By Sherry Qin


Funds managed by affiliates of private-equity firm Apollo Global Management have agreed to acquire a majority stake in Panasonic Automotive Systems for an enterprise value of 311 billion yen ($2.05 billion).

The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2025, Apollo said Friday, adding that Panasonic Holdings will retain a minority stake in the auto-parts business.

A new holding company under Apollo's management, Star Japan Holdings, will hold all shares in Panasonic Automotive Systems. Panasonic Holdings will hold a 20% stake in Star Japan, it said Friday.

In November, Panasonic said it had planned to sell a stake in the auto-parts business to Apollo and would potentially seek a listing of the business.

Panasonic Automotive develops and sells automotive products, such as integrated cockpit systems and in-vehicle electronics.

Given the rapid shift to electric vehicles in the automotive industry, "continuous investment will be necessary to achieve long-term growth in software development and electrification, which will require further enhancement in the future," Panasonic said in a statement.

As it is difficult to "invest further management resources on its own," Panasonic decided to bring in an external partner, it added.


Write to Sherry Qin at sherry.qin@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

03-29-24 0549ET