Specialist translation for the automotive industry Automotive documentation translated precisely and securely.
From the requirement specification to e-mobility software: we localise for OEMs and suppliers. Certified to ISO 17100 and ISO 18587, with data processed under ISO 27001 on German servers, through specialist translation by native speakers.
Four ISO certifications (including ISO 27001)Translation partner to companies with high standards
- What we cover: requirement specifications, homologation dossiers, software and HMI, owner's manuals, CSRD and ESG reports in more than 220 languages
- Specialist translators: automotive experts (engineers, mechatronics technicians, software developers) under ISO 17100
- Cost: MTPE from €0.05/word, specialist translation from €0.12/word. Segments that already sit in your translation memory as a 100% match are discounted by 60% to 70%
- Delivery times: MTPE around 4,000 words a day, human translation around 2,000 words a day. Express service (24 hours) available
Data security and homologation
Translation for OEMs under the current UNECE standards
In the automotive industry, protecting sensitive data matters as much as technical precision. The shift to software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and the binding rules of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) have tightened the requirements considerably. When TARA reports, prototype requirement specifications or HMI software strings are translated, the whole supply chain has to be secure.
tolingo works to ISO 27001 for information security. NDAs, encrypted data transfer and dedicated project teams are standard here, which keeps sensitive OEM data protected. Alongside that, native-speaker specialist translators with a technical background (engineers, vehicle mechatronics technicians, software developers) deliver the linguistic quality.
Standards in automotive translation
| Standard / rule | Automotive scope | Why it matters for localisation |
|---|---|---|
| UNECE R155 / R156 | Cyber security (CSMS) & OTA updates (SUMS) | Audit reports and KBA evidence translated to the standard for homologation. |
| ISO 27001 | Information security in data exchange | Required for handling OEM design data and code bases safely. tolingo is certified. |
| ISO 18587 | Full post-editing (MTPE) | Keeps terminology consistent and traceable when SDV software is translated with machine support. |
| ISO 17100 | Human translation & quality | A strict four-eyes principle and proof of qualification for every specialist translator on the job. |
| IATF 16949 | Quality management in the car industry | End-to-end documentation and traceability of the localisation process. |
The documents we translate
From the requirement specification to the software interface
From advanced development through the KBA audit to marketing in the target market, we cover the whole lifecycle of your vehicle with technical expertise.
Declarations of conformity, TARA reports (threat analysis) and documentation for over-the-air software updates, for type approval worldwide.
User interfaces (infotainment and navigation), head-up displays and SDV code. We work directly in PO, JSON or YAML files and respect the layout constraints of the target system.
Requirements engineering, driver handbooks, CAD specifications and digital assembly instructions for tier 1 and tier 2 communication.
Workshop manuals, diagnostic instructions and data mappings for digital twins (predictive maintenance).
Sustainability reports, CO₂ balances and ESRS documentation. Terminologically precise translation for the audit review.
Product catalogues, vehicle brochures and trade fair material. Emotional appeal in the target market without losing the technical detail. Related: translation vs localisation.
Prices and translation memory
Certified automotive translation from €0.05 per word
Model updates, facelifts, software releases: automotive documentation repeats from one model series to the next. Our CAT tools store every phrase once it has been translated, in your own translation memory (TM). On a new version the system recognises segments that already exist (100% matches). Those only need verifying, not translating again.
Cost structure at a glance
| Service | Price from | Delivery (guide) |
|---|---|---|
| Post-editing (MTPE, ISO 18587) | €0.05/word | around 4,000 words a day |
| Specialist translation (human, ISO 17100) | €0.12/word | around 2,000 words a day |
| TM matches (100% identical) | 60% to 70% discount | Available immediately |
| Express surcharge | 30% to 50% | Delivery within 24 hours |
Final prices usually sit between €0.05 and €0.13 per word, depending on urgency (standard or express) and how deep the review goes. Binding quote in ~10 minutes (within business hours).
Please note: our translations do not replace technical acceptance or a homologation review. Sign-off and regulatory conformity of your documents remain the responsibility of your own engineering and compliance teams.
Automotive sub-sectors
Technical depth for complex drivetrains
Charging infrastructure, high-voltage battery systems, inverters and thermal management. High precision on safety-critical current parameters and range algorithms.
LiDAR, radar, camera sensors and machine learning algorithms. Localisation of calibration reports for driver assistance systems.
Translation for CI/CD pipelines. Continuous support for over-the-air (OTA) updates while keeping to ISO 24089.
Trucks, buses, agricultural and construction machinery. Focus on hydraulics, pneumatics, telematics and detailed service manuals for fleet operators.
Common questions
Data security, standards and cost
Technical localisation at OEM level.
Request an individual quote for your automotive documentation. Confidentiality under ISO 27001 is standard.
ISO 17100 · ISO 18587 · ISO 27001 · In business since 2007Glossary
Terms used in automotive translation
- SDV (software-defined vehicle)
- A vehicle whose functions are primarily controlled by software and extended by over-the-air update. It calls for continuous localisation of UI strings, diagnostic messages and safety documentation across the whole lifecycle.
- UNECE R155 / R156
- Regulations from the UN Economic Commission for Europe on cyber security (R155, CSMS) and software update management (R156, SUMS) in vehicles. Mandatory for all new registrations since July 2024.
- Translation memory (TM)
- A database that stores segments already translated and proposes them on new projects. Particularly valuable for model series updates, where large amounts of text stay identical. More on this: enterprise translation memory.
- MTPE (machine translation post-editing)
- A process under ISO 18587 in which a machine pre-translation is checked and corrected by a qualified specialist reviewer. It combines speed with human quality control. More on this: post-editing at tolingo.