HARMAN Signals Execution Era with New COO for Automotive Division

STAMFORD, CT – September 03, 2026 – In a move that underscores the automotive industry's relentless pivot to software, HARMAN International has appointed Dr. Thomas Irawan as the new Chief Operating Officer and President Designate for its sprawling Automotive division. The appointment, effective October 1, 2026, is more than a C-suite shuffle; it's a clear signal of HARMAN's intent to dominate the execution phase of the software-defined vehicle (SDV) revolution.

Dr. Irawan, a seasoned executive from Bosch subsidiary ETAS, will take the operational reins of a business at the heart of the modern in-car experience. While CEO Christian Sobottka retains the title of President of HARMAN Automotive to steer long-term strategy and oversee the landmark integration of the ZF ADAS business, Dr. Irawan is tasked with the critical ground game: ensuring HARMAN's ambitious vision for an AI-enabled, software-orchestrated cockpit translates into flawlessly executed products for its global automaker clients.

"The next generation of automotive innovation will be defined by execution," said Sobottka, framing the strategic hire. "Thomas brings the rare combination of strategic vision, operational excellence and deep software expertise needed to lead a business of HARMAN Automotive's scale and ambition."

The Software-Defined Imperative

The context for Dr. Irawan's arrival is an industry in fundamental transformation. The concept of the software-defined vehicle—where a car's functions and features are primarily controlled by software running on centralized computers rather than dozens of disparate electronic control units (ECUs)—has moved from futurist theory to market reality. The global SDV market is projected to swell into a behemoth, with some analysts forecasting a value of nearly $1.8 trillion by 2035. Companies like Tesla and Nio have already demonstrated the power of this paradigm, delivering over-the-air updates that enhance performance, safety, and user experience long after a car leaves the factory.

For legacy suppliers like HARMAN, this shift represents both an existential threat and a colossal opportunity. The company, a subsidiary of Samsung since a landmark $8 billion acquisition in 2017, has leveraged its parent's consumer electronics prowess to become a dominant force in digital cockpits and in-car audio. However, the future battleground is not just the screen, but the entire vehicle architecture. HARMAN's strategy, encapsulated in its mantra of "Consumer Experiences. Automotive Grade.," hinges on its ability to integrate complex systems—from AI and connectivity to the digital cockpit—into a seamless, reliable whole.

This is precisely where Dr. Irawan's background becomes so potent. His most recent role as President and Chairman of ETAS placed him at the epicenter of SDV development. ETAS specializes in the foundational software, middleware, and development tools that are the bedrock of modern vehicle operating systems. Before that, his 16-year tenure at Bosch included leading the Driver Experience business unit, where he oversaw the development of sensor and software systems for Level 0-4 autonomous driving. His deep experience in ADAS, cross-domain computing, and managing global software organizations makes him purpose-built for HARMAN's next chapter.

A Strategic Playbook: ADAS and Dual Leadership

Dr. Irawan's operational mandate is set to expand dramatically with the impending integration of ZF Group's Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) business. HARMAN announced its agreement to acquire the unit for €1.5 billion in late 2025, a transaction expected to close in the second half of this year. This acquisition is a game-changer, propelling HARMAN beyond its cockpit stronghold into the critical domain of vehicle safety and perception systems, including cameras, radar, and central compute hardware.

Industry analysts see the ZF ADAS purchase as a masterstroke, allowing HARMAN to offer automakers a more complete and integrated platform. By combining its digital cockpit expertise with ZF's ADAS capabilities, the company can create a unified central compute solution that simplifies vehicle architecture, reduces costs for OEMs, and accelerates innovation. Dr. Irawan's operational leadership will be pivotal in knitting these complex technologies and the 3,750 employees from ZF into a cohesive and efficient unit.

The appointment also establishes a dual-leadership model that industry watchers suggest could be a blueprint for agility in a volatile market. With Sobottka focusing on the high-level strategy, major partnerships, and the complex ZF integration, Dr. Irawan is freed to concentrate on operational cadence, business performance, and day-to-day execution across HARMAN's vast portfolio—Intelligent Cockpit, Car Audio, Connectivity, and Engineering Services.

Samsung's Long Game in Automotive

This strategic sharpening of leadership is the latest chapter in a story that began with Samsung's 2017 acquisition. The move was a clear declaration of the Korean tech giant's ambition to become a major force in automotive electronics. Since then, HARMAN has more than doubled its revenue, with its automotive business growing from $7 billion to over $11 billion by 2025 and now accounting for nearly 70% of its total revenue.

Samsung's backing provides not only capital but also crucial synergies in semiconductors, displays, and connectivity, allowing HARMAN to compete head-on with automotive titans like Bosch and Continental. The appointment of a software and systems expert like Dr. Irawan reinforces the long-term vision: to build the integrated, intelligent core of the next generation of vehicles.

As he prepares to join the team, Dr. Irawan acknowledges the unique position the company holds. "HARMAN has a unique ability to translate rapidly evolving consumer expectations into automotive technologies with the quality, reliability and engineering excellence our customers expect," he stated. His challenge, and HARMAN's, will be to execute on that promise at a speed and scale the automotive industry has never before witnessed.