Autotech & Mobility Deal Activity Back On The Rise As Confidence Returns to Sector

The latest Autotech & Mobility M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, reveals a resurgence of energy in the sector, with dealmaking growing after a temporary decline in the first half of 2024.

Increased transactions, and the fact that valuation multiples have remained consistent, indicate renewed investor confidence following a period of caution stemming from macroeconomic and regulatory pressures. This momentum is expected to build in 2025, with new caps on vehicular carbon emissions spurring the electric vehicle market in Europe, and demand for cutting-edge on-board software continuing to grow.

The new Hampleton Partners report notes the rise of software-defined vehicles as a significant deal driver in the sector. Rising usage of cars and trucks which can automatically run diagnostic checks, provide on-board infotainment and seamlessly update systems via the cloud is opening up diverse revenue channels for both automakers and software companies, and attracting investor notice.

Commenting on the take-up of software-defined vehicles, which has the potential to boost the profits of European manufacturers by EUR 20b by 2035, Hampleton Partners Sector Principal Michael Brecht said: “The ongoing normalisation of automotive software which operates independently from hardware spells immense opportunities for tech firms, who are becoming the new OEMs of the digital driving age.”

The three most active buyers in this space over the past 30 months have been:

Modaxo – 4 acquisitions, including Conduent Business Services (parking management software), Fara AS (ticketing & fleet management SaaS), and SS Telematica (fleet management SaaS)

Miovision – 4 acquisitions, including Traffic Technology Services Inc (vehicle traffic assistant software), Global Traffic Technologies (traffic control system & SaaS), and MicroTaffic Inc (road safety video analytics SaaS)

Valsoft – 3 acquisitions, including BDK Informatik AG (transport & logistics management SaaS), Freicon Software GmbH (automotive dealer management SaaS), and Enrich Software Corporation (truck leasing ERP SaaS)

Download the full Hampleton Partners Autotech & Mobility M&A Market Report 1H2025, which outlines the most significant trends within the sector and discusses specific deals from the five core segments: Enterprise Applications, Internet Commerce & Content, Embedded Software & Systems, Mobility & Fleet Management, and EV Infrastructure.

www.hampletonpartners.com/reports

Hampleton Partners’ M&A Market Reports are compiled using data and information from the 451 Research database (www.451research.com); Capital IQ, CB Insights, Gartner, IDC and more.

Hampleton Partners advises owners of software and technology companies on M&A transactions and growth financing with strategic buyers or financial investors. Hampleton’s experienced deal makers have advised hundreds of tech industry shareholders to date, providing hands-on expertise and targeted advice to entrepreneurs looking to sell, partially retire, or accelerate their growth.

With hubs in London, Frankfurt, Stockholm, San Francisco and Shanghai, Hampleton offers a global perspective with industry expertise in the following areas: Enterprise Software, Digital Commerce, IT & Business Services, Artificial Intelligence, Autotech & Mobility, Cybersecurity, Fintech, Healthtech, Supply Chain Management, Healthtech, HR Tech, and Insurtech. 

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