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Autoliv Plans JV for Advanced Safety Electronics With China’s HSAE

Ajit Dalvi — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 11:29:49

Autoliv, the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems, has announced its intent to form a new joint venture with Hangsheng Electric Co (HSAE), a leading Chinese developer of automotive electronics. The joint venture will focus on developing and manufacturing advanced safety electronics for the rapidly evolving Chinese automotive market.

The joint venture is expected to be formally established in Q1 CY2026, pending regulatory approvals from relevant Chinese authorities. Autoliv will hold a 40% stake, while HSAE will hold the majority 60 percent.

The headquarters and production facilities of the new joint venture will be located strategically near Shanghai and close to several existing Autoliv sites in China. The focus will be on products that include features such as:

Hands-On Detection (HOD)
Pre-pretensioner mechatronic integration (PPMI)
Electronic applications for seatbelt systems and driver units

Strategic partnership in China

The joint venture will leverage Autoliv’s global leadership in automotive safety and HSAE’s deep expertise in automotive electronics, aiming to deliver integrated solutions that improve current offerings and enable future innovations for both Chinese and international OEMs manufacturing in China.

"This strategic partnership highlights Autoliv's commitment to building long-term relationships with key partners who share our vision and ambitions for automotive safety. Together, we will advance automotive safety technologies by bringing new innovations and efficiency together, developing stronger, safer and integrated systems for our customers. In addition to serving customers within China, this joint venture will enable Autoliv to support markets beyond China by providing advanced solutions and innovations in this field," said Sng Yih, president of Autoliv China.

"The joint venture will be driven by technology and innovation, harnessing China’s advanced supply chain to deliver cutting-edge safety solutions and highly reliable products for both Chinese and global customers. We believe this partnership will serve as a benchmark and catalyst for China’s automotive industry, accelerating its transformation from ‘large’ to ‘strong’ and supporting its journey toward high-quality, sustainable, and global growth," said Yang Hong, president and CEO of HSAE.

JLR to Restart Production Over a Month After September Hacking

Ajit Dalvi — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 19:11:20

The Tata Group-owned JLR is to restart operations from tomorrow (October 8), which is over a month since the British luxury car and SUV manufacturer’s operations were brought to a grinding halt on September 1 following a cybersecurity breach.

In an official statement issued today, Adrian Mardell, CEO, JLR said: “This morning we announced the phased restart of JLR’s manufacturing operations following the cyber incident. From tomorrow, we will welcome back our colleagues at our engine production plant in Wolverhampton, shortly followed by our colleagues making our world-class cars at Nitra and Solihull.”
He added, “I would like to thank our customers, suppliers, colleagues and retailers for their commitment, hard work and endeavour in recent weeks to bring us to this moment. We know there is much more to do but our recovery is firmly underway.”

As a result of the near 40-day production stoppage, JLR’s volumes have been adversely impacted. As per the company, wholesales in Q2 FY2026 were 66,165 units, down 24.2% vs Q2 FY2025, and retail sales in Q2 FY2026 were 85,495 units, down 17.1% vs. Q2 FY2025. Furthermore, “as expected, the planned wind-down of legacy Jaguar models ahead of the launch of new Jaguar and incremental US tariffs continued to impact (JLR’s US exports) volumes throughout the quarter,” stated the company.

The overall mix of Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Defender models was 76.7% of total wholesale volumes in Q2 FY2026, down from 77.2% in the prior quarter and up from 67.0% year-on-year, reflecting the prioritisation of JLR’s most profitable models.

Retail sales for the second quarter of 85,495 units (including Chery JLR) were down 17.1% year-on-year and down 8.7% compared to Q1 FY26. Compared to the prior year, retail volumes for the second quarter were down in all markets, comprising the UK (-32.3%), North America (-9.0%), Europe (-12.1%), China (-22.5%), MENA1 (-15.8%) and Overseas (-4.1%).

JLR will report its full financial results for Q2 FY26 in November 2025.

BYD UK Sales Jump 880% in September to 11,271 units

Ajit Dalvi — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 18:01:41

A day after the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) announced that electrified vehicles had captured 51% of UK new car sales in September 2025, Chinese electric and hybrid vehicle manufacturer BYD, which is the world’s No. 1 EV maker, has announced that it has registered record sales in the UK last month.

BYD UK sold over 11,271 cars in September, representing a substantial rise of 880%, on a low year-ago base, which saw it also overtake legacy brands such as Renault and SEAT. In another mark of its success, the UK also became the company’s largest international market outside of China for the first time.

This brings BYD UK’s sales for the third quarter to over 16,000 units, compared to 10,000 in the second quarter of this year, with total CY2025 sales to just over 35,000 units. Having achieved 2% new car market share in only two years, the company’s total market share in September grew even stronger to 3.6% and now sits at 2.2% year-to-date.

The Seal U DM-i, which features BYD’s innovative dual-mode hybrid technology, remains the company’s best-selling model with 7,524 finding homes between July and September 2025, followed by the all-electric Sealion 7 with 2,599 cars sold. The Seal U DM-i continues to be the UK’s best-selling plug-in hybrid in 2025. In September 2025, 5,373 Seal U DM-I SUVs were delivered, accounting for 48% of BYD UK’s sales and 14% of overall PHEV sales (38,308 units).

According to the SMMT, two Chinese models – the Jaecoo 7 (6,489 units) and BYD Seal U (5,373 units – were ranked fourth and sixth, respectively, in the Top 10 best-selling models in September.

The BYD Seal U PHEV, with 5,373 units was the sixth best-selling model in the UK in September and accounted for 48% of BYD UK’s sales of 11,271 units. Chart: SMMT

Bono Ge, Country Manager, BYD UK commented: “To see us achieve our largest ever sales month in the UK is clearly fantastic, but to become the largest overseas market for BYD too, makes me immensely proud. With even more new plug-in hybrid and electric cars to be launched in the months ahead and having just celebrated our 100^th retailer opening, the future for us in this country looks hugely exciting.”

Earlier this year, BYD, which is the world’s No. 1 EV maker, became the first car manufacturer globally to reach the production milestone of 13 million NEVs (new energy vehicles). BYD’s bold strategy to switch its entire model strategy across multiple brands to solely electrified powertrains (New Energy Vehicles are defined as pure electric or Super Hybrid with DM Technology) is in tandem with ever-increasing numbers of consumers seeking greener technologies worldwide. As a result, the growth from 10 million NEVs to 13 million NEVs took just eight months. For context, it took BYD 13 years to build its first million NEVs.

In the first half of 2025 (January-June), BYD sold a total of 2,145,954 new energy passenger vehicles globally, further cementing its position as the world’s top-selling NEV brand. Of these, 470,086 passenger vehicles and pick-up trucks were sold in overseas markets, including India, with year-on-year growth of 128.5% demonstrating BYD’s growing international footprint.

ALSO READ: BYD’s Yangwang U9 Xtreme EV Hits 496 kph to Become World’s Fastest Production Car

Hyundai Mobis Partners 23 Companies to Develop Korean Automotive Chip Ecosystem

Ajit Dalvi — Sat, 04 Oct 2025 11:15:28

Automotive components and technology developer Hyundai Mobis, which is a key member of the Hyundai Motor Group, recently hosted the first ‘Auto Semicon Korea’ (ASK) conclave in Seoul. The event is part of the company’s effort to strengthen automotive semiconductor competitiveness and expand the ecosystem in Korea.

Hyundai Mobis is leading the collaboration of 23 companies and research institutions, including automakers, fabless companies, foundries, design houses, packaging companies, and design tool specialists. This initiative, which marks the first private-sector-led ‘K-automotive semiconductor’ cooperation, is expected to contribute to Korea’s domestic automotive semiconductor industry development alongside core semiconductor localization.

The event was attended by Hyundai Mobis president Lee Gyu-suk, along with numerous C-suite executives and relevant officers from major companies, including Samsung Electronics, LX Semicon, SK keyfoundry, DB HiTek, GlobalFoundries, Dongwoon Anatech, and Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI)

Aiming to reduce reliance on overseas chip supplies
This marks the first joint initiative led by private companies, including Hyundai Mobis, to address the automotive semiconductor industry. Until now, the automotive semiconductor sector has been heavily reliant on foreign products from Europe, North America, and Japan. Korean companies have now united to form a self-sustaining value chain and create new business opportunities to improve this situation.

Hyundai Mobis plans to play a leading role in fostering the Korean automotive semiconductor industry alongside the major companies participating in the forum. As a global Tier 1 automotive supplier, Hyundai Mobis states that it occupies a strategic position connecting technology and demand between automakers and semiconductor suppliers. Furthermore, the company is simultaneously a fabless company designing semiconductors and a supply chain manager, positioning it as a prime candidate to lead the Korean semiconductor industry.

In his keynote address, Hyundai Mobis president Lee Gyu-suk said: “We are securing independent semiconductor design capabilities while pursuing joint development with fabless companies and design houses, and expanding cooperation with major foundries. We actively encourage companies specialized in home appliances or mobile to enter the mobility sector, and through this, we will take the lead in building the domestic ecosystem.”

Hyundai Mobis plans to play a pivotal role in developing ASK into Korea's leading automotive semiconductor forum starting this year. The forum will be held annually, and starting next year, participation will be encouraged from startups and existing companies possessing semiconductor-related technologies. The forum will also open its doors to relevant associations and major institutions.

Hyundai Mobis is leading a private-sector alliance with 23 leading Korean companies and labs to strengthen the domestic automotive semiconductor ecosystem.

Aiming to build a stable local supply chain
Park Chul-hong, executive VP and head of the Semiconductor Business at Hyundai Mobis, emphasized the importance of synergy between automotive semiconductors and controllers. He said: “The key to automotive semiconductors lies in optimal integration with the controller. To enhance the differentiated competitiveness of domestic companies, Hyundai Mobis defines controller-specific specifications and supports real-vehicle-based validation, enabling significantly faster development cycles.”

In fact, Hyundai Mobis has projected that for drive systems, which determine EV range, pursuing integrated development rather than developing power semiconductors and core components separately could shorten the development time by up to nearly two years. This raises expectations that partners newly entering the automotive semiconductor field alongside Hyundai Mobis will be able to achieve results quickly.

The same applies to system semiconductors installed in controllers for core components. Hyundai Mobis is mass-producing a total of 16 types of semiconductors it developed in-house this year, including power, drive, communication, sensor, and data processing semiconductors, through external foundries. The volume reaches 20 million units. Analysis suggests that the more domestic companies participate, the faster results can be achieved in semiconductor localization, with significant economic ripple effects.

In January 2025, Qualcomm Technologies and Hyundai Mobis announced their technology collaboration to revolutionise the next generation of High-Performance Computer (HPC) platform. They will combine Qualcomm Technologies’ Snapdragon RideFlex System-on-Chip (SoC) and Snapdragon Ride Automated Driving Stack with Hyundai Mobis’s cutting-edge software and sensors to deliver a comprehensive system solution that powers advanced infotainment and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), bringing a one-of-a-kind user experience to future vehicles.

This technology alliance merges the high-performance processing capabilities and software framework of the Flex SoC, which supports cockpit, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and automated driving (AD) functionalities on a single chipset, with Hyundai Mobis’s cutting-edge software applications to deliver performance, enhanced safety, and increased efficiency for automakers across the globe.

Meanwhile, according to a global market research firm, the automotive semiconductor market is growing rapidly at an average annual rate of 9 percent. This market is projected to grow to approximately $135 billion (about Rs 11,24,685 crore) by 2030. Within this, Hyundai Mobis' key order items – semiconductors for infotainment and connectivity, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and electrification – are expected to account for about 70% of the total market.

Hyundai Mobis, the global No. 6 automotive supplier, has expertise in sensors, sensor fusion in ECUs and software development for safety control. The company's products also include various components for electrification, brakes, chassis and suspension, steering, airbags, lighting, and automotive electronics. Hyundai Mobis operates its R&D headquarters in Korea, with four technology centres in the United States, Germany, China and India.

Images: Hyundai Mobis/X

ALSO READ: Hyundai Mobis reveals strategy to be a global Top 3 supplier

Hyundai Mobis future growth strategy targets high-growth China and India markets

Powerco’s Unified Cell and Cell-to-pack Battery to Debut in Vw Group’s Electric Urban Family Car

Ajit Dalvi — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 11:05:59

IAA Mobility 2025, held earlier this month in Munich, saw the Volkswagen Group and its subsidiaries PowerCo and Elli announce pioneering technology advances in sustainable mobility for the automotive industry. Along with the world's first Group test vehicle with solid-state battery provides a glimpse of the battery technology of tomorrow - Vw Group Pushes E-2w Envelope with World-first Solid-state Battery Electric Motorcycle - the VW Group which is the largest seller of EVs in Europe, revealed PowerCo’s Unified Cell, which will be used for the first time in the Electric Urban Car Family of Volkswagen, Skoda and Cupra and is ready for series production.

The Electric Urban Car Family will be launched in CY2026 with four models from the Volkswagen, Cupra, and Skoda brands and a starting price of around 25,000 euros (Rs 22 lakh). The Group is relying on its proven platform strategy. All models use the further developed MEB+ electric platform, yet offer customers very different, brand-specific characters. The Volkswagen Group's new unified cell is being used in the battery for the first time.

This will leverage further economies of scale and synergies, enabling impressive ranges for small cars of up to 450 kilometres. In addition, the models bring premium technologies from higher segments to the entry-level class. With this vehicle family, the Volkswagen Group is pursuing the goal of achieving a market share of around 20% in the rapidly growing segment of electric small cars in its home market of Europe in the medium term. This corresponds to several hundred thousand vehicles per year.

The battery system and prismatic Unified Cell will enable the Electric Urban Car Family to have a range of up to 450 kilometres and charging times of less than 25 minutes.

Pushing The Battery Tech Envelope
In combination with the new battery system, the Unified Cell will provide a technological leap in terms of performance, cost efficiency and flexibility. The first cells will be produced by the end of the year at the Salzgitter Gigafactory, followed by Valencia (Spain) and St. Thomas (Canada). Precursors such as the cathode material also come from European production. This will make the

Unified Cell a milestone for the European automotive industry, which till now has seen minuscule representation in battery technology so far. Technologically, PowerCo’s Unified Cell is a big leap forward. Energy density of around 660 Wh/l makes it one of the most powerful battery cells in the volume segment.

This corresponds to an increase of around 10 percent compared to previous cells. The battery system has also been completely new developed and now utilizes cell-to-pack technology. According to the VW Group, the battery system and prismatic Unified Cell are perfectly synchronized and enable the Electric Urban Car Family to have a range of up to 450 kilometres and charging times of less than 25 minutes (forecast values).

Gigacasting processes are used for key components, further reducing the weight. At the same time, costs have been significantly reduced compared to previous batteries. Volkswagen is thus setting new benchmarks in terms of range, charging speed and efficiency in the small car segment and making e-mobility affordable for everyone.

The Unified Cell can be equipped with various cell chemistries from LFP and sodium-ion to NMC and solid-state, thus offering maximum flexibility despite standardisation.

The Unified Cell serves as a global technology platform within the Volkswagen Group and will be used in up to 80 percent of electric vehicles across brands and regions. It can be equipped with various cell chemistries from LFP and sodium-ion to NMC and solid-state, thus offering maximum flexibility despite standardization. It is developed and produced by PowerCo as well as by external suppliers.

Frank Blome, CEO of PowerCo, said: "The battery cell is a key technology of the 21st century and plays a crucial role for the future of the European automotive industry. Today, we are taking a big step towards our goal of establishing battery technology in Europe. Technologically, our first series battery cell is absolutely on par with the established competitors. And we are already working on new customer products with LFP or Sodium-Ion chemistry. PowerCo is rapidly developing into a global cell manufacturer and the European battery tech driver.”

Oliver Blume, CEO of Volkswagen AG, commented: “The Volkswagen Group and its brands are pushing ahead with technological progress at full speed. We have taken key technologies of e-mobility – such as battery cells, battery systems and electric drives – into our own hands and can thus develop the best solutions for our customers. At the same time, we are strengthening Europe as an automotive location through regional, resilient and sustainable development and production. Our first Group vehicle with a solid-state battery, the Electric Urban Car Family equipped with our new Unified Cell and the construction of Elli’s first large-scale storage system in Salzgitter are further milestones on our way to becoming a global technology driver in the automotive industry."

VW Group Pushes E-2w Envelope with World-first Solid-state Battery Electric Motorcycle

Ajit Dalvi — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 10:55:49

At the IAA Mobility 2025, which concluded earlier this month in Munich, the Volkswagen Group and its subsidiaries PowerCo and Elli gave a glimpse of how they are pushing the ‘Made-in-Europe’ sustainable mobility envelope.

They showcased pioneering technologies for the automotive industry with the reveal of the world's first Group test vehicle with solid-state battery and PowerCo’s Unified Cell, which will be used for the first time in the Electric Urban Car Family of Volkswagen, Skoda and Cupra and is ready for series production. In combination with the new battery system, it will provide a technological leap in terms of performance, cost efficiency and flexibility.

PowerCo, Ducati and Audi have equipped an all-electric motorcycle – the Ducati all-electric V21L first revealed in July 2022 – with QuantumScape's groundbreaking solid-state battery for the first time. The tech demonstrator sets the next milestone on the way from the laboratory to series production. It offers a glimpse of the future of e-mobility with even longer ranges and shorter charging times. Further development steps are still necessary before solid state battery cells will go into series production.

Ducati: eyeing the shift to sustainable mobility
‘V21L’ in Borgo Panigale parlance identifies it as Ducati’s first electric motorcycle. The superbike manufacturer’s MotoE project has strategic relevance for Ducati since it makes it possible to develop expertise for the future while maintaining the racetrack-driven approach that has always fuelled the DNA of the Bologna-based manufacturer.

During the years of the FIM MotoE World Championship, Ducati has collected a large amount of data as a result of the 18 riders on the grid who have battled it out in every race. In three years of development, the evolution of the cells has allowed for a weight saving of 8.2kg in the battery pack of the V21L prototype – a significant reduction, but still inadequate to make the ‘electric MotoGP from Borgo Panigale’ as light as an internal combustion racing bike with adequate range.

It is for this reason, among its various R&D activities, Ducati is working with the Volkswagen Group companies to continue studying and testing new technologies to create battery packs with higher energy density. On September 8, the first prototype of the V21L was presented at the IAA Mobility in Munich, equipped with QuantumScape solid-state batteries and developed in collaboration with Audi and PowerCo. This motorcycle represents a first step in development and confirms Ducati’s ongoing research into alternative technologies to internal combustion.

`QuantumScape's solid-state technology with lithium metal anode and ceramic separator offers significant advantages in terms of energy density, fast charging capability, safety, and lifecycle.

Solid-state battery: a likely game-changer in e-mobility

The zero-emission motorcycle is based on Ducati’s all-electric V21L but has been extensively modified. The battery system is designed from scratch to meet the requirements of the solid-state battery and can now be equipped with up to 980 QSE-5 cells from QuantumScape. QuantumScape's solid-state technology with lithium metal anode and ceramic separator is not just an evolution of conventional lithium-ion batteries, but a fundamentally new cell technology. It offers significant advantages in terms of energy density, fast charging capability, safety, and lifecycle.

Commenting on the pioneering technology, Thomas Schmall, Group Board Member Technology, said: "The solid-state battery has the potential to become a game-changer in e-mobility. Together with our partner QuantumScape, we aim to industrialize the technology and to take the next step towards series production. With PowerCo’s Unified Cell, we have created the perfect match: it is ‘solid state-ready’ and enables rapid technology transfer to the Group's vehicles as soon as the solid-state battery is ready. The Group's battery strategy is pioneering and at the same time offers unprecedented economies of scale."

Claudio Domenicali, CEO, Ducati, added: “At Ducati, we have a long history of pushing the boundaries of technology to improve the riding experience both on the road and on the racetrack. Our pursuit of innovation has allowed us to achieve incredible results, including the record of six consecutive MotoGP Constructors’ titles. The high energy density achieved with solid state technology is a perfect fit for a high-performance vehicle like a sport motorcycle.”

Siva Sivaram, CEO QuantumScape, commented: “Today, QuantumScape solid-state batteries moved closer to commercial reality. For more than a decade, we've worked closely with the Volkswagen Group to advance our breakthrough technology that delivers the range, fast charging, and safety that EV drivers want. Our focus now is on bringing this technology to market and redefining what high-performance electric mobility can be.”

The project partners will continue to test and advance the solid-state technology in the coming months. The next milestone is the development of a race bike for testing on the race track.

In parallel, PowerCo and QuantumScape are already working on the integration of solid-state technology into the Unified Cell and thus into the car. The goal is to develop a commercial solution by the end of the decade. The two companies have been working together for several years in close development cooperation and have established a joint industrialization team at QuantumScape's headquarters in San Jose, California.

Hyundai Mobis Reveals Strategy to be a Global Top 3 Supplier at IAA Mobility

Ajit Dalvi — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 09:36:33

Hyundai Mobis used the global platform of IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich, Germany to unveil its vision for innovative technologies that will lead the future mobility market, reaffirming its goal of becoming a global top 3 automotive supplier. The company ranks sixth on the list of the Top 100 Global Suppliers announced by Automotive News.

On September 9, Hyundai Mobis held a media session titled 'Automotive Trends and Hyundai Mobis' Leading Technologies' at the Messe Munich Center in Germany, where IAA 2025 kicked off. Axel Maschka, Head of Sales and Executive Vice President, Hyundai Mobis, shared Mobis' recent achievements in the European and global markets, examples of how Mobis' future technologies are being realized through global orders, and the future technology strategies currently in preparation.

"Our vision to leap into the global Top 3 in the medium to long term is clear. Our approach of staying ahead of the market and turning crises into opportunities will be the driving force behind this vision," said Maschka at the beginning of his presentation.

Hyundai Mobis has already secured large orders from leading global customers such as Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz through its electrification-focused strategy in Europe, and by concentrating its R&D resources on future core products, it is maintaining solid growth momentum even in the face of the electric vehicle chasm.

Three-Pronged Growth Strategy

Hyundai Mobis stated that it will lead the market by setting three key objectives for proactive R&D and product portfolio development: Sustainable Electrification, Integrated Excellence, and Vision in Motion.

The company began its battery system business in 2009 and currently holds a BSA portfolio covering all existing eco-friendly vehicles. In addition, it is continuously developing new battery technologies to ensure safety, which is considered the biggest barrier to the mass adoption of electric vehicles, thereby enhancing customer and market trust in sustainable electrification while advancing electrification technology.

Notable examples include the company's self-developed battery cooling system and fire extinguishing agent system. Mobis monitors high temperatures caused by internal chemical reactions that degrade battery performance through its battery monitoring system (BMS), while simultaneously preventing battery accidents through a dual cooling system. It has also developed technology that automatically sprays fire extinguishing agents to immediately suppress fires in the event of battery cell ignition.

In the era of software-defined vehicles (SDVs), the technological capabilities of mobility companies depend on how well they can integrate and simplify vehicle structures. Hyundai Mobis has secured core solutions for next-generation chassis systems, including steer-by-wire, brake-by-wire, and independent rear-wheel steering.

Currently, the company is working to enhance the completeness of these products and build an integrated solution that controls all vehicle movements with a single controller. This integrated solution is a technology that will become the core foundation of SDV by implementing a flexible vehicle architecture that transcends hardware limitations, operating steering and braking with single software, and upgrading performance through wireless updates.

Another area of focus for Hyundai Mobis in the future mobility innovation process is 'Vision in Motion' based on the convergence of electronic technologies. The company is working to realize its goal of providing drivers sitting in the vehicle cockpit with a differentiated experience in terms of visuals and immersion that they have never experienced before.

A representative technology for this is the holographic windshield display (HWD). As the world's first HWD to apply holographic optical film, it displays all vehicle information on the windshield using special optical technology without the need for separate displays such as LED or OLED. HWD is a different technology from the recently popularized HUD (Head-Up Display), offering a new dimension of user experience by providing vehicle information, surrounding information, navigation, and even entertainment content through a wide field of view without a frame.

At the IAA Since 2021 Hyundai Mobis participated in the IAA for the first time in 2021, when the electric vehicle era was in full swing, and unveiled its integrated electrification technology platform, the 'EV Skateboard'. This led to its success in securing orders for battery systems for next-generation EVs from Volkswagen, Europe's largest automaker, and last year, the company broke ground on its BSA plant in Spain, capable of producing up to 360,000 units annually.

Through the organic integration of automotive electronics technologies, the company has been updating its next-generation integrated digital cockpit 'M.VICS' annually and is currently receiving orders from global customers for its critical technology elements. Among these, the holographic AR HUD (augmented reality head-up display) is nearing market launch through collaboration with global automakers.

Hyundai Mobis is improving its business structure by focusing on high-value-added products for future mobility and promoting advanced R&D to strengthen its presence and position in the global market. Based on this, the company plans to expand the proportion of global customers in the core parts sector to 40% by 2033. "Our strategy is to proactively develop differentiated technologies that meet customer needs, drive technological paradigm shifts, and expand our position in the global market. We will establish our position as a leading mobility technology company by combining new technology competitiveness, advanced execution capabilities, and speed," said Lee Gyu-suk, President and CEO of Hyundai Mobis, at the 2025 CEO Investor Day held last month.

ALSO READ: Hyundai Mobis’ future growth strategy targets high-growth China and India markets

Qualcomm and Harman Join Forces to Advance Generative AI in Automotive

Ajit Dalvi — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 09:18:56

Today's drivers expect vehicles to update, adapt, and evolve like their smartphones, yet cars often still behave like legacy machines. To help close that gap, Qualcomm Technologies and Harman have announced a collaboration to deliver next-level cockpit solutions that accelerate the consumer-tech transformation of the automotive industry.

The strategic initiative pairs Harman's market-ready automotive product portfolio with Qualcomm Technologies' high-performance automotive compute to enable intelligent, contextual, and empathetic in-cabin experiences. The collaboration reflects a shared vision to redefine how drivers and passengers connect with their vehicles.

The combination of Qualcomm Technologies' platform and Harman's architecture will enable advanced AI models that transform the in-cabin experience, including real-time ADAS visualization, situational intelligence, and empathetic user interfaces that can interpret and respond to driver and passenger emotions, preferences, and contextual cues. By integrating Automotive and IoT technologies, Harman's architecture lays the foundation for more intuitive, personalized, and connected in-cabin experiences, which are essential for the future of smart mobility.

The two companies will work together to ensure seamless compatibility between the Harman Ready lineup – a modular market-ready product portfolio that adapts to evolving consumer and automaker needs – and Qualcomm Technologies' Snapdragon Cockpit Elite platform. Qualcomm Technologies' compute power will boost the capabilities of Harman products, including Ready Engage and its Luna AI avatar for natural and empathetic interactions, Ready Vision QVUE for AR-rich visualization of critical information, and Ready Care for AI-based driver monitoring and tailored interventions. For automakers, this means faster development cycles, reduced system complexity, and differentiated human-centric experiences aligned to their brand. For consumers, this delivers crisp graphics and powerful AI for enhanced comfort, safety, and personalization throughout their drive.

Go-to-Market Strategy Targets Global OEMs in Europe and China

The cockpit solutions, powered by AI acceleration from the in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system-on-chips (SoCs), are initially aimed at automakers in Europe and China, where demand for intelligent, connected, and emotionally responsive mobility solutions is accelerating. By combining Harman's deep automotive and user experience expertise with Qualcomm Technologies' leadership in automotive compute and AI, the companies aim to deliver differentiated value and drive adoption of next-generation in-vehicle experiences.

Additionally, the companies are working together to deliver robust, scalable solutions for Harman's Central Compute portfolio, leveraging Snapdragon Ride Elite and Snapdragon Ride Flex SoC. These platforms introduce a central compute architecture that enables mixed criticality workloads to run concurrently on a single SoC, simplifying system design, reducing power consumption, and allowing for seamless, parallel interaction between safety-critical ADAS functions and infotainment experiences. They support a wide range of ADAS functions – from perception and sensor fusion to decision-making and actuation – paving the way for more intelligent and efficient mobility systems.

Brose Sitech Acquires Proseat Group to Expand Vehicle Seating Portfolio

Ajit Dalvi — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 09:08:22

Brose Sitech has announced the successful completion of the acquisition of the Proseat Group, which produces and develops polyurethane foam, interior, and lightweight components for the automotive sector.

Proseat, based in Morfelden-Walldorf near Frankfurt am Main, is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of foam and lightweight car seat components made of expanded polypropylene (EPP). The company employs over 1,700 people at six plants in Germany, Spain, the Czech Republic, and Poland, and supplies products to many renowned automotive manufacturers, including Tier 1 suppliers.

With the integration of Proseat, Brose Sitech is expanding its product portfolio to include foam components for seats, headrests, and armrests. The group is thus positioning itself as an integrated full-range supplier of seat systems and interior solutions for the automotive industry. In the future, all Proseat products will be offered as part of Brose Sitech's complete seat range or as separate projects for customers. The Proseat Group, acquired from the Japanese chemical company Sekisui Kasei, will initially operate as a separate subsidiary and will be gradually integrated into the Brose Sitech Group's structures.

"The completion of the acquisition of Proseat represents another significant milestone for our group of companies. The vertical integration of seat foam development and production strengthens our competitiveness, increases added value within the international organization, and enables us to offer our customers an even broader and more innovative portfolio of products and solutions," said Thomas Spangler, CEO of the Brose Sitech Group.

Brose Sitech states that it "remains committed to its strategy of systematically expanding its business activities in cooperation with the Volkswagen Group as well as other OEMs and Tier 1 customers not only in Europe but worldwide." The Proseat brand will be retained with the aim of maintaining and further developing the company's expertise and identity.

Following the acquisition of Covercar, which specializes in seat covers, Proseat is now the second strategic acquisition since Brose Sitech was founded in 2022.

Forvia Hella and Tau Motors to develop advanced charging solutions for EVs

Ajit Dalvi — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 09:22:15

The purely virtual insulation reduces the installation space and volume of the onboard charger by up to half and its weight by around a third. (Image: Forvia Hella & Tau)

International automotive supplier Forvia Hella and Tau Motors, a pioneer in software-defined power conversion, are working on advanced charging solutions in the context of a strategic development cooperation.

The focus is on the development of a ‘virtually isolated Onboard Charger (viOBC)’ for electric vehicles, aiming to bring it into series production within the next two to three years. By dispensing with a transformer, the viOBC has a high-power density and energy efficiency on the one hand; on the other, the weight and required installation space can be significantly reduced. The product also enables advanced energy management in vehicles, including vehicle-to-grid integration with bidirectional charging. The development partnership also includes an investment in Tau via the venture capital arm Hella Ventures.
In this partnership, Forvia Hella contributes extensive expertise in the field of high-voltage and power electronics as well as industrialization capabilities. Tau brings its software-defined technology platform alongside deep expertise in power electronics, controls, and innovative product design capability to the table.
"We are very pleased with the partnership with Tau and the joint development of this outstanding Onboard Charger with an exceptionally high degree of innovation. The collaboration takes onboard charging to the next level and creates a product that sets new standards in power density. With this, we are also expanding our portfolio of high-performance key components for electrification. viOBCs represent another significant contribution to sustainable mobility and strengthens our position as an innovation leader," said Jörg Weisgerber, Managing Director Electronics at Forvia Hella.
Wesley Pennington, Founder and CEO of Tau, added: "This advanced technology partnership brings together Tau’s software-defined power conversion platform and Forvia Hella’s global scale in product, quality, and safety. More importantly it aligns groundbreaking technology with industrial excellence to deliver the next generation of high-voltage power electronic and energy management solutions for clean, intelligent mobility."

Transformer-less design

Compared to conventional charging solutions, the virtually isolated Onboard Charger requires no transformer for galvanic separation (isolation) between the AC grid and the DC vehicle system thanks to innovative software and hardware design. Despite this, it fully ensures electrical and functional safety while maintaining the range of functions found in transformer-based designs. By eliminating the transformer, the viOBC achieves a very high-power density of up to 7 kW per litre of installation volume. The virtual isolation technology enables the space requirements and volume for vehicle’s OBC to be reduced by up to half, and its weight by around a third.
Moreover, the transformer-less design enables an energy efficiency of more than 98 percent during the charging process. This subsequently enables CO2 savings through weight reduction as well as lower electricity costs due to higher efficiency. A viOBC prototype has now successfully completed its technological and commercial concept testing; series production is expected to begin within the next two to three years.

Forvia Hella and Tau Motors to develop advanced charging solutions for EVs

Ajit Dalvi — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 09:22:15

The purely virtual insulation reduces the installation space and volume of the onboard charger by up to half and its weight by around a third. (Image: Forvia Hella & Tau)

Forvia Hella begins series production of new-gen steering sensor for Chinese carmaker

Ajit Dalvi — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 10:21:14

The international automotive supplier Forvia Hella has started series production with the latest generation of steering sensor technology for another leading Chinese automotive manufacturer—a key technology for fully electric steer-by-wire systems.

At the beginning of CY2025, the first two series projects for steer-by-wire steering sensors were successfully launched with premium manufacturers in Germany and China. Development and series production takes place within Forvia Hella’s electronics production network in Germany and China.

In steer-by-wire systems, steering commands are transmitted purely electrically, without the use of mechanical or hydraulic connections between the steering wheel and the front axle. In such a steering system, Forvia Hella’s steering sensors precisely and reliably detect the torque and angle of the steering wheel and transmit this information as a purely electrical signal. As previously required hardware components, such as the steering column, are no longer needed, steer-by-wire systems allow for steering settings to be adapted to specific situations or customer preferences. In addition, flexible design concepts for the engine compartment and vehicle interior can be realized, enabling innovative cockpit designs, cost advantages through modularization and reduction of variants, as well as increased crash safety.

“With the recent series launches, we are consistently advancing the development of fully electric steering systems and addressing a key topic for the future,” says Jörg Weisgerber, Managing Director Electronics at Forvia Hella. “The positive feedback from our customers in Germany and in the important growth market of China underscores our strong capabilities to manufacture technologically sophisticated products in high volumes and at optimized costs—without compromising on quality and reliability.”

Forvia Hellahas been active in the steering sensor market since 2007 and is building on an already strong market position. The technological focus of the now fifth product generation, which for the first time implements steer-by-wire functionalities, is especially on the redundant and at the same time cost-efficient architecture of the sensor to meet the highest safety requirements.

Bosch and CARIAD use AI to develop software stack for Level 2 and 3 assisted and automated driving

Ajit Dalvi — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 10:09:36

Bosch and CARIAD are intensifying their cooperation within the Automated Driving Alliance: the partners are developing their software stack for Level 2 and 3 assisted and automated driving by making full use of artificial intelligence.

To this end, Bosch and CARIAD are expanding their existing approaches to include state-of-the-art AI methods. This should lead to more powerful, more intelligent driver assistance systems that act as naturally as a human driver – taking the driving experience to a new level and making it even safer. The software stack covers all essential cognitive tasks of perception, interpretation, decision-making, and action.

Bosch and CARIAD state that they want to make automated driving available to millions of private motorists, from the mass-market to the premium segment. Their goal is for the new driving functions to allow drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel in various driving situations. The first versions have been implemented in test fleets and are now being systematically trained and further developed on a daily basis with large amounts of data. A software stack for application in production projects will then be available from mid-2026 onward.

The Volkswagen Group plans to integrate Bosch and CARIAD’s automated driving functions into its new architecture for software-defined vehicles (SDVs). Covering the range from individual driving functions to the complete software environment, Bosch will also make this scalable solution available to other manufacturers worldwide in order to actively promote automated driving on a broad scale. The project team of the two companies thus impressively demonstrates that dedicated partnership, technological excellence, and a clear focus on goals lead to innovative European solutions.

Caption: Automated driving functions from Bosch and CARIAD are planned for the new software-defined vehicle architecture in the Volkswagen Group. (Image: CARIAD)

Use of AI in all technology components

The Automated Driving Alliance has been using AI since the partnership begin – in, for example, the area of perception for functions such as object recognition. AI is now being used along the entire software technology chain: in everything from object recognition and the fusion of various sensors such as cameras and radars to decision-making and the safe automated control of the powertrain, steering, and brakes. In the future, the automated driving functions will be based on an end-to-end AI architecture in which all modules will become even more powerful and intelligent through the use of AI.

At the heart of these developments is the use of state-of-the-art technology familiar from generative AI applications. Just as language models understand complex semantic relationships, the Automated Driving Alliance’s new AI stack can analyse urban traffic scenarios and anticipate both the current and potential behaviour of road users from different sensor modalities. Bosch and CARIAD are making these technological advances within the framework of a modern engineering environment and comprehensive hardware strategy that will ensure scalable and future-proof implementation in all vehicle classes.

End-to-end development of all technology elements with their own source code and intellectual property forms the basis of the development partnership. This enables complete technical control of the source code with clear standards for data protection, security, driving safety, and transparency, as well as the ability to generate innovations quickly and flexibly through source code optimization and then deliver them to customers. The developers design the architecture in such a way that the AI’s decisions and actions remain safe, traceable, and explainable.

The software stack also lays the groundwork for the possible integration of multimodal AI approaches that link visual and linguistic information. Called vision-language-action (VLA) approaches, they can imitate the logical thinking and actions of humans. Such a step would enable even more efficient training and an even deeper understanding of complex traffic situations. For example, VLAs can help detect hidden risks while driving and facilitate the appropriate response.

Large test fleet for daily training of driving systems

Bosch and CARIAD state that the AI stack will make automated driving in the Level 2 and Level 3 range even more robust. Up to the start of production, performance will be steadily improved by continuously collecting enormous amounts of data in order to maximize the system’s safety and reliability. A comprehensive test and validation fleet on public roads is essential for this.

The CARIAD and Bosch teams are working together worldwide, testing the driving functions on public roads in Europe, Japan, and the US – underlining their ambitious plan to create a software stack for automated driving that can be used in many global markets. Development is data-driven, which means that the software can be imported into the test vehicles several times a day with new updates and optimizations to the source code.

The technology is already being used in test vehicles such as the ID.Buzz and the Audi Q8. This year alone, hundreds of additional test vehicles will be equipped with a comprehensive set of sensors in order to collect high-quality data. That data helps developers further optimize the AI stack and analyse rare and complex driving situations, known as corner cases. Thanks to the development of an end-to-end, AI-supported software solution, assisted and automated driving will become even safer and more convenient for the consumer.

Future Mercedes models could use BMW-sourced engines

Akbar Merchant — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 12:03:39

Mercedes-Benz is in advanced talks with its direct German rival BMW for an engine sharing agreement where BMW will supply its 2.0-litre B48 four-cylinder petrol engine to be used in a large number of future Mercedes SUVs and cars.

According to reports from our sister publication Autocar UK and Manager Magazin, the move comes as Mercedes starts to rework its internal combustion engine (ICE) plans amid slower-than-expected EV adoption.

If finalized, Mercedes models like the recently unveiled CLA, the GLA and GLB SUVs, the next-gen C-Class, the popular E-Class, the GLC SUV and the upcoming ‘Little G’SUV that will be inspired by the G-Class will see engines sourced from BMW.

The partnership is seen as a cost-cutting and compliance strategy, giving Mercedes access to a Euro 7-ready powertrain while enabling more plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options without heavy in-house investment.

Mercedes has recently introduced its new 1.5-litre M252 four-cylinder engine in the latest-gen CLA line-up. This engine is produced in China and is better suited to mild-hybrid use and not designed for PHEV or range-extender applications. The BMW B48 engine is engineered for both transverse and longitudinal layouts, offering greater flexibility.

Production of the engines would likely be handled at BMW’s Steyr plant in Austria, with discussions also exploring a possible shared facility in the US to avoid rising tariffs.

If agreed, this would represent the first-ever engine-sharing deal between BMW and Mercedes, two of Germany’s fiercest luxury rivals — and could even pave the way for gearbox collaboration in the future.

JLR’s new solar farm to supply 31% of energy needs at its HQ

Autocar Professional Bureau — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 09:28:20

The Tata Group-owned British luxury carmaker JLR has reached a significant milestone in the rollout of its global renewable energy strategy with the opening of a new solar farm the size of up to 36 football pitches at its Gaydon headquarters. The site is home to JLR’s design, engineering and R&D teams.

The 26‑hectare, 18MW facility will supply up to 31% of the site’s energy requirements, marking the completion of the first of three of its UK solar energy projects. Alongside the development, JLR has advanced its biodiversity efforts by planting native wildflowers beneath and between the ground‑mounted panels and restoring hedgerows with bird and pollinator‑friendly species, targeting a biodiversity uplift well above mandated levels.

Meanwhile, a newly expanded rooftop installation at the company’s Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre (EPMC) in Wolverhampton, UK, is due for completion later this year. It will feature over 18,000 solar panels, making it the largest automotive manufacturing rooftop solar array in the UK.
Building on an existing rooftop array, the new 10.7MW system will generate approximately 9,512 MWh of electricity annually – enough to power over 3,500 homes in the UK for a year. The combined solar capacity will meet nearly 40% of the site’s energy needs, supporting the production of electric drive units and batteries for its next generation vehicles.

JLR’s joint venture in China, CJLR, has also made considerable progress in its energy self‑sufficiency with a 20MW expansion to its rooftop solar installation. Since becoming operational in May 2025, the manufacturing facility has generated over 50% of its monthly energy consumption, supporting energy saving, cost reductions and temperature regulation in the workshop thanks to additional shading.

In 2026, JLR will begin installing over 10MW of solar car ports at its Merseyside site, becoming the largest solar car port in the UK. Current plans include canopy structures across Halewood, with solar walkways from the main carparks to the site entrances, providing both employees’ and visitors’ electric vehicles charging while on the premises, as well as sheltered parking and protection against weather conditions.

The luxury car manufacturer is committed to sourcing at least one‑third of its global energy needs from onsite and near‑site renewables as alternatives to natural gas by 2030 – cutting emissions, enhancing energy resilience, and mitigating exposure to market volatility through self‑reliance. To date, JLR has already achieved a 23.4% reduction in operational emissions compared to its FY2019-20 location‑based baseline through energy switching and efficiency measures.

“JLR is proud to have delivered these renewable energy milestones. They are important because they directly reduce our global operational emissions and help move us closer to our net zero goal, whilst delivering tangible value today and for the long‑term. The delivery of our self‑generated renewable energy projects across the UK and China is part of our strategic shift to gain greater control over our energy mix against a backdrop of uncertainty – reducing our reliance on volatile markets and global grid infrastructure,” said Andrea Debbane, Chief Sustainability Officer.

Marquardt develops hands-on wheel detection tech for autonomous driving

Autocar Professional Bureau — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 09:01:14

Steering wheels for cars and commercial vehicles have long since evolved into multifunctional control units. Trends such as autonomous driving and increasing automation are placing ever higher demands on intelligent steering wheel technologies. Leading German supplier Marquardt has expanded its range of integrated, interconnected steering wheel systems.

In addition to ergonomic rockers, compact switches, and smart solutions for heating and lighting, the modular product portfolio also includes a Hands-on Wheel Detection (HOWD) for autonomous and semi-autonomous driving functions. The electronic control unit (ECU) serves as an integrative interface that combines and monitors all functions.

Marquardt is a development partner to manufacturers and Tier 1 steering wheel suppliers, developing future-proof systems that combine control, sensor technology, and user interaction. The mechatronics expert benefits from decades of experience in vehicle control at the interface between humans and machines (HMI).

The company’s modular platform enables brand-specific adaptation to different manufacturers and vehicle classes, equipment variants, and regions, and offers tailor-made, seamlessly integrated, and scalable solutions for smart steering wheels. The development of intelligent steering wheel solutions is driven by growing demand for intuitive interfaces and trends toward closed surface, sensor technology, and haptic feedback. In addition, there are strict regulations for driver assistance systems.

Capacitive sensors control HOWD and steering wheel heating
Although driver assistance systems are achieving ever higher levels of automation, they do not relieve the driver of responsibility: at least in semi-automated driving (SAE levels 2 and 3), the driver must be ready to take control of the vehicle at any time.

To monitor this and increase the safety of driver assistance systems, Marquardt has developed Hands-on Wheel Detection (HOWD). Marquardt's electronic control unit receives, processes, and evaluates signals from capacitive sensors in different areas of the steering wheel. The signals tell the vehicle whether the driver has their hands on the steering wheel. HOWD also works when the intelligent steering wheel heating, which also responds to touch, is active. It regulates the temperature automatically as soon as the driver touches the steering wheel. Sensors measure changes in electrical capacity.

Marquardt's steering wheel system platform includes other components such as lighting, shift paddles, and steering wheel switches.

Lighting, steering wheel switches, and paddle shifters
In addition to hand detection and heating, Marquardt's steering wheel system platform includes other components such as lighting, shift paddles, and steering wheel switches. The lighting elements improve visibility and usability, for example by providing visual feedback for driving modes and other functions. Marquardt is also working on further innovative lighting ideas. Dynamic light strips and illuminated logos will soon be ready for series production – enhancing the driving experience and literally making the brand shine.

The compact, user- and model-specific configurable steering wheel switches can be used to control standard functions (volume, speed) or even answer phone calls. Marquardt states that it has solutions with different technologies depending on the surface in question: While touch and active haptics with and without force sensing dominate for completely closed surfaces, passive haptics (mechanical switches) or touch are used for steering wheel switches without a closed surface. Ergonomic shift paddles are also part of the steering wheel system platform. They can be adapted in terms of color and material and, thanks to their compact design and low installation depth, can be easily integrated into confined spaces.

ECU synchronises all steering wheel functions
The heart of the system platform is Marquardt's electronic control unit (ECU). It continuously synchronises and monitors all steering wheel functions and ensures that the various control elements in the network work together seamlessly. The integration of heating and hand detection into the ECU eliminates the need for separate modules and complex wiring, thereby reducing system complexity.

Depending on the OEM's requirements, Marquardt states that its ECU can be certified up to the highest safety level (ASIL D) which guarantees the reliability of the system and the safety of the vehicle.

Marquardt develops hands-on wheel detection tech for autonomous driving

Autocar Professional Bureau — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 09:01:14

Marquardt's steering wheel system platform includes other components such as lighting, shift paddles, and steering wheel switches.

Hyundai Motor Group to push the SDV envelope through collaboration

Autocar Professional Bureau — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 08:28:23

Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) has reinforced its leadership in the software-defined vehicle (SDV) era by sharing the latest technology standards and software development system with its key partners, strengthening the foundation for collaboration.

Today, the Group hosted the ‘Pleos SDV Standard Forum’ at the Software Dream Center in Pangyo, Korea. The event brought together core engineering leaders from 58 key partners, including Hyundai Mobis, Hyundai Kefico, Bosch, Continental, HL Mando, and other vehicle control system specialists.

This forum, held as the automotive industry undergoes a major shift from hardware to software-centric development, aimed to accelerate the transition to SDVs. It serves as a way to transform supply chains and enhance the industry’s adaptability to this transformation.

“Close collaboration with key partners and the widespread adoption of standardized development frameworks are essential for implementing SDVs,” said Chang Song, President and Head of the Advanced Vehicle Platform (AVP) Division at Hyundai Motor Group. “We will continue to establish a software-driven collaborative network by distributing technical standards and building a supply chain system for SDV mass production.”

Unlike traditional hardware-based vehicles, SDVs are defined as platforms capable of ongoing updates and feature expansions even after delivery. Achieving mass production of SDVs requires a complete reorganization of development environments across all areas, including component suppliers, software developers and specialists in diagnostics, security and verification. To support this shift, standardized frameworks and collaborative ecosystems are essential.

Through the forum, the Group shared the latest technical standards and development frameworks required for the SDV transition, enabling the establishment of a software-centric collaboration system to accelerate industry advancements.

The forum began with a keynote speech from President Song and featured five key sessions, including:

- Transitioning vehicle development methods for SDV mass production.
- Applying CODA (Computing & I/O Domain-based E&E Architecture) for developing optimized hardware and flexible software architecture
- Facilitating vehicle software development based on the Pleos Vehicle OS.
- Establishing a standardized, scalable framework for external devices (Plug & Play).
- Developing integrated software tools to foster collaboration between OEMs and suppliers.

These sessions expanded on the strategies presented at the ‘Pleos 25’ developer conference in March. Executives and technical leaders from Hyundai Motor, Kia and 42dot — the Group’s global software centre — presented strategies to address the challenges of the SDV transition and engaged in panel discussions and Q&A interactions.

Standardised software development framework
One key highlight was the introduction of a standardised software development framework to support SDV development. This framework provides detailed guidelines for partners to adopt it within their own development environments and covers the entire development process — from defining specifications to feature validation, issue management and tracking outputs. A standout feature is the ability for the Group and its partners to securely connect and share development data in real time, ensuring seamless collaboration while maintaining data security.

The adoption of this standardized framework is expected to significantly enhance the efficiency and quality of software development by integrating the expertise of various partners working on vehicle control units. Moreover, this transition marks a shift from the traditional hardware-focused vertical supply chain to a software-driven, horizontally integrated collaboration model. It is anticipated to form the critical infrastructure for large-scale SDV production.

Through this forum, the Group aims to support its partners in discovering new business opportunities aligned with the SDV era. It plans to continue operating regular forums, sharing technical roadmaps, and accelerating the transformation of development environments through ongoing collaboration.

At the ‘Pleos 25’ developer conference in March, the Group had launched its integrated software platform brand ‘Pleos’, unveiling plans for an in-vehicle app ecosystem and global partnerships to advance its transformation into a software-first mobility tech company.

Tata Technologies pioneers WattSync platform for EV battery passport

Autocar Professional Bureau — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 08:59:47

Tata Technologies, the global engineering and digital services company of the Tata Group, has introduced its latest proprietary tool – WattSync – a platform designed to aggregate, track, and manage battery lifecycle data in real time, thereby enabling EV OEMs and battery pack manufacturers to conform to the upcoming EU Battery Regulations.

The legislation which kicks off in the European Union in 2027, will mandate EV manufacturers as well as battery suppliers to maintain a cradle-to-grave record – a battery passport – of an EV battery, right from the mining of its raw materials such as nickel, manganese and cobalt, to the cell manufacturing and pack assembly details, all the way to capturing the data around its safe disposal and recycling.

The cloud-based solution that integrates with the back-end systems of an EV OEM, allows fetching of static data from its various systems such as PLM, MES, and ERP. As a result, WattSync integrates into the digital backbone of the OEM, and leverages blockchain, AI and ML to maintain traceability of the vital battery data points. According to Tata Technologies, the tool allows end-to-end traceability of the battery pack through the entire vehicle lifecycle.

Marc Manns: “WattSync is a SaaS offering, which allows OEMs to integrate either the full stack or its relevant blocks into their digital backbone."

“It is a complete traceability platform, ensuring battery cell manufacturing, all the way to battery recycling,” Marc Manns, Vehicle Line Director - Electrical and Electronics, Tata Technologies, told Autocar Professional.

“WattSync is a SaaS offering, which allows OEMs to integrate either the full stack or its relevant blocks into their digital backbone. Either Tata Technologies or its customers can host the solution, and therefore, this is a very flexible approach that we have taken. It is a holistic solution to maintain a battery’s complete record,” he added.

Tata Technologies claims an integration time in the range of 2-4 weeks for the WattSync platform into a company’s digital infrastructure, and says it is adopting a phased market rollout, based on the regulatory requirements. While the EU is set to go first with the legislation in 2027, initial legislation for battery labelling will become effective in California in 2026.

“Therefore, any global EV maker selling products in the EU must comply with the upcoming regulations,” Manns pointed out. On the other hand, China is expected to see battery regulations getting implemented in 2028, and India is also likely to transition around the same timeline. The US will follow suit in 2028-29, Manns pointed out.

“It is a global phenomenon and companies are also heading in the direction of sustainability. Hence, WattSync is primarily driven by legislation and the sustainability goals of companies,” he added.

WattSync: a glo-cal project
Tata Technologies has developed WattSync with its resources based in the UK, Sweden, India, and China, who have collectively worked together and brainstormed on this tool. “A large number of engineers from India based in Pune and Bengaluru have worked on it; in fact, most of the software engineers for this platform are based in India,” Manns pointed out.

Within Tata Technologies, the company has roped in its powertrain, vehicle connectivity, and cybersecurity teams to ensure that WattSync emerges as a future-proof and secure platform for enabling battery records for EVs. According to the company, one of the main differentiations that it is doing with battery passports is bringing AI and ML for prognostics.

The company has piloted the platform with Tata Group companies, likely Agratas and Jaguar Land Rover, wherein it is understood that the tool has seen deployment in end-to-end data management as well as to run prognostics to identify, pre-empt and troubleshoot faults on vehicles in the field to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction by leveraging the built-in AI and ML capabilities.

“We are getting General Data Protection Regulation or GDPR-compliant data which is being brought by the OEM to the cloud, and this can be used to offer solutions to customers and monetise this data. The EU has 93 parameters under the GDPR being considered,” Manns explained.

He further added that being able to run prognostics using predictive analytics offers immense value to a brand if it, for instance, succeeds in preventing a battery fire or thermal runaway incident that could otherwise potentially tarnish the brand reputation.

The company also sees future opportunities in WattSync’s effective role in navigating the uncertain supply chain situations with the data-first approach the tool adopts. With respect to India, as per Mann, “While the EU has a strong set of parameters, when it comes to India, it would be important to look at the exact data set that one would procure from the battery.”

Given the Indian market’s cost consciousness, Manns added that Tata Technologies has the platform with all the right attributes, and it would look at making it even more suitable for the Indian market.

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Tata Technologies pioneers WattSync platform for EV battery passport

Autocar Professional Bureau — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 08:59:47

Marc Manns: “WattSync is a SaaS offering, which allows OEMs to integrate either the full stack or its relevant blocks into their digital backbone."

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