Adopting a cloud-first approach in the automotive industry

A cloud-first approach is becoming essential for connected cars as vehicles evolve from hardware-driven machines into software-defined platforms. Cloud-native architectures enable automakers to deliver continuous software updates, real-time digital services, and scalable connectivity that traditional, on-premises systems cannot support.

According to research, around 70% of vehicles will feature software-defined architectures by 2030. This shift underscores the urgent need for cloud-ready ECUs and modern backend infrastructures to support these capabilities today.

The challenge

Our client is one of the largest Japanese OEMs specializing in automobiles and motorcycles. The company operates globally with a strong focus on innovation and sustainability.

The client needed a future-ready connected platform to support its 4-wheel vehicle lines in Japan and across other markets. This platform had to meet several critical requirements:

  • Seamless integration: Build a scalable platform that connects multiple vehicle models and existing OEM systems without disrupting ongoing operations.
  • Cost and quality balance: Optimize infrastructure costs while maintaining high service quality for both offshore and regional connectivity.
  • Global compliance and agility: Develop an architecture that complies with local regulations and connectivity standards, while remaining flexible enough to adapt to evolving customer needs and technology trends.

Solution Highlights

FPT recommended and implemented a cloud-native architecture to transform the client’s legacy system into a scalable, multi-region platform. The key elements of this solution include:

  • Consult & Redesign: Analyzed the legacy system and designed a modern architecture to support new connected applications.
  • Cloud-First Deployment: Leveraged AWS services to enable global scalability, high availability, and compliance across regions.
  • Future-Ready Foundation: Built a platform capable of handling large user volumes while reducing complexity and optimizing costs.

Key Technologies

The following core AWS services are used as the foundation of the solution:

  • Load Balancer
  • Auto Scaling Group (ASG)
  • AWS Lambda
  • AWS Fargate
  • Amazon Aurora DB
  • Amazon DynamoDB
  • Amazon SQS
  • Amazon ECR

Business Outcome

Using this multipurpose application, the client’s customers and partners can instantly access detailed maintenance and repair records for their vehicles, which helps enhance safety and support more accurate valuation. The platform also keeps users informed about company updates and exclusive offers, creating a more engaging experience that reflects the client’s commitment to digital transformation with a strong focus on both operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Following the migration to a cloud-native architecture, the client achieved measurable improvements across key performance areas. The main results can be summarized as follows:

  • Operational and infrastructure costs decreased by 10% in the first year through more efficient resource utilization.
  • Feature deployment speed increased by 25% thanks to elastic scalability, enabling faster delivery of enhancements to users.
  • System reliability improved significantly, with uptime rising from 97% to 99.5%, ensuring a more stable and dependable experience.

Powering the future of connected cars with FPT

As mobility becomes increasingly connected, the automotive industry is unlocking new opportunities for growth and innovation for OEMs and automakers. At the forefront of this transformation, FPT has established itself as a global leader in Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) development, building on more than two decades of automotive expertise.

With a team of over 4,200 automotive engineers, strict adherence to ISO 26262 and ISO 21434 standards, and a best-shore delivery approach, FPT empowers manufacturers to accelerate the shift toward highly connected, automated, and software-centric vehicle platforms. By doing so, FPT helps them meet the evolving expectations of modern mobility.

Conclusion

By reimagining the Japanese OEM’s legacy environment as a cloud-native, AWS-based, multi-region platform, FPT has laid a robust foundation for truly future-ready connected vehicles. This cloud-first approach not only streamlines integration across multiple vehicle lines and back-end systems, but also translates into tangible gains: lower operational costs, faster feature rollout, and significantly improved uptime for end users. At the same time, richer services such as instant access to maintenance histories and personalized updates elevate customer engagement and reinforce brand trust. Backed by deep Software-Defined Vehicle expertise, rigorous adherence to automotive standards, and a global engineering force, FPT stands ready to help OEMs scale this success. For automakers envisioning the next generation of connected, software-defined mobility, now is the moment to turn cloud ambition into concrete action.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did FPT help the Japanese OEM build a global connected car platform? FPT redesigned the OEM’s legacy systems into a cloud-native, AWS-based platform that supports multiple vehicle lines worldwide. The new architecture delivers seamless integration with existing systems, scales across regions, and enables new connected services while controlling costs and meeting regulatory requirements.

Why are cloud-first and cloud-native critical for connected cars now? As vehicles become software-defined, a cloud-first, cloud-native approach enables continuous updates, real-time services, and massive scalability that legacy systems lack. With most vehicles expected to adopt software-defined architectures by 2030, automakers need cloud-ready ECUs and modern backends to stay competitive.

What specific challenges did the Japanese OEM face with its 4-wheel lines? The OEM needed a future-ready platform for 4-wheel vehicles in Japan and globally, with seamless integration across models and legacy systems. They had to balance cost and service quality, ensure reliable offshore and regional connectivity, and meet diverse regulations while remaining agile to changing customer and tech demands.

What were the key elements of FPT’s cloud-native solution for this OEM? FPT assessed the legacy environment, then designed a modern, cloud-native architecture on AWS. The team delivered consulting, system redesign, and cloud-first deployment across regions, creating a scalable, highly available platform that simplifies operations, supports new applications, and optimizes costs for long-term growth.

Which AWS services power the connected car platform in this case study? The platform uses core AWS components, including Load Balancer, Auto Scaling Groups, AWS Lambda, AWS Fargate, Amazon Aurora DB, Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon SQS, and Amazon ECR. Together they provide scalable compute, resilient data storage, event-driven processing, and container management for connected services.

What business results did the OEM achieve from this multipurpose app? The app gives users instant access to maintenance and repair histories, improving safety and vehicle valuation while enhancing engagement with updates and offers. Post-migration, the OEM cut costs by about 10%, sped feature deployment by 25%, and raised uptime from 97% to 99.5%, boosting reliability and efficiency.

How is FPT positioned as a leader in software-defined and connected cars? FPT leverages over 20 years of automotive expertise and more than 4,200 engineers to deliver SDV and connected car solutions worldwide. With ISO 26262 and ISO 21434 compliance and a best-shore delivery model, FPT helps OEMs build highly connected, automated, software-centric vehicle platforms at global scale.