How Dassault Tech is Moving VW Group Design to the Cloud

Cloud computing is reshaping how vehicles are designed and manufactured. Automotive companies are moving away from on-premises systems toward cloud platforms that enable real-time collaboration and virtual product development across global teams.

In a move that highlights this transition, Volkswagen Group, Europe’s largest automotive manufacturer, has formed a long-term partnership with Dassault Systèmes, the French industrial software company, to move its entire vehicle development process to the cloud.

The partnership centers on Dassault’s cloud-native 3DEXPERIENCE platform, which will replace VW Group’s existing on-premises engineering systems. This shift represents one of the automotive industry's largest cloud migrations, affecting development processes across the company's Porsche, Audi and Volkswagen brands.

The cloud platform creates virtual replicas, known as digital twins, of physical vehicles and manufacturing processes. These digital twins enable global engineering teams to collaborate in real-time, testing and refining designs before committing to physical prototypes. Traditional vehicle development methods, which rely heavily on physical prototypes and localized software, can take up to five years from concept to production.

By moving to cloud-based development, VW Group aims to reduce this timeline while meeting increasing pressure for sustainable manufacturing processes and electric vehicle innovation. The platform will become the primary engineering and manufacturing system for the group's global operations.

Volkswagen Group IT board member outlines technology implementation plans

“We are advancing the development of our next-generation IT system landscape, and the decision to partner with Dassault Systèmes marks an important milestone,” says Hauke Stars, Board Member at Volkswagen Group for IT.

Hauke notes that the implementation will create new data streams with artificial intelligence capabilities. “With consistent data streams and AI solutions built on them, we are creating a true technological leap for our teams in development and factory planning. At the same time, we are sustainably reducing IT costs and accelerating processes by streamlining our system complexity and utilising virtual twins.”

How Dassault's 3DEXPERIENCE platform supports automotive development

The platform includes a Global Modular Architecture solution that enables manufacturers to use modular components in product design. This approach allows VW Group to produce multiple vehicle models with different configurations from a single platform, supporting the company's transition to electric vehicle production.

The Smart, Safe and Connected solution incorporates Internet of Things technologies and sensor networks for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance. This system manages data exchange between connected vehicle systems.

An Efficient Multi-Energy Platform provides tools for analysing energy consumption across different power sources, including electric and hybrid systems. The solution supports compliance with emerging regulations in the automotive sector.

The On-Target Vehicle Launch solution coordinates design, engineering and production teams through project lifecycle management tools. The system tracks development progress and manages risk factors during vehicle launches.

Dassault Systèmes CEO emphasises partnership significance

“Industry evolutions in the context of the Generative Economy are compelling automotive companies to make transformative decisions that will propel the vehicle experience to new heights,” says Pascal Daloz, CEO at Dassault Systèmes.

“After four decades of partnership rooted in innovation and trust, we're now embarking on the next chapter with Volkswagen Group with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform at its core,” says Pascal. "Our AI-powered virtual twins and the strength and resilience of the cloud will unify Volkswagen Group's hardware and software innovation and unleash the knowledge and know-how to accelerate its software-driven transformation.”

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