Automakers are hunting for partners as they look to reinvent the vehicle cockpit. Stellantis, for example, is working with Foxconn on a 50-50 joint venture announced last year.
Called Mobile Drive, the venture is focused on technologies that bring connected content into the car to improve infotainment, telematics and cloud service features. That means using artificial intelligence, 5G communications, over-the-air upgrades and e-commerce.
The deal makes sense for Stellantis because it gets to use its vehicle design and engineering know-how to develop tomorrow's in-car software with a consumer electronics company that has plenty of experience with smart mobile devices. Foxconn, which assembles the Apple iPhone, offers an avenue for the consumer electronics giant to become more involved with vehicles.
Mobile Drive also promises to realize some development and technology by vertically integrating supply chains. Foxconn and Stellantis previously partnered in the development of the futuristic Airflow Vision concept car.
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