How ZF aims to gain from the move to software-defined vehicles

ZF Friedrichshafen has restructured a key area of its business in response to the rising interest in software-defined vehicles. The German supplier this year created the Chassis Solutions unit, which combined ZF's passenger car chassis technology and active safety technology. Peter Holdmann leads the division, which prior to its formation accounted for more than €14 billion ($15.2 billion) in combined revenue. Holdmann said that a big challenge his team faces is to accept that “in the future software comes first.” With that in mind, he wants ZF's software expertise to reach a “flawless” level by mid-2025. He has also challenged his team to release at least one new function every other month that ZF can promote on social media starting this year. He discussed this and more with Automotive News Europe Managing Editor Douglas A. Bolduc and Correspondent Lois Hoyal.