Gasgoo Munich- On April 27, ZF Group announced that its Supervisory Board has appointed Dr. Peter Holdmann as the company's first Chief Technology Officer (CTO). By unifying global technology management at the Board of Management level, the move aims to make R&D across divisions more efficient and precisely aligned with customer needs. Holdmann was already a board member responsible for overall research and development.
ZF Group Board Member Dr. Peter Holdmann; Image source: ZF
Supervisory Board Chairman Dr. Rolf Breidenbach noted that Holdmann combines deep technical expertise with a forward-looking strategic vision—a combination he views as highly valuable for strengthening the group's overall R&D capabilities. Chief Executive Officer Mathias Miedreich, meanwhile, emphasized that technology has always been ZF's driving force and competitive bedrock. Establishing the CTO role, he said, is intended to reinforce technical leadership, accelerate the commercialization of innovations, and take the cost-efficiency of global R&D to the next level.
Holdmann has played a pivotal role in driving ZF's technological transformation in recent years. This expansion of his duties reflects the growing weight of software-defined vehicles, artificial intelligence, and connected system architectures within the company's strategic landscape.
He made it clear that his immediate priority will be boosting engineering R&D efficiency across the group's divisions. "Strict financial discipline and customer-centric innovation are not contradictory," he explained. "Artificial intelligence is reshaping our R&D processes and toolchains, significantly improving efficiency and speed. This is crucial for enhancing competitiveness, enabling faster decision-making, and ultimately delivering products that lead the market."
Peter Holdmann holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering with a focus on automotive engineering, bringing over two decades of experience in vehicle system development and management. He began his career in research and teaching at RWTH Aachen University before joining ZF in 2000, where he held various management roles. He joined the Group Board of Management in May 2024.
