with the Seating and Interiors Business Groups, Faurecia is in a position to offer a comprehensive solution for vehicle interiors.

Clarion Electronics currently employs about 5,800 people and generated sales of € 838 million in calendar year 2021. And it wants to continue to grow. "We've been able to acquire a lot of new business in recent years," Durand says. Accordingly, preparing for and realizing this growth is one of the key challenges for the future, along with overcoming the semiconductor crisis and further improving operational performance.

Many of the offerings from Clarion Electronics are software-based. Last but not least, this also extends the service life of vehicles, as certain content, such as new functionalities of displays or infotainment systems, can be retrofitted simply by means of a software upgrade - without having to replace the hardware. For example, Faurecia has established a joint venture to develop and operate app store solutions for the automotive market. Sustainability is also part of the business emphasizes Durand.

Faurecia's four Business Groups will be presenting themselves in loose order on the HELLA intranet. These are divided into Seating (components, safety technologies and system solutions for car seats), Interiors (dashboards, center consoles, door panels and modules, and surface technologies), Clean Mobility (emission-reducing exhaust systems, battery and fuel cell technologies) and Clarion Electronics (cockpit electronics, displays and low-speed driver assistance systems).