European truck manufacturers AB Volvo and Daimler Truck have announced a partnership to develop software-defined vehicles, aiming to reduce costs and dependency on suppliers. This collaboration reflects a broader industry trend where truck makers are racing to produce technology-intensive vehicles while managing cost pressures. Currently, truck manufacturers heavily rely on suppliers due to the tight integration of software and hardware. To address this, Volvo and Daimler have launched a joint venture named "Coretura" to create a software-defined vehicle platform that minimizes this reliance.
Daimler Truck CEO Karin Radstrom stated that the companies are working towards establishing an "industry standard." She emphasized the need to shift focus from the current supplier-dependent model, which often leads to increased costs and delays, towards developing next-generation software for vehicles.
Based in Gothenburg, the joint venture will initially employ 50 people, with its connectivity platform expected to make its first deliveries by 2027 and expand further by the end of the decade. Johan Lunden, a senior Volvo executive and newly appointed CEO of Coretura, highlighted the increasing role of software in achieving sustainability, productivity, and safety goals.
Despite being competitors, Volvo and Daimler have collaborated in recent years on various projects, including charging and hydrogen fuel cell development.
