Japan targets next-generation cars

The Japanese government has set carmakers there the goal of securing a 30 per cent share of the global market for software-defined vehicles (SDVs) by 2035.

SDVs are vehicles that manage operations, add functionality and enable new features primarily or entirely through software rather than hardware.

Japan’s industry and transport ministries have released a strategy for software development for next-generation vehicles with advanced digital technologies, reports the Japan Times.

The plan encourages the public and private sectors to work together on research and development related to SDVs to help them better compete against US and Chinese companies.

Officials predict global SDV sales will reach 41 million units in 2030 and 64m in 2035, with the strategy setting sales targets for Japanese manufacturers at 12m and 19m units respectively.