Stellantis and Foxconn join forces to form the Mobile Drive software arm Car News

Stellantis has partnered with Chinese electronics giant Foxconn to form Mobile Drive, a 50/50 joint venture that will see the two companies collaborate on infotainment and in-car connectivity offerings.

Basically, the two companies said the agreement aims to “accelerate development times to deliver innovative user experiences in vehicles, made possible by advanced consumer electronics, HMI interfaces and services that will exceed customer expectations. clients”.

Collaboratively created infotainment systems will be “perfectly connected inside and outside the vehicles in which they are installed”. They will also provide new revenue streams for Stellantis and Foxconn, offering instant over-the-air upgrades and optional vehicle features throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle.

All Stellantis brands will use Mobile Drive systems in their production vehicles, although it is still unclear who will be first and when the first vehicle so equipped will be launched. Stellantis software boss Yves Bonnefont declined to give further details, but said, “We identified a specific project and got the job started almost immediately. Speed ​​is key.”

Foxconn previously worked with Fiat Chrysler (now part of Stellantis) to create the radical Airflow Vision Concept (below), a futuristic MPV concept that presented a glimpse into the technological evolution of the brand’s production cars. . There is no indication that the joint venture will seek to launch its own vehicles, but indications that Mobile Drive systems will improve the user experience of autonomous vehicles suggests a similar emphasis on touchscreens and minimal cockpit design.

Foxconn will supply infotainment systems to Stellantis as part of the deal, but will also offer its technical platforms for wider use by other automakers. Mobile Drive will offer to supply infotainment systems and related equipment to all “interested” brands.

The systems will be equipped with a biometric reconigtion feature, an AI personal assistant,

The move comes 100 days after the official formation of Stellantis resulting from the merger of the PSA group and FCA, and in recognition of the fact, said CEO Carlos Tavares, that “vehicles of the future will increasingly be driven by software and software-defined “. .

The two companies will share in the development of the Mobile Drive business, which will be headquartered in the Netherlands.

READ MORE

Fiat Chrysler Concept Introduces Tech-Loaded MPV

Electronics giant Foxconn steps up EV ambitions with Byton deal