Nationwide Digital Test Drive Fleet Management & Connected Vehicle Data Collection Solution
Project Background
Volvo Cars China manages a nationwide fleet of test-drive vehicles covering gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and battery electric vehicle (BEV) models. As vehicle electrification and intelligent mobility continue to evolve, the company required a unified digital platform to improve fleet management, optimize vehicle utilization, and support data-driven product development.
The project focused on three key objectives:
* Establish centralized management and intelligent scheduling for nationwide test-drive fleets.
* Collect standardized vehicle operating data to support vehicle validation, product optimization, and future intelligent driving development.
* Build a compliant connected vehicle data platform compatible with multiple powertrain architectures while ensuring data security and operational efficiency.
Challenges
Managing a nationwide mixed-powertrain fleet presented several technical and operational challenges.
- Multiple Vehicle Architectures
Gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles utilize different communication protocols, making unified data acquisition highly complex. - Strict OEM System Protection
Factory vehicle systems employ advanced security mechanisms that require compliant diagnostic access without affecting vehicle operation or warranty. - Complex Hybrid Vehicle Electronics
Hybrid platforms feature sophisticated electronic architectures that demand specialized protocol adaptation for reliable data communication. - Inefficient Fleet Operations
Manual scheduling and inconsistent vehicle allocation often resulted in low fleet utilization and reduced customer experience across dealerships. - Limited Energy Consumption Visibility
The absence of centralized fuel and battery consumption monitoring made operational analysis and fleet cost management more difficult.
Solution
A customized connected vehicle solution combining intelligent telematics hardware, CAN Bus integration, and a private fleet management platform was developed to provide secure, compliant, and centralized fleet operations.
- 1.Intelligent OBD Telematics for Fleet Visibility
Custom OBD telematics devices were integrated with vehicle CAN networks to collect authorized operational data while providing real-time GPS positioning, trip history, parking status, and vehicle availability. Every vehicle was digitally registered, enabling full lifecycle fleet management.
- 2. Compliant Vehicle Data Collection
Dedicated CAN communication technology was developed to support Volvo's multiple vehicle platforms while maintaining system compatibility. The platform securely collects key vehicle information including VIN, engine speed, coolant temperature, fuel level, battery status, mileage, energy consumption, and operational conditions, providing valuable data for engineering analysis and fleet management.
- 3. Secure Private Deployment
The entire platform is deployed within the customer's private infrastructure, enabling localized data storage, processing, and management. Secure communication architecture ensures operational data remains protected throughout the entire transmission process while supporting enterprise-level cybersecurity requirements.
- 4. Intelligent Test Drive Management
A customized digital workflow streamlines vehicle reservation, approval, dispatching, return management, and operational reporting. Intelligent vehicle matching automatically recommends the most suitable available model based on vehicle type, location, and availability, improving dealership efficiency while enhancing customer test-drive experiences.
Key Benefits
- Compatible Across Multiple Powertrains
Supports gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric vehicle platforms through standardized connected vehicle integration
- Centralized Fleet Managemen
Real-time vehicle monitoring, intelligent dispatching, digital asset management, and lifecycle tracking significantly improve fleet utilization.
- Vehicle Data Intelligence
Standardized operational data collection provides valuable insights for product validation, vehicle performance analysis, and future mobility research.
- Operational Cost Optimization
Centralized monitoring of fuel and energy consumption helps improve resource management, increase operational transparency, and support cost optimization.
- Secure Enterprise Deployment
Private deployment architecture, localized data management, and secure communication mechanisms provide reliable support for enterprise connected vehicle operations.
Project Value
This solution enables Volvo Cars China to transform nationwide test-drive fleet operations through intelligent telematics, standardized vehicle data acquisition, and centralized digital management. By integrating connected vehicle technology with secure enterprise deployment, the platform improves operational efficiency, enhances customer service quality, and provides a scalable data foundation for future vehicle development and smart mobility initiatives.
