Multi-Brand Volkswagen Group Vehicle Data Flows Directly into Cartrack’s Operations Cloud
Cartrack, a leading global mobility solutions provider and subsidiary of Karooooo Limited (NASDAQ: KARO), has announced a strategic partnership with Volkswagen Group Info Services AG to integrate multi-brand vehicle data across Europe. Through this collaboration, real-time fleet data from Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Audi, Škoda, SEAT, and CUPRA can now be connected directly into Cartrack’s Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) fleet management platform, removing complexity for fleet operators and accelerating digital transformation.
At the core of this partnership is the ability to seamlessly access original equipment manufacturer (OEM) vehicle data without any additional hardware. Modern vehicles from the participating Volkswagen Group brands already come factory-equipped with embedded telematics and connectivity. Cartrack’s platform taps into this native capability, enabling remote and automatic activation. As a result, fleets can be onboarded quickly, without needing to install aftermarket devices or take vehicles off the road for fitment. Customers also receive complimentary product training, helping them unlock the full potential of the platform from day one.
Once vehicles are connected, fleet managers gain immediate access to a rich stream of operational and diagnostic data. This includes crucial information such as warning lights, mileage, fuel levels, and other OEM datapoints that contribute to safe and efficient operation. Instead of relying on manual checks or fragmented systems, decision-makers can monitor the status of their entire fleet in real time through Cartrack’s intuitive dashboards and driver app. This enhanced visibility supports smarter, data-driven decision-making and provides an instant foundation for continuous improvement.
The integration brings tangible benefits across all aspects of fleet management. From an operational perspective, access to real-time OEM data helps fleet managers optimise routing, reduce unnecessary idling, and align vehicle usage with business priorities. Accurate mileage and fuel consumption data support more precise cost control and budgeting, while insights into driver behaviour can inform coaching programmes aimed at improving efficiency and safety.
Maintenance is another critical area transformed by this partnership. By leveraging OEM diagnostic data and warning indicators, fleets can adopt a more proactive, predictive approach to vehicle upkeep. Instead of waiting for breakdowns or relying solely on fixed service intervals, managers can identify potential issues earlier and schedule maintenance at optimal times. This reduces unexpected downtime, extends vehicle lifespan, and improves overall fleet availability. Streamlined maintenance workflows, supported by digital scheduling and automated alerts, help operators stay ahead of potential problems and keep vehicles road-ready.
Compliance and safety also stand to benefit significantly. Cartrack’s platform is designed to help businesses comply with European regulations, including EU hours of service rules. By integrating accurate, real-time vehicle and driver data, the system supports better record-keeping, reduces administrative burden, and lowers the risk of non-compliance penalties. At the same time, comprehensive insight into vehicle status and driver activity enables fleets to identify and mitigate risk factors, contributing to safer journeys for everyone on the road.
The partnership also supports broader sustainability objectives. With improved visibility into fuel consumption, idling, and route efficiency, fleets can implement targeted strategies to reduce fuel use and emissions. Even marginal gains across a large fleet can translate into meaningful environmental impact and cost savings. As organisations across Europe pursue climate and ESG goals, data-driven fleet optimisation becomes a powerful lever to support those commitments.
Importantly, the technology is built to benefit not only managers but also drivers. For drivers, the integrated solution simplifies many everyday tasks. Digital vehicle bookings and easy fleet sharing make it simpler to allocate vehicles fairly and efficiently. Clear, timely information about vehicle status and scheduled maintenance reduces confusion and helps drivers feel confident that their vehicles are safe and well maintained. Enhanced safety features, combined with better communication and streamlined processes, contribute to a smoother working experience.
For fleet managers, a unified, real-time view of the entire fleet is available through Cartrack’s Operations Cloud and mobile apps. They can monitor vehicle health, track utilisation, schedule maintenance, manage incidents, and complete digital inspections from a single environment. Accident reporting becomes more structured and traceable, while inspection checklists can be digitised to ensure consistency and reduce paperwork. The combination of OEM-grade data and Cartrack’s analytics capabilities turns raw information into actionable insights.
Richard Schubert, Group COO at Cartrack, emphasised the importance of the alliance in expanding Cartrack’s OEM data ecosystem. He noted that the direct integration with Volkswagen Group Info Services AG via embedded telematics allows customers to benefit from seamless connectivity to the Cartrack platform. This, in turn, helps them optimise fleet efficiency, simplify day-to-day operations, and move faster on their digital transformation roadmap. The partnership underscores Cartrack’s strategy of working directly with leading automotive manufacturers and data providers to deliver deeper, more integrated solutions.
From the Volkswagen Group side, the collaboration reflects a shared vision of data-driven mobility. Lasse Schmidt van Hülst, Lead Sales at Volkswagen Group Info Services AG, highlighted the opportunity to combine the advanced vehicle data capabilities of the Volkswagen Group with Cartrack’s proven fleet management solutions. By doing so, the partners aim to deliver enhanced efficiency, improved safety, and greater sustainability for fleet operators across Europe. The cooperation showcases how OEMs and technology providers can work together to unlock new value from connected vehicles.
Data security and privacy are central to the partnership’s design. All data flows and processing activities are fully compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), ensuring that fleet operators can trust the way their information is collected, stored, and used. Robust safeguards are in place to protect sensitive data, giving customers confidence that their fleet operations meet the highest standards of data protection and regulatory compliance.
Beyond individual fleets, the collaboration supports a broader shift toward digital, connected mobility ecosystems. As more vehicles roll off the production line with embedded telematics, partnerships like this one enable operators to harness that connectivity without technical complexity. Instead of managing a patchwork of hardware, software, and data sources, fleets can rely on integrated platforms that bring everything together in a single, coherent environment. This reduces friction, accelerates ROI on connected vehicle investments, and lays the groundwork for future innovations such as advanced analytics, AI-driven optimisation, and deeper integration with other enterprise systems.
Cartrack’s Operations Cloud already supports the digital transformation of more than 125,000 commercial clients worldwide. These customers span sectors such as logistics, field-service maintenance, transport, finance, mining, agriculture, and emergency services—industries where uptime, safety, and cost efficiency are critical to success. By adding direct access to Volkswagen Group vehicle data, Cartrack strengthens its value proposition for existing clients and opens new opportunities among fleets heavily populated with Volkswagen Group brands.
The partnership is particularly relevant at a time when fleets are under pressure to do more with less. Rising operating costs, tightening regulations, evolving customer expectations, and sustainability commitments all demand smarter, data-led strategies. Cartrack and Volkswagen Group Info Services AG are responding to this environment with a solution that gives fleets better tools, better data, and better insight—without adding complexity or burden.
In practical terms, a fleet operator can now order Volkswagen Group vehicles, activate them remotely on Cartrack’s platform as soon as they are delivered, and immediately start collecting and analysing data. There is no waiting period for hardware installation, no need to coordinate with multiple vendors, and no interruption to daily operations. From the first day, the organisation has the information it needs to monitor utilisation, schedule service, manage fuel, and support drivers—all within a secure, GDPR-compliant framework.
As mobility continues to evolve, partnerships between OEMs and technology platforms will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of fleet management. The collaboration between Cartrack and Volkswagen Group Info Services AG demonstrates how combining embedded vehicle intelligence with a robust cloud-based fleet solution can deliver concrete benefits today while also preparing operators for the opportunities of tomorrow. By making integrated, real-time fleet data more accessible and actionable, the two companies are helping fleets across Europe operate more efficiently, safely, and sustainably.
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