Nozomu Matsumoto

Pioneer Corporation (パイオニア株式会社, Paionia Kabushiki-gaisha) is a Japanese multinational corporation based in Tokyo, that specializes in vehicle audio products. It works with optical disc and display technology and software products and is also a manufacturer.

Pioneer played a role in the development of interactive cable TV, the LaserDisc player, the first automotive CD player, the first detachable face car stereo, Supertuner technology, DVD and DVD recording, the first AV receiver with Dolby Digital, plasma display (with the last 2 years of plasma models being branded as Kuro, lauded for their outstanding black levels) and Organic LED display (OLED).

Founded by Nozomu Matsumoto in January 1938 in Tokyo as a radio and speaker repair shop, its current president is Shiro Yahara. For a period of time, the majority of its shares were held by Mitsubishi, while a 3% stake in Pioneer was held by Here B.V., a joint venture of BMW, Volkswagen Group and Daimler AG.