ZF and BMW Secure Long-Term Partnership for Future Drive Technologies

ZF Friedrichshafen AG and the BMW Group have signed a long-term supply agreement covering passenger car drive systems, reinforcing their collaboration well into the next decade. At the heart of the agreement is the supply and further development of ZF’s proven 8-speed automatic transmission (8HP).

The multi-billion-euro contract runs until the late 2030s, providing both companies with long-term planning stability while supporting an open-technology approach to low-emission mobility.

8HP transmission evolves for electrified drivetrains
As part of the agreement, ZF will continue to develop the 8HP transmission platform, with a special focus on electrified and hybrid drive concepts. The goal is to further improve efficiency, performance and system compatibility as vehicle architectures evolve.

“Together with BMW, we are sending a strong signal for innovation, efficiency and sustainability in an industry undergoing dynamic change,” said Mathias Miedreich, CEO of ZF. “This agreement underlines the strategic importance of our 8-speed automatic transmission as a key technology in the transformation of powertrains.”

The 8HP transmission has become a cornerstone of ZF’s passenger car portfolio and is widely used across conventional, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicle platforms.

Planning certainty in a rapidly changing market
The long-term nature of the agreement provides technological and commercial stability for both partners at a time when drivetrain strategies are diversifying rather than converging.

“The new agreement with BMW shows how important long-term planning horizons are for technological progress,” said Sebastian Schmitt, Head of ZF’s Electrified Drive Technologies division. “It enables us to align the next generation of the 8HP specifically toward efficiency, performance and long-term viability.”

For ZF, the partnership strengthens its role as a system supplier and reduces development risk in an increasingly complex powertrain landscape. For BMW, it ensures continued access to a highly adaptable transmission platform that supports multiple drivetrain configurations.

Supporting open-technology mobility strategies
The agreement reflects the continued relevance of advanced automatic transmissions within hybrid and electrified vehicle strategies, complementing battery-electric architectures rather than replacing them outright.

By extending collaboration on the 8HP platform, ZF and BMW are positioning themselves to respond flexibly to regional market demands, regulatory developments and customer expectations—while maintaining a focus on efficiency and emissions reduction.

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