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VW presentation in Munich
Photo: Wolfgang Rattay / REUTERS
Volkswagen is considering collaborations in the multi-billion dollar business with car software. "We are open to discussions and ready to share our platform," says CEO Herbert Diess. The development of operating systems and software for autonomous driving requires high one-time costs. In the end, it is crucial to equip as many vehicles as possible with the technology. Diess does not rule out cooperation with competitors such as BMW or Daimler. It is crucial that the local auto industry does not leave the software and data business to Apple, Google or Tesla alone. "If Europe loses data sovereignty in the car," warns Diess, "then we will make ourselves completely dependent on high-tech companies from the USA or China."
BMW Development Board Member Frank Weber this week called for the three major automakers to join forces on software. If every company develops its own operating system, Weber said at the beginning of the IAA auto show, it would lead to a dead end. In this case, suppliers such as Bosch or Continental would have to program their components separately for each manufacturer. The BMW manager receives support from Harald Kröger, Managing Director for Mobility Solutions at Bosch. "We can imagine developing certain standards and software components together," he says. One can proceed in the same way as Autosar, an existing development partnership that aims to standardize electronic control units.
Diess is considering further collaborations.
According to the group, a lot is conceivable, from the joint development of individual components to the takeover of the entire VW platform by competitors.
Volkswagen is able to develop its own operating system, says Diess.
Around ten million cars sold annually also ensured the profitability of the project.
"But we can imagine opening up to third parties in order to develop even more clout," adds Diess.
So far, Volkswagen has focused solely on car software for itself and the corporate brands Porsche and Audi.
The subsidiary CARIAD is to become Europe's largest software group behind SAP.
VW wants to invest 2.5 billion euros annually for this.
10,000 specialists are to work at CARIAD in 2025.
It is conceivable that VW will also open its talent pool for cooperation.
Programmers and IT engineers from various manufacturers could then join forces to develop software to compete with products such as Amazon's voice control Alexa.
sh / mhs
