What Softing Automotive Electronics does

Softing Automotive Electronics GmbH is a German automotive diagnostics and testing specialist, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of publicly-listed Softing AG. Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Haar near Munich with an additional site in Kirchentellinsfurt, the company serves OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and after-sales workshop networks globally with a portfolio spanning the full vehicle lifecycle. Core products include Softing SDE (a platform-independent diagnostic runtime supporting ODX/OTX standards), Softing DTS (engineering diagnostic test tools), Softing TDX (next-generation cloud-based aftersales diagnostics launched in 2025), the VIN|ING Vehicle Communication Interface hardware family, and Softing TCS (diagnostic simulation).

The business monetizes through a mix of perpetual software licenses, subscription/rental models, hardware sales of proprietary and partner VCIs, and professional training and consulting services. The go-to-market is sales-led and event-driven with direct enterprise sales, global distributor coverage, and technology partnerships with Kvaser, Vector, and Peak. Standards leadership across ASAM, ISO, SAE, CiA, and AEF underpins a compliance-driven procurement advantage, particularly as the industry transitions toward software-defined vehicles and SOVD-based diagnostics.

Customer segments are horizontally diversified across automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, independent repair shops, dealerships, mobile service technicians, and engineering/test departments, with adjacent reach into mobile machinery (via Bosch Rexroth) and agricultural electronics (via AEF ISOBUS). The company maintains a small organization (11-50 employees disclosed for the automotive unit) and is part of the broader Softing Group which also operates Industrial Automation and IT Networks divisions.

Name

Softing Automotive Electronics

Legal name

Softing Automotive Electronics GmbH

Website

https://automotive.softing.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Softing Automotive Electronics provides diagnostic and testing software, hardware interfaces, and cloud-based aftersales solutions for automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and workshops, built on standards-compliant platforms (ODX, OTX, UDS, SOVD) and proprietary VCI hardware.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Diagnostic Software

NAICS

Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)

SIC

Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Electrical, Diagnostics & ADAS Calibration (TLAKAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Vehicle Diagnostics & Fault Code Scanning Services (TLAKANAA)

Keywords

• Automotive diagnostic software
• Vehicle communication interfaces
• ECU testing solutions
• Aftermarket diagnostic tools
• Automotive electronics testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Software Tools and Licenses: Sale of diagnostic software products including Softing TDX and DTS toolchains. Products offered as perpetual licenses, subscriptions, or rental models. Includes maintenance and service packages with support and software upgrades.
2. Hardware Products: Vehicle Communication Interfaces (VCIs) including VIN|ING family, SVI interfaces, and compatible third-party interfaces. Test units, test systems, and accessories for development and manufacturing.
3. Professional Services: Training services (basic seminars, tool training), consulting for diagnostics, ODX, OTX, and introductory training for tool chain implementation.
4. Maintenance and Support: Maintenance packages including telephone and email support, minor/medium software upgrades, and discounted major upgrades. Included in rental model.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Softing Automotive Electronics develops and sells diagnostic, measurement, and testing software and hardware for automotive electronics. Its portfolio includes the Softing SDE runtime diagnostic engine, the Softing DTS engineering tester platform, the Softing TDX cloud-based aftersales diagnostic suite, and the VIN|ING family of vehicle communication interfaces. Customers include vehicle OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and automotive service operations that use these tools for ECU engineering, production, and aftersales diagnostics.

Product overview

Softing Automotive Electronics provides a comprehensive diagnostic and testing product portfolio for automotive electronics, organized around two main platforms: Softing DTS (engineering tester) and Softing TDX (aftersales/workshop tester). The Softing SDE (Smart Diagnostic Engine) serves as the core platform-independent runtime system powering both platforms, supporting ODX and OTX standards with multiple API interfaces (MVCI Server API, D-PDU API, Functional API). The hardware layer includes VIN|ING vehicle communication interfaces. Additional offerings encompass diagnostic simulation (Softing TCS), test systems, and mobile applications. The architecture follows a modular approach with separate components for development (TDX.studio), backend administration (TDX.server), and workshop execution (TDX.workshop), enabling deployment across Windows, Android, and iOS platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Softing TDX: Next generation cloud-based aftersales diagnostics solution for workshop testers
• Softing DTS
• Softing SDE
• VIN|ING
• Softing TCS
• Softing TDX.workshop
• Softing TDX.server
• Softing TDX.studio
• Ed & Ted

Products and services

• Softing SDE (Smart Diagnostic Engine) Runtime diagnostic engine that executes diagnostic services for ECU engineering, production, and aftersales use cases; for OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and diagnostic tool developers building on ODX/OTX data.
• Softing TDX Cloud-based aftersales diagnostics platform comprising TDX.workshop, TDX.studio, and TDX.server; designed for OEMs and service organizations to run, manage, and update vehicle diagnostics in the cloud and connect them to dealer workshops.
• Softing DTS Engineering tester platform for developing, validating, and automating ECU diagnostics, including DTS.monaco (test editor), OTX.studio (OTX sequence authoring), DTS.automation (test automation), and DTS.venice (runtime/sequence engine); for ECU developers, validation engineers, and Tier 1 suppliers.
• VIN|ING 800 VCI Vehicle communication interface (VCI) that connects a vehicle to Softing's diagnostic software; supports diagnostics and parallel ECU flashing for service workshops and engineering teams.
• VIN|ING 2000 VCI Higher-end vehicle communication interface in the VIN|ING family that connects a vehicle to Softing's diagnostic software and supports more demanding diagnostic and ECU reprogramming tasks.
• Softing SVI Standalone diagnostic tool for vehicle inspection and related diagnostic workflows, used by service operations and inspection-oriented customers.
• Softing TCS Standalone test tool used in Softing Automotive Electronics' engineering and validation portfolio for ECU and diagnostic testing.
• Softing VCF Standalone tool in Softing Automotive Electronics' portfolio for working with vehicle communication frameworks and related diagnostic tasks.
• Test Units & Test Systems Integrated test units and test systems combining hardware and software for ECU validation and production testing; for OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and production test engineers.
• Training Services Paid training services on Softing's diagnostic software, engineering tools, and standards such as ODX and OTX; for OEM, Tier 1, and service organization engineers and technicians.
• CAR ASYST App for Audi OEM-branded aftersales diagnostic mobile application developed for Audi on Softing's diagnostic technology; used by Audi service operations to perform vehicle diagnostics.
• Pocket Tester App Mobile diagnostic application from Softing Automotive Electronics that works with VIN|ING VCIs to perform vehicle diagnostics on smartphones and tablets; for service workshops and technicians.
• OBD-App Mobile application from Softing Automotive Electronics for OBD-based vehicle diagnostics on consumer smartphones and tablets via a compatible VCI; for end-user and workshop diagnostic scenarios.

Quantifiable outcome

• Parallel flashing reduces downtime and increases scalability across engineering, manufacturing, and after-sales
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KvasercoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for CAN and CAN FD interfaces. Softing TDX.workshop compatible with Kvaser U100, Leaf v3, Leaf Professional HS, Leaf Light HS, Leaf Light HS v2, Memorator Pro HS/HS, USBcan II HS/LS, PCIcanx HS/HS, PCIEcan HS/HS interfaces. Success story documents integration of rugged U100 interface with workshop diagnostic solution.
• VectorcoreTechnology or IntegrationCompatible VCI interfaces including CANcard/case/board XL, VN1530, VN16xx, VN56xx, VN76xx, VN8900 for diagnostic communication.
• Bosch Rexroth (BODAS)coreTechnology or IntegrationBODAS-service 4.x powered by Softing TDX. Intelligent diagnostics solution for mobile electronics and machines of the future.
• ASAMcoreOthersASAM (Association for Standardization of Automation and Measuring Systems) member. Active contributor to standards including SOVD, MCD-2D, MCD-3D, MCD-2MC.
• AEF ISOBUSminorOthersMember of AEF (Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation) ISOBUS association for agricultural electronics standardization.
• CiA (CAN in Automation)minorOthersMember of CAN in Automation association for CAN bus standardization.
• SAE InternationalminorOthersMember of SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) for automotive standards including J2534, J1939, J1979.
• ISOminorOthersMember of International Organization for Standardization for automotive diagnostic standards including ISO 14229, ISO 22900, ISO 22901, ISO 13209.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AVL DiTEST: Specialist in automotive diagnostic and test equipment for workshops, fleets, and OEMs. Competes with Softing in measurement, ADAS calibration, and ECU diagnostic testers, with strong European workshop presence.
• Texa: Italian manufacturer of multi-brand vehicle diagnostic tools (AXONE, NAVIGATOR, OBD) for cars, trucks, motorcycles, and agricultural machinery. Directly comparable to Softing's workshop diagnostic tester line.
• Vector Informatik: German-headquartered automotive tools vendor offering CANbedded, CANoe, vTESTstudio, and a competing diagnostic toolchain. Vector overlaps directly with Softing on engineering testers, ODX/OTX authoring, and VCI hardware—Softing even lists Vector interfaces as compatible with its products.
• Launch Tech: Chinese-headquartered manufacturer of professional automotive diagnostic equipment (X-431 series) and ADAS calibration tools, with strong global aftermarket presence. Comparable product breadth to Softing's workshop diagnostic portfolio.
• Hella Gutmann Solutions: Aftermarket-focused provider of multi-brand diagnostic tools (mega macs), ADAS calibration equipment, and workshop data services. Direct overlap with Softing TDX.workshop in the independent repair shop channel.

Broad incumbents

• Marelli: Large Tier 1 supplier of automotive electronics, lighting, and software solutions. Overlaps with Softing's diagnostic and ECU testing capabilities as part of a much broader vehicle electronics portfolio serving global OEMs.
• Bosch Automotive Aftermarket: Bosch operates a global automotive service solutions business (KTS diagnostic tools, ESI[tronic] software, workshop franchise networks) overlapping directly with Softing TDX in the dealer/workshop channel, with far greater scale and OEM affiliations.
• Snap-on Incorporated: Global tool and diagnostics company whose Snap-on Diagnostics division sells aftermarket scan tools, software subscriptions, and OEM-authorized diagnostic platforms—competing with Softing TDX in dealerships and independent shops.
• Continental Engineering Services: Tier 1 supplier offering diagnostic, validation, and test services as part of a broader automotive electronics portfolio. Overlaps with Softing's engineering tester (DTS) and test systems businesses at the OEM engineering level.

Emerging players

• KPIT Technologies: Engineering services and software provider focused on automotive software-defined vehicle, ADAS, and diagnostics. An emerging player that increasingly competes with Softing's engineering diagnostic and software platform offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/softingAE
• YouTubeyoutube.com/SOFTINGAutomotive
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/softing-automotive

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Softing Automotive Electronics