European truck manufacturers Volvo Group and Daimler Truck have officially launched Coretura, a joint venture designed to revolutionise the commercial vehicle industry through a software-defined vehicle platform.

Headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, Coretura aims to lower costs and reduce supplier dependency by developing a standardised operating system for trucks, addressing the growing digitalisation of the sector.

The venture will enable Volvo Group, Daimler Truck, and future customers to deploy autonomous and customised digital applications for their vehicles. Traditionally, vehicle development has tightly integrated software and hardware, requiring physical component changes for updates. Coretura seeks to decouple these cycles, allowing software to evolve independently and making trucks more adaptable and upgradeable over time.

To achieve this, Coretura will manage high-performance centralised control units capable of processing vast amounts of data. These units will act as the vehicle’s "brain," enhancing coordination and optimising performance. Additionally, over-the-air updates will let truck operators install new digital applications, security patches, and efficiency upgrades remotely, eliminating the need for service centre visits.

The company begins operations with around 50 employees and plans to adopt a collaborative co-development approach with its customers. Its first products are expected to launch in vehicles by the end of the decade.

Coretura will be led by an executive management team of four members, with two representatives from each shareholder. Johan Lundén, formerly responsible for strategic product planning, project management, and innovation at Volvo Group, has been appointed chief executive officer.

Karin Rådström, chief executive officer of Daimler Truck, highlighted the venture’s strategic focus on advancing software for commercial vehicles. "Together, we are shaping the digital future of trucks and buses, making them smarter, more connected, and more efficient than ever before."

Martin Lundstedt, chief executive officer of Volvo Group, added: "This venture reflects our commitment to not only enhancing our products but also driving sustainable and intelligent transport solutions."

Volvo Group and Daimler Truck signed joint venture agreements on 28 October 2024 and confirmed on Tuesday that all necessary regulatory approvals have been secured. The companies emphasised that they will remain competitors, continuing to differentiate their product and service offerings, including their respective digital solutions.

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