As regulations around clean energy and the growing integration of ADAS features continue to drive up vehicle costs, the automotive industry is seeking new ways to move faster and stay consumer-centric. At this year’s Future of the Car event, held from May 13 to 15, it was clear that AI and Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) are key to reducing time to market—and ultimately lowering costs for end users. At Globant we are proud to be there, connecting with leaders, innovators, and disruptors who are reshaping the road ahead. From AI-powered design to reimagined go-to-market strategies, the message was loud and clear: the future isn’t just coming, it’s already here. And it’s being written in code.
Here are some of the biggest takeaways from the event—and what they mean for automakers, tech partners, and customers alike.
1. AI Is the Great Differentiator
In today’s automotive landscape, AI isn’t just another feature, it’s a competitive edge. Whether it’s optimizing production, predicting maintenance, or enabling smarter in-cabin experiences, the winners in this race will be those who use AI not just to innovate, but to accelerate.
AI is powering everything from driver-assist systems to natural language-enabled service diagnostics. And with the global automotive AI market expected to skyrocket to $16.2 billion by 2026, it’s clear: AI won’t just separate the winners from the losers—it is the game-changer.
2. Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) Are Redefining Manufacturing
The rise of SDVs is shifting the industry from hardware-first to software-first thinking. This evolution is shrinking time-to-market and enabling new levels of flexibility, including modular add-ons and OTA (over-the-air) updates that keep vehicles fresh and functional long after they leave the lot.
At Globant, we see SDVs as the foundation of future mobility, where personalization, safety, and continuous innovation come standard.
3. Vehicle Design Is Going Centralized
The shift to centralized electrical/electronic (E/E) architectures is streamlining vehicle design in powerful ways. Fewer ECUs, more centralized computing, and smarter component integration mean that cars are becoming more software-driven, updatable, and agile by design.
This architecture paves the way for a whole new ecosystem of connected services—something we’re already helping our clients build at Globant.
4. The Rise of the Phygital Journey. How Dealership is being reimagined
The conversation is no longer about online vs. offline—it’s about both, working in harmony. A key theme at Future of the Car 2025 was the renaissance of the dealership experience. Consumers still want the convenience of digital, but also crave the trust, tangibility, and personalization of in-person interactions.
This is driving a new, connected approach that bridges the two: phygital experiences that blend immersive online journeys with enhanced, tech-enabled showroom visits. Extended dealer networks, smarter CRM systems, and unified data strategies are key to delivering seamless transitions across channels.
Globant’s work with Nissan on the Ariya launch exemplifies this shift, combining immersive 3D renderings and an end-to-end online journey with localized touchpoints—proving that hybrid experiences can drive both engagement and sales.
5. Customization Goes Into Overdrive
In-car experiences are getting personal. Consumers expect their vehicles to reflect their preferences, behaviors, and lifestyles. Whether it’s climate control that adapts to your habits, infotainment that knows your playlist, or UIs that evolve with your needs, user-defined vehicles are turning cars into truly personalized spaces.
At Globant, we’re building the AI-driven systems that make these customizations scalable, secure, and seamless.
6. Autonomy Is Closer Than It Seems. But Trust Still Matters
Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are evolving quickly, but mass adoption hinges on more than just tech, it’s about trust. Safety, transparency, and education will be critical in convincing consumers to hand over the wheel.
With 12% to 17% of all vehicle purchases expected to be AVs by 2030, this challenge is urgent and solvable.
7. The Ecosystem Is Expanding. And So Are the Stakes
AI, 5G, IoT, cloud, digital twins, no single technology is driving this shift alone. What’s clear is that the future of the car is about ecosystems. And building those ecosystems requires collaboration across tech, design, and data disciplines.
As a strategic partner, Globant brings deep expertise in AI, software engineering, and user experience design to help OEMs and mobility companies navigate this transformation.
Final Thoughts: Regulation, Collaboration and the Long Road Ahead
The road ahead is full of promise—but it’s also paved with long-term decisions. Unlike other industries, the automotive sector makes bets that span decades, not years. That’s why regulation and trade policy must evolve in parallel with innovation, providing a stable framework that supports sustainable growth, long-term investment, and cross-border collaboration.
At Future of the Car 2025, we saw an industry ready to rethink, retool, and reinvent itself around intelligent technologies and user-centric design. At Globant, we’re proud to be driving that change—helping the automotive world move faster, build smarter, and connect deeper with drivers everywhere.
Ready to accelerate your journey? Let’s talk.
