Amazon and Stellantis Group Collaborate to Introduce Customer-Centric Connected Experiences Across Millions of Vehicles

On the sidelines of a major electronics fair in Las Vegas, the two groups announced several agreements, which will see them collaborate on the development of software for vehicle interior and data storage.

Automakers have been multiplying similar alliances with technology companies to equip their increasingly electric and connected vehicles. Ford announced a partnership with Google, for the ‘cloud’ and its vehicles; Renault had already associated with Google; and Microsoft has understandings with Volkswagen and GM, for autonomous driving projects.

Stellantis, born in 2021 from the merger of Peugeot-Citroen and Fiat-Chrysler, will transfer to Amazon’s AWS servers all the information from its vehicles, on which it expects demand to soar with 5G technology and autonomous driving applications.

The group will also develop, with Amazon, the software for what it calls the ‘Smart cockpit’, an electronic platform that will be integrated inside its vehicles from 2024, the two groups specified.

This partnership adds to a joint venture with Foxconn, from Taiwan, which designs this ‘smart cockpit’ and electronic microchips with Stellantis.

“Amazon and Stellantis will develop a series of computer products and services seamlessly integrated into users’ digital universe, with ‘over-the-air’ updates that will add value over time.”

Amazon x Stellantis Statement

Each of the 14 Stellantis brands, including Alfa Romeo, Dodge and Opel, will propose different “experiences” in the cockpit, explained the Stellantis leaders during a press conference in Las Vegas.

The ‘Smart cockpit’ includes Amazon voice assistance, GPS guidance, vehicle maintenance management, online shopping platforms and payment services.

“The experience can be fully customized, or disabled if needed,” advanced Ned Curic, an ex-Amazon man who is now Stellantis’ chief technology officer. The information collected belongs to the driver.

Customers of Amazon’s security services and ‘smart home’ will be able to monitor and manage their home while traveling. They will also be able to remotely regulate their car’s temperature using Alexa or their smartphone.

For its part, Amazon, which is already a customer of Stellantis, will order “thousands” of electric vehicles “per year” from it starting in 2023 through RAM, its US utility brand.

No financial details about the operation were revealed, but Stellantis’ CEO, Carlos Tavares, assured that it was “a very balanced partnership”.

Stellantis has provided tens of thousands of Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) to Amazon since 2018 to support its last mile operations in North America and Europe with vehicles including Ram ProMaster, Fiat Ducato, and Peugeot and Citroën LCVs.