Toyota and Nissan Join Forces to Standardize Automotive Electronic Software

Standardizing Software Would Reduce Costs that Are Currently 10 Times that of a Decade Ago

What is one way for automakers to reduce costs and end up with higher quality, more reliable new vehicles in the end? Standardize

Standardized and shared componentry just makes sense in the highly competitive automotive industry where quality and reliability standards are a major concern. (Photo: Toyota Canada)

and then share common componentry.

The concept has been used in motorsport in order to reduce the costs rival teams incur readying cars for the racetrack, and even considered by the highest priced and most competitive of all auto sport series', F1, so why not share technologies between volume car manufacturers?

The fact is it's already happening. Automakers might assemble cars, and build major components such as engines and body panels, but suppliers such as Johnson Controls and Magna produce entire interiors, electronic

Toyota Motor Corp. and Nissan Motor Co. will combine forces to set up an international standard for software that runs new vehicle electronic systems. (Photo: Nissan Canada)

systems, and just about everything else that makes up a new automobile, to the automakers specifications and tolerances of course.

But what if the automakers got together and allowed the suppliers to build common parts. It would save money due to economies of scale, and would most likely result in a better made, more reliable end product.

That is exactly the thinking behind auto giants Toyota Motor Corp. and Nissan Motor Co., who will combine forces to cut costs and set up an international standard for software that runs new vehicle electronic systems.