Software poses hard challenges

Autocoding, reuse help automakers produce increasingly more lines of code.

The expansion of electronics has led to an explosion of software that shows few signs of abating. As automakers and their suppliers use programming to add new features and functions, those who write the code are struggling to devise ways to create reliable software in ever-shorter time frames.

Some predict that by 2010, software will represent more than 10% of the cost of a vehicle, up from less than 5% today Demand is increasing rapidly for features such as antilock braking and electronic stability control, where software continues to require more storage space.