Overview

• Reuters reports Stellantis has frozen its first Level 3 AutoDrive program, which it unveiled in February as ready for deployment.
• Stellantis confirmed the software never launched and said the technology exists and could be deployed, though sources say it is not expected to roll out.
• People familiar with the program cited high development costs, technical challenges and limited consumer appetite as the primary reasons for the decision.
• The company is moving away from building all software in-house, ending its Amazon SmartCockpit effort and switching to an Android system while leaning on aiMotive for next-generation AutoDrive.
• Stellantis offered no cost or timing details, declined to say if future versions will include Level 3, and faces intensified cost-cutting pressure after sales softness, a leadership change and a share-price drop of more than 40% over 12 months.