Volkswagen may use technologies developed in China in most of its future electric vehicles
The discussion concerns the vehicle's electronic architecture, which links software and over-the-air updates, though no final decision has been made yet.
Volkswagen brand CEO Thomas Schäfer intends to use Chinese electronic architecture in approximately three-quarters of the next-generation electric vehicles under the Volkswagen, Skoda, and Cupra brands for the European market.
The primary advantage is seen as development cost savings. According to Schäfer’s team estimates, this could amount to $4.5–5.5 billion in the key segment, while the development of the next electric Tiguan will cost around $9,000 less. It remains unknown whether this will affect the price of cars for buyers.
Volkswagen developed the architecture in collaboration with Xpeng, and the intellectual property rights belong to the German company. The plan involves replacing a separate technology that Volkswagen is developing with Rivian as part of a $5.8 billion partnership for Western markets. Within Volkswagen, there are doubts that adapting the system to European requirements will be straightforward or cost-effective; data and security issues are not addressed in the reports.
The first vehicle based on Rivian technology is expected to be an affordable electric hatchback based on the ID. Every1, with production scheduled for 2027. It is still unclear whether it will retain this software.
