CES 2026 marked a clear shift in the automotive industry’s priorities. With demand for electric vehicles (EVs) softening and regulatory and cost pressures mounting, automakers and suppliers used the CES tech conference to emphasize automotive technology like artificial intelligence (AI) rather than electrification. Their focus moved to so-called physical and context-aware AI—systems that interpret real-world conditions in real time—positioning cars as software-defined vehicles rather than ...

Automotive component suppliers demonstrated resilience during the first nine months of 2025 (January–September), navigating a period of moderating top-line growth while effectively enhancing profitability, compared to the strong performance in the corresponding period of 2024. While overall revenue growth decelerated from the double-digit pace observed earlier, the industry managed to expand its collective operating margins, reflecting a strong focus on operational efficiencies and cost manage...

The automotive industry faces renewed turbulence as the Nexperia chip shortage disrupts supply chains already strained since the 2021–2022 crisis. While the industry is only now closing out the latest shortage episode linked to Nexperia components, a more disruptive challenge is emerging: a potential shortage of automotive DRAM chips beginning in the first quarter of 2026. Suppliers are increasingly reallocating wafer capacity toward high bandwidth memory (HBM) for AI data centers, where profi...

The automotive industry is undergoing a profound transformation driven by rapid technological advancements. At the forefront of this evolution are mobility startups, which are pioneering innovations across domains such as software-defined vehicles (SDVs), autonomous driving and battery technologies. S&P Global Mobility recently published the "AutoTechInsight Mobility Startups Report - H1 2025," highlighting the major trends in the automotive startup ecosystem, by analyzing data from appro...

Most vehicles are static past their first manufacture, aside from occasional map, infotainment or telematics updates. Additionally, most of the available software updates need to be performed by a service center or through a home computer with a USB drive or SD card, reducing the success rate of the update across fleets. This is where over-the-air (OTA) updates come into play. OTA updates allow automakers to remotely deliver software patches, new features, performance upgrades and security fi...

ByteDance’s Volcano Engine held its FORCE annual conference in Beijing during June 11–12. As an industry event focusing on cutting-edge fields including AI, machine learning (ML), big data and cloud-native technologies, the conference explored how these core technologies can drive industrial innovation and development. The conference brought together many leading technology companies, experts and scholars, jointly building an open and shared platform aimed at promoting technical exchanges an...

With the support of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (Verband der Automobilindustrie [VDA]), 11 Europe-based automotive companies have entered a pre-competitive cooperation for open-source software development, signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the 29th International Automotive Electronics Congress (AEK). These companies are BMW, Bosch, Continental, ETAS, Forvia, Mercedes-Benz, Qorix, Valeo, Vector Informatik, Volkswagen and ZF. The collaboration involves open-so...

To understand consumer sentiment toward S&P Global Mobility’s technology forecasts, the Connected Car and Consumer Insights research teams conduct an annual consumer survey that serves as a quantitative input to these forecasts. By asking vehicle owners of certain model years a series of questions to gauge activation decisions, subscription lengths and costs, feature desirability and willingness to pay, analysts are able to develop the ‘Feature Desirability & Willingness to Pay’...

Software-defined vehicles are reshaping the automotive landscape, merging technology with connectivity and security. This analysis originally debuted on the Fuel for Thought podcast, where Manuel Tagliavini, Principal Analyst for SDV and Software, engaged in a compelling discussion with moderator Guido Vildozo, Associate Director of Automotive Consulting at S&P Global. Click the link above to download the whole article.

The automotive industry is transforming as vehicles become smarter. Advanced sensors, enhanced communication features, and autonomous driving technologies are reshaping the driving experience and redefining vehicle interiors. This shift has made electronics a major cost factor as manufacturers integrate innovative technologies to meet consumer demands for safety and convenience. A standout development in this evolution is the rise of head-up displays (HUDs), which project critical driver info...

One thing is abundantly clear after the FISITA World Mobility Conference (WMC) last week. Megatrends impact everything. No longer can chassis development, braking, safety validation and so forth stand alone without impact from the broader drive towards electrification, the AI revolution or SDVs, to name a few.  The event’s sessions gave the impression that electrification is already baked into the industry, particularly in Europe where the debate on (regulation-pushed) direction is ...

The automotive sector is experiencing a seismic shift, with software-defined vehicles (SDVs) leading the charge. These vehicles use advanced software to improve functionality, enabling features such as over-the-air updates and real-time data analytics. While this shift aims to enhance user experience, it also presents challenges, especially in integrating new technologies into existing organizational frameworks. In this interview with S&P Global Mobility, Henry Bzeih, chief software offic...

The biennial Auto Shanghai 2025 has emerged as a showcase for an array of technologies that blend hardware with software, effectively blurring the lines of traditional automotive classifications. Over the last decade, the event has matured into a pivotal global stage for both local debuts and international launches. Yet, the conspicuous absence of several key brands suggests a potential transformation within the industry. For the first time since 2002, major Korean automakers Hyundai, Kia, an...

Hyundai Motor Group introduced its new mobility software brand Pleos at its 2025 developer conference held on March 28, marking a pivotal shift toward becoming a mobility technology company. Pleos, combining the Greek word "pleo" for "more" and OS for operating system, is designed to support autonomous movement and smart management of all mobile devices, connecting transportation and infrastructure to create a more efficient mobility environment. Specifically, Pleos aims to enhance the i...

As part of the shift to software-defined vehicles (SDVs), cloud computing has become a strategic extension of the vehicle-embedded systems computing. As a part of the cloud ecosystem, a collection of components work together to create a comprehensive experience for end vehicle users. These components include telematics, connectivity, infotainment, remote control and monitoring, software and firmware updates, data analytics, cybersecurity, and autonomous and connected features. The goal of an ...

AI is now a necessity in the automotive industry. From autonomous driving systems that promise seamless travel to in-cabin technologies that personalize our journeys, AI has become  a catalyst for accelerating the integration of new revolutionary technologies into vehicles. Until recently, there had been a prevailing notion that developing leading-edge large language models (LLMs) require significant technical and financial resources. That notion, however, stands disrupted now by a Chine...

The automotive industry is transforming as it faces sustainability pressures and must adapt to changing market dynamics. Recently, the focus on sustainability has intensified due to regulatory requirements, consumer demand for greener products and the urgent need to combat climate change. The S&P Global Mobility 2025 Supplier Outlook highlights the sustainability practices being adopted across the automotive supply chain. The growing pressure for sustainability Luz Mauch, executive vic...

The automotive industry is rapidly evolving, shaped by shifting consumer preferences and economic pressures. Suppliers must be agile and proactive, swiftly responding to consumer demands while balancing production costs and profitability in a fiercely competitive market. The S&P Global Mobility 2025 Supplier Outlook emphasizes the need for suppliers to tackle these market changes head-on. Consumer behavior in flux Economic factors are key in shaping how consumers behave. In turn, these...

In an era where vehicles are as much about software as they are about steel, partnering has become essential rather than just beneficial. It is the powerhouse driving advancements in connected vehicles, autonomous driving innovations and sustainable practices within the automotive industry. However, collaboration in this sector can be a double-edged sword; while it sparks innovation, it also presents challenges. Cultural clashes, intellectual property dilemmas and the need for agility in respons...

The automotive industry is grappling with a myriad of supply chain disruptions that have become increasingly common since the pandemic struck. In addition to Brexit complexities, rising material costs, natural disasters, geopolitical tensions and economic instability are forcing companies to rethink their logistics and sourcing strategies on the fly. While improvements are anticipated in the global car chip shortage, challenges persist. As Nimish Ashar, associate director of E/E & Semicon...

As the automotive industry evolves, suppliers must prioritize regulatory compliance due to stricter environmental laws linked to climate change. Investing in new technologies is essential to avoid penalties and enhance competitiveness. We examine the regulatory challenges facing suppliers and share insights from industry executives in S&P Global Mobility’s 2025 Automotive Supplier Outlook. Regulatory pressures: A catalyst for change Automotive suppliers are facing numerous challenges...

The European automotive supply industry is currently grappling with a severe labor shortage, exacerbated by record attrition levels that have plagued it over the past few years. This alarming situation has led to job losses that surpass even the darkest days of the pandemic. Despite optimistic forecasts for new job creation, the reality reveals a staggering net loss of nearly 56,000 positions since 2020, with the worst yet to come, according to The European Association of Automotive Suppliers (C...

According to S&P Global Mobility, the average age of cars and light trucks in the United States is now 12.6 years, and software obsolescence is a pressing challenge for Original Equipment Manufacturers. To stay competitive in the software-defined vehicle landscape, OEMs must ensure their vehicles are future-proof; this means designing telematics control units (TCUs) that easily upgrade from 4G to 5G and incorporate satellite communications for high-bandwidth, low-latency connections. Over...

Amid escalating trade tensions, US President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on key industries with a series of executive orders, ordering a review of US trade agreements and signaling further tariffs on automotive, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. With a potential 25% tariff on all imported vehicles and new steel and aluminum tariffs set to take effect on March 12, 2025, the automotive sector faces mounting uncertainty. With the rise of software-defined cars, semiconductor content p...

Among the many product unveilings and demonstrations held at the CES 2025 last month, an important announcement was made in the realm of software-defined vehicles (SDV) when Karma Automotive announced a collaboration with Intel Corporation for joint development of an SDV architecture that is expected to underpin Karma’s future electric vehicle models. First to potentially utilize the new architecture will be the Karman Kaveya super coupe, due out in 2026, followed by the production version of ...

Since his inauguration as US President last month, Donald Trump has been throwing caution to the rulebooks. Automotive industry stakeholders, both local and global, wait and watch for the many implications to unfold as President Trump brings key national issues to the fore—perceived security threats from mainland Chinese automakers and technology companies; environmental policy, particularly as it relates to vehicle emissions, infrastructure spending and safety regulations; and trade policy, a...

The software-defined vehicle or simply SDV is the new buzzword in the automotive industry and the recently concluded CES 2025 show was no different. As drivers today expect their vehicles to be fully integrated into their digital lives, the SDV is helping enable new connectivity, automation, and personalization features come alive. This trend of software increasingly shaping the customer experience and even the specification of the hardware in some cases makes new business models and types of co...

Vehicles and cities are getting smarter and more connected than ever. As stakeholders across the mobility and industrial ecosystem rewire to become software-enabled enterprises, the concept of software-defined vehicles or SDVs has gained much attention. The recently concluded Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas bore a testament to this. The software-defined vehicle was one of the buzzwords at the annual event this year, which lived up to its promise of being a proving ground for brea...

On Dec. 23, 2024, leading Japanese carmakers Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to further ongoing discussions for establishing a joint holding company, overarching the Honda and Nissan brands. While the merger could create the world’s third-largest vehicle manufacturer by sales, Nissan and Honda expect that the revenue of a joint holding company could exceed ¥30 trillion ($192.66 billion) with a 10% operating profit margin. This level of profit...

As we approach the end of 2024, our Talking Heads series delves into conversations with the practice leads at AutoTechInsight. The aim is to explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in their respective domains. In 2024, the automotive sector faced a series of challenges that tested its adaptability. Supply chain disruptions, coupled with declining raw material costs like lithium, added to these difficulties. Amidst these challenges, manufacturers began pivoting toward plug-in h...