...
. Udo Hänle, BMW's Head of production strategy is quoted in
(feb 20) Automotive News Europestory as saying, "In our view, market forecasts are too uncertain to warrant inflexible, electro-only platforms."
...
Admittedly emulating Tesla, VW has moved to consolidate the functionality of dozens of ECUs (and
multiple electronic architectures) into a small set of central servers running its
own core operating system/middleware to create a
better separation of hardware from software development, which can reduce the complexity of producing both. It also allows VW to more easily add or update software-driven vehicle features, including software from open source suppliers rather than only from its traditional supplier base.
Another reason VW chose to build its own OS instead of using something like Google's Android OS (which
Ford and
GM are doing) is to keep tight control over vehicle data that can be monetized in the future. VW believes that it will generate "
triple-digit-millions" in sales in the future through selling customized services,
like offering autonomous driving on a pay-per-use basis. It envisions customers would be willing to pay 7 euros per hour for the capability.