National Instruments LabVIEW software and Field Point application software, and LMS Data Acquisition System, which are used by DaimlerChrysler, are highlighted in a discussion of the use of in-vehicle data acquisition (IVDAs) systems by the automotive industry in vehicle development. LMS Data Acquisition System, MATLAB, and Optim MegaDac are all being outfitted to run IVDAS routines. Topics related to software and test/measurement are included. General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and DaimlerChrysler now do full vehicle development programs in between 18 months and 24 months, which is down from 36 months in the past. IVDAs allow automotive test and measurement engineers to quickly and effectively quantify the performance of auto components, including power trains, electrical, and HVAC systems, before their commercial entry. Most such tests are designed for rugged physical environments and conditions that test the limits of performance. Test engineers have to choose between two data collection strategies: a conventional standalone data recorder or PC-based data acquisition system. PC-based data acquisition systems can provide the automotive industry with the ability to get real-time feedback and allow the test drivers to rapidly change the parameters of the test run. Such abilities are being leveraged by DaimlerChrysler's Chelsea Proving Grounds. Among topics covered are finding a way to understand the physical response on 3,000 items as a panacea of information waiting to be measured; meeting data requirements; promotion of standardization; and future trends.