History of Pioneer

Since its founding in 1938, it has been in Pioneer's DNA to deliver unforgettable experiences to people
around the world through a variety of world's first and industry's first products and services.
In recent years, we have leveraged a combination of our expertise in product development and manufacturing and
data-driven services to develop solutions that will resolve social issues and take mobility experiences to a new level.

Milestones

1937   Pioneer's founder, Nozomu Matsumoto, develops the A-8 dynamic speaker.
1938 Jan. Fukuin Shokai Denki Seisakusho (precursor of Pioneer) founded.
1947 May Fukuin Denki Kabushiki Kaisha incorporated.
1953 Dec. Introduces Hi-Fi Speaker PE-8.
1961 Jun. Company name changed to Pioneer Electronic Corporation (now Pioneer Corporation).
1962 Jun. Introduces world's first separate stereo system.
1966 Mar. Establishes sales subsidiaries in Europe and the U.S.
1975 Nov. Introduces world's first component car stereo.
1977 Dec. Introduces world's first two-way addressable CATV system in the U.S. (with Warner Cable).
1979 Feb. Introduces world's first Laser Disc player (LD) for business use.
1980 Jun. Introduces VP-1000 LD player for home use in the U.S.
1984 Oct. Introduces world's first car CD player.
1990 Jun. Introduces world's first GPS car navigation system for consumer market.
1992 Oct. Introduces world's first 4x speed CD-ROM changer.
1996 Dec. Introduces world's first DVD/LD/CD compatible player for home use.
1997 Jun. Introduces industry's first DVD-based car navigation system.
  Oct. Introduces world's first DVD-R drive.
  Nov. Introduces world's first OLED-equipped car audio product.
  Dec. Introduces world's first 50-inch high-definition XGA plasma display for consumer use.
1998 Jun. Introduces world's first DVD-based GPS car navigation system featuring 8.5GB dual-layered DVD disc.
  Oct. Introduces new corporate logo.
1999 Dec. Introduces world's first DVD recorder.
2001 Jun. Introduces HDD-based GPS car navigation system.
2002 Nov. Introduces world's first car navigation system with built-in wireless communication module.
2004 Jul. Introduces world's first DVD player for professional DJs and VJs.
2006 Jun. Introduces world's first 50-inch 1080p plasma display.
2008 Jul. Succeed in developing the world's first 16-layer BD-compatible optical disc with 400GB.
2009 Sep. All of Pioneer's main production sites in Japan obtain the certification of ISO14001.
2010 Feb. Introduces world's first speaker with HVT (Horizontal-Vertical Transforming) technology.
2011 May Introduces car navigation system with augmented reality(AR) scouter mode.
2012 Jul. Introduces world's first car navigation system with the Head-Up Displayto project augmented reality information.
2013 Mar. ROHM Co., Ltd. and Pioneer suceeed in terahertz imaging using small semiconductor element "resonant tunneling diode."
  Sep. Introduces world first wireless portable BD/DVD/CD writer drive.
2015 Jan. Lanches Vehicle Assist, car solution system for fleet vehicles.
2017 Feb. Introduces world's first BD writer compatible with Ultra HD Blu-ray.
2018 Jan. Pioneer commemorates the 80th anniversary of its foundation on January 1.
2019 Nov. Introduces new Cyber Navi car navigation system with upgraded capability to access on-demand content and designed to work with docomo in Car Connect service.
2020 May Pioneer and Continental Agree on Strategic Partnership for a New User Experience.
  Dec. Introduces an in-car Wi-Fi router to bring Internet connectivity to the car.
2021 Jun. Pioneer and Cerence enter strategic partnership to develop conversational AI infotainment solutions.
  Aug. Establishes the SaaS Technology Center to push the SaaS business forward.
2022 Feb. Releases the mobility AI platform Piomatix.
  Mar. Introduces world's first AI-powered connected virtual driving partner NP1.
Chronology 1937 - 2020 (archives)