Autoliv and CATARC in Strategic Partnership

Rhea-AI Summary

Autoliv (NYSE: ALV) and China Automotive Technology and Research Center Co (CATARC) signed a strategic partnership on October 14, 2025 to jointly advance automotive safety standards, testing, certification, R&D and international expansion for vehicles produced in China. The collaboration targets four areas: safety technology research, testing and certification support, international business development, and public welfare and sustainability. Autoliv will leverage CATARC's testing and standards capabilities to support Chinese OEMs' global growth and align domestic and international safety standards. Autoliv reported $10.4 billion in 2024 sales and cited its products saved about 37,000 lives in 2024.

Insights

Strategic Partnerships Analyst

Autoliv and CATARC form a strategic partnership to co-develop safety standards, testing and global market support for Chinese vehicle makers.

Autoliv and CATARC will pool technical capabilities across research, testing, certification and standards alignment to create an integrated service system for vehicles produced in China. The collaboration explicitly covers collaborative R&D, testing and certification support, international business development and public welfare and sustainability initiatives, and it aims to support Chinese OEMs in expanding globally.

The agreement depends on coordination between a global supplier and a state-affiliated standards body, so progress will hinge on regulatory alignment and successful integration of testing and certification processes. The announcement notes CATARC's role at the World Congress Global NCAP on October 15 to 17, which creates a near-term forum to surface technical priorities; however, no commercial terms, measurable milestones, or timelines were disclosed, so execution risk and timing remain unclear.

Watch for concrete outputs such as joint standards, published certification processes, or pilot testing programs over the next 6–18 months; the Global NCAP event on October 15 to 17 may clarify technical focus areas. Given the stated scope and parties, this partnership is likely to increase technical alignment between a global supplier and Chinese regulatory/testing channels, but investors should track published milestones and any disclosed commercial terms.

SHANGHAI, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Autoliv, Inc. (NYSE: ALV) (SSE: ALIVsdb), the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems, and China Automotive Technology and Research Center Co (CATARC), the leading research institution setting standards in China's automotive sector, have signed a strategic agreement to jointly advance automotive safety standards and innovation in China and beyond.

This partnership brings together Autoliv's global leadership in automotive safety and CATARC's comprehensive technical service capabilities to establish an integrated domestic and international service system to identify and enhance safety standards for all vehicles produced in China.

The collaboration will span research and development, testing, certification, and standards alignment-providing technical support for the R&D and global expansion of Chinese automakers.

The collaboration will focus on four key areas:

• Collaborative Research in Safety Technologies - Advancing next-generation safety systems through quality and innovation.    
• Testing and Certification Support - Enhancing efficiency and reliability in safety validation processes. 
• International Business Development - Supporting Chinese OEMs in expanding globally with world-class safety.
• Public Welfare and Sustainability Initiatives - Promoting safer mobility and sustainable development through joint advocacy and innovation.

"Autoliv has had a strong presence in China for over three decades and this partnership marks a new chapter in our commitment to shaping the future of automotive safety and ensuring high quality in products both in China and globally. Automotive safety products never get a second chance and need to work without any flaws or variations. Together with CATARC, we aim to define the next generation of safety standards and enhance the safety on our roads," said Fabien Dumont, Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer of Autoliv.

CATARC's strengths in product testing and certification, as well as forward-looking R&D, will be leveraged in this collaboration. The partnership also aims to increase industry-university-research integration and optimize the use of domestic and international R&D resources. By combining regional, industrial, and technological advantages, Autoliv and CATARC will jointly drive innovation and set higher standards for automotive safety.

This agreement builds on years of successful collaboration between the two organizations and reflects a shared vision to make mobility safer for all.

CATARC is an official partner for the World Congress Global NCAP25, which will be held in Shanghai October 15 to 17.

Inquiries: 
Media: media@autoliv.com
Gabriella Etemad, Tel +46 70 612 64 24, Emelie Ericson, Tel +46 70 957 81 35
Investors & Analysts: ir@autoliv.com
Anders Trapp, Tel +46 709 578 171, Henrik Kaar, Tel +46 709 578 114

About Autoliv

Autoliv, Inc. (NYSE: ALV; Nasdaq Stockholm: ALIV.sdb) is the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems. Through our group companies, we develop, manufacture and market protective systems, such as airbags, seatbelts, and steering wheels for all major automotive manufacturers in the world, as well as mobility safety solutions, such as commercial vehicles and electrical safety solutions. At Autoliv, we challenge and re-define the standards of mobility safety to sustainably deliver leading solutions. In 2024, our products saved approximately 37,000 lives and reduced around 600,000 injuries.

We have operations in 25 countries, and we drive innovation, research, and development at our 13 technical centers. Our 65,000 employees are passionate about our vision of Saving More Lives and quality is at the heart of everything we do. Sales in 2024 amounted to $10.4 billion. For more information go to  www.autoliv.com .

About CATARC

China Automotive Technology and Research Center Co (CATARC) is a central enterprise directly under the supervision of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC). Established in 1985, CATARC is a comprehensive technology enterprise group with extensive influence in the global and domestic automotive industry. CATARC has developed technical service capabilities covering the entire automotive industry chain and product life cycle. Its business spans a wide range of areas including industry services, standards development, policy research, testing and validation and engineering technology R&D.

Safe Harbor Statement

This report contains statements that are not historical facts but rather forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include those that address activities, events or developments that Autoliv, Inc. or its management believes or anticipates may occur in the future. All forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations, various assumptions and data available from third parties. Our expectations and assumptions are expressed in good faith and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them. However, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will materialize or prove to be correct as forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual future results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those set out in the forward-looking statements, including general economic conditions and fluctuations in the global automotive market. For any forward-looking statements contained in this or any other document, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and we assume no obligation to update publicly or revise any such statements in light of new information or future events, except as required by law.

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https://news.cision.com/autoliv/r/autoliv-and-catarc-in-strategic-partnership,c4249457

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ALV_Press release Autoliv and CATARC in Strategic Partnership

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/autoliv-and-catarc-in-strategic-partnership-302583368.html

SOURCE Autoliv

FAQ

What did Autoliv (ALV) and CATARC announce on October 14, 2025?

They announced a strategic partnership to collaborate on safety R&D, testing, certification, international business development, and public welfare initiatives.

How will the Autoliv and CATARC partnership affect Chinese automakers' global expansion?

The partnership will provide testing, certification and standards alignment support intended to help Chinese OEMs expand globally with improved safety validation.

Which four focus areas did Autoliv and CATARC specify in the October 14, 2025 agreement?

Collaborative safety technology research; testing and certification support; international business development; public welfare and sustainability initiatives.

Does the Autoliv press release state any financial terms or acquisitions in the ALV partnership with CATARC?

No; the announcement describes collaboration scope and objectives but does not disclose transaction values or financial terms.

What scale and capability does Autoliv highlight in the announcement about the ALV partnership?

Autoliv noted $10.4 billion in 2024 sales, operations in 25 countries, 13 technical centers and that its products saved about 37,000 lives in 2024.

When and where will related public events occur tied to the partnership announcement for ALV?

The release notes CATARC is an official partner for Global NCAP25, taking place in Shanghai October 15–17, 2025.