BENTELER Group has signed an agreement to acquire ioki GmbH, Deutsche Bahn AG’s software-based mobility solutions unit, in a deal aimed at creating what the companies describe as Europe’s first full-service provider for autonomous mobility spanning vehicles, software, and fleet operations. Financial terms were not disclosed, and closing is expected in the near future.
Following the transaction, BENTELER will align ioki with HOLON and Benteler Mobility to offer cities, transit agencies, and mobility operators a single-source package for deploying autonomous services. HOLON manufactures the HOLON urban autonomous shuttle; ioki contributes platform, routing, and public-transport integration technology for on-demand services; and Benteler Mobility provides operational services and financing intended to simplify fleet rollout and day-to-day operations.
The companies said the integrated approach is designed to reduce complexity and cost for municipalities and operators by combining planning, simulation, and service design with the vehicles and the operational backbone needed to run autonomous fleets. ioki’s data-driven analyses and simulations are positioned as a front end to help identify where autonomous shuttles can complement existing public transportation networks, while maintaining scalability and interoperability across deployments.
Founded in 2018, ioki employs more than 100 people and has supported more than 200 transport services, reaching nearly 10 million passengers to date. The company has been active in on-demand transit software, public-transport integration, and data-driven transport planning and operations simulation, and is described as one of Deutsche Bahn’s more successful internal spin-offs.
Under BENTELER, ioki is expected to pursue broader international expansion while continuing to develop its driver-based ridepooling offering as part of its roadmap. In autonomous deployments, ioki plans to remain vehicle- and system-agnostic, allowing customers to select HOLON vehicles or integrate autonomous technology from other providers—an approach intended to support mixed fleets as operators transition from driver-based services to autonomy over time.
BENTELER said the combination also creates new growth opportunities for the participating businesses, with early joint projects already underway between HOLON, ioki, and Benteler Mobility that are intended to serve as templates for future integrated offerings.
KEY QUOTES
“The acquisition brings together HOLON’s manufacturing expertise and Benteler Mobility’s operational capabilities with the digital platform solutions by ioki – hardware, services, and software all in one place.” “This integrated approach is unique in our industry. It radically simplifies the deployment and operation of autonomous vehicles for customers.” “Alongside our core business in metal processing, BENTELER is thus strategically evolving into a leading provider in the autonomous mobility sector.”
Ralf Göttel, CEO, BENTELER Group
“As part of the BENTELER Group, we can further strengthen and scale the market leadership of our successfully established software and analytics products on an international level.” “Our mission is to connect people intelligently.” “European technology for the world.” “Together with HOLON and Benteler Mobility, we have strong partners at our side who will support our further development in the long term.”
Michael Barillère-Scholz, Co-founder and CEO, ioki
“HOLON, ioki, and Benteler Mobility share the same vision: to make sustainable mobility accessible to everyone – simple, safe, and reliable.” “Mobility is evolving, and together we are now the leading partner for this transformation.” “We support cities and operators in integrating autonomous mobility into their transport systems in a lasting and economically viable way.”
Sven Herzig, Chief Sales Officer, HOLON, and Tobias Liebelt, CEO, Benteler Mobility
