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HARMAN Worldwide has introduced an settlement to accumulate the Superior Driver Help Programs enterprise of Germany-based ZF Group in a deal valued at €1.5 billion. The transaction contains ZF’s automotive compute options, sensible cameras, radars and ADAS software program features.
It’s anticipated to shut within the second half of 2026, topic to regulatory approvals.
The acquisition marks a big step for HARMAN as the worldwide automotive business strikes towards software program outlined automobiles. Automakers are more and more shifting to centralised digital architectures the place a number of car features are managed by shared computing platforms. By bringing ZF’s ADAS capabilities into its portfolio, HARMAN goals to strengthen its place on this evolving market.
HARMAN mentioned the deal will enable it to combine superior driver help applied sciences with its present digital cockpit and in car programs. The corporate believes this method can simplify car design and assist the event of security options and person experiences on a typical platform. Such integration is seen as vital as automobiles grow to be extra linked and reliant on software program updates over their lifetime.
Christian Sobottka, CEO and President of HARMAN’s Automotive Division, mentioned, “The business is at an inflection level the place security, intelligence, and in-cabin expertise should come collectively by a unified computing structure.” He added that the acquisition would assist the corporate increase its capabilities throughout assisted driving, security and personalised car experiences.
For ZF, the sale represents a strategic choice to concentrate on its core know-how areas whereas additionally addressing monetary priorities. Mathias Miedreich, Chief Govt Officer of ZF Group, said that the settlement helps ZF’s efforts to cut back debt and sharpen its concentrate on areas the place it holds world management.
As a part of the transaction, round 3,750 ZF workers throughout Europe, the Americas and Asia are anticipated to maneuver to HARMAN as soon as the deal is accomplished. Each firms mentioned they are going to proceed to assist present buyer packages throughout the transition interval.
HARMAN plans to align engineering and software program groups after closing to speed up the event of subsequent era platforms for automakers. The corporate is a completely owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics and already provides in cabin know-how and audio programs to tens of millions of automobiles worldwide.
The acquisition displays broader modifications within the automotive sector, the place conventional {hardware} targeted suppliers are adapting to a future formed by software program, centralised computing and linked mobility.
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