The Dispatch: Week 10
China tightens grip on OTA updates. EU pushes OEMs to share vehicle data. GM appoints first-ever Chief AI Officer. Work Truck Week shows off an EV surge with 12 new electric test drives.
HAPPY FRIDAY! Today is March 7, 2025. Spring is around the corner, and Daylight Saving Time kicks in for many of us this Sunday, March 9. It's also time for your weekly dose of SDV insights by SDVInsider.com. Let's dive into the latest happenings shaping the Software-Defined Vehicle landscape.
🚀 Top Story
Regulators Tighten the Reins on OTA Updates and Vehicle Data
Editor’s Note: While the proposed U.S. 25% auto import tariffs have dominated the headlines (again), the 30-day reprieve from the U.S. administration gives us some breathing room before diving back into that saga. Instead, we’re turning our attention to interesting developments on vehicle OTA updates and data sharing—our top story of the week: regulatory crackdowns in China and the EU that could reshape how automakers handle software updates and data access.
In China 🇨🇳 a new regulatory mandate requires automakers to obtain government approval for over-the-air (OTA) software upgrades related to autonomous driving features. The move aims to prevent companies from using OTA updates to bypass safety regulations or conceal defects. Automakers must also halt the sale and production of defective vehicles immediately and report any system failures.
This approach parallels global efforts to regulate vehicle software updates, such as the EU's WP.29 framework, which set cybersecurity and software update standards for automakers. However, China’s rules go a step further by requiring direct government oversight before updates are deployed, signaling a stricter regulatory stance on autonomous driving and OTA update technology.
Meanwhile, in Europe 🇪🇺 the European Commission is proposing new legislation that would force automakers to grant third-party service providers—including insurers, repair shops, and leasing firms—access to vehicle data. The goal is to create a fairer, more competitive ecosystem for car maintenance and connected services, challenging the current OEM-dominated landscape.
Our Take 👉 Regulators are stepping in, and automakers aren’t going to like it. China is tightening control over OTA updates, requiring government approval for autonomous software changes, while the EU wants OEMs to share vehicle data with third parties. Automakers want full control, but regulators see risks in monopolization and safety gaps. The battle over software and data is heating up, and the SDV landscape could change fast:
🚗 The End of the Wild West for OTA Updates?
OTA updates have been a game-changer, allowing automakers to patch security flaws, refine autonomous features, and roll out new subscription-based services. But does China’s crackdown signal a shift? Governments don’t want OTA updates to become a regulatory loophole. The approval process could slow down innovation, particularly for companies relying on iterative software improvements. That said, it could also force automakers to be more rigorous in validating updates before deployment, improving long-term reliability.
📊 Who Owns the Data? The EU Thinks It’s Not Just OEMs
Automakers have long argued that keeping vehicle data within their ecosystems is necessary for security, safety, and monetization. But the EU’s new push could disrupt this, opening the door for independent service providers to create new business models. If this legislation passes, we could see a wave of startups and tech firms offering competitive alternatives to OEM-run software and services—everything from predictive maintenance to insurance pricing based on real-world driving behavior.
💰 The Business Model Shake-Up
For SDV-focused automakers, these regulatory moves present both risk and opportunity. On one hand, tighter OTA restrictions (especially in China, the world’s largest car market) could make software-driven revenue models harder to scale. On the other, forced data-sharing in the EU could accelerate the growth of new SDV-related services, making connected vehicles even more integral to the digital economy.
👀 What We’re Tracking
GM Appoints Chief AI Officer to Drive Autonomous Ambitions
General Motors has appointed its first-ever Chief AI Officer, Barak Turovsky—who previously held roles at Cisco and Google—signaling GM’s strategic move to integrate AI across its operations and vehicles. This role demonstrates GM's commitment to advancing autonomous driving technologies and enhancing in-vehicle AI capabilities.
Our Take 👉 GM just made a big AI move—expect other automakers to follow. Appointing a Chief AI Officer signals how serious they are about integrating AI across autonomous driving and in-car tech. By centralizing AI leadership, GM is setting itself up to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving SDV space.
DeepSeek Expands AI Integration from EVs to E-Scooters in China
DeepSeek AI is making waves in 🇨🇳 China’s transport sector, expanding from luxury EVs to e-scooters. Major automakers like BYD, Geely, and Great Wall are integrating DeepSeek’s AI for autonomous features, but now, budget-friendly 🛵 e-scooter brands are also adopting its models to enhance safety, navigation, and energy efficiency. This shift is expected to bring AI-driven mobility to a much broader audience, particularly in China’s densely populated cities.
Our Take 👉 AI isn’t just for luxury EVs anymore—now it’s hitting e-scooters. DeepSeek’s expansion into budget-friendly two-wheelers shows how AI-driven mobility is scaling fast. Smarter navigation, better safety, and more efficient rides? Sounds like a win for packed city streets and the future of urban transport.
📰 Industry Pulse
ZM Trucks Partners with Sibros for Data and Fleet Analytics: ZM Trucks has selected Sibros to power its data and fleet analytics cloud platform for zero-emission commercial vehicles, aiming to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability.
“By partnering with Sibros, we’re taking our vehicles to the next level by transforming them into intelligent, data-driven assets that optimize fleet performance, enhance customer service, and reduce operational costs.”—Joost de Vries, CEO - ZO Motors North America.
Infineon Announces Automotive RISC-V MCU Family: Infineon has introduced a new family of automotive microcontrollers based on the RISC-V architecture, offering enhanced performance and flexibility for automotive applications.
Wayve Accelerates Global Expansion: UK-based autonomous driving start-up Wayve is rapidly expanding internationally after securing over $1 billion from investors, testing vehicles in Germany, the US, and soon Japan.
BYD's 'God's Eye' ADAS Raises Eyebrows: BYD, China's largest EV maker, introduced its advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) "God's Eye" across multiple vehicle tiers, including their affordable Seagull hatchback. While this move democratizes access to ADAS, experts question the system's true capabilities, drawing parallels to Tesla's often-criticized Full Self-Driving (FSD) system.
Volvo Unveils ES90 EV: Volvo announced its new ES90 EV, built on the SPA2 platform (their “Superset tech stack”), featuring Nvidia Orin processors for advanced AI-powered safety and battery management. Volvo claims the ES90 will boast up to 434 miles of range, rapid 800V charging (186 miles in 10 min) and up to 670 horsepower.
“The Volvo ES90 joins the EX90 SUV as one of our flagship models and cements our position as an industry leader in software-defined cars that harness the power of core computing.”—Jim Rowan, CEO - Volvo Cars.
🚚 Special Update: Work Truck Week 2025
Work Truck Week 2025, held from March 4–7 in Indianapolis, wrapped up with key advancements in commercial vehicle technology, particularly in electrification and software integration.
Some key updates related to industry’s push into SDV products included:
Work Truck Week Ride & Drive featured 12 ⚡ electric-powered ⚡ vehicles out of 20 total, showcasing the industry's EV momentum. Participants tested models from Ford, Rivian, Bollinger, REE Automotive, Workhorse and more, highlighting advancements in last-mile delivery, fleet electrification, and by-wire technology.
Blue Bird Corporation introduced a propane-powered Class 5-6 stripped chassis and an electric step van, both designed to enhance fuel efficiency and safety.
Terex Utilities announced a new zero-emissions bucket truck, developed in collaboration with Mack Trucks, offering improved range and payload capacity for the electric utility sector. ntea.com
REE Automotive debuted its first U.S.-certified, fully by-wire P7-C electric truck at Work Truck Week 2025, offering test drives and highlighting its x-by-wire system for enhanced maneuverability. The P7-C is eligible for up to $60,000 in California HVIP incentives.
📅 Events & Webinars
What's Driving Automotive Software Development in 2025?
On April 30, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM CET, Perforce experts will discuss key findings from their annual State of Automotive Development Report. The webinar will cover current trends and emerging concerns in the automotive industry, focusing on software quality, functional safety compliance, and the integration of artificial intelligence in autonomous vehicle design. This session offers valuable insights for professionals navigating the evolving landscape of automotive software development.
👉 Register Here
✅ That’s a Wrap!
That’s all for this week’s SDV Insider Dispatch! What trends are on your radar? Reply and let us know or email us at editor@sdvinsider.com.
See you next week!
🚗 SDV Insider Staff