30 years ago, it would have been hard to envision trucks that integrate hardware with adaptive software, or ADAS that revolutionizes bus safety — or even telematics, which makes connected vehicles possible in the first place. Yet, amid an industrial era defined by accelerated innovation, the commercial vehicle industry has hurtled to embrace automation, electrification, and digitization. And its opportunity landscape has never looked more appealing.
The best part? This is just the beginning. For instance, these disruptions are still in a nascent stage:
- Software-Defined Trucks will soon merge legacy hardware with next-gen software, enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and dynamic performance management.
- ADAS and Autonomous Systems in Buses and Coaches will help automakers …make 100% autonomous public transport a reality. AI, IoT, and data-driven insights are already enabling today’s operators to optimize routes and reduce fuel consumption.
- Last-mile delivery, which has been undergoing constant advancement since the pandemic era, is amid a solid push towards delivery precision, enhanced fleet management, and reduced environmental impact. Beyond simple drop-offs, an integrated customer-centric experience powered by real-time tracking and intelligent routing can soon be expected.
However, in this new commercial vehicle reality, the terms of success are being rewritten too. Hence, Frost & Sullivan’s suite of growth analyses offers deep dives into the transformative — revealing actionable growth opportunities and strategic imperatives across segments that are poised for rapid evolution.
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Strategic Imperative 1: Advancing Software-Defined Truck Ecosystems
While commercial vehicle players recognize the benefits of software-defined architecture, integrating these systems into legacy trucks presents a significant challenge. Key barriers include resistance to change from internal stakeholders, skill gaps in managing new technologies and data management complexities. Companies are faced with navigating these imperatives while capitalizing on the transformative potential of adaptive software platforms.
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Discover how software-defined systems are enhancing the truck value chain and revealing new business models.
Growth Opportunity Spotlight:
- Modular In-Vehicle Software: Creating modular and customizable platforms for diverse truck models, facilitating faster updates and integration of future technologies.
Company to Action:
- Volvo Trucks: The truck-maker is investing in R&D to ensure smooth integration of cutting-edge software with existing fleets, reducing transition friction for operators.
Strategic Imperative 2: Accelerating ADAS and Autonomous Adoption in Buses and Coaches
By 2030, it is estimated that autonomous solutions will cut operational costs by one-third. Coupled with a global electrification drive that is expected to turn nearly half of all commercial trucks electric by decade-end, urban mobility will soon be defined by safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Tech firms and vehicle manufacturers are already entering strategic alliances: prioritizing real-time data analytics, optimized routing, and enhanced passenger experience.
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Explore how ADAS and autonomous solutions are revolutionizing buses and coaches.
Growth Opportunity Spotlight:
- Integration of AI and IoT in Bus Systems: Enabling intelligent route optimization, predictive maintenance, and superior passenger services through connected platforms.
Company to Action:
- Navya: The French company is a pioneer in autonomous vehicle technology, collaborating with manufacturers to deploy driverless shuttle services in cities, boosting public transport accessibility.
Strategic Imperative 3: Unlocking Telematics-Driven Efficiency in Last-Mile Delivery
The e-commerce boom has inspired innovation in last-mile delivery, and telematics technology has been the perfect catalyst. Connected features like real-time tracking, automated route optimization, and predictive analytics are enhancing operational efficiency while improving CX. Companies integrating these solutions into their delivery operations are significantly reducing costs and environmental impact.
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Learn how telematics is enabling last-mile delivery providers to scale rapidly amid the e-commerce push.
Growth Opportunity Spotlight:
- Telematics-Driven Productivity Solutions: Developing user-friendly in-vehicle platforms that integrate seamlessly into daily workflows for delivery personnel, reducing resistance and increasing adoption rates.
Company to Action:
- Geotab: The telematics and fleet management company provides scalable telematics solutions that enhance fleet efficiency and real-time monitoring for last-mile delivery.
Are you strategizing a technological roadmap to either innovate in-house or ally with tech partners?
Strategic Imperative 4: Advancing Emerging Business Models for Autonomous Trucks
As companies embrace autonomous truck capabilities, a shift from traditional sales models to data-centric revenue streams will be inevitable. For instance, the ‘Trucking-as-a-Service’ (TaaS) model is already gaining traction, where fleet operators purchase transport services rather than vehicles. This model reduces upfront costs and enhances operational agility. Once integrated with autonomous technology, TaaS may be pivotal in optimizing complete supply chains and compressing the growing value chain.
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Explore the growth trajectories of companies to action finding success in alternative business models.
Growth Opportunity Spotlight:
- Data Monetization Platforms: Developing platforms that aggregate and monetize operational data from autonomous trucks, offering insights to improve efficiency and decision-making.
Company to Action:
- Einride: Combining electric and autonomous technology with innovative business models to transform freight transportation.
Strategic Imperative 5: Shaping the Technology Roadmap for Autonomous Trucks
The successful deployment of autonomous trucks requires seamless interoperability between vehicle software, hardware, and infrastructure — none of which can be realized without standardization and cross-industry collaboration. This will build a new value chain, involving automotive cybersecurity, edge infrastructure and more —translating to more growth opportunities.
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Unlock technology strategies that will secure your success in the trucking ecosystem now as well as in the future.
Growth Opportunity Spotlight:
- Collaborative Security Solutions: Investing in partnerships to create standardized, industry-wide cybersecurity protocols for autonomous vehicle systems.
Company to Action:
- NVIDIA: The technology giant is leading the development of AI platforms optimized for edge computing in autonomous vehicles, enhancing performance and decision-making capabilities.
What’s Next for Industry Leaders?
Whether you are an industry incumbent looking to diversify or a startup excited by the business potential of this growing ecosystem, Frost & Sullivan’s growth analyses are the perfect starting point. We not only capture the details and big-picture of the transformation but also chart a course for market participants to reimagine strategies, build partnerships, and adopt cutting-edge technologies.
You can also directly engage with our experts in an exclusive Growth Workshop.
