The joint venture between Rivian and Volkswagen could someday supply EV tech to other automakers.
Developing the software that is a critical component of modern autos has proven to be a struggle for legacy automakers, including VW, but comes more naturally to an internet-era startup such as Rivian. Volkswagen plans to invest $5.8 billion in the joint venture, which was officially launched last November. The JV will focus on the development of electrical architecture and software for a new line of software-defined EVs, which are expected to start appearing in 2027.
It’s a win/win deal: higher production volume should allow Rivian to negotiate better supplier deals and reduce costs, and VW’s investment shores up the company’s capital position. Meanwhile, Volkswagen will get access to the software mojo it lacks. Now Rivian says other legacy automakers want a piece of the action.
“I’d say that many other OEMs are knocking on our door,” Rivian Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid said. “Any other OEM who wants to make a leap from a technology standpoint, the joint venture today becomes one of the key partners with whom they can make that collaboration.”
Bensaid didn’t name any of the interested automakers, or discuss what stage the talks were at.
Rivian’s next-generation architecture requires fewer electronic control units and significantly less wiring than its first generation (which was already ahead of the legacy brands’ tech), reducing vehicle weight and simplifying manufacturing.
Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume recently told Der Spiegel that VW might expand the partnership with Rivian: “We are thinking about sharing modules and bundling purchasing volumes.”
As the US’s former EV trendsetter appears to be losing its way, could Rivian/VW pick up the baton, becoming “the platform of choice in the Western world,” as stock analysts at Canaccord Genuity recently speculated? Will the JV’s products be able to compete with those of the Chinese automakers? We’ll be staying tuned.
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