Global car makers join forces to develop open‑source software, aiming to cut development effort by 40% and speed market launch by 30%. Discover more.
Industry-wide push for open‑source software
At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the German Automotive Industry Association (VDA) announced that more than 30 companies across the automotive supply chain have signed up for a new open‑source software initiative. The goal: accelerate development of next‑generation vehicles while dramatically cutting costs.
Key players join the effort
European carmaker Stellantis and truck manufacturer Traton were the first to sign a memorandum of understanding, followed by German component supplier Schaeffler and silicon giants Infineon and Qualcomm. Major German brands—including Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes‑Benz—are also on board, raising the total membership from 11 firms last year to 32 today.
Ambitious targets
The consortium aims to reduce software development and maintenance workload by up to 40 % and shorten time‑to‑market for new models by roughly 30 %. By sharing a common software platform, participants hope to eliminate duplication, improve compatibility and fast‑track the rollout of electric vehicles, connected cars and advanced driver‑assist systems (ADAS).
Industry leaders weigh in
Mike Milinkovich, Executive Director of the Eclipse Foundation, said, “The growing roster of participants signals a clear global shift toward open innovation in automotive engineering.”
What this means for the future
When automakers and suppliers pool resources on open‑source code, they can focus more on differentiating features—such as AI‑driven infotainment, over‑the‑air updates and new EV power‑train controls—rather than reinventing basic software bricks. The initiative could become a cornerstone for the industry’s transition to smarter, greener mobility.