Volvo and Daimler Team Up on Coretura Software Venture to Revolutionize Truck Tech and Slash Costs
European truck giants Volvo Group and Daimler Truck are joining forces to develop a software-defined vehicle (SDV) platform through a new joint venture called Coretura. The initiative, announced Tuesday, aims to reduce production costs, minimise dependency on external suppliers, and reshape the future of commercial vehicle technology.
The venture reflects a broader trend in the automotive and logistics industries, where manufacturers are striving to enhance digital capabilities while managing expenses amid tightening margins and supply chain pressures.
“We’re looking at how we can move from our current reality, where we are very much dependent on our suppliers, which drives both cost and sometimes timelines, and instead looking at what’s the next generation of software we need to bring to the vehicle,” said Karin Rådström, CEO of Daimler Trucks.
What Is Coretura?
Coretura will be based in Gothenburg, Sweden, and begin operations with around 50 employees. The joint venture’s mission is to build a scalable SDV architecture that decouples software from hardware, allowing greater control, faster innovation, and lower costs across product lifecycles.
Key goals include:
- Creating a standardized software platform for commercial trucks
- Reducing long-term reliance on third-party tech suppliers
- Supporting sustainability, productivity, and vehicle safety through smarter systems
- Launching initial connectivity platform deliveries by 2027, with broader rollouts by the end of the decade
Driving the Future of Software-Defined Vehicles
Coretura is expected to become a cornerstone in the digital transformation of heavy-duty transport, aligning with industry-wide shifts toward connected, autonomous, and energy-efficient vehicles.
“Everything in the vehicle industry is very much oriented around software and controlled by software,” said Johan Lundén, the newly appointed CEO of Coretura and a veteran from Volvo. He emphasized the vital role of software in achieving sustainability and safety goals across global fleets.
A Strategic Alliance Between Long-time Rivals
Though traditionally competitors, Volvo Group and Daimler Truck have a growing history of collaboration. In recent years, the companies have partnered on various future mobility technologies, including
- Charging infrastructure development
- Hydrogen fuel cell systems
- Battery technology innovation
The Coretura initiative is the latest in these cooperative ventures, signalling a shift toward shared platforms and industry standards in the pursuit of long-term viability and innovation in commercial transport.
What This Means for the Trucking Industry
As truck manufacturers and fleet operators push for smarter, more connected vehicles, the Coretura project could reshape the competitive landscape. By offering an industry-standard SDV platform, Volvo and Daimler aim to empower OEMs to deliver high-tech vehicles faster, cheaper, and with more agility than current legacy systems allow. The result? A more efficient, sustainable, and digitally advanced trucking ecosystem worldwide.
