Pioneer Global

Pioneer was founded in 1938 in Tokyo, Japan by Nozomu Matsumoto – a man with a passion for music that he hoped to share with the world through high quality audio speakers. That passion began with a small operation to repair and manufacture speakers in Matsumoto’s garage. It has since grown to international stature as a manufacturer of audio and video products for use at home, in the car and in business environments.

The element that has not changed in nearly 70 years is the passion for audio and video products that we hope to share with the world. From the employees at our research labs looking for the “next big thing” to the engineers at our factories focused on quality assurance to our product trainers explaining the new technology to our customers – we remain passionate about creating an unbeatable entertainment experience.

We invite you to spend some time surfing our Web site. Check out the newest product line, learn more about the technology and how it can impact your life. We think that we’ll capture your passion for entertainment. And that you’ll want to see … and hear more.

Pioneer History

• 1937 Pioneer’s founder, Nozomu Matsumoto, develops the A-8 dynamic speaker.
• 1938 Jan. Fukuin Shokai Denki Seisakusho (precursor of Pioneer) is founded in Tokyo.
• 1947 May. Fukuin Denki is incorporated.
• 1953 Dec. Introduced Hi-Fi Speaker PE-8.
• 1961 Jun. Company name changed to Pioneer Electronic Corporation (now Pioneer Corporation).
• 1961 Oct. Shares are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Second Section.
• 1962 Jun. Introduces the world’s first separate stereo system.
• 1966 Mar. Establishes sales companies in Europe and the U.S.
• 1968 Feb. Shares are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange First Section.
• 1969 Feb. U.S. GAAP consolidated financial reporting starts.
• 1975 Nov. Introduces the world’s first component car stereo.
• 1977 Dec. Introduces the world’s first two-way addressable CATV system in the U.S. (with Warner Cable).
• 1979 Feb. Introduces Pioneer’s first industry-use LD player.
• 1980 Jun. Introduces VP-1000 LD player for home use in the U.S.
• 1981 Oct. Introduces LD player for home use and 70 LD software titles in Japan.
• 1982 Oct. Introduces LD Karaoke system for business use.
• 1982 Nov. Introduces Pioneer’s first CD player
• 1984 Sep. Introduces the world’s first LD/CD compatible player.
• 1984 Oct. Introduces the world’s first car CD player.
• 1985 Dec. Introduces Pioneer’s first 40-inch projection monitor.
• 1990 Jun. Introduces the world’s first CD-based GPS car navigation system.
• 1992 Oct. Introduces the world’s first 4x speed CD-ROM changer.
• 1996 Jun. Tokorozawa Plant earns ISO 14001 certification.
• 1996 Dec. Introduces Pioneer’s first DVD/CD Player and the world’s firstDVD/LD/CD compatible player for home use.
• 1997 Jun. Introduces the world’s first DVD-based car navigation system.
• 1997 Oct. Introduces the world’s first DVD-R drive.
• 1997 Nov. Introduces the world’s first OLED-equipped car audio product.
• 1997 Dec. Introduces the world’s first 50-inch high-definition XGA plasma display for consumer use.
• 1998 Jun. Introduces the world’s first DVD-based GPS car navigation system featuring 8.5GB dual-layered DVD disc.
• 1998 Oct. Introduces new corporate logo.
• 1999 Dec. Introduces the world’s first DVD recorder compatible with the DVD-RW format.
• 2001 Jun. Introduces HDD-based GPS car naviga-tion system.
• 2002 Nov. Introduces a car navigation system with built-in wireless communication module. Introduces a DVD recorder with hard disk drive.
• 2003 Sep. Total shipment worldwide of PC-use recordable DVD drives surpasses 5 million units.
• 2004 Jul. Introduces the world’s first DVD player for professional DJs and VJs.
• 2004 Sep. Transfer of NEC’ s plasma display business is completed. Pioneer Plasma Display Corporation (previously NEC Plasma Display Corporation) starts operation on Oct. 1, 2004.
• 2006 Apr. Introduces BDR-101A Blu-ray Disc/DVD internal drive for PCs.
• 2006 Jun. Introduces PDP-5000EX, the world’s first 50-inch 1080p plasma display.
• 2006 Dec. Introduces BDP-HD1, Pioneer’s first BD player in North America.
• 2007 Jun. Introduces plasma TV “KURO” offering stunning black reproduction.
• 2007 Sep. Sharp and Pioneer enter into a business and capital alliance agreement.
• 2008 Jun. Panasonic and Pioneer enter into a comprehensive alliance agreement on plasma display panel business.
• 2008 Jul. Succeeds in developing world’s first 16-layer BD-compatible optical disc with 400GB.
• 2008 Sep. Introduces speaker unit PE-101A to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the foundation.
• 2008 Oct. 17th October – Pioneer India was incorporated.
• 2009 Jun. Sharp Corporation and Pioneer sign a formal contract for the establishment of an optical disc joint venture (Launch Pioneer Digital Design and Manufacturing Corporation in November, 2009.)
• 2009 Sep. All of Pioneer’s main production sites in Japan obtain the certification of ISO14001.
• 2009 Oct. Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (Group) and Pioneer form a joint venture (Anyo Pioneer Motor Information Technology Co., Ltd.)
• 2009 Nov. Suning Appliance Company Ltd. and Pioneer conclude a strategic alliance for Home Electronics business. Moves Head Office to Kawasaki Office
• 2010 Feb. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation and Pioneer conclude business and capital alliance agreement on Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) Lighting. Introduces world’s first stealth speaker with HVT technology.