Mazda and Aha by HARMAN Enter into Global Partnership to Provide Connected Entertainment System in Redesigned 2014 Mazda3 Worldwide including Japan

Palo Alto, CA – Aha™ by HARMAN today announced that the new 2014 Mazda3 to be launched in Japan, the United States, and a number of additional North American and Asian Countries this fall will offer access to the Aha free service with the ability to select presets from more than 40,000* audio and information stations from Japan and other countries.

Aha uses the HARMAN Cloud Platform to enable Web-based entertainment and information in vehicles using a radio-like format that is familiar to drivers. With Aha, Mazda drivers can access their favorite podcasts, radio stations, news, entertainment, audiobooks, music, Facebook and Twitter feeds, personalized location-based services such as weather, and more. Content on Aha is available in a variety of languages including Japanese, English and much more. Aha continually adds new stations spanning from the most popular mainstream media to niche content and with so much to choose from, there is something for everyone.

“Aha offers drivers a new way to get entertainment and information in the car," said Ryuichi Umeshita, General Manager of Mazda’s Product Division. "Safety is always our main focus, and services like Aha that are designed to entertain while keeping drivers eyes on the road will make the new Mazda3 the first choice of the connected generation."

"Mazda3 drivers all over the world want to stay informed and entertained in or out of the car and Aha helps them do that," said David Slump, Executive Vice President at HARMAN and President of its Automotive Services. “With this global partnership with Mazda and our expansion into Japan Aha will allow drivers to enjoy a variety of global audio entertainment in the car with ease."

Aha helps the connected generation stay entertained and informed. Mazda understands that drivers want safe and simple access their favorite audio content in their cars, and Aha helps them to do this seamlessly,"

The Mazda3 is Mazda's best-selling model. It accounts for over a third of the company’s annual sales and over 3.5 million units have been sold since the launch of the first generation model in 2003. The redesigned 2014 Mazda3 delivers exhilarating and responsive driving thanks to SKYACTIV technology along with a design that makes you want to get in and drive.

The Aha implementation in the Mazda3 will make use of Bluetooth to connect iPhone and Android phones to the car and will also separate Aha’s personalized location-based stations from its entertainment stations, giving Mazda drivers access to Aha’s location-based stations under the "Nearby" button. Mazda’s unique user interface allows control of the Aha stations through features such as a commander controller and a beautiful 7-inch center display. In the Mazda3, Aha is implemented as a third “band” after AM and FM, making it as safe and intuitive to use as a radio station.

A Japanese version of the Aha app will launch prior to delivery of the first Mazda3 in Japan.

Aha is a part of HARMAN International (NYSE: HAR) the premium global audio and infotainment group. For more information, images and news, please visit Aha’s online press room.

* The number of stations available on Aha will vary based on country of use

About HARMAN

HARMAN designs, manufactures, and markets a wide range of infotainment and audio solutions for the automotive, consumer, and professional markets. It is a recognized world leader across its customer segments with premium brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, and Mark Levinson® and leading-edge connectivity, safety and audio technologies. The company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 14,000 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia and reported sales of $4.3 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013. The company’s shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NYSE:HAR. Please visit www.harman.com for more information.