AUTOSAR Partnership Announces New Leadership and Core Partners, Strengthening Its Role in the Software-Defined Vehicle Ecosystem

AUTOSAR: Building on a Foundation, Driving into the Future

(IN BRIEF) AUTOSAR begins 2026 by welcoming DENSO, Huawei and Vector Informatik as new Core Partners, reinforcing its collaborative foundation amid rapid automotive industry transformation. Despite broader market consolidation, the partnership remains focused on advancing standardized software architectures, supporting Software-Defined Vehicle initiatives, and leading the next phase of automotive innovation under a newly appointed leadership team.

(PRESS RELEASE) MUNICH, 12-Jan-2026— /EuropaWire/ —As the new year begins, it marks a time for reflection, gratitude, and focused optimism for the future. The automotive industry is undergoing a period of dramatic and accelerated transformation, impacting organizations of all sizes. Within this dynamic landscape, the AUTOSAR partnership remains a cornerstone of collaborative innovation, with its strength derived from a collective commitment to progress.

New Core Partners

The AUTOSAR partnership is pleased to welcome three longstanding contributors to the AUTOSAR community into the Core Partner circle: DENSO Corporation, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd, and Vector Informatik GmbH. The partnership looks forward to leveraging their expertise and vision as it navigates the road ahead.

Navigating Change with a Strong Foundation

The current transformation of the automotive industry is accompanied by considerable economic pressures that are being felt by companies of all sizes. Reflecting these general market dynamics, the AUTOSAR partnership is experiencing consolidation within its community for the first time. It is understood that this requires partners to make difficult strategic decisions.

The partnership would like to express its deepest gratitude to those valued members who have refocused their efforts or ceased their business activities. Their contributions to date have left a lasting mark and have been instrumental in building the solid foundation on which AUTOSAR stands today. At the same time, sincere thanks are extended to all partners who remain steadfast in their commitment. Their dedication to pushing the evolution of AUTOSAR standards amidst these challenges is what drives the collective mission forward.

This natural consolidation strengthens the enduring determination and commitment of the AUTOSAR partnership and unites us with a common goal as it moves forward together.

A Confident Outlook Built on Partnership

Looking forward, the AUTOSAR partnership is poised to not only adapt but to lead. With pivotal initiatives like the new AUTOSAR CAPI project and an active commitment to global Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) activities, the partnership collectively equipped to shape this new era. As emphasized in its recent white paper, AUTOSAR’s success is a direct result of the dedication and contributions of every partner. Together, the partnership will continue to deliver the robust standardization that the industry relies on.

Introducing the New AUTOSAR Leadership

Guiding the partnership through this next chapter is its newly appointed AUTOSAR Chairperson Team: Thomas Rüping (Bosch) as Chairperson, Ralf Schneider (Mercedes-Benz) as Deputy Chairperson, Christian Nickl (AUMOVIO) as Speaker of the Project Leader Team, and Joachim Langenwalter as Spokesperson. Their leadership will be vital in steering the collaboration towards continued relevance and impact.

The spirit of AUTOSAR, the collaboration, openness, and technical excellence, has never been more critical. As the partnership enters the New Year, it is energized by a strengthened coalition and a unified resolve to master the future of mobility, together.

About AUTOSAR (AUTomotive Open System ARchitecture)

AUTOSAR (AUTomotive Open System ARchitecture) is a global partnership of leading companies in the automotive and software industry to develop and establish the standardized technical framework enabling scalable E/E system architectures for intelligent mobility. Since 2003, they have been working on the development and introduction of several open, standardized software platforms including the joining methodology for the automotive industry. By simplifying replacement and update for software and hardware, the AUTOSAR approach forms the foundation for reliably controlling the growing complexity of electronic and software systems in today’s and future vehicles. As AUTOSAR is open to new features in the Automotive area it will continuously adapt the standards. In addition, AUTOSAR improves cost efficiency and quality by enabling its partners to cooperate in a competitive way but on the same solution. The “Core Partners” of AUTOSAR are the AUMOVIO Germany GmbH, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Robert Bosch GmbH, DENSO Corporation, General Motors, Huawei Technologies Co., Mercedes-Benz AG, Toyota Motor Corporation, Vector Informatik GmbH, and the Volkswagen AG, Ltd. The AUTOSAR partnership of over 300 partners play an important role in the success of the partnership and can use the standards free of charge.

Website: www.autosar.org

Media contact:

AUTOSAR
Connunication Support
Niederfeldstrasse 18
85413 Hörgertshausen
Germany
comm.support@autosar.org

SOURCE: AUTOSAR