Stellantis today announced a multi-year agreement with Amazon that will see the companies trade expertise. Amazon will develop new in-car technology while the automaker will provide it with battery-electric delivery vehicles.
The two companies will collaborate on a range of topics, but at the center of the deal is a new infotainment system set to launch in 2024. The “STLA SmartCockpit” will run in millions of Stellantis vehicles globally and will be a “software-defined platform” capable of over-the-air updates, AI-enhanced apps, Alexa-enabled voice assistance, e-commerce, and more.
Moreover, using Amazon products that are purpose-built for vehicles, Stellantis will have the ability to develop brand- and vehicle-specific apps and features.
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For example, the automaker suggests that a Chrysler Pacifica could offer a family trip planner that recommends songs, points of interest, restaurants, and other fun stops along the way. A Jeep, meanwhile, could come with a digital off-road coach to help drivers calibrate their vehicle and performance.
The STLA SmartCockpit would, of course, integrate Amazon’s smart home products, allowing customers with both to manage their home on the go or vice versa. An owner could set the temperature in their car before leaving the kitchen and could also set the temperature in their home during their commute.
“We’re excited to collaborate with Stellantis to transform the automotive industry and re-invent the in-vehicle experience,” said Amazon CEO Andy Jassy. “We are inventing solutions that will help enable Stellantis to accelerate connected and personalized in-vehicle experiences so that every moment in motion can be smart, safe, and tailored to each occupant.”
Stellantis adds that the SmartCockpit team will work with Mobile Drive, the joint venture formed by Stellantis and Foxconn last year. Its work with Amazon will also extend beyond simple infotainment. Amazon will be the automaker’s preferred cloud provider, and the companies will develop cloud-enabled infrastructure for vehicles platforms. Additionally, Stellantis will move its vehicle data pipeline across its brands and geographies into a cloud-based system allowing computer engineers to collaborate better and work faster.
The automaker also announced today that Amazon will be the first customer for its new Ram ProMaster Battery Electric Vehicle. Set to launch in 2023 and designed with input from the tech company, the vehicle will facilitate last-mile deliveries across the United States. Together, Amazon and Stellantis will put thousands of the vehicles on the road every year.
