GM, Magna, and Wipro Join Hands To Develop B2B Automotive Software Marketplace ‘SDVerse’

General Motors (GM), Magna, and Wipro teamed up to develop a B2B sales platform for buying and selling automotive software

• SDVerse serves as a ‘matchmaking’ platform between buyers and sellers of embedded automotive software
• Focuses on matching automotive software buyers and sellers, over captive software development
• The digital platform increases transparency and reduces inefficiencies in software development and procurement
• Ampere*, FEV, Forvia, HL Mando, NXP Semiconductors, TTTech Auto, and Valeo lead a “Launch Partner” group supporting SDVerse
• Prashant Gulati has been named CEO of the new SDVerse organization effective March 5th, 2024

General Motors (GM), global automotive supplier Magna, and leading technology services and consulting company Wipro Limited, have teamed up to develop a B2B sales platform for buying and selling automotive software. The platform, called SDVerse, aims to revolutionize the automotive software sourcing and procurement process by providing a matchmaking platform for buyers and sellers of embedded automotive software.

Unlike the traditional captive software development approach, SDVerse focuses on connecting automotive software buyers and sellers through a transparent and efficient digital platform. Sellers can list their software’s features and attributes, while buyers can easily search and explore the available software products through a comprehensive catalogue.

Sales and purchases can be connected directly through the platform, offering a seamless experience for all participants. SDVerse is currently in development and expected to feature hundreds of automotive software products, and participants from across the automotive value chain are invited to join. In addition to the founding members, an exclusive “Launch Partner” group is already in place led by Ampere*, FEV, Forvia, HL Mando, NXP Semiconductors, TTTech Auto, and Valeo.

Prashant Gulati has been named CEO of SDVerse effective March 5th, 2024. Prashant has more than two decades of experience launching and leading automotive organizations and is a thought leader in software technology, maximizing the potential of emerging technologies, such as AI, in the automotive industry.

“The market for automotive software is expected to nearly double this decade, potentially outpacing the growth of software development talent pools,” said Harmeet Chauhan, Global Head Wipro Engineering Edge, Wipro Limited. “The current paradigm for software sourcing will likely not be able to overcome this growing gap without sacrificing both profitability and the auto industry’s aspirations for software defined vehicles. SDVerse addresses these pain points, offering a wide range of benefits across the industry.”

“Automotive grade software development is rapidly transforming, and we all need to ask ourselves how we get customers really unique differentiating features faster. Part of that is identifying the common underlying code that can be shared in the name of higher quality and lower costs for our end customers,” said Dan Nicholson, Vice President, Strategic Technology Initiatives, General Motors. “This first-ever software marketplace creates an independent, industry-driven one-stop-shop for embedded systems software, significantly expanding access to new innovations, helping to drive down cost, and allowing companies like GM to implement critical software more quickly.”

‪Potential key subscriber benefits of SDVerse include:‬‬‬

• Reduced cost, time, and complexity, by eliminating duplication of efforts, enabling reuse of already-developed software, and allowing higher economies of scale by bundling software orders through multiple clients.
• Higher quality of software, which has already undergone increased cycles of testing and validation. Additionally, the free-market approach improves customer vehicle quality through competition.
• Improved resource allocation, which allows OEMs and suppliers to deploy engineering resources to innovate in areas that improve and differentiate driver and passenger experiences, and minimize time spent ‘reinventing the wheel’.
• Improved revenue for sellers, through an expanded client base and opportunities to monetize existing IP.
• New approach to software sourcing, allowing companies to source software separately from hardware, and to create an attractive alternative to OEM insourcing of software development.

“Magna’s participation in SDVerse is driven by our ongoing commitment to foster collaboration and drive the automotive industry forward," said Joerg Grotendorst, Senior Vice President, Corporate R&D at Magna. "By embracing this innovative platform, we aim to create a more interconnected ecosystem that encourages OEMs, suppliers, and specialty software developers to collaborate and co-create cutting-edge solutions. SDVerse represents a transformative opportunity to revolutionize software development, sales, and sourcing processes, ultimately accelerating the industry's transition to the software-defined vehicle."

GM, Magna, and Wipro collectively designed and developed SDVerse, which will be governed collaboratively by the founding members. Global strategy consultant Roland Berger has served as the project’s strategic advisor since the program’s inception.

Konstantin Shirokinskiy, Partner, Roland Berger added, “SDVerse offers a blueprint for OEMs and suppliers to address their embedded software needs more efficiently. It frees up scarce software engineering resources required to roll out new differentiated software features, reorganizes development timelines to more quickly develop better SW-enabled vehicles, and ensures software is valued properly. Companies can streamline their operations, becoming more focused, efficient, and profitable.”

On Thursday, April 4th, leaders from GM, Magna and Wipro will participate in a livestream panel discussion to provide further depth and insights into SDVerse. To register and to learn more about SDVerse, visit SDVerse.auto.

*Ampere is the EV and Software pure player of Renault Group.

India’s Largest Battery Swapping Network for Electric 2-Wheelers 'Yuma Energy' Launched By Magna and Yulu

• Yuma Energy, a joint venture between Magna and Yulu, is a tech-driven Energy-as-a-Service company
• Yuma’s Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) network supports Yulu’s fleet and will be avaibale to other OEMs and mobility operators
• Plans to grow from 85 to 500+ stations across the country by end of 2023

Yuma Energy (Yuma), a joint venture between Magna, one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers and Yulu, India’s largest shared electric micro-mobility player, showcased today its next generation battery charging and swapping network for electric two-wheelers in India.

 Yuma has established a network of more than 85 Yuma Stations across Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi, and plans to scale to over 500 stations across multiple cities by the end of 2023. Yuma Stations are densely located in high-demand areas and are equipped with integrated AI-powered charging units that are more connected, efficient, reliable and safe.

The Yuma network will not only support the rapidly growing electric two-wheelers fleet of Yulu but will also be available to other OEMs and mobility operators to enable reliable, convenient and efficient access to battery swapping to their customers.

“We are very excited to see Yuma Energy come to life and contribute to a more sustainable future in urban mobility,” said Matteo Del Sorbo, Magna Executive Vice President and Global Lead for New Mobility. “The launch of Yuma’s BaaS offering in India presents an opportunity for Magna to leverage our core competencies in engineering and manufacturing to capitalize on the rapid growth in the micromobility market globally.”

Amit Gupta, Co-founder & CEO, Yulu said, “This is a very special moment as Yuma Energy starts its journey with the launch of its Battery-as-a-Service network. We are excited to see Yuma Stations support Yulu Mobility’s needs and open up to more OEMs and mobility partners, offering their customers reliable and efficient access to energy.”

Yuma Energy is headquartered in Bengaluru and has approximately 250 employees currently in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Its AI-powered tech stack, supply chain expertise and market understanding give it a unique and competitive position in the BaaS market.

ABOUT YUMA

Yuma is an Energy-as-a-Service company on a mission to build a sustainable future where transportation is accessible, affordable and carbon free. Backed by mobility technology company Magna and India’s largest shared electric micro-mobility player, Yulu, we offer the largest Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform in India for two-wheelers. Our nationwide network of more than 85 swapping stations is helping redefine urban mobility with reliable, convenient and efficient access to energy.

Visit www.yuma.energy or follow us on social to learn how we are making a difference by powering the way people move.