Software is finding a growing presence in cars today, which will eventually get upgraded over time. In fact, over the years, car manufacturers have invested millions in the R&D of automotive software. And automotive OEMs are competing with tech giants to produce operating systems for the car. Ivo Ivanov, CEO, DE-CIX International, discusses why OEMs need to be in control of the data journey of their cars, why the type of usage of the car or the special mobility packages will become more essential down the line and if there really will be a software war in the near future.

The cars of the future will be highly interconnected, and we’ll see real-time data exchange. A couple of years ago, automotive OEMs were focused on the engine, shape, the mechanical part of the car etc. However, they have now understood that the digital part of this business will drive them more successfully into the next century. There is a huge appetite for control of data by the OEMs, not just of the software but the infrastructure as well.

In fact, automotive companies have already started turning into software companies. Ivo Ivanov, CEO, DE-CIX International, mentions that automotive OEMs plan to create an independency from operating systems like iOS or android, so as to have their own software-driven platform – and this is valid for all major automotive companies, from Honda to Toyota, which is a market reality. At the same time, we also see automotive OEMs partner with companies like Google or Amazon, because of their cloud capabilities. While this sure is the case, it doesn’t tell us that the automotive OEMs will stop creating their software independency.

“If you ask me about software, I truly believe that we will see the so called ‘software war’ in the near future,” Ivanov expresses and continues, “They will collaborate if it comes to cloud resources and cloud computing resources for their manufacturing platforms. However, if it comes to creating and increasing the control of the data gateway related to the digital car, then we will definitely see a future competition between the propitiatory software developments of companies like Volkswagen, BMW etc. (you name them) and the established operating system providers like Apple or Google.”

OEMs in control of the data journey – why is it needed?
While the automotive OEMs can easily go to the software companies, it comes down to who controls this. “If the software related to the car remains in the hands of the existing players, then the OEMs will have to share a bigger portion on the assets with those companies,” Ivanov enlightens and adds, “They can share if needed, but the question remains of who has the majority in that stake. They want to increase their margin on the digital assets related to the car and become the major stakeholder in that domain.”

Ivanov further informs that, moreover, those who want to be extremely successful in the future must make themselves capable of doing this. “Because if they do not create this controllability of the data journey, they will not be able to create digital assets,” he puts across and adds, “An OEM can grow its value as a company on the stock exchange if it is able to provide the market with a story that is futuristic and can create a value in the future. And the OEMs will not be able to differentiate in the future with the quality of the car seats, engines, shape of the car etc. alone – they will be able to differentiate with smart digital concepts for mobility solutions in our digital lives.”

Citing a relevant example in this context, he asserts, “Let’s think about the metaverse, or the truly and entirely digitalised environment; we see companies like McLaren and Porsche that have already started creating their digital twins for the metaverse. It eventually comes down to access to the customers. The OEMs have the cars and the customers are the users of the cars.”

OEMs developing their own software – is it safe?
However, even companies like Tesla have their share of failures in vehicle software, with there being investigations into Tesla’s driver enhancement software following a spell of documented malfunctions. So, what can one say when it comes to smaller OEMs?

“It’s a normal process of improving your code, its security and the software. It’s what Microsoft, Apple, Google etc. have been dealing with for decades now. In fact, the OEMs will catch up much faster because they have the money to make sure that they hire efficient people and acquire other companies. And also, again, they have access to the end-users,” explains Ivanov.

Control of the data journey and infrastructure
The OEMs have the cars, the customers and the users of the car. These OEMs want to control the framework and will integrate existing solutions and other elements but want to be in control of the data journey, which is the asset. “The assets are the tonnes of data produced by the car,” Ivanov shares and goes on, “Hundreds of thousands of organisations around the world are trying to get involved in this huge and tremendous business surrounding data – the data getting into the car and the data being produced in the car. This is what the OEMs aim for.” Ivanov further clarifies that the OEMs will probably not write the code for everything from zero, but they sure will want to control the framework. “But the knowledge of where exactly the data comes from in the car and where the data goes from out of the car, then they will be able to turn themselves into the gatekeepers of the data journey and create their virtual and digital assets around this driver behaviour. And I believe that it’s not the ownership of the car in terms of legal rights of owning the car, but the type of usage or the special mobility packages that will become more essential.”

Not just software, but chips too
According to market research firm Gartner, by 2025, fifty percent of the top 10 automotive OEMs will design their own chips. Ivanov envisions that what we have seen with the battery production for electric cars, will happen in the case of chips too. “All of the dominant OEMs, from Tesla to BMW to Mercedes to Volkswagen, have already started heavily investing in their own battery manufacturing assets. In some cases, they collaborate with existing battery manufacturers, or in other cases, they create their own battery factories,” Ivanov asserts and adds, “So we see a similar development in the chip industry. That’s because the chips in the connected car and the whole mobility concept around the future of OEMs are nothing but the new engine.”

A leading position
Software is certainly transforming the automotive world. And yes, major automotive OEMs are now seriously investing in new software platforms. The software and infrastructure together, undoubtedly, will empower automotive OEMs to be the gatekeepers in this data journey and provide them with the level of controllability of the data journey that they need to create virtual and digital assets for their shareholders. Software is definitely one of the main differentiators, creating a leading position in automotive OEMs.

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Honda Cars India (HCIL), a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has announced wholesales of 8,788 units in June 2026.

In the domestic market, the company sold 5,243 units and 3,545 units for export, which marks 71.5 percent YoY, when the company sold 4,618 units domestically and exported 506 units.

Kunal Behl, Vice-President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India, said, "The launch of new City and India Premiere of global SUV Honda ZR-V has generated strong momentum for our overall sales including Amaze and Elevate during June, driven by healthy customer demand and a positive market response. With Monsoon conditions expected to improve during July, we hope to sustain this positive momentum in the months ahead.

“The deliveries of ZR-V are also scheduled to begin from July. It will draw discerning new customers and prospects into Honda showrooms, enhancing our premium brand appeal and unlocking new growth opportunities,” he added.

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French automotive company Renault India has recorded 4,063 domestic wholesale units in June 2026, a 55 percent YoY increase compared to the previous year. This also marks the 10^th consecutive month of double-digit growth for the company.

Interestingly, for H1 CY2026, the company reported sales of 25,844 units, representing 61 percent YoY growth.

During June, Renault India began exports of the Duster, dispatching 750 units to South Africa. The company stated that this performance reflects customer response to its product strategy and demand across its portfolio.

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Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers in the country, has reported wholesales of 63,083 units in June 2026, which was 69 percent higher than the 37,237 units sold last year. Exports for the month came at 1,007 units, as against 154 units sold last year.

For Q1 FY2026, the total wholesales came at 182,574 units, up 46 percent YoY, as against 124,809 units a year ago. Domestic sales came at 180,166 units, up 45 percent YoY, while exports came at 2,408 units, up 148 percent YoY.

 Shailesh Chandra, MD and CEO, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, said, “Q1 FY27 has marked a strong start for Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, delivering industry beating growth with sales of 182,574 cars and SUVs, up 46 percent YoY. This performance was fuelled by robust customer demand and the success of our recent launches. Our leadership in electric mobility further strengthened during the quarter, with EV volumes more than doubling to record 112% growth YoY. Our retail performance was equally encouraging, with Vahan registrations rising around 40 percent YoY, nearly twice the industry growth. We concluded the quarter on a high note, recording June sales of 63,083 cars and SUVs, registering a robust 69 percent growth YoY. In EVs, we achieved our highest-ever monthly sales of 14,800 units, with volumes nearly tripling YoY. The sustained momentum across both wholesale and retail channels reinforces the growing strength of our portfolio and the positive response from customers across segments. The response to the new avatars of Tiago and Punch have been overwhelming with bookings surging across powertrain, reaffirming the strength of our multi-powertrain strategy. We are seeing encouraging growth in EV adoption across segments and the strong momentum in the entry EV category signals rapid mainstreaming of electric mobility across India. While supply constraints impacted Sierra volumes during the quarter, customer interest and booking momentum remain robust. Corrective measures are currently underway to further augment production from select vendors in line with demand and this will progressively enable us to accelerate deliveries from Q2 onward. With a strong order book, exciting products and sustained customer demand, we remain confident about maintaining our growth momentum through the rest of the year.”

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Nissan Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has recorded its fourth consecutive month of domestic sales growth in June 2026.

The company reported domestic wholesales of 3,006 units last month, which marks a 129 percent YoY increase. Total wholesales for the month reached 8,346 units, including 5,340 exports, representing a 16 percent YoY rise.

Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, said, “Recording four consecutive months of domestic sales growth is a strong reflection of the growing customer confidence in our product portfolio and the steady progress of our market strategy. This momentum has been made possible by the continued support of our partners, dealers and on-ground teams, who are playing a vital role in strengthening Nissan’s presence across India. The sustained demand for the New Nissan Magnite and the all-new Nissan GRAVITE, along with our expanding customer reach and network footprint, gives us confidence as we prepare for the World Premiere of the Nissan TEKTON on July 9. This milestone reinforces our long-term commitment to India and to delivering products that meet evolving customer expectations.”

The company is now preparing for the world premiere of the Nissan Tekton, scheduled to be introduced on 9 July 2026.

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