Stellantis and Amazon are discontinuing their partnership on the SmartCockpit in-car software project, initially aimed at enhancing the driving experience and showcasing their vehicle-tech capabilities.
Both the firms have mutually decided to wind down their collaboration, reported Reuters.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The SmartCockpit project was intended to integrate Amazon’s technology into vehicles to create a more personalised and connected driving experience.
The project’s termination is emblematic of the challenges traditional automakers face in adopting advanced vehicle software in partnership with Silicon Valley.
A statement from the firms said: “Stellantis remains a valuable partner for Amazon, and the companies continue to work together on a range of initiatives.”
The SmartCockpit project, announced in 2022, was expected to transform Stellantis vehicles into smart, connected environments, offering personalised settings and home automation features.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataThe venture was part of Stellantis’s strategy to compete with electric vehicle leaders like Tesla and BYD, leveraging Amazon’s software prowess.
Stellantis’s former CEO Carlos Tavares had expressed his ambition for the partnership to make their vehicles “the most wanted, most captivating place to be, even when not driving.”
However, Tavares’s abrupt departure last year and Stellantis’s declining stock value, which fell by around 40% in 2024, have marked a period of difficulty for the automaker.
The importance of automotive software has grown significantly, with it controlling various aspects of modern vehicles, including safety features and infotainment systems.
Legacy automakers have been challenged to develop these systems efficiently, often resulting in partnerships or talent acquisition from tech companies.
While the specific reasons for the SmartCockpit project’s end are unclear, both companies have stated that the decision allows them to concentrate on solutions that align with their evolving strategies.
Stellantis, which manages a complex array of models and suppliers, faces greater challenges in software implementation compared to companies with simpler lineups, like Tesla.
The SmartCockpit was part of Stellantis’s broader technological initiative, including the STLA Brain electrical architecture and the Autodrive driver-assistance system.
Despite the end of this partnership, Stellantis will continue to use Amazon Web Services for data storage and updates, and Alexa will remain available in some of its vehicles.
Stellantis may seek alternative operating systems, such as Google’s Android platform, to continue the development of SmartCockpit.
Amazon’s internal team, working on what was known as “Project Quatro,” aimed to compete with Google’s Automotive Services, the prevalent Android-based system used by many automakers.
