Lidar company Cepton has officially completed its acquisition process by automotive lighting supplier Koito Manufacturing, in a move the companies say will greatly "accelerate the global commercialization of its lidar solutions across automotive and smart infrastructure markets."
The acquisition establishes Cepton as a privately held subsidiary of Koito in the United States, with headquarters in San Jose remaining intact.
Highlighted in the announcement at CES 2025 is the joint mission to enhance safety in autonomous technology, through the deployment of precision sensing and intelligent, next-generation lidar-based perception solutions. In addition, Koito’s financial backing ensures long-term stability and positions Cepton for continuous growth, potentially contributing to the mass-market adoption of lidar solutions. The collaboration also streamlines the supply chain, shortening development cycles and ensuring robust support from program initiation through to aftermarket services.
“We’re excited to unite with Koito at such a pivotal moment in the lidar journey," said Dr. Jun Pei, CEO and Co-Founder of Cepton. "With years of close collaboration behind us, this merger accelerates the transition from lidar trials to full-scale deployment. This is the perfect opportunity to leverage both companies’ strengths, ensuring our OEM partners benefit from a technology that balances performance, reliability, and cost.”
Michiaki Kato, President and COO of Koito, added, “Cepton’s integration aligns perfectly with Koito’s vision of ‘lighting the way for a sustainable future.’ Together, we are set to set the industry benchmark for precision sensing across various vehicle types. This acquisition propels Koito’s commitment to making lidar accessible and integral to automotive safety and sustainability worldwide.”
Cepton’s expanded global footprint, bolstered by Koito’s international reach, also provides deeper access to key OEM markets, reinforcing the leadership of both companies in the fields of precision sensing and smart mobility.