OREANDA-NEWS. The GENIVI Alliance is a nonprofit industry alliance committed to driving the broad adoption of specified, open source, In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) software. 

In-vehicle Infotainment is a system that delivers entertainment and information to drivers and passengers in automobiles. IVI systems use complex software to perform many of the same features found on smartphones through in-car audio/video interfaces including those controlled by touch or by voice. 

Thomas Müller said: “Volvo Car Group has already launched one of the industry’s most advanced and easy-to-use infotainment systems in the new XC90. We strongly believe that the standardization and open-source software development performed within the GENIVI Alliance can reduce the development cost and time-to-market of our future development. The automotive industry needs to catch up compared to other industries when it comes to the adaption of open-source software. It is the best way to ensure a vivid ecosystem in the infotainment area. Volvo Car Group will be a spear head in this process together with the other companies on the GENIVI board.” 

Anders Lindbom, Senior Manager of Strategy & Concepts within the Infotainment area said: “Since VCC recently started a development program of a Linux-based Infotainment system that is leveraging the GENIVI software architecture, this is a perfect timing to increase our engagement. We can re-use what already has been developed, and in the true spirit of Open Source Software, we can also improve and share software to create a strong common codebase. We can also participate in the standardization of interface specifications, to make sure that there will exist strong ecosystem for software in this domain.” 

Steve Crumb, Executive Director of the GENIVI Alliance said: “GENIVI is very pleased that Volvo Car Corporation has upgraded to Charter membership and has been elected to take a seat on our Board of Directors,” said Steve Crumb, executive director, GENIVI Alliance.  “Volvo has positioned themselves for maximum influence on GENIVI’s current and future programs and I’m confident the entire IVI ecosystem will benefit from their increased contribution.” 

Volvo Car Group will also upgrade their membership in the Alliance to the “Charter” level which grants the company Alliance rights and privileges with no contingencies for leadership roles, plus additional Board of Directors and Officer eligibility. 

About GENIVI Alliance

GENIVI is a non-profit industry alliance committed to driving the broad adoption of specified, open source, In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) software. The resulting work of GENIVI will result in shortened development cycles, quicker time-to-market, and reduced costs for companies developing IVI equipment and software. Comprised of more than 150 member companies, GENIVI is headquartered in San Ramon, Calif.

Volvo Car Group in 2014

For the 2014 financial year, Volvo Car Group recorded an operating profit of 2,252 MSEK (1,919 MSEK in 2013). Revenue over the period amounted to 129,959 MSEK (122,245 MSEK). For the full year 2014, global sales reached a record 465,866 cars, an increase of 8.9 per cent versus 2013. The record sales and operating profit cleared the way for Volvo Car Group to continue investing in its global transformation plan. 

About Volvo Car Group

Volvo has been in operation since 1927. Today, Volvo Cars is one of the most well-known and respected car brands in the world with sales of 465,866 in 2014 in about 100 countries. Volvo Cars has been under the ownership of the Zhejiang Geely Holding (Geely Holding) of China since 2010. It formed part of the Swedish Volvo Group until 1999, when the company was bought by Ford Motor Company of the US. In 2010, Volvo Cars was acquired by Geely Holding. 

As of December 2014, Volvo Cars had over 26,000 employees worldwide. Volvo Cars head office, product development, marketing and administration functions are mainly located in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo Cars head office for China is located in Shanghai. The company’s main car production plants are located in Gothenburg (Sweden), Ghent (Belgium) and Chengdu (China), while engines are manufactured in Skövde (Sweden) and Zhangjiakou (China) and body components in Olofström (Sweden).