Volkswagen is considering using vehicle software architecture developed with China’s Xpeng in its mainstream European models, according to Manager Magazin. The proposal could cover roughly three-quarters of the next-generation vehicles from the Volkswagen, Skoda and Cupra brands.
Volkswagen brand CEO Thomas Schaefer was expected to present the plan to management on October 27. The group has so far pursued separate approaches: an architecture developed with Xpeng for China, and technology being developed with US partner Rivian for Western markets through a $5.8 billion investment. Adopting the China-developed system in Europe would expand Xpeng’s role in Volkswagen’s global technology strategy. [Reuters]