“India Offers Not Only The Best Cost, But Also Great Brains”: Marelli Electronic Systems President

As the shift towards software-defined vehicles (SDVs) gains momentum, technology suppliers are gearing to tap into the robust demand potential offered by the Indian market, which has emerged as the third-largest passenger vehicle market in the world. The country is also witnessing an accelerated adoption of modern technologies such as high-end infotainment screens, digital cockpits, and ADAS solutions. In this interview, Ravi Tallapragada, President, Electronic Systems, Marelli, reveals the auto component maker’s future readiness with its advanced range of vehicle electronics as well as zone control units or ZCUs that aim to revolutionise the vehicle E/E architecture of the future.

How do you see the SDV transition currently underway in the automotive industry? How is Marelli innovating in this domain?

The shift towards Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) is transforming the automotive industry paradigm from hardware-based systems to dynamic software platforms capable of new features and continuous updates. In this scenario, automotive architectures are evolving from distributed systems to zonal approaches. In zonal architecture, zone control units manage cross-domain functionalities, significantly reducing weight, cost, and complexity.

Consequently, vehicle makers are adopting different solutions, each with individual levels of investment and speed. As part of Marelli’s flexible business model focused on co-creation with our customers at their pace, we listen, adapt, solve and deliver – with a commitment to grow with them as their needs evolve.

At Auto Shanghai 2025, we unveiled innovative technologies and solutions for the software-defined age that follow this approach For example, we showcased the ‘ProZone’ platform, which is part of our next-generation zone control unit portfolio and consolidates autonomous electronic control units (ECUs) into centralised architecture, reducing overall cost and weight. They enable a truly software-defined system that can be upgraded over time.

How does Marelli plan to leverage its cross-domain expertise to deliver a cohesive SDV experience?

Marelli’s cross-domain expertise allows us to deliver comprehensive SDV solutions that integrate lighting, interior electronics, powertrain and even more. In particular, the ProZone platform combines innovation and affordability, being able to manage body, lighting, power distribution, diagnostics, powertrain, thermal management, driving dynamics, and chassis.

By consolidating these elements into a unified zonal architecture, we enhance vehicle intelligence and personalisation, offering features that can be tailored to individual preferences. Moreover, we have a ready-to-offer catalogue of 300 cross-domains proven applications. These have been decoupled to provide vehicle makers with the opportunity to integrate them, taking advantage of Marelli’s experience.

How does the company align its SDV roadmap with the electrification and digital transformation strategies of its key customers in India?

We are in close contact with several prominent vehicle makers in the Indian market to understand their vision as well as their unique requirements for the software-defined age, depending on where they are in their journey from domain-based architecture to software-defined vehicles.

We regularly share with them global market trends and our internal platform development activities to ensure close alignment. Based on the discussions with our customers and data from S&P Global (formerly IHS Market), we anticipate the first adoption of zonal architectures by Indian vehicle manufacturers starting in 2028, with mass adoption by 2030.

What is Marelli’s go-to-market strategy for SDV solutions in a cost-sensitive market like India?

Vehicle manufacturers in India are at different stages with respect to the launch of zonal architectures. Marelli sees that the coexistence of standard and legacy electronic control units (ECUs) with the advancement to zones is the best way to approach the market. Since many carmakers are eager to experiment while not yet fully adapting to a 100 percent zonal architecture, we at Marelli are a transition partner, accompanying OEM customers on their journey.

In addition, it has been crucial to empower our regional teams to take the lead on region-specific technologies and processes. At the same time, clearly defining global standards and balancing them with the necessary regional flexibility is essential. We have two R&D centers (Gurugram and Bengaluru) in India with over 1,000 engineers working on the latest technologies.

India offers not only the best cost, but also great brains. Our focus on cost and platforms gives us an advantage in the areas of technology, affordability and speed. We also leverage our partners such as LTTS, Tata Elxsi for scalability and for know-how in some emerging technologies.

How is the company placed in terms of local manufacturing of advanced electronic components in India?

Today we have several manufacturing sites in India that can produce advanced electronics, including electronic control units (ECUs) and displays. These existing capabilities can support customers adopting new E/E architecture products as well. We are also exploring the addition of more localised display manufacturing capabilities in India.

How does Marelli view the impact of US tariffs on the future of India’s automotive components sector?

Regarding the subject of tariffs, we have a team in Marelli constantly monitoring the situation, which remains very fluid and unclear, particularly concerning automotive technology and related themes. At this time, we cannot provide much detail, apart from saying that we are keeping a close watch on developments hour by hour.

What role do ZCUs play in the evolution towards SDVs?

Zone control units (ZCUs) are crucial in advancing towards software-defined vehicles. This transformation reduces the number of electronic control units in a vehicle from 100 to less than 20, on average. Through our broad domain expertise, we can cover 80 percent of a vehicle’s software functionalities.

We have introduced an architecture combined with microservices for enabling and disabling hardware and software functions. This architecture is scalable to all vehicle platforms. In addition, Marelli already offers about 300 zone applications decoupled from legacy systems that can be easily integrated with third-party products. This dramatically reduces the time to market.

How is Marelli reimagining the in-cabin experience through software-defined capabilities with its cockpit ZCUs?

Marelli’s zone control units go beyond just the cockpit domain. They are at the heart of redefining in-cabin experiences and allowing seamless integration and control of functionalities such as infotainment, connectivity, climate and comfort systems. Our zonal architecture enables customisation as well as personalisation and significantly enhances the driving experience.

From adjusting seating and climate preferences to selecting entertainment options, the zonal architecture ensures in-cabin features can be updated over the air, continuously improving and adapting to user preferences to provide a more comfortable experience.

What role is India playing in the innovation and R&D of new electronics and SDV solutions for Marelli globally?

Our technology and development centers in Gurugram and Bengaluru belong to our global hubs for the development of electronic components and software for the software-defined age. In India we take advantage of the availability of skilled engineers in our R&D centres and the ecosystem in Bengaluru, as well as our partners to implement our solutions.

What investments have taken place within the Electronics System division to support Marelli’s transformation into a mobility tech company?

When it comes to the allocation of investment funds and resources, we do what probably all well-run companies do – we look at the potential of new technology and make the decisions accordingly. Having said that, the software and hardware solutions enabling the SDV architecture are high on our radar.

We also use minimal viable products, sharing new technologies early with OEM customers. Together, we cocreate and enhance them for launch, allowing us to use our innovation budget more efficiently.

What is the company’s growth outlook when it comes to revenue from SDV platforms in India?

We will continue investing in next-generation architecture. In 2026, we’ll launch two zone control unit projects, making Marelli a top global supplier. By 2030, we estimate over 20% revenue growth in India from SDV platforms, especially for cockpit, display, and body electronics.

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