The automotive industry is undergoing a significant technological shift as software increasingly determines how vehicles are designed, validated and experienced by end users. Across global and Indian markets, manufacturers and technology companies are rethinking core processes — from engineering and testing to fleet management and customer interaction.

A Sector in Transition

Connected platforms, over-the-air (OTA) software updates, domain controllers and cloud-connected fleet systems are among the tools now central to modern vehicle development. Digital twins — virtual replicas of physical vehicles used to simulate performance — and AI-led testing methodologies are also gaining traction as automakers seek to reduce development cycles and improve reliability.

This convergence of automotive hardware and software has given rise to a broader concept in the industry: the software-defined vehicle (SDV), where a vehicle's features, behaviour and performance can be updated and optimised remotely, much like a consumer electronic device.

Indian Industry Voices

Autocar Professional, an automotive trade publication, has compiled a three-part conversation series examining these developments through the perspectives of senior figures from six organisations operating in India's mobility sector — Maruti Suzuki, Volvo Asia Commercial Vehicles, Matter India, Euler Motors, OPG Mobility and technology firm PTC.

The series examines the opportunities and challenges that the SDV era presents, with a focus on what these changes mean specifically for India's mobility ecosystem — a market characterised by diverse vehicle segments, varied infrastructure and a growing base of electric and connected vehicles.

What Is at Stake

For established automakers such as Maruti Suzuki and Volvo, the shift to software-defined architectures requires rethinking supply chains, talent pipelines and validation processes built around mechanical systems. For newer entrants such as Matter India and Euler Motors, which operate primarily in the electric vehicle space, software integration is often foundational to the product from the outset.

The participation of PTC, a product lifecycle management and industrial software company, reflects the growing role that enterprise technology providers play in automotive development — supplying the digital infrastructure that underpins connected vehicle platforms and manufacturing operations.

Broader Context

The global automotive industry has seen significant investment in SDV capabilities over the past several years. Major manufacturers including Volkswagen, General Motors and Toyota have reorganised internal structures to prioritise software development alongside traditional engineering. In India, the transition is at an earlier stage, though momentum is building as EV adoption rises and regulatory frameworks around connected vehicles evolve.

The Autocar Professional series is presented in association with PTC.

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