In a groundbreaking move to drive the digital transformation of the commercial vehicle industry, Volvo Group and Daimler Truck have signed a binding agreement to establish a joint venture aimed at developing a software-defined vehicle platform for heavy-duty trucks. The 50/50 partnership, which will be headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, seeks to create a new industry standard for vehicle connectivity, safety, and efficiency, combining hardware and software for future-ready, self-optimizing trucks.
The joint venture’s platform will enable both Volvo and Daimler, along with other potential OEM customers, to integrate brand-specific digital functions while maintaining independence in other business areas. The platform will offer a flexible, versatile, and application-agnostic operating system that commercial vehicle manufacturers can use to develop unique digital features, decoupling the traditional software and hardware development cycle.
Karin Rådström, CEO of Daimler Truck, highlighted the transformative potential of the partnership, saying, “This joint commitment is crucial for achieving unprecedented levels of safety, comfort, and efficiency for our customers.” Martin Lundstedt, CEO of the Volvo Group, echoed the sentiment, calling it “a revolutionary response to modern challenges, setting a new industry standard.”
The collaboration will involve developing centralized, high-performance control units that handle vast data volumes, enabling over-the-air updates and enhancing overall customer experience. This approach allows customers to continuously improve their vehicles’ connectivity and operational efficiency without visiting service centers.
Set to be completed in the first half of 2025, pending regulatory approval, the joint venture promises to redefine the software architecture of heavy-duty trucks, positioning Volvo Group and Daimler Truck as leaders in the evolution of software-defined commercial vehicles.
