Automotive Industry Steps Up to Increase Financial Support of AGL

San Francisco, January 4, 2016 – Automotive Grade Linux (AGL), a collaborative open source project developing a common, Linux-based software stack for the connected car, today announced that Subaru (Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd.), Mitsubishi Motors, Mazda Motor Corporation and Ford Motor Company are joining The Linux Foundation and AGL. Ford Motor Company is the first U.S. car manufacturer to join AGL. These latest automakers join existing members Toyota Motor Corporation, Nissan Motor Company Ltd. and Linux Foundation board member Jaguar Land Rover to round up an impressive list of OEM supporters within AGL.

“We are excited to welcome Ford, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors and Subaru as the latest automotive OEM members of AGL. We now have an impressive list of automakers contributing to AGL,” said Dan Cauchy, General Manager of Automotive at The Linux Foundation. “In order to keep up with the consumer demands for a modern infotainment system, car makers realize that they need to adopt an open source software development process to gain a competitive edge. We are glad to see the increased commitment being made by the automotive industry to advance AGL as the de facto standard for the connected car.”

AGL also announced that several existing members are upgrading their contribution levels. Toyota Motor Corporation, Panasonic Corporation, DENSO CORPORATION, and Renesas Electronics are upgrading to the Platinum level, while NTT DATA MSE is upgrading to the Gold level. The increased financial commitment will go primarily toward software development activities within the AGL open source project.

“Toyota believes that Linux, open source, and the development of an open ecosystem is a suitable approach for the future of infotainment,” said Tokuhisa Nomura, Executive General Manager of Electronics Engineering Field, Toyota Motor Corporation. “By upgrading to the Platinum level, we are increasing our support commitment of AGL and adopting an open source development methodology. Toyota aims to lead the industry in connected car innovation.”

AGL has four classes of corporate membership: Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. AGL has more than 50 members representing leading car manufacturers, auto suppliers, system integrators and OSVs that are actively collaborating on the AGL Unified Code Base Linux Distribution also announced today.

About the new Linux Foundation and AGL members:

Mazda Motor Corporation is a leading global auto manufacturer founded in 1920 and headquartered in Hiroshima, a city of peace in Japan. The company has consistently worked at developing innovative technologies and was the first automaker to mass-produce a twin-rotor rotary engine-powered vehicle. More recently, in addition to launching its new-generation lineup of models featuring SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY and KODO design, the company has been working to redefine the connection between vehicles and people through the development of its new-generation car connectivity system. Mazda joins Automotive Grade Linux at the Platinum level.

“We believe that Linux and open source result in rapid innovation in the software development of the connected car,” said Masashi Yamasaki, Deputy General Manager of Integrated Control System Development Division for Mazda Motor Corporation. “By joining at the Platinum level, we are making a commitment to AGL. We look forward to working with other AGL members in advancing the technologies that will allow us to provide an outstanding connected infotainment experience for our customers.”

Subaru (Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd.), the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles, is a leading manufacturer in Japan with a long history of technological innovations that dates back to its origin as an aircraft company. Recognized internationally for its distinctive AWD (all-wheel drive) technology and horizontally-opposed engines, Subaru sells more than 900,000 vehicles worldwide. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. Subaru joins Automotive Grade Linux as a Bronze member.

“Linux is an excellent way to create an ecosystem of connected car technology,” said Hiroshi Ogiwara, Senior General Manager of Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd. “By joining AGL, Subaru is able to create an infotainment and driving experience that’s at the cutting edge with digital entertainment solutions and meets consumer expectations.”

Mitsubishi Motors is a multinational manufacturer and distributor of automobiles, parts and powertrains. MMC originated from the automobile division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (MHI), and was spun off from MHI in 1970. MMC can trace its roots back to 1917, when the first Mitsubishi passenger vehicle was produced. Mitsubishi Motors joins Automotive Grade Linux as a Bronze member.

“By collaborating with other leading car makers, we believe Linux and open source technology is helping to transform the automotive industry,” said Masahiro Kaneda, General Manager, Electronics Engineering Dept. for Mitsubishi Motors. “We look forward to collaborating with AGL to advance the connected car.”

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 197,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford joins Automotive Grade Linux as a Bronze member.

About Automotive Grade Linux (AGL)

Automotive Grade Linux is a collaborative open source project that aims to accelerate the development and adoption of a fully open software stack for the connected car. Leveraging the power and strength of Linux at its core, AGL is uniting automakers and technology companies to develop a common platform that offers OEMs complete control of the user experience so the industry can rapidly innovate where it counts. The AGL platform is available to all, and anyone can participate in its development. Learn more: https://www.automotivelinux.org/

Automotive Grade Linux is a Collaborative Project at The Linux Foundation. Linux Foundation Collaborative Projects are independently funded software projects that harness the power of collaborative development to fuel innovation across industries and ecosystems. www.linuxfoundation.org

About The Linux Foundation

The Linux Foundation is the organization of choice for the world’s top developers and companies to build ecosystems that accelerate open technology development and commercial adoption. Together with the worldwide open source community, it is solving the hardest technology problems by creating the largest shared technology investment in history. Founded in 2000, The Linux Foundation today provides tools, training and events to scale any open source project, which together deliver an economic impact not achievable by any one company. More information can be found at www.linuxfoundation.org.

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