Subaru Targets Software-Defined Vehicles in Late 2020s, Aims to Cut Development Time by 40%

Japan — Subaru Targets Software-Defined Vehicles in Late 2020s, Aims to Cut Development Time by 40%

Japanese automaker Subaru intends to introduce software-defined vehicles in the second half of the 2020s as it works to speed up vehicle development and upgrade its engineering processes.

The company announced on Sunday that it aims to cut development time by approximately 40% through the use of digital simulations and a more integrated process for vehicle design, testing and production preparation.

Subaru outlined the strategy during a briefing at its research centre in Sano City, north of Tokyo. One of the main components is a newly developed integrated electronic control unit (ECU), which the automaker plans to roll out progressively across its vehicle lineup.

Software-defined vehicles depend more extensively on software to control and enhance vehicle functions. Subaru intends to enable over-the-air updates covering driver-assistance systems, automated-driving capabilities and vehicle-performance functions.

These updates could make it possible to improve certain vehicle features after customers have purchased their cars, instead of requiring every modification to be included during manufacturing. The initiative is part of Subaru’s broader push to accelerate development and standardize its electronic systems.

The automaker said it worked with U.S. semiconductor company Advanced Micro Devices to develop the chip used in its integrated ECU.

Subaru also intends to adopt standardized electronic platforms for its electric, hybrid and gasoline-powered vehicles. A common architecture could help coordinate engineering work across different powertrain categories as the company pursues its goal of reducing development time.

The strategy comes as automakers increasingly compete in software development, electronic architecture and the ability to deliver new vehicle features. Faster development cycles could help manufacturers respond more quickly to technological advances and shifts in consumer demand.

However, Subaru has indicated that its plans will differ from Toyota’s software strategy. Although Toyota owns a 21% stake in Subaru, the company said it has no current plans to adopt Toyota’s Arene software platform.

Toyota said on Friday that it expects Arene to be used in 10 million new vehicles annually by 2030. The company also plans to extend the platform to vehicles produced by its alliance partners by 2035.

The contrasting strategies highlight how the two automakers intend to incorporate software into future vehicles. Subaru is developing its own approach to electronic control, while Toyota is preparing to expand Arene across a broader network of vehicles.

Subaru’s transition will require the company to introduce its integrated ECU across its lineup while coordinating software development with vehicle engineering and production preparation.

Its target of reducing development time by approximately 40% represents a major operational objective, but the company has not said that the reduction has already been achieved.

The planned introduction of software-defined vehicles in the latter half of the decade will serve as an important milestone for evaluating the strategy. Subaru will need to demonstrate that its software-focused architecture can accelerate development while supporting vehicles with different powertrain technologies.