Harman International, the automotive technology and audio electronics subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, has agreed to acquire the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) business from Germany's ZF Group in a deal valued at €1.5 billion (about $1.8 billion). The agreement, announced on December 23, 2025, is a major strategic move that significantly expands Harman's footprint in the rapidly growing automotive electronics market particularly in safety-critical and software-defined vehicle (SDV) technologies.
Under the transaction, Harman will take ownership of ZF's ADAS portfolio, which includes automotive compute platforms, smart cameras, radar systems and ADAS software functions core components that enable advanced driver assistance features such as lane-keeping, adaptive cruise control, object detection and other safety automation. By integrating these assets with its existing Digital Cockpit and centralized computing roadmap, Harman aims to deliver unified platforms that bring together assisted and automated driving, in-vehicle experiences, safety systems and connectivity on shared vehicle architectures. This approach is expected to help automakers reduce system complexity, accelerate innovation cycles and scale next-generation vehicle capabilities more efficiently.
Harman's leadership says the acquisition aligns with its "Consumer Experiences. Automotive Grade." strategy blending the intuitive, high-performance technology consumers expect with the stringent safety and reliability standards necessary for modern vehicles. Christian Sobottka, CEO of Harman's Automotive Division, described the deal as a pivotal step in expanding the company's portfolio with complementary ADAS capabilities that unlock "cross-domain" innovations, such as perception-driven audio cues and personalized, context-aware driving experiences.
For ZF Group, the divestment supports a broader strategic realignment. The sale is intended to reduce debt and allow ZF to focus its resources on core competencies in areas such as chassis, powertrain and commercial vehicle technologies, while ensuring its former ADAS team finds a growth-oriented home with Harman.
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals, and will see an estimated 3,750 ZF employees transition to Harman as part of the integration process.
This acquisition underscores Harman's commitment backed by Samsung to lead in safety-centric and intelligent vehicle technologies, reinforcing its position as a key partner for automakers navigating the shift toward software-defined, connected and autonomous mobility.