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Winter testing to start on Volkswagen, Scout, Audi models

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Volkswagen agreed to invest $5.8 billion in Rivian last

year

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VW's ID.Every1 to debut RV Tech software in 2027

By Abhirup Roy and Rachel More

PALO ALTO, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Volkswagen Group

said on Wednesday the technology it is developing with U.S.

electric-vehicle maker Rivian Automotive ( RIVN ) could

eventually be used in its internal combustion engine vehicles.

Integration of software and electronics across platforms is

crucial for Volkswagen, which has struggled to unify its

technology architecture across brands after repeated delays at

its in house software unit, Cariad.

The German automaker is counting on its partnership with Rivian

to accelerate development of a scalable, next-generation vehicle

platform and close the gap with rivals like Tesla and

Chinese rivals.

"For sure, it is an extremely capable architecture and we

could allow for future use to also use it for ICE, but as we

already outlined our clear focus is on BEV implementation and

whatever comes after that is to be decided at a later stage,"

Carsten Helbing, co-CEO of the joint venture RV Tech, said.

EV demand in the U.S. is expected to slow after the

expiration of the $7,500 U.S. tax credit, while in Europe

Volkswagen and other legacy automakers face mounting pressure

from low-cost Chinese manufacturers expanding their footprint in

the region.

Volkswagen agreed to invest $5.8 billion in Rivian last year, a

move widely seen as an effort to strengthen its software

capabilities after setbacks at Cariad.

The two companies said winter testing will begin by the end

of this year, evaluating the system's performance in harsh

conditions on models from Volkswagen and its subsidiaries Scout

and Audi.

The German automaker's upcoming compact car model,

ID.Every1, will be the first to feature the new RV Tech software

and electrical architecture, with a launch planned for 2027.

By the end of the decade, more VW Group models on the

Scalable Systems Platform are expected to use the joint

venture's software and electronics.