A three way partnership between U.S. electrical pickup and SUV maker Rivian and Volkswagen is in talks with different automakers about supplying their software program and electrical structure, a senior Rivian govt stated on Thursday.
The German automaker agreed in November to take a position USD 5.8 billion within the three way partnership, which is able to combine superior electrical infrastructure and Rivian’s software program know-how for each firms’ future electrical automobiles.
Whereas a three way partnership will give Rivian increased volumes to barter higher provider offers and scale back prices, seen as vital amid a slowdown in EV demand, Volkswagen and doubtlessly different conventional automakers will get fast and easy accessibility to know-how and software program they’ve struggled to construct for years.
“I might say that many different OEMs are knocking on our door,” Rivian Chief Software program Officer Wassym Bensaid stated in an interview, referring to Authentic Gear Producers, a phrase used to explain automobile makers.
Bensaid, who can be co-CEO of the three way partnership, declined to offer names of the automakers and particulars on what stage the talks had been at.
Rivian’s structure requires fewer digital management models and considerably much less wiring, decreasing automobile weight and simplifying manufacturing. The know-how is core to constructing automobiles with software program that could possibly be up to date over the air like a smartphone – what the trade calls “software-defined automobiles”, an space the place established automakers are nonetheless operating behind.
“There’s demand,” stated Bensaid, including that the precedence till 2027 was to roll out the R2, Rivian’s smaller, less-expensive SUV and to combine the know-how in different Volkswagen manufacturers. “Clearly different OEMs are speaking to us and we’re making an attempt to determine the right way to help that sooner or later.”
“Another OEM who needs to make a leap from a know-how standpoint, the three way partnership in the present day turns into one of many key companions with whom they will make that collaboration,” he stated.
The enterprise is prone to grow to be the platform of selection within the Western world aside from Tesla, Canaccord Genuity analysts stated in a observe. The three way partnership additionally helps alleviate “a major chunk of the capital concern” for Rivian, the analysts stated.
