Critical TechWorks JV with BMW Group and Critical Software

Some things are best done the old fashioned way.

BMW Group and CRITICAL Software have concluded the creation of a joint venture – Critical TechWorks. It allegedly will combine both partners’ expertise in premium mobility and automotive software engineering for the development of on- and off-board applications. The BMW Group holds a 51% stake in the new company, which employs around 200 people at its locations in Lisbon and Porto in Portugal. Critical Software and BMW Group have equal representation on the joint venture’s management team. There are plans to expand the workforce to up to 500 employees in 2019, with further increases going forward.

Critical TechWorks represents an addition of unknown importance to the BMW Group’s global innovation network in IT and software development. With increased involvement in the field of digitalization, BMW Group is pursuing its transformation into a mobility-tech company and actively shaping the digital shift in the automotive industry.

The task for Critical TechWorks is development and operation of high-end software solutions in various areas. Employing “agile” development methods, the joint venture’s specialists will use BMW Group data to create business models and develop knowledge-based products. The range of innovations extends from in-car infotainment and digital services, to autonomous transport systems for production, to digital sales and aftersales platforms, and highly-integrated solutions for product data management.

“We are selectively expanding our IT and software expertise and enhancing our inhouse capabilities. Starting today, in addition to our locations worldwide, we will also be developing digitalization and automation of product development, production and sales here in the heart of this fast-growing IT hotspot,” said Klaus Straub, Senior Vice-President BMW Group Information Management.