Daimler Truck and the Volvo Group plan a joint vehicle platform

Daimler Truck and the Swedish Volvo Group are planning a joint venture to develop a common software-defined vehicle platform and a dedicated truck operating system. These are intended to form the basis for future software-defined commercial vehicles. This technical foundation will then enable Daimler Truck, the Volvo Group, and potentially additional partners to each provide independent digital vehicle functions for their products.

The 50:50 joint venture will operate as an independent company, with Daimler Truck and the Volvo Group remaining competitors in all other business fields. In the context of already high investments in the transformation towards CO₂-neutral propulsion technologies, collaboration in developing digital technologies has become even more important to meet development goals and customer expectations within a realistic timeframe.

Martin Daum, CEO of Daimler Truck: “Just as important as the transformation towards CO₂-neutral propulsion technologies is vehicle digitalization. Developing a software-defined vehicle platform together with the Volvo Group will enable us to make our trucks and buses programmable. This allows us to develop differentiating digital vehicle features for our global customers significantly faster and more efficiently.”

Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO of the Volvo Group, adds:

“Given the rapid transformation of our industry, it makes sense to collaborate to accelerate development, increase volumes, and share costs. Software-defined heavy-duty trucks represent a paradigm shift in the transformation of our industry. By converting the truck into a programmable vehicle with standardized hardware and a standardized operating system for rapid product updates, both companies have the opportunity to create added value for our customers and their customers through independent digital services and vehicle functions.”