Benchmarking of European OEM Software-defined Vehicle Strategies, 2024

Transformative Megatrends Forcing European OEMs to Focus on Pre-competitive Collaboration at a Deeper Level Across their Ecosystem; Previously Unseen in the Automotive Industry

Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) used to differentiate their products based on mechanical features. Today, however, consumers are increasingly looking for features defined by software, such as driver assistance, connectivity, and comfort-convenience services. The convergence of technologies including electrification, autonomous driving, shared mobility, and connectivity is causing OEMs to migrate from the traditional hardpoint-defined architecture to a software-oriented architecture. Meanwhile, these trends are reshaping customer expectations and forcing OEMs to address them in new-generation vehicles, thereby turning vehicles into software on wheels.

Similar to the mobile phone industry, the automotive industry is experiencing a sort of rebirth. The traditional business models of generating revenue cyclically are being challenged by continuous cash flow generation throughout the vehicle life cycle. Beyond unlocking new safety, comfort, and convenience features, software-defined vehicles (SDVs) have several advantages compared to their hardware-defined counterpart. SDVs allow customers over-the-air (OTA) updates that cover firmware patches; infotainment to receive improvements; monitoring and tuning of core functional capabilities, such as powertrain and vehicle dynamics; and feature-on-demand comfort-convenience services. This allows OEMs the opportunity to improve and upgrade vehicles on the go throughout their life cycle while generating revenue from feature-on-demand services, which culminates in deeper, more connected relationships with customers.

SDVs are at the forefront of monumental changes in the automotive industry. This research service aims to benchmark European OEM SDV strategy. It discusses the impact of these trends on the growth and deployment strategies of different European OEMs in the market.