Volvo and Autoliv launch autonomous vehicle venture JV, Zenuity
Automaker Volvo and car safety system manufacturer Autoliv have announced a partnership venture, Zenuity, designed to develop autonomous driving (AD) software and driver assistance systems (ADAS). The two companies will license and transfer their current ADAS to Zenuity, with the aim of creating their first joint systems for sale by 2019. Autoliv will provide SEK 1.1bn ($119m) for the project, with Volvo contributing intellectual property and human resources. The new venture is the first instance of a major automaker partnering with a tier one supplier to create AD and ADAS products.

Both Volvo Cars and Autoliv will license and transfer the intellectual property for their ADAS systems to the joint venture. From this base, the company will develop new ADAS products and AD technologies. The new company is expected to have its first driver assistance products available for sale by 2019 with autonomous driving technologies following shortly thereafter.

Volvo Cars, and Autoliv signed a final agreement to establish a new joint venture called Zenuity to develop software for autonomous driving (AD) and driver assistance systems (ADAS), based on the letter of intent announced during fall 2016. ( Earlier post .)

Zenuity will create a new entrant in the fast growing global market for autonomous driving software systems. It marks the first time a leading premium car maker has joined forces with a tier one supplier to develop new advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving (AD) technologies.

As part of the agreement, at the time of closing Autoliv will make a total investment of around 1.1 billion SEK $(US119 million) into the joint venture, the large majority of which is an initial cash contribution, and which also includes certain assets. Volvo Cars will also contribute certain intellectual property assets and human resources to the joint venture, but no cash. As previously announced, Autoliv and Volvo Cars will own the joint venture 50/50.

Headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden and with additional operations in Munich, Germany, and Detroit, the initial workforce of around 200 people will come from Volvo Cars and Autoliv. The company is expected to grow to more than 600 employees in the medium-term. Operations are expected to start during the first half of 2017 after approvals from relevant competition authorities in several countries have been obtained and other customary closing conditions have been satisfied.

Autoliv will be the exclusive supplier and distribution channel for all the new company’s products sold to third parties, and there will be no exclusivity toward any customer or the owners. Volvo Cars will source such products directly from the new joint venture.

As previously announced, Dennis Nobelius will be the Chief Executive Officer of the joint venture. The joint venture will be governed by a separate board of directors, and independently operate within its own facilities.