Today, Sonatus announces a significant milestone: the deployment of our software technology into production commercial vehicles. This achievement underscores the growing impact of software-defined vehicle (SDV) technology in the commercial transportation sector, where uptime, reliability, and operational efficiency are paramount.
SDV capabilities such as remote diagnostics, predictive maintenance, usage analytics, and advanced fleet management offer measurable benefits for both vehicle operators and OEMs—enabling better lifecycle management, improved safety, and reduced total cost of ownership.
Heavy Trucking Deployment: Hyundai Xcient Fuel-Cell Vehicles
Hyundai has deployed Sonatus software into its Xcient line of hydrogen fuel-cell heavy-duty trucks. This marks our first production deployment in commercial trucks and our first implementation on a hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion system.
The Xcient is the world’s first mass-produced fuel-cell heavy-duty truck and is currently marketed in both the United States and Europe. These trucks serve critical roles in long-haul freight, regional logistics, and goods distribution—sectors where uptime and real-time diagnostics directly impact delivery times and operational cost.
The increasing need for Class 8 trucks in the U.S. is evident, with 2024 retail sales totaling around 330,168 units, according to ACT Research. In the U.S., the heavy truck market remains a vital component of national logistics, so this surge reflects a growing demand for commercial vehicles and the importance of outfitting them with advanced technologies
Sonatus Foundation and Sonatus Collector, first launched in passenger vehicles, are now supporting commercial-grade performance, capturing real-time data and improving serviceability for fleet operators.
Electric Bus Platform: Hyundai ELEC CITY
Hyundai’s ELEC CITY line of battery-electric buses now also features Sonatus technology. These buses are currently being marketed in Japan, addressing the increasing demand for zero-emission public transportation.
Electric buses like ELEC CITY play a crucial role in reducing urban air pollution, lowering transit system emissions, and meeting regulatory carbon targets. Common use cases include city transit, airport shuttle operations, and regional commuter services, where energy efficiency and reliability are essential.
The electric bus market in Japan was valued at approximately USD 1.38 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 4.22 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.3% during the forecast period according to Grandview Research.
Scaling Impact: 4 Million Vehicles and Expanding
Sonatus technology has been deployed in over 4 million vehicles across Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands to date, covering more than two dozen models. These new commercial vehicle applications reinforce our platform’s scalability across all propulsion types, including internal combustion, electric, diesel, and hydrogen fuel-cell systems.
Looking Ahead: Commercial Innovation
These milestones reflect a growing trajectory for Sonatus within commercial mobility. Our technology is purpose-built to meet the evolving needs of OEMs and fleet operators, supporting them with tools that drive efficiency, uptime, and operational excellence. Explore these use cases to learn how Sonatus is transforming commercial fleets, making them easier to manage, maintain, and optimize for today’s dynamic transportation needs.
We are proud of this new milestone, but this is just the beginning for Sonatus technology in commercial vehicles. At CES 2025, we demonstrated applications of our technology to improve reliability and usage analytics for a commercial construction vehicle. At ACT Expo in April 2025, we will show new examples of how our technology can benefit other diverse types of commercial vehicles. I hope to see you there!
For more insights, download the white paper, The Future of Commercial Vehicles is Software-Defined, to learn more how OEMs can leverage software-defined vehicle (SDV) technologies.