DETROIT — BMW is developing an open-source platform for vehicle electronics. By taking the open-source approach, rather than using proprietary software, BMW aims to allow providers of infotainment services to develop plug-and-play applications.

BMW is asking other automakers to join in its effort.

But four other automakers that along with BMW took part in a panel discussion Tuesday at Convergence 2008, a conference on automotive electronics, are not as far along in their consideration of an open-source platform.

Of the five panelists, only BMW’s said that his company would have an open-source platform in a vehicle of 200,000 or more units in the next five to seven years.

Electrical and electronics engineers from BMW, Chrysler, Ford Motor, General Motors and Honda R&D participated on the panel.

The open-source Linux system was created by BMW, Wind River Systems Inc. and Intel Corp. for the in-vehicle infotainment market.

“We were convinced we had to develop an open platform that would allow for open software since the speed in the infotainment and entertainment industry requires us to be on a much faster track,” said Gunter Reichart, BMW vice president of driver assistance, body electronics and electrical networks. “We invite other OEMs to join with us, to exchange with us. We are open to exchange with others.”

An open-source platform fosters innovation by allowing software vendors and Linux users to share ideas, fix problems and contribute code. The result is a platform that offers plug-and-play compatibility for infotainment products from any vendor.