Christian Sobottka Appointed as New HARMAN CEO, Replacing Michael Mauser

HARMAN International names Christian Sobottka as its new CEO, effective April 1, 2025, replacing Michael Mauser after 27 years. Read about the leadership transition and its impact.

Significant leadership changes are on the horizon for HARMAN International. Starting April 1, 2025, Christian Sobottka will take over as President and Chief Executive Officer, replacing Michael Mauser, who is stepping down after 27 years with the company.

Mauser led HARMAN through one of the most challenging periods in its history—the COVID-19 pandemic and the global semiconductor shortage. Despite these challenges, under his leadership, the company achieved remarkable milestones: revenues grew to $11 billion, and the automotive sector order book reached $45 billion. His role was also pivotal in integrating HARMAN into Samsung Electronics, following the acquisition in 2017.

His successor, Christian Sobottka, joined HARMAN in 2021 as the head of its Automotive Division. During his tenure, he spearheaded a strategic shift toward a software-driven business model and played a key role in advancing next-generation in-cabin automotive technologies. Before joining HARMAN, he spent over 20 years at Robert Bosch, holding executive roles across engineering, sales, marketing, and operations.

So far, no official statements have been made regarding strategic shifts under Sobottka’s leadership. However, given his strong background in automotive innovation, it is likely that HARMAN will double down on software-driven products and advanced automotive technology. This could influence both the company's business direction and its partnerships.

The specific steps Sobottka will take remain to be seen. However, one thing is clear: the leadership transition from Mauser to Sobottka is not just a personnel change but a strategic move for HARMAN's long-term growth in the rapidly evolving automotive technology landscape.

Source: news.harman.com