On September 10, 2025, Masaki Gondo , President, CEO and CTO of eSOL Co., Ltd. , a leading Japanese technology company in the automotive sector, delivered a thought-provoking keynote speech at the seminar ” Driving the Future: From Cross-Industry Experience to SDV ” held at the VTI Building (Hanoi) .
Approximately 50 people attended the talk, showing keen interest in how SDVs will shape the future of mobility and actively engaging with Mr. Gondo, a widely recognized industry leader in software-defined vehicles (SDVs) .
SDV: The next frontier of the automotive industry
A software-defined vehicle (SDV) is a vehicle in which software drives vehicle functionality and innovation, with hardware acting as the supporting platform. Unlike traditional vehicles that are constrained by hardware, SDVs can be continuously updated, expanded, and linked to new services through software, just like a smartphone.
This paradigm shift is transforming the automotive industry from a hardware-driven to a flexible, software-centric ecosystem, creating huge business opportunities for technology companies.
Key Takeaways
Through this presentation, participants gained a wide range of knowledge, from the basic concepts of SDV to the latest technology trends and case studies in the automotive industry. Furthermore, Mr. Gondo shared his forward-looking vision and provided deep insights into how the industry will continue to evolve over the next 5 to 10 years.
For us, this was a valuable opportunity not only to understand the latest technology and industry trends, but also to gain firsthand knowledge and exchange opinions with Mr. Gondo, a leading expert in the field of SDV in Japan. The open, knowledgeable and lively atmosphere made it an inspiring and beneficial experience for all participants.
During the Q&A session, in response to an insightful question about whether the spread of SDVs, which significantly extend vehicle lifespans, will disrupt OEM revenue models, Gondo cited the example of the smartphone industry, noting that it’s difficult to accurately predict what will happen. He pointed out that even after releasing the iPhone 17, Apple continues to support older models like the iPhone 11, suggesting that the automotive industry may also follow a similar path of coexistence between existing and new products.
Looking further into the future, Gondo emphasized the potential for the widespread adoption of autonomous driving and car sharing in Japan to fundamentally change the way we own cars . “If there are services that allow you to use a car when you need it, then surely there’s no need to buy a car?” he said, pointing out that these changes will lead to a decline in personal vehicle ownership and a shrinking production of internal combustion engine vehicles, while car-sharing services like Uber will expand.
Strengthening capabilities and promoting collaboration in the automotive sector
The lecture was part of a Vietnam inspection tour organized by eSOL. At VTI headquarters, CTO Pham Thanh Ha and Automotive Business Division General Manager Nguyen Minh Thao welcomed Mr. Gondo, marking an important milestone for the company to strengthen its ties with the Japanese automotive industry and further expand its business.
This collaboration builds on the two companies’ track record of supporting digital transformation (DX) in a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing, retail, BFSI, and healthcare . Aligned with VTI’s Domain Consulting Solutions (DCS) strategy, this is a key initiative to accelerate business expansion in the automotive industry, which offers significant opportunities for high-value technology projects, international partnerships, and the co-creation of next-generation mobility solutions.
At VTI headquarters, Mr. Gondo was given a tour of the company’s offices and was deeply impressed by the large, yet vibrant, workplace atmosphere, asking, “How do you keep your employees motivated?”
VTI places great importance on work-life balance , and regularly holds team-building activities across domestic and international locations, as well as internal events such as the AI Hackathon and VTI Champion League. These efforts strengthen teamwork, promote innovation, and create an environment where employees are always energized and motivated.
Looking ahead
The lecture, themed “Driving the Future: From Cross-Industry Experience to SDV,” provided an opportunity to deepen knowledge about SDVs and to demonstrate VTI’s strong commitment to entering the automotive field . By combining VTI’s multidisciplinary expertise with eSOL’s advanced SDV technology, we can drive innovation and play a key role in shaping the future of software-defined mobility.
