Samsung Makes $1.7 Billion Automotive Bet with ZF ADAS Acquisition

Samsung is making a major move to strengthen its position in the connected car and automotive technology space. Its subsidiary, Harman International, will acquire the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) division of the globally renowned automotive supplier ZF Group. The high-profile deal significantly expands Samsung’s footprint in next-generation vehicle technologies.

Harman to acquire ZF’s ADAS business for €1.5 billion

ZF is a global technology company that supplies advanced mobility products and systems for a wide range of vehicles. Harman is acquiring ZF’s ADAS business unit, which develops several critical automotive technologies, including ADAS platforms, high-performance compute solutions, radar systems, and smart camera technologies.

The acquisition is valued at €1.5 billion (approximately $1.76 billion). As part of the agreement, more than 3,700 ZF employees across Europe, the Americas, and Asia will transition to Harman. The firms expect to close the deal in the second half of 2026 following necessary regulatory approvals.

This acquisition will allow Harman to accelerate its push into software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and offer more comprehensive solutions to automakers. The firm will integrate ZF’s technologies into its Digital Cockpit platform, which serves as a centralized computing hub for next-generation connected vehicles. It powers advanced features such as lane assistance, adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance, and automated driving.

Harman aims to leverage ZF’s solutions to streamline system design, reduce complexity for carmakers, and shorten development cycles. This unified approach combines infotainment, driver assistance, vehicle data processing, and cloud connectivity into a single architecture. It also positions Harman to deliver more advanced assisted and automated driving solutions as vehicles continue shifting toward software-first platforms.

“With Harman, we have found the ideal partner to fully unlock the growth and innovation potential of our ADAS business,” said Mathias Miedreich, CEO of ZF Group. Harman’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Young Sohn, echoed his sentiments, adding that the firm will “further expand its technology foundation to deliver safer, more intelligent, and more intuitive in-vehicle experiences.”