Four defined phases of maturity enable automakers, suppliers and partners to benchmark progress and strategically move forward on next-gen experiences

Amsterdam – HERE Technologies, the leading mapping and technology company, announced the automotive industry’s first data-driven Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) Maturity Framework, developed through independent research by technology advisory firm Omdia. As automakers struggle with fragmented SDV development approaches that are driving costly missteps and threatening business viability, this framework provides the industry's first common language for assessing progress and making strategic decisions in the rapidly evolving SDV landscape. 

The SDV Maturity Framework creates a unified industry standard as new tech entrants accelerate innovation, consumer expectations surge and automakers face mounting pressure to collaborate, or risk falling behind in the mobility transformation. Demonstrating their commitment to advancing the auto industry, HERE and Omdia will hand off the SDV Maturity Framework to SAE ITC for consideration as a formal taxonomy. 

A clear roadmap: where the industry stands and can go 

The SDV Maturity Framework defines four distinct phases of evolution from hardware-centric vehicles to software-first mobility platforms based on a global survey of 647 automotive experts across North America, Europe and Asia.  

Phase 1: connected (mass adoption by 2026–2027): 

Basic connectivity with minimal user benefits; most OEMs are currently here. Limited revenue beyond traditional vehicle sales. Phase 2: augmented (mass adoption 2027–2030): 

First substantial user benefits through the latest Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features and enhancement of infotainment via OTA updates. Early revenue diversification through fleet solutions. Phase 3: adaptive (mass adoption 2030–2035): 

Critical inflection point: Vehicles become evolving platforms with lifecycle feature upgrades as OEMs shift to a software-first approach. Peak revenue diversification through subscriptions and data monetization. Phase 4: agentic (mass adoption 10+ years out): 

Full digital lifecycle integration with predictive experiences as OEMs become mobility service providers. Revenue extends beyond mobility through ecosystem orchestration.  “Automakers share a clear vision for a software-driven future, and that opens the door to innovate faster and deliver experiences consumers truly value,” said Remco Timmer, SVP, Head of Automotive Solutions at HERE Technologies. “The SDV Maturity Framework gives the industry a common language and practical roadmap to progress together. By aligning strategies and fostering collaboration, we can move faster to unlock exciting innovative mobility experiences for consumers and enable OEMs to differentiate from their competition while unlocking new revenue streams in the process.” 

Bridging industry ambition and consumer expectation 

The Framework not only benchmarks technical progress, but also addresses the growing importance of consumer trust, data privacy and seamless integration with digital lifestyles. These factors are increasingly shaping purchase decisions and brand loyalty. With AI, OTA updates and zonal architecture now central to automotive innovation, the SDV Maturity Framework delivers a roadmap for OEMs and suppliers to align strategies and investments with the technologies shaping tomorrow’s vehicles. 

Driving value creation and competitive differentiation 

Value creation for OEMs and customers evolves at each phase: from operational excellence and safety in the early stages to digital value, personalization and new business models in later phases. The industry’s move from proprietary silos to open, collaborative development is a key enabler of SDV innovation. While customer value and investment returns may be modest in phases 1 and 2, these phases are critical to unlocking significant benefits in phase 3 and on. 

Regional readiness: a stark divide  

Chinese and APAC OEMs are fast-tracking foundational capabilities, such as open supplier ecosystems, OTA updates and digital engineering environments. OEM responses to the global survey reveal significant differences in SDV readiness across regions: 

Open ecosystem partnerships  70% of APAC OEMs expect to have them in place by phase 3 50+% of European and 35% of North American OEMs don’t anticipate them until phase 4 or later 20% of APAC OEMs already view open ecosystems as a phase 1 priority  Digital engineering environments  Nearly 90% of Chinese OEMs will have them in place by phase 3 30+% of Chinese OEMs are starting as early as phase 1 Over half of European and North American OEMs defer implementation to phases 3 and 4  These aggressive timelines reflect a fundamentally different mindset in China and APAC, where SDV-native players are compressing development cycles and reimagining vehicle innovation from the ground up. 

Partnership ecosystem and collaboration

Success in advanced SDV phases depends on collaborative platform development, supplier integration, and ecosystem orchestration. The recent collaboration between HERE, AWS and industry partners, SDV Accelerator, exemplifies its commitment to providing practical blueprints and resources for OEMs to unlock the full value of the SDV ecosystem at every stage. 

"The automotive industry's fragmented SDV approach is driving unnecessary complexity, risk, and financial losses," said Maite Bezerra, Senior Principal Analyst at Omdia. "Our SDV Maturity Framework reveals that success requires organizational transformation and strategic collaboration beyond technology alone. While early phases show limited returns, skipping these foundations leads to exponentially higher costs. The framework provides the evidence-based roadmap needed to eliminate uncertainty and make strategic decisions." 

More details on the SDV Maturity Framework, including a full report, can be found at: www.here.com/here-omdia-sdv-maturity-framework 

Methodology 

In July 2025, Omdia conducted a comprehensive survey of 647 industry experts spanning Canada, The United States, The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Singapore, Japan and China, with respondents equally split across North America, Europe and Asia. The study strives to represent the automotive ecosystem broadly, including OEMs and Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers. The research is enriched by insights from both traditional automotive expertise and emerging technology perspectives essential for successful SDV implementation. Findings reflect current views and should not be construed as predictive for future validity. 

Media contacts  

HERE Technologies 

Jordan Stark 

+1 312 316 4537 

[email protected] 

About HERE Technologies 

HERE is the global leader in mapping and location technology. For 40 years, we’ve been powering innovation for the world’s most recognizable companies: from launching our first digital map in 1985, to shaping the future of software-defined vehicles today. With the industry’s freshest and richest unified map and a portfolio of products, services and solutions that serve the needs of multiple industries, HERE reveals opportunities that drive progress and unlock new possibilities for every moving vehicle. Discover more at here.com.  

About Omdia 

Omdia, part of Informa TechTarget, Inc. , is a technology research and advisory group. Our deep knowledge of tech markets combined with our actionable insights empower organizations to make smart growth decisions.

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