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Harman Automotive and German utility company RWE are currently working together to develop a charging infrastructure for electric cars. The partners’ tests involve a Micro-Vett Fiat 500 electric car, which can exchange data via the charging stations. This intelligent link between the charging station and the vehicle enables super-fast availability of data and broadband Internet access by means of a simple charging cable while the battery is being recharged. As soon as it is connected to the charging station, the Micro-Vett compact electric four-seater can access audio and video data, as well as personal data from the home or office quickly and easily using the Harman Infotainment system. Likewise, passengers can surf the Internet using broadband access or tune into the Internet radio station of their choice. Broadband access means that all the required data is available at immensely high speeds.

Harman, an audio and infotainment group, has announced that it has been awarded a multi-year contract to supply integrated infotainment systems for Chrysler Group and Fiat vehicles sold worldwide. The new award is based on Harman's scalable, next generation infotainment platform and includes advanced connectivity, integrated on-board navigation and audio tuning capabilities.

"We are delighted to extend our long-standing relationship with Chrysler Group to Fiat," said Dinesh C. Paliwal, Harman's Chairman, President and CEO. "We are honored by both automakers' confidence in Harman and the opportunity to serve two leading global automotive brands. We look forward to working with Chrysler Group and Fiat to deliver solutions blending high performance with scalable, next-generation features for their customers around the world."

The new award builds upon a long-standing relationship under which Harman has provided both branded audio and infotainment systems to Chrysler Group. Harman also has contracts with Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Toyota, Subaru, Harley-Davidson, BMW and MINI.

Harman designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets - supported by 15 leading brands including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 20 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. Harman has a workforce of about 11,000 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported sales of $3.4 billion for fiscal year ended June 30, 2010.

ItaliaspeedTV: Inside look at Harman infotainment technologies