There is an adage that two heads are better than one, which is undoubtedly the case for Aston Martin and Mercedes. Over the years, the British and German car companies have developed a mutually beneficial working relationship.
Aston Martin is still using Mercedes software because of a strategic cooperation agreement between the two companies. Mercedes owns part of Aston Martin, and sharing software is part of their agreement.
Keep reading to learn more about the relationship between Aston Martin and Mercedes and their current software development projects.
What Software Does Aston Martin Use?
While most of the software Aston Martin uses is proprietary, a few systems rely on open-source software.
Aston Martin uses the COMAND software developed by Mercedes as the infotainment system. However, beginning in 2023, Aston Martin will replace this system with a slight variation on the MBUX system Mercedes has been using since 2018.
What Is the Relationship Between Aston Martin and Mercedes?
The relationship between Aston Martin and Mercedes began in 2013 when Mercedes acquired 5% of Aston Martin. They developed a strategic cooperation agreement at that time, which included working together on powertrain software and engine development.
The first demonstration of this agreement was the addition of the Mercedes AMG V8 engines into the Aston Martin fleet in 2017.
As the relationship between Aston Martin and Mercedes continues to grow, Mercedes is taking a more significant stake in the company. Aston Martin announced in a press release at the end of 2020 that they would issue more ordinary shares to Mercedes, up to 20% in stages. The first stage of this investment will increase Mercedes’ holding to 11.8%.
The relationship between the companies is also reflected in their recent leadership decisions. In 2020, Tobias Moers, former chairman and CEO of Mercedes-AMG, took the wheel as CEO of Aston Martin.
What Is Next for Aston Martin and Mercedes?
What’s next for Aston Martin and Mercedes is a partnership between technology company NVIDIA and Mercedes, which will mean significant changes for both Mercedes and Aston Martin. The next generation of vehicles will rely heavily on innovative automation software and hybrid technology.
The NVIDIA drive platform focuses on powertrain software for autonomous driving. This new technology will achieve SAE levels 2 and 3, commonly called hands-off and eyes-off driving, respectively.
This software, which NVIDIA refers to as “the most sophisticated and advanced computing architecture ever deployed in an automobile,” will be displayed in the 2024 Mercedes fleet. However, Aston Martini has not announced how soon their vehicles will follow.
Currently, Aston Martin is focused on bringing new electric technology to their vehicles. In their 2021 annual report, the company stated that they plan to release this new technology in 2024 plug-in hybrid and 2025 battery-electric fleets.
Aston Martin intends to have a fully electric fleet by 2030.
Conclusion
The relationship between Aston Martin and Mercedes has been evolving for almost ten years, giving Mercedes financial stock in the company and providing Aston Martin with state-of-the-art powertrain technology.
The next phase of this relationship will allow Mercedes to increase their holdings in Aston Martin and both companies to focus on automation and hybrid technology.