- Rivian is involved in the development of VW Group’s next-generation EVs.
- VW will use Rivian’s electric architecture for future software-defined vehicles.
- The fully electric VW Golf Mk9 will be one of them, set to arrive in 2029.
It seems Volkswagen’s $5.8 billion joint venture with Rivian has some ambitious projects in the works, and by “ambitious,” we mean important enough to shake up VW’s EV strategy for the next decade. The electric vehicle disruptor will assist VW Group in developing its next-gen EVs, including the highly anticipated Golf Mk9.
Rivian is developing a next-generation electrical architecture tailored for software-defined vehicles. The first VW Group brands set to adopt this cutting-edge system will be Porsche and Audi, with implementation beginning in 2027. However, Rivian’s own R2 model could debut the tech even earlier if it stays on track for its planned 2026 launch. Still, the spotlight is firmly on the next-generation VW Golf, which has been confirmed for 2029 with a fully electric powertrain.
More: VW’s Entire ID EV Lineup To Receive Major Redesign Inspired By The Past
Speaking to the media, VW CEO Thomas Schafer shed more light on the company’s future plans, revealing that the Golf was specifically chosen to debut the new software-defined vehicle platform.
“We decided on how to do the software-defined vehicle. It will happen with Rivian, the joint venture, where we put the new electric electronics architecture together,” said Schafer. “But we have also decided that we want to start this journey with a more iconic product. So we’ll start with the Golf.”
A New Kind Of Golf Is Coming
As reported by Auto News, Shafer confirmed that the all-electric Golf “will be shown in 2029,” emphasizing that it will be a “real volume product.” The hatchback is set to ride on VW’s new Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), which promises improved efficiency and flexibility for future EVs.
Interestingly, the Golf Mk9 could serve as a de facto replacement for the MEB-based ID.3, which is slated for a second facelift in 2026. However, the Golf Mk9 won’t fully eclipse its gas-powered sibling, as the ICE-driven Mk8 is expected to remain in production until 2035, a reminder that VW is hedging its bets as it transitions into the EV era.
What About The Project Trinity?
While VW is pushing forward with the electric Golf, its high-profile Project Trinity flagship EV has hit the brakes, at least temporarily. Originally planned as the brand’s first software-defined vehicle, the Trinity has been delayed amid shifting priorities. “We just switched a little bit, moved it out a little bit, not because we don’t see it as a huge priority, but Trinity was never designed as a volume vehicle,” Schafer admitted.
Schafer didn’t provide specific dates, but recent reports indicate that the launch of the Trinity EV has been pushed back from 2026 to late 2032. Initially, VW had planned to construct a brand-new factory dedicated to this Tesla-rivaling flagship EV. However, the company reversed course last year, choosing instead to modernize its existing plant in Zwickau. According to Schafer, this decision has proven to be a smart move in light of the economic and supply chain challenges the company is currently facing.
Navigating Economic Turbulence
The VW Group is already feeling the pinch, with factory closures and cost-cutting measures looming large. Audi’s Brussels plant is set to shut down in February, and the company has proposed a 10% wage reduction alongside the elimination of bonuses. Adding to the tension, mass layoffs remain a possibility, an option that has provoked fierce resistance from the workers’ union, which has threatened a strike “not seen for decades” if these plans move forward.
Amid this unrest, VW’s best hope lies in delivering products that reignite consumer excitement and prove the brand can still compete in an increasingly electrified market.
