Amazon & Stellantis Scrap SmartCockpit Digital Project
▼ Summary
– Stellantis and Amazon have ended their collaboration on in-car software, which began in 2022 as part of a broader agreement.
– The partnership included Amazon Web Services as Stellantis’ cloud platform and Amazon as the first customer for Ram’s electric ProMaster EV van.
– A key goal was developing STLA SmartCockpit, a software platform to integrate Alexa and AI for personalized in-car experiences like navigation and payments.
– SmartCockpit, originally slated for a 2023 launch, did not debut, and the joint effort has now been discontinued.
– The companies stated the decision allows each to focus on solutions aligning with their evolving strategies, without citing a specific reason for the split.
The ambitious collaboration between Amazon and Stellantis to develop next-generation in-car technology has officially been shelved. The two corporate giants have mutually agreed to discontinue their joint STLA SmartCockpit digital platform project, marking an unexpected shift in their automotive technology partnership.
Originally announced in 2022, the alliance included multiple components—most notably Amazon Web Services (AWS) becoming Stellantis’ preferred cloud provider for vehicle data services, while Amazon committed to purchasing Ram ProMaster electric vans for its delivery fleet. The SmartCockpit initiative was positioned as a centerpiece of this collaboration, promising to revolutionize the driving experience through deep integration with Amazon’s Alexa AI and other digital services.
Designed to offer personalized in-vehicle experiences, the platform aimed to streamline navigation, entertainment, maintenance alerts, and even contactless payments—all powered by voice commands and predictive AI. Despite initial plans for a 2023 rollout, the software never materialized. Sources indicate the project quietly faded without public explanation before being formally discontinued.
While neither company disclosed specific reasons for the split, a joint statement emphasized a strategic realignment, noting both parties would now focus on independent solutions that better serve customer needs. The decision leaves Stellantis to pursue alternative infotainment development paths, while Amazon continues expanding its automotive footprint through existing partnerships with other manufacturers.
Industry analysts suggest the dissolution reflects broader challenges in automotive software development, where ambitious timelines often clash with technical complexities and shifting corporate priorities. Despite this setback, both companies remain active in the connected vehicle space, though their paths have diverged.
(Source: Ars Technica)
