ZF and BMW Secure Long-Term Agreement to Advance Next-Generation 8-Speed Transmission for Electrified Drives

ZF and BMW Secure Long-Term Agreement to Advance Next-Generation 8-Speed Transmission for Electrified Drives

(IN BRIEF) ZF Friedrichshafen AG and BMW Group have signed a multi-billion-euro, long-term supply agreement extending into the late 2030s, centered on the continued supply and further development of ZF’s proven 8-speed automatic transmission (8HP) for passenger cars. The partnership places a strong emphasis on adapting the 8HP for electrified drivetrains, giving both companies greater technological flexibility and long-term planning stability as the industry transitions toward lower-emission mobility. ZF’s leadership described the deal as a strategic endorsement of the 8HP’s role in future drive systems, while also reinforcing ZF’s position as a key system supplier and strengthening collaboration with BMW to manage risks in a rapidly changing automotive landscape.

(PRESS RELEASE) FRIEDRICHSHAFEN / MUNICH, 6-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — ZF Friedrichshafen AG and BMW Group have entered into a long-term strategic supply agreement covering passenger car drive systems, reinforcing their joint commitment to advanced, low-emission mobility solutions. At the heart of the partnership is the continued supply and further development of ZF’s established 8-speed automatic transmission (8HP), a technology that remains central to both companies’ future drivetrain strategies. The multi-billion-euro contract extends into the late 2030s, providing a stable foundation for innovation and technological continuity.

The agreement underscores the importance of the 8HP transmission as a core component in current and future vehicle architectures, particularly as both companies advance toward increasingly electrified powertrains. Rather than replacing the system, ZF and BMW will build on its proven performance by refining and adapting it to meet evolving efficiency, performance, and emissions requirements.

Mathias Miedreich, Chief Executive Officer of ZF, described the agreement as a clear signal of the companies’ shared ambition to drive innovation in a rapidly transforming automotive industry. He emphasized that the 8HP transmission will continue to play a strategic role in the transition toward more sustainable and flexible drivetrain solutions.

Under the terms of the partnership, the 8HP transmission platform will undergo continuous technical enhancement, with a particular focus on compatibility with electrified drivetrains. The objective is to deliver a transmission system that balances high performance with improved efficiency while aligning with future regulatory and market demands.

Sebastian Schmitt, Head of ZF’s Electrified Drive Technologies division, highlighted that the long-term nature of the agreement provides essential planning stability for both companies. He noted that the collaboration enables ZF to strategically align the next generation of the 8HP transmission with emerging mobility trends, ensuring it remains competitive, adaptable, and technologically relevant.

Through this agreement, ZF further strengthens its role as a leading system supplier in the automotive sector, gaining greater visibility and security for its production and development roadmap. The close cooperation with BMW is expected to reduce market and technological risks while supporting both companies in their pursuit of lower-emission mobility solutions and future-ready drivetrain technologies.

Press contact:

Karin Markenstein, Head of Corporate & Marketing Communications,
Electrified Powertrain Technology,
Phone: +49 681 920-2563, e-mail: karin.markenstein@zf.com
Martin Ehrenfeuchter, Spokesperson Chassis Technology and Electric
Mobility,
Phone: +49 7541 77-963248, e-mail: martin.ehrenfeuchter@zf.com

About ZF
ZF is a global technology company supplying advanced mobility products and systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and industrial technology. Its comprehensive product range is primarily aimed at vehicle manufacturers, mobility providers and start-up companies in the fields of transportation and mobility. ZF electrifies a wide range of vehicle types. With its products, the
company contributes to reducing emissions, protecting the climate as well as enhancing safe mobility. Alongside the automotive sector – passenger cars and commercial vehicles – ZF also serves market segments such as construction and agricultural machinery, wind power, marine propulsion, rail drives and test systems.

With some 161,600 employees worldwide, ZF reported sales of €41.4 billion in fiscal 2024.

The company operates 161 production locations in 30 countries.

For further press information and photos, please visit: www.zf.com

SOURCE: ZF Group