Nissan Motor Company has extended its partnership with UK-based software firm Monolith to use artificial intelligence in reducing vehicle testing times, as the Japanese automaker seeks to accelerate new car development and catch up with faster-moving Chinese competitors.
The collaboration follows the successful application of Monolith’s AI technology in optimizing the physical testing process for the new electric Nissan Leaf. The AI models helped cut the time spent tightening chassis bolts from six months to five, a method Nissan plans to apply to other vehicle components in upcoming models.
Emma Deutsch, director for customer-oriented engineering and test operations at the Nissan Technical Centre Europe, said the company is “very aware of the Chinese development time” and needs to bring vehicles to market faster. While Chinese automakers can develop new models in as little as 18 months, traditional carmakers like Nissan typically require around five years.
Nissan has faced declining sales in both the United States and China and has responded by laying off workers and closing plants. The company is now relying more heavily on AI to streamline testing and development processes.
Earlier this month, U.S.-based AI data center operator CoreWeave announced plans to acquire Monolith, aiming to expand its support for companies looking to shorten research and development cycles.
By using AI to analyze decades of test data — including results from the 1992 Nissan Micra — the automaker has already achieved significant time savings. Deutsch said she hopes future models could see testing times halved again, potentially down to three months.
Nissan is also working with Monolith to reduce test durations for tires and batteries, while Chinese EV maker Nio has begun using Monolith’s AI to optimize battery pack testing. Deutsch added that Nissan aims to cut total testing time across its vehicle lineup by 20% through broader AI integration.
