GlobalLogic and Elektrobit Step on the SDV Gas

Longtime partners expand alliance to speed software-defined vehicle development and meet tougher safety and cybersecurity standards

24 Feb 2026

The race to shape the software-defined vehicle is picking up speed, and GlobalLogic and Elektrobit are tightening their grip on the wheel. The two companies have expanded a partnership that stretches back about 15 years, aiming to help automakers build software-centric vehicles faster and at global scale.

In today’s car business, software is not a feature bolted onto hardware. It is the nervous system of the vehicle, running infotainment, advanced driver assistance, connectivity, cybersecurity, and over-the-air updates. As automakers push out new digital features while facing tougher safety and cybersecurity rules, the need to simplify and speed up software integration has become urgent.

Elektrobit brings decades of automotive software experience, with platforms already running in millions of vehicles. GlobalLogic, part of the Hitachi Group, adds deep expertise in digital engineering, cloud-native development, and large-scale system integration. Together, they are betting that a blend of stable in-vehicle software and global engineering muscle will give carmakers a practical shortcut through growing complexity.

A major focus of the expanded alliance is compliance. Carmakers must align with evolving global standards such as Automotive SPICE ASPICE 4.0 for process maturity and ISO 21434 for cybersecurity engineering. The partners say they can help reduce development cycles while keeping programs tightly aligned with these frameworks and other regulatory demands.

The timing is no accident. Analysts expect software content per vehicle to climb steadily through the decade, reshaping competition across the supply chain. Centralized computing and domain controllers are replacing hardware-heavy designs, and vehicles now require constant updates and smooth integration across systems. Platforms that are scalable and standards-aligned are quickly becoming strategic assets rather than technical afterthoughts.

Still, the road ahead is not simple. Automakers must protect data ownership, manage intellectual property, and avoid becoming overly reliant on any single supplier as they craft long-term digital strategies. Success will depend on pairing open ecosystems with disciplined governance.

The expanded GlobalLogic and Elektrobit alliance reflects a broader shift across the industry. In the era of the software-defined vehicle, collaboration is no longer a nice-to-have. It is a competitive necessity.