It’s not all that often that automakers and suppliers willingly discuss the terms of their engagement. Automotive procurement can be a secretive business, with who-supplies-who often kept under wraps. One of the few product segments that tends to buck the trend is in-car audio.

In July, luxury EV newcomer Human Horizons (better known as HiPhi) revealed the latest fruit of its partnership with Meridian – audio supplier to both Jaguar and Land Rover – for its third car, the HiPhi Y. Far more than simply creating a clear, powerful system for music and podcasts, the pair considered how speakers can be integrated in new areas of the interior, how audio can be better segmented within the cabin and how to optimise the system for the unique noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics of a luxury electric SUV.

To learn more about the partnership, the role audio plays in the evolving luxury space and the importance of getting in early, CDN sat down with HiPhi CTO and co-founder, Mark Stanton, and Meridian Audio’s director of automotive, Paul Andrews.