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How your car is becoming a device on wheels

August 31, 2026 · 16 min

Show notes

This bonus episode of Drivetime — MOVE Monday — features Sven Eckoldt, Head of Global Partnerships at CARIAD, the software company behind the Volkswagen Group's software-defined vehicle strategy. Sven explains how CARIAD is helping transform some of the world's best-known automotive brands by centralising software development across the group. From intelligent navigation and AI-powered voice assistants to app stores and connected services, he shares how software is becoming as important as hardware in defining the ownership experience.


The conversation explores what software-defined vehicles actually mean for drivers, why connected cars are creating entirely new partnership opportunities, and how automotive brands can create experiences that continue to evolve long after the vehicle leaves the showroom. Sven also discusses the growing role of AI, over-the-air updates, and the challenge of building customer-centric digital ecosystems inside the vehicle. Looking ahead, he shares lessons learned from launching connected services across multiple brands, explains why partnership ecosystems are critical to future vehicle experiences, and offers a glimpse into how cars are becoming personalised digital platforms that can grow throughout their lifetime.


Drivetime is the global auto tech podcast powered by Keyloop.

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