Stellantis & Amazon Pull Plug on SmartCockpit Tech Deal

It looks like the once-promising tech partnership between Stellantis and Amazon is officially running out of gas. According to Reuters, the two companies have confirmed that their joint effort to bring Amazon-powered SmartCockpit software to future vehicles is “winding down.”

Originally announced with big fanfare back in 2022, the goal was to turn Stellantis vehicles—like those from Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, and Ram—into high-tech hubs that felt like an extension of your living room. Think automatic climate settings, personalized navigation, and even smart home integration—like turning on your porch lights from your car.

The software, known internally as “Project Quattro” or “Digital Cabin,” was a key piece of Stellantis’ broader ABC platform. That tech trio included STLA Brain (the vehicle’s new electrical system), STLA SmartCockpit (Amazon’s part of the deal), and STLA AutoDrive (for assisted driving). Vehicles featuring SmartCockpit were supposed to hit the road sometime between late 2024 and early 2025.

But now, that future seems to be off the table.

Both companies said the decision to walk away from the SmartCockpit project was mutual, allowing them to “focus on solutions that provide value to our shared customers and better align with our evolving strategies.” In plain English: it just wasn’t working out.

This is just the latest example of a Detroit automaker hitting a wall with software. Ford recently canceled its next-gen electrical platform due to rising costs. GM and Volkswagen have also struggled with rolling out robust, in-house tech systems. Meanwhile, Tesla and Chinese automaker BYD continue to pull ahead thanks to software-first designs that can push out updates like your smartphone does.

Part of the problem? Complexity. Tesla has a relatively simple product lineup. Stellantis, on the other hand, manages 14 brands and a massive web of global suppliers. Trying to drop one-size-fits-all tech into that kind of mess is no easy task.

The original agreement also had Stellantis paying Amazon licensing and maintenance fees for the software, while Amazon would potentially get incentive payments when customers signed up for services like Amazon Music through the car interface.

Despite pulling the plug on SmartCockpit, the two companies aren’t completely splitting up. Stellantis will continue to use Amazon Web Services (AWS) to manage data, and Alexa will still show up in some models.

There’s also chatter that Stellantis may still move forward with a similar SmartCockpit system—but potentially built on Google’s Android platform instead.

Meanwhile, Amazon’s internal SmartCockpit team has reportedly been disbanded or reassigned.

It’s another tough break for Stellantis, which has seen its stock take a 40% hit in 2024 and continues to face pressure from underwhelming North American sales. The company just named Antonio Filosa as its new CEO, hoping for a fresh direction after Carlos Tavares’ departure last year.

For now, the dream of a fully connected, Amazon-powered driving experience is going back in the garage.

Source: Reuters