AUTOSAR was formed in July 2003 by Bavarian Motor Works (BMW), Robert Bosch, Continental, Mercedes Benz (formerly Daimler-Benz, then DaimlerChrysler), Siemens VDO, and Volkswagen to promote an open industry standard for automotive electrical-electronic (E/E) architecture. In November 2003, Ford Motor Company joined as a core partner, and in December, Stellantis (formerly PSA Peugeot Citroën) and Toyota Motor Corporation joined. The following November, General Motors also became a core partner. These companies are responsible for organizing, managing and controlling the AUTOSAR development partnership. In this core, the board defines the overall strategy and roadmap.

Currently the following Core Partners support AUTOSAR: