Magna International Inc. has signed a purchase agreement to acquire Telemotive AG, a provider of engineering services for the automotive electronics segment. Subject to regulatory approval, the transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2016.

Once complete, Telemotive, with its five German facilities and approximately 550 employees, will be integrated into Magna’s vehicle engineering and contract manufacturing operating unit, Magna Steyr. Magna says the addition of Telemotive expands Magna Steyr’s engineering service product portfolio in vehicle connectivity, human machine interface and infotainment.

“This acquisition strengthens our position to not only help customers meet today’s challenges, but also those of the car of the future, including the increased integration of electronic vehicle systems,” said Karl-Friedrich Stracke, president, Magna Steyr contract manufacturing and engineering. “We are excited to combine our holistic vehicle engineering knowledge with Telemotive’s electronics know-how.”

Günther Apfalter, president of Magna Europe and Magna Steyr, added, “In today’s era of digitization, it is critical for suppliers like Magna to have engineering expertise in these core areas. As the car evolves from primarily mechanical to more electronic systems, we are in a unique position, with deep systems knowledge and full vehicle electronics expertise to continue to deliver innovative solutions to the market.”