Daimler Truck and Volvo Group partner to bring digital standardization to the industry
Daimler Truck and Volvo Group launched Coretura AB, a joint venture that seeks to develop a software-defined vehicle platform and eventually establish standardized hardware and software within the industry. The launch comes just more than a year after the two companies announced the venture in May 2024.
The venture will enable Daimler Truck, Volvo Group, and other future customers to provide differentiating stand-alone digital vehicle applications for their products, according to a press release.
"With Coretura, we are setting a clear strategic focus on software development for commercial vehicles," Karin Rådström, Daimler Truck president and CEO, said in a press release. "This is a big and really exciting step—not just for us, but for the entire industry and our customers."
Based in Gothenburg, Sweden, where Volvo Group is headquartered, Coretura began operations earlier this month with around 50 employees. That number is expected to gradually grow as shareholders "pool resources and invest in accordance with technical progress and achievement of milestones" at Coretura, according to a release.
Coretura aims to launch its first products in vehicles by the end of the decade.
See also: Volvo Group, Daimler Truck plan joint venture for standard digital platform
What is Coretura?
Coretura's mission is to "build the non-differentiating core, a standardized and open software-defined vehicle platform, and a dedicated commercial vehicle operating system," according to the OEMs. Additionally, Cortura will enable the "decoupling of software and hardware development cycles." This will allow customers to purchase and update digital applications wirelessly over the air.
"Coretura represents a natural step forward in the evolution of commercial vehicles," Martin Lundstedt, Volvo Group president and CEO, said in a statement. "By leveraging cutting-edge technology and collaborative innovation, we're setting the stage for a new era of connectivity and efficiency in the industry. This venture underscores our commitment to not only advancing our products but also paving the way for sustainable and intelligent transportation solutions."
Volvo Group and Daimler expect the venture to enhance customer efficiency through collaborative digital technology development, according to a previous FleetOwner article.
A four-member management team will lead Coretura—two individuals from Volvo Group and two from Daimler Truck. Johan Lundén, formerly responsible for Volvo Group's Strategic Product Planning, Project, and Innovation management, will lead the team as CEO.
"This joint venture blends the agility of a start-up with the stability and expertise of our major shareholders," Lundén said. "We are proud and energized to lead the digital transformation in the commercial vehicle industry—backed by strong shareholder support and committed to shaping the industry's future."
While Coretura is a 50/50 joint venture between the two global truck manufacturers, Volvo and Daimler will remain competitors.
See also: How OEMs are reducing electric truck prices
Industry collaboration
This launch adds to the list of many resulting from industry collaborations and partnerships that have taken place within the past few years.
Whether with in-cab technology, engine specifications, propulsion systems, autonomous driving, or more, the industry is rapidly advancing. Rather than navigate the changes alone, prominent industry players have chosen to establish mutually beneficial partnerships.
Daimler and Volvo have already partnered with International, another industry OEM, to establish PACT, a coalition that aims to educate policymakers and advocate for the deployment of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicle fueling within the U.S.
Cellcentric is another Volvo Group and Daimler Truck collaboration effort in Europe. Cellcentric is a fuel cell company developing new technology for the trucking industry.
Stateside, Daimler has also partnered with U.S.-based Paccar—parent company of truck OEMs Peterbilt and Kenworth—and engine manufacturer Cummins to establish an electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant in Mississippi.
Other industry players are also calling for collaboration. Brent Yeagy, CEO of trailer manufacturing company Wabash, said at the Wabash conference last fall that creating superior solutions within the industry requires bringing people and organizations together.
Coretura, while a joint venture between Daimler Truck and Volvo Group, echoes that sentiment, extending an invitation to "new and traditional suppliers and partners" to join it on its mission.
