The age-old notion of the lonely inventor in a basement changing the world with a single invention is still with us – but the reality of today’s partnerships and the huge impact they can make is something else entirely.
As Volvo Group President and CEO, Martin Lundstedt is often heard to say “partnership is the new leadership” – and for Volvo Group this is especially true, as can be seen from the broad range of partnerships and joint ventures we are involved in aimed at discovering new pathways to success and solutions to the challenges society faces.
Shared vision
This broader approach to innovation offers the potential for larger and more immediate impact, as can be seen from Volvo Group’s partnerships and joint ventures.
From academic partnerships, close working relationships with safety institutes and our more than 55,000 global supply partners, Volvo Group also works with its competitors for the greater good, driving innovation and change in areas that benefit not just the industry and our customers, but society itself.
Software-defined
Take the newly minted joint venture with Volvo Group’s competitor Daimler Truck AG, Coretura, as an example. Set to be located in Gothenburg, Sweden, the joint venture will utilize the existing assets and resources of both companies in the development of an industry standard software-defined truck operating system, which will enable faster product updates using standardized hardware, while offering manufacturers the capability to deliver their own flavor of digital services and solution, to suit their customer base and use-cases.
In a similar way Volvo Group, Renault Group and CMA CGM recently launched a new joint venture, Flexis, aimed at developing software-defined vehicle platforms for commercial, last-mile delivery use-cases based on the Google Android OS. The first vehicles are expected to enter production later in 2026, offering a zero-emission solution for urban deliveries.
Propulsion systems
Cespira, another recently launched joint venture between Volvo Group and Westport Fuel Systems is currently working on the delivery of HPDI (High Pressure Direct Injection) fuel system technology that will enable diesel engines to run on a broader range of fuels – from biogas to green hydrogen, directly addressing the regulatory requirements of Euro 7 and US EPA, aimed at further reducing emissions from transport.
In another joint venture called cellcentric, with Daimler Truck AG, Volvo Group is investigating the potential of hydrogen fuel cells for transportation and other use-cases.
Low-carbon and autonomous
In a similar way Volvo Group is working with a variety of partners in the fields of battery testing, hydrogen production, green steel and scrap-based near zero emission steel, and low-carbon materials like recycled plastics for use in products.
With partners such as Aurora and Waabi, Volvo Group’s Autonomous Solutions division is already delivering safe and efficient autonomous freight transport trials on US highways.
Where once such partnerships and joint ventures might have seemed counter intuitive, today’s industry leaders understand that we can make a greater impact when we work together.