The Germans are unable to supply the software themselves for the upcoming UP! replacement, which will be called the Volkswagen ID.1. American Rivian will supply the car's technology.
The Volkswagen ID.1 will be based on technology from American Rivian.
The decision marks a change in the German automaker's original plan. The Germans' upcoming electric car, the Volkswagen ID.1, also known as the ID.Every1 concept, will use software developed by the American electric car brand Rivian.
The purchase of American software occurs despite the fact that Volkswagen has an extensive internal software development company, Cariad, with around 6,000 employees.
However, the project in Germany has failed so badly that Volkswagen has given Rivian 35 billion kroner to fix the mistake. Read more about it here .
Volkswagen's chief technology officer Kai Grünitz believes that it makes good sense for the Germans to now stay out of software development.
Volkswagen ID.1 will be the first with American technology
– Even after purchasing a new car, the smallest Volkswagen can be individually adapted to the customer's needs. This means that it can be updated with new features throughout its life.
The collaboration with Rivian involves an investment from Volkswagen of over 45 billion Swedish kronor.
According to TechCrunch, the ID.1 will have a platform based on so-called 'core computing'. It's all developed by Rivian.
Rivian taking over where Volkswagen went wrong means that the entire car will have to be technically redesigned, at least compared to the starting point that VW started with several years ago.
Although Volkswagen has not officially confirmed that Rivian is the specific supplier, it has been confirmed from internal sources.
Volkswagen itself will be testing the electric car ID.2 All, which will be launched in 2026. But because the ID.1 is probably seen as the car that will save the entire group's finances, the Germans cannot afford to be wrong. The car must be a hit if VW wants to survive.
The new electric car, Volkswagen ID.1, was presented as a concept car on Wednesday evening. Production is expected to start in 2027.
VW itself estimates that it will be able to be sold for 20,000 euros in Germany. This corresponds to 150,000 kroner in Denmark.
In terms of size, the model is larger than the previous VW Up, but smaller than a VW Polo. It is equipped with a new electric motor that produces 95 horsepower. Enough for a top speed of 130 km/h and a range of around 250 kilometers.
