? *BREAKING* Rivian & VW Announce Joint Venture -- VW Investing $1B in Rivian and another $4B to form JV for next gen EVs

[MountainBikeDude]

I didn't even think about that. Now I'm even more intrigued...

I'm assuming the ID. Buzz is too far along in development to benefit from this, but lots of intriguing possibilities that could come from this.

The ID Buzz is a sweet vehicle btw, they had one kicking around Vancouver. I was a little tempted.

Sponsored

 

[bmwlad24]

How about you stay on this forum while I watch the R1 Shop for you? ???

Great minds think alike??

 

[tjpoe]

VW needs software help desperately. We bought an ID.4 in 2023 while waiting for our R1S. The software in it is a joke. We've owned the vehicle over a year and there has never been a software update, and they certainly need one.

The vehicle has a 2g/3g antenna for connectivity. Verizon retired the 2G, so now every time you log into the car, there is a error/warning about 2G be deprecated. Deal and VW have no timeline for fixing this.

The vehicle unlocks when you walk up to it, so it has sensors that can tell how close you are, but there is no option to lock when you walk away. You also can't lock/unlock from the VW app, which is uniquely annoying since you CAN do that in many of their gas powered vehicle.

The car drives well, and is a good option for people who want to switch to EV but don't want the jolt of one-petal-drive. The default drive mode is similar to an ICE vehicle, but they need serious help on the software side.

 

[DuoRivian]

Makes sense that this allows Georgia to go ahead sooner so they can meet the 2027 date for R3. As it stood before this announcement Georgia was pushed out quite a bit (probably until R2 is produced). Could easily produce Scout and R2/3 product / Mazda and Toyota have a JV factory in Alabama that they share.

Should also provide an entry point for Rivian into Europe and China.

 

[Southern R1S]

Makes sense that this allows Georgia to go ahead sooner so they can meet the 2027 date for R3. As it stood before this announcement Georgia was pushed out quite a bit (probably until R2 is produced). Could easily produce Scout and R2/3 product / Mazda and Toyota have a JV factory in Alabama that they share.

Should also provide an entry point for Rivian into Europe and China.

Lots of relatively exciting possibilities across the VW portfolio:

• ID. Platform (software?)
• Scout Platform (software & hardware?)
• Audi Platform (software & hardware?)
• Porsche Platform (software & hardware?)
• Bugatti Platform (hardware?)
• EA charging network
• Georgia plant?
• VW dealer & service network?

I think the myriad of possibilities is a part of the reason why the stock is reacting so positively at the moment (in addition to the obvious of this being a much needed cash infusion / lifeline for Rivian).

 

[renat.gatin]

Oh nice, my Rivian Stocks up +50% ??

 

[Krs71]

DARN IT, was hoping APPLE would have been the investor

 

[Biturbowned]

Congrats to Rivian and to all the longs!

 

[SDH]

Good so long as Rivian still gets to be Rivian and RJ doesn’t start wearing lederhosen and going to corporate. Like Bugatti, and Lamborghini at Audi, it needs to be itself (just have the help from daddy’s deep pockets )

 

[SparkyR1t]

What are the chances VW service might be able to offer Rivian repair services in the future.

 

[Rizzian]

More importantly, does VW have Apple CarPlay?

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

There has been significant work done over the past months to validate that Rivian’s electrical architecture and software are compatible with Volkswagen Group’s vehicles.

I wonder which of VW's products will be first to benefit from Rivian's software architecture. Couldn't be the ID Buzz. Too soon?

Pro: Rivian gets the cash security it needs to expand (hopefully on the service front, because it feels 50/50 broken or dysfunctional).

Con: I hope VW doesn't take the boost/shortcut it needs on software bail and undercut Rivian's products (with their massive leverage and economy of scale).

 

[srnyoung]

This pretty much makes sure Rivian lives on for the foreseeable future.

My exact thought. Great news and great job RJ and friends.

Maybe VW can share some of their service excellence our way too...

 

[DuoRivian]

What are the chances VW service might be able to offer Rivian repair services in the future.

The statement said both companies are separate and will continue their operations. The JV will be well defined on software. I can see expansion to factory sharing at Georgia which helps R2/R3 production as well as help with European sales. I would not expect anytime soon (if ever) using VW service centers. Of course VE may in the future decide to buy Rivian since $3B is for stock and the company was worth before this announcement around $11B.

 

[Autolycus]

Hate to be Debbie Downer, but consumers probably won't see anything from this for at least 2-3 years, and it will be in the form of better, cheaper VW EVs with better wiring and software.

Sponsored