Automotive, smart device, and technology leaders completed a week of testing of Version 4 implementations, Bluetooth® sniffing, and ultra-wideband tools.
GUANGZHOU, CHINA – September 29, 2025 – The Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC), the trusted source for defining how vehicles interact with devices and the world to enhance the consumer experience through standardized, secure, and convenient connectivity solutions, today announced the successful conclusion of its fourteenth Plugfest, hosted by DEKRA at their Guangzhou test facility. Held from September 22-26, the event brought together global leaders in automotive and smart device technology to validate CCC Digital Key™ implementations and strengthen end-to-end interoperability across devices, vehicles, and test tools.
This Plugfest enabled CCC member companies to test their CCC Digital Key™ implementations in real-world conditions. These structured, in-person sessions allowed developers to identify and resolve interoperability issues while contributing directly to improvements in technical specifications, test tools, and certifications processes.
Participating companies included Apple, Calterah Semiconductor Technology Co., Ltd, CARIAD China, China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), COMPRION GmbH, Ellisys, DEKRA, Infineon Technologies AG, Keysight Technologies Inc., Samsung, SGS Group, and vivo Mobile Communications Co., Ltd. This Plugfest focused on:
- CCC Digital Key™ Version 4 (v4) Testing: New v4 implementations were tested against both v3 and v4 systems. These sessions supported early identification of potential Interoperability Designation List (IDL) candidate devices, trusted reference implementations used as “golden devices” to verify new implementations against a known baseline.
- Bluetooth® Sniffing Validation: CCC evaluated Bluetooth® sniffing tools in full-day test sessions.
- Updated Near Field Communication (NFC) Scenarios: Members tested new and refined NFC use cases, reflecting updates based on issues identified during past global Plugfests.
- Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Tool Demonstrations: Vendors showcased how UWB test equipment could support member development and future certification needs.
- Lab Participation: CCC-authorized interoperability labs helped execute published test cases (Parts 1-5) using IDL end-user devices and the CCC-approved testing tools.
“Plugfests are a vital part of how we ensure CCC Digital Key™ works reliably and securely across platforms,” said Xiaoyu (Zoe) Fan, APAC Director at CCC. “It was exciting to see members collaborating in Guangzhou at DEKRA’s facility to troubleshoot, validate, and move the technology forward.”
Participants engaged in scheduled testing across a range of environments, with assigned spaces for vehicles, device implementations, and test tool partners. Dedicated indoor and outdoor areas were equipped with power, monitors, Wi-Fi, and GPS coverage to support complex testing needs.
The CCC Plugfest, hosted by DEKRA, took place as the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region continues to thrive as a global hub for connected vehicle innovation. By 2027, more than 150 million connected vehicles are expected to be on the road in the region. In China alone, an estimated 70% of all new vehicles manufactured in 2025 will be connected – driven by the strong demand in urban areas.
The APAC region growth is supported by regional infrastructure developments, including widespread 5G network expansion in countries like South Korea and Japan, which enables faster and more reliable in-vehicle connectivity. Holding the Plugfest in Guangzhou positions CCC members at the heart of this momentum, where real-world testing and collaboration can directly influence implementation across one of the most active connected vehicle markets globally.
For more information on the Car Connectivity Consortium, visit www.carconnectivity.org.
About the Car Connectivity Consortium:
The Car Connectivity Consortium® (CCC) is a cross-industry organization dedicated to defining how vehicles interact with devices and the world to create a more seamless and secure consumer experience. CCC standardizes the connected ecosystem around vehicles and devices, bringing together automakers, device manufacturers, automotive suppliers, chip vendors, and security providers to develop solutions that prioritize convenience, security, and privacy protections. With more than 300 member companies, CCC plays a leading role in advancing smartphone-to-vehicle connectivity and shaping the future of trusted digital vehicle access. Its Board of Directors includes representatives from Apple, BMW, CARIAD, DENSO, Ford, General Motors, Google, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, NXP, Panasonic Automotive Systems, Samsung, Thales, and Xiaomi. For more information, visit www.carconnectivity.org.
