Mitsubishi Partners with FPT Japan Holdings to Accelerate Software-Defined Vehicle Development

As the automotive industry moves deeper into the era of CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Shared, Electrified) and SDV (Software-Defined Vehicle), software and digital capabilities have become critical factors in a car's competitiveness. To accelerate its digital transformation, Mitsubishi Motors has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FPT Japan Holdings, the Japanese subsidiary of Vietnam's largest ICT group, FPT Corporation.

Dr Truong Gia Binh, Founder and Chairman of FPT Corporation (Left)
Takao Kato, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors (Right)

Focus: Software and Artificial Intelligence 

The partnership will see deep collaboration in software development and digital technologies. Beyond addressing the industry's shift toward AI and SDV, the two companies also aim to explore the establishment of a joint venture in the future to combine their respective strengths.

What the Leaders Said 

Takao Kato, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors, stated, "By combining Mitsubishi Motors' expertise in the mobility domain with FPT's strong technological capabilities and human resource base in the IT and software field, this MoU is intended to contribute to the expansion of business opportunities for both companies."

Dr. Truong Gia Binh, Founder and Chairman of FPT Corporation, emphasised that as a long-term partner to Japan, FPT is committed to supporting Japanese companies in achieving technological advancement through AI and other cutting-edge solutions. He described the collaboration with Mitsubishi as a meaningful step toward accelerating AI- and data-driven transformation in the automotive industry.

Why This Partnership Matters for Mitsubishi

In today's market, consumers increasingly prioritise smooth infotainment systems, seamless OTA (Over-the-Air) updates, and advanced driver-assistance features. FPT brings significant strengths to the table, including:

• A global workforce of over 54,000 employees and revenue of USD 2.66 billion in 2025.
• Expertise in RPA, cloud computing, big data analytics, and ERP systems.
• A clear transition toward becoming an "AI-first" company.

Outlook for the Malaysian Market 

While this is a global strategic move, Malaysian consumers stand to benefit. Future Mitsubishi models sold locally — such as the Outlander, Triton, or next-generation Xforce — are expected to feature more advanced software architectures and intelligent features.

As Chinese brands like Geely, BYD, and Xiaomi aggressively push into Southeast Asia with highly capable software ecosystems, Mitsubishi's partnership with FPT represents a proactive step to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving smart vehicle landscape.

[Fact Sheet] What is SDV? 

SDV (Software-Defined Vehicle) refers to vehicles whose features and capabilities are primarily defined and enabled by software rather than hardware. In simple terms, future cars will function like smartphones on wheels, where performance, features, and even driving characteristics can be upgraded and personalised through Over-the-Air (OTA) updates.