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Volvo used to have a lot more control over their firmware than any other auto manufacturer that I knew of. Firmware images were counted as spare parts, and were
by rjsw 4y ago
Volvo used to have a lot more control over their firmware than any other auto manufacturer that I knew of. Firmware images were counted as spare parts, and were charged for and managed by the official dealer service network.
They had a central database that kept track of the revision state of every car, including what firmware revision was installed in each ECU. Volvo owners tended to keep using official service centres longer than those of other brands, so this database was usually correct.
- 6stringmerc 4y agoNot sure where I heard the story, but I’m a longtime Turbo Brick fan and actually had a Bosch ECU custom programmed in Sweden by an employee who did it quietly on the side. Went from 222hp to 285hp - would’ve been more but the AW small auto transmission would eat itself. After Ford bought Volvo, they expected compliance and sent instructions and materials for the next infotainment system to be used in Volvo cars. A Ford product. Equipment, interface, code platform all sent from corporate out to Gothenburg and that was that. So Ford thought. When they visited Sweden to check on the progress of the new model. When they saw the infotainment system it was nothing like what Ford had sent with the mandate to use it. Of course they questioned Volvo and I believe the response is true because I’ve known a few born and raised Scandinavians… “Oh, that system was not good. We decided not to use it and built our own.” By then it was already working and done to the point Ford just shook its head and let them proceed. Needless to say, the relationship was not to be long-term, who could’ve seen that coming?! /s