Kick-off for the new technological era of Stellantis. The automotive group resulting from the merger between PSA and FCA has signed an agreement with the Taiwanese Foxconn, a third-party manufacturer known for being the assembler of Apple’s iPhones, an agreement aimed at the establishment of a 50/50 joint venture, baptized for the establishment of Mobile Drive . In the memorandum of understanding (defined as non-binding) the task of the new structure, which will be based in the Netherlands, will be the development of innovative systems for connected 5G infotainment. telematics solutions for the internet of vehicles (IoV), cloud platforms for the distribution of software services over the air (ota) such as for example the updates of on-board vehicle software.
In the viewfinder also new generation digital dashboards that is one of the most distinctive elements of modern cars, increasingly technological, electrified and connected. Furthermore, Mobile Drive will not only be the supplier of the 14 brands of the Stellantis group (resulting from the merger between PSA and FCA), but will also act as a supplier for other car manufacturers. In practice, Mobile Drive will compete with important players such as Harman (Samsung group and among other things supplier of the former FCA brands). At the heart of the activities of the new company dedicated to the development of digital technologies for the car is software, which has become an element of capital importance for the automotive sector. Competitors such as VW and Renault are pushing hard on this crucial sector for the car of the next few years. «The software – declared Carlos Tavares, managing director of Stellantis – today counts as much as the design and is a strategic element. Stellantis wants a leading role with Mobile Drive, a company that will make possible the rapid development of connectivity functions and services that represent the next evolution in our sector, as it has been with electrification technology ». Tavares thus seems to want to respond to Luca se Meo, CEO of Renault, who has summoned the European hi-tech elite to set up the megahub Software République.
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The creation of Mobile Drive seems to be a first, important step in the technological breakthrough of Stellantis and, theoretically, it could preclude closer relations with the Foxconn ecosystem. It should not be forgotten, in fact, that Foxconn (Hon Hai Precision Industry) is strongly interested in the automotive sector. It recently announced the creation of an “open source” platform for connected electricity. It is a smart car architecture that includes hardware, powertrain and software. In addition, Foxconn will introduce solid state batteries in 2024, the super cells that will mark the turning point of the electric car. Foxconn, as mentioned is a close partner of Apple. And the rumors about a possible car of the Apple of Cupertino (technological catchphrase born years ago, now resurrected) are increasingly insistent. And if Apple ever wanted to enter the car world, even if only as a player in the infotainment and audio systems (where all the big brands are present but not Apple) it would need a partner and here a reality like Mobile Drive would be useful. source the experience of 14 car manufacturers with the know-how of a hi-tech manufacturer such as Foxconn, among other things the assembler of the smartphones of the Chinese giant Xioami who has decided with 10 billion dollars to enter the electric smart car market . It seems that technology will rapidly change the geography of the post-Covid car.