Exclusive: Tata Motors Partners Desay SV to Accelerate Software-Defined Vehicle Strategy

In a step towards its aim to become a future-ready mobility player, Tata Motors has partnered with Chinese automotive electronics giant Desay SV Automotive to co-develop the core architecture and software stack for its upcoming software-defined vehicles (SDVs).

According to sources aware of the development, the partnership with Desay SV will focus on building centralised compute architecture and domain controller-based electronics systems—key elements for enabling advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), over-the-air (OTA) updates, vehicle-to-cloud integration, and personalised in-cabin experiences.

An email sent to Tata Motors did not elicit any response. 

In fact, Tata Motors has already set up a dedicated team of over 100 engineers at its Pune facility to work on the SDV programme. This will complement the development of its next-generation TiDAL SDV platform—a modular, software-oriented architecture that will underpin future EVs and ICE vehicles across segments. TiDAL is designed to decouple hardware from software, allowing Tata Motors to upgrade digital features over time without full vehicle redesigns. It also enables faster feature rollout, improved cybersecurity, and seamless OTA update capabilities across the product lifecycle.

Desay SV Automotive, a key supplier to global OEMs like Volkswagen, NIO, and BYD, brings significant capabilities in cockpit domain controllers, high-performance computing platforms, and integrated software stacks—areas that are critical as automakers increasingly pivot towards a software-first product development philosophy.

The alliance with Desay comes as Tata Motors prepares a sweeping product overhaul. Over the next five years, the company plans to launch 30 new models, including seven all-new nameplates. The shift towards SDV platforms aims to future-proof this product portfolio as the company transitions into the era of connected, electric, and autonomous mobility.

The collaboration marks a strategic move by Tata Motors to build a robust digital backbone for its next generation of vehicles, which will be increasingly defined by computing power, real-time connectivity, and upgradable software layers rather than just mechanical performance.

The move also signals a turning point for the Indian automotive industry, which is gradually embracing software-defined architecture as a means to stay competitive globally. With the rise in customer expectations around digital interfaces, connectivity, safety, and feature upgrades, SDVs are no longer a luxury segment feature. They are fast becoming a strategic imperative even in India’s cost-sensitive mass-market landscape—especially in urban mobility, EVs, and premium SUVs. Automakers that master SDV architecture will likely gain a long-term edge in customer experience, revenue generation via software services, and data monetisation.

When contacted, Tata Motors did not comment on the specifics of the Desay SV partnership, but sources suggest the tie-up will power a new generation of electric and ICE vehicles being developed for both Indian and global markets.

Tata Motors is also expected to synergise this SDV push with the strengths of group companies such as Tata Elxsi, Tata Consultancy Services, and Tata Technologies, especially in embedded software, validation, simulation, and system integration.

The partnership is likely to shape the foundation of Tata Motors’ upcoming flagship EVs, including the Avinya series, which is slated for launch in 2027. The Avinya platform is envisioned to debut advanced electronics architecture and immersive digital features, aligned with global SDV benchmarks.

As the race to software-defined mobility intensifies, Tata Motors' tie-up with Desay SV reflects its intent to compete not only on design and powertrain, but also in the fast-evolving realm of automotive intelligence.