Latest news with #Cariad
Miami Herald
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
VW's EV Masterplan Expands Beyond Just Batteries
Volkswagen is in the middle of a turnaround strategy that will put the German brand back on track. Its grand plan was revealed earlier this year, with nine new models to be launched in the next few years. The all-new Scalable Systems Platform (SSP)is part of this movement, though various issues have plagued its rollout, including software issues related to Cariad. Now, VW has revealed an update about the SSP, and it's a major one that involves internal combustion engines. After years of touting the SSP as its clean-sheet EV architecture, the German auto giant has revealed that SSP will also support internal combustion engines, though not in the traditional sense. Instead, VW is pivoting toward range-extending gas engines that generate electricity to charge batteries, not drive the wheels. While VW may tout this as an evolution of the SSP architecture, the incorporation of a range-extender engine is more like a safety net for the brand. At this point, several automakers have already backpedaled from their all-EV push due to waning demand for BEVs. VW is one of them, and this is the company's solution. The SSP architecture will still be fully electric at heart, but it will also accommodate range extenders. These are internal combustion engines used solely to generate power for the battery, with no mechanical link to the wheels. Nissan's e-Power, which is reportedly reaching the US market, operates on the same principle as VW's SSP. The defunct Mazda MX-30 also got a similar upgrade with a rotary range extender, while VW Group's own Scout brand is also launching in the market with the same technology. One of SSP's headline vehicles will be the ninth-generation VW Golf, which will be fully electric and will coexist with the current Mk8 Golf for several years. It's unclear whether there will be a range-extended version of the Golf, but we expect the model to arrive by 2029, so there is an allowance for adjustments to VW's plan. In China, the world's biggest automotive market, Volkswagen already previewed the ID. Era concept, which features a gasoline-powered range extender. Of note, EV demand in China is also dropping, with range-extended EVs and plug-in hybrid gaining popularity. Despite the expanded capabilities, VW doesn't expect this range-extended EV strategy to take hold everywhere. According to VW CEO Thomas Schäfer, Europe is unlikely to see SSP-based range extender models where plug-in hybrids remain the more viable option. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Auto Blog
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Volkswagen Rethinks EV Future With A New Twist
The German automaker has delayed its Scalable Systems Platform for a good reason, and now we know why. Why All-New Scalable Systems Platform Was Delayed Volkswagen is in the middle of a turnaround strategy that will put the German brand back on track. Its grand plan was revealed earlier this year, with nine new models to be launched in the next few years. The all-new Scalable Systems Platform (SSP)is part of this movement, though various issues have plagued its rollout, including software issues related to Cariad. Now, VW has revealed an update about the SSP, and it's a major one that involves internal combustion engines. 0:04 / 0:09 Audi A5 replaces A4: So, what's changed? Watch More After years of touting the SSP as its clean-sheet EV architecture, the German auto giant has revealed that SSP will also support internal combustion engines, though not in the traditional sense. Instead, VW is pivoting toward range-extending gas engines that generate electricity to charge batteries, not drive the wheels. Impact On Future Models While VW may tout this as an evolution of the SSP architecture, the incorporation of a range-extender engine is more like a safety net for the brand. At this point, several automakers have already backpedaled from their all-EV push due to waning demand for BEVs. VW is one of them, and this is the company's solution. The SSP architecture will still be fully electric at heart, but it will also accommodate range extenders. These are internal combustion engines used solely to generate power for the battery, with no mechanical link to the wheels. Nissan's e-Power, which is reportedly reaching the US market, operates on the same principle as VW's SSP. The defunct Mazda MX-30 also got a similar upgrade with a rotary range extender, while VW Group's own Scout brand is also launching in the market with the same technology. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Next VW Golf Will Use SSP Architecture One of SSP's headline vehicles will be the ninth-generation VW Golf, which will be fully electric and will coexist with the current Mk8 Golf for several years. It's unclear whether there will be a range-extended version of the Golf, but we expect the model to arrive by 2029, so there is an allowance for adjustments to VW's plan. In China, the world's biggest automotive market, Volkswagen already previewed the ID. Era concept, which features a gasoline-powered range extender. Of note, EV demand in China is also dropping, with range-extended EVs and plug-in hybrid gaining popularity. Despite the expanded capabilities, VW doesn't expect this range-extended EV strategy to take hold everywhere. According to VW CEO Thomas Schäfer, Europe is unlikely to see SSP-based range extender models where plug-in hybrids remain the more viable option. Source: Volkswagen About the Author Jacob Oliva View Profile
Motor 1
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
VW's New EV Platform Still Supports Combustion Engines
It's been a little over four years since Volkswagen announced SSP, its all-encompassing electric vehicle architecture. The Scalable Systems Platform was originally expected to be ready by now, but it has been delayed until later this decade. Multiple reports from German media attributed the setback to VW's software division, Cariad. However, the automotive conglomerate is now ready to discuss SSP, and there's a surprise. Although SSP is primarily an electric platform, it will also support combustion engines. VW Group plans to introduce range extenders, with internal combustion engines functioning solely as generators to charge the battery. Like the BMW i3, Mazda's rotary MX-30 , and the upcoming Ramcharger, these engines won't have a mechanical link to the wheels. Nissan's e-Power technology follows a similar principle: the gasoline engine powers the battery, not the drivetrain. Photo by: Volkswagen Volkswagen had already indicated its interest in range extenders. Its newly established Scout brand will launch a pickup and an SUV equipped with naturally aspirated ICE generators . In China, the recently unveiled ID. Era concept previews a three-row SUV developed with SAIC, also featuring a gasoline-powered generator. SSP is a major initiative for VW. It will serve as the foundation for models across all its brands and will eventually replace all existing electric platforms. A teaser image shows five different body styles, ranging from a city hatchback to a large SUV. Automotive News reports that there will be eight derivatives in total, covering every segment of the market. Next-generation EVs based on SSP are expected to begin rolling out in 2026, likely debuting in China before arriving in Europe a year later. We may not see this technology in Europe, where VW CEO Thomas Schäfer believes plug-in hybrids are the more viable option. He told Autocar that range extenders are expensive to engineer, while today's plug-in hybrids already offer decent electric range and fast charging. According to Schäfer, offering both solutions wouldn't be economically feasible. Photo by: Volkswagen One of the most significant models to use the SSP platform will be the ninth-generation, electric-only Golf. It's scheduled to arrive near the end of the decade and will coexist with the combustion-engine Mk8 for several years. VW may keep the current Golf on sale until the mid-2030s . The electric Golf will be built in Wolfsburg, while production of the ICE model will move to the Puebla plant in Mexico in 2027. With SSP's key specifications now finalized, VW Group CEO Oliver Blume stated: 'We aim to be the global technology driver for the automotive industry. SSP will play a crucial role in this. We've reached an important milestone in developing our electric future platform. Now it's full steam ahead to implementation.' Catch Up With VW: Volkswagen Is Making Less Money Because It's Selling More EVs Volkswagen Could Give Ford More Reskinned Cars Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Volkswagen Group Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
VW's troubled Cariad software unit has turned the corner, CEO Peter Bosch says
BERLIN — Volkswagen Group's troubled software division, Cariad, has put its problems behind it, CEO Peter Bosch told Automotive News Europe sister publication Automobilwoche. Bosch said the unit has entered a new phase of delivery and focus, marked by a string of key software launches and a break from past missteps. 'When you take on a task that everyone knows is difficult, you don't do it expecting constant applause,' Bosch said. 'But we delivered. The cars are here, costs have been significantly reduced, and we have broken new technological ground.' Cariad was launched in 2020 with ambitions to become the 'second SAP,' a multinational German software company, but it soon became a symbol of delay and dysfunction within VW Group. VW Group CEO Oliver Blume moved Bosch from his job as production chief at Bentley to Cariad, tasking him with fixing the division that was hit by overspending and delays in developing advanced software. Cariad's problems delayed the launches of Porsche's full-electric Macan and the Audi Q6 E-tron. A new software platform intended to enable Level 4 autonomous driving was pushed back to the end of the decade. Sign up for the Automotive News Europe Segment Analysis newsletter, a monthly in-depth look at a segment of the car market, including sales and market share data When Bosch arrived in summer 2023 from Bentley, Cariad's reputation was in tatters. Since then, Bosch, a former Oliver Wyman consultant, has led a broad reorganization. He realigned development processes with the group's brand structure, slashed costs and pushed for tighter control of code. His actions include ending over-reliance on external system suppliers. Bosch said the traditional outsourcing model does not work for modern automotive software. 'In software, with its fast development cycles, we have to work directly on the code,' he said. 'Our employees know, write, understand, and change the code — even via over-the-air updates.' VW's long-term goal is a fully software-defined vehicle architecture with centralized computing and proprietary code. 'We now do a lot ourselves, faster and more cost-effectively,' Bosch said. 'We must master the code.' Cariad contributed software to 14 models released in 2024. Bosch said that in April, nine of the 10 top-selling electric vehicles in Germany were VW Group models equipped with Cariad software. The company has overhauled its workforce structure, introduced agile delivery units and reduced management layers. Artificial intelligence tools were deployed throughout development, and insourcing has replaced expensive outsourcing in many areas. But Bosch is careful not to frame the turnaround as complete. 'Our current architectures are competitive, but they are still based on a supplier model,' he said. For the development of highly automated driving systems, Cariad is working with supplier Robert Bosch as a development partner. It is also working with VW Group's joint venture partner, EV startup Rivian, and VW's Carizon joint venture in China with Horizon Robotics. Also in China, Cariad is developing the Volkswagen China Technology Co. with domestic automaker Xpeng. 'Here, we have acquired a software license from Xpeng for the Chinese architecture, or CEA for short, but are now responsible for the code ourselves — with more than 10 million lines so far,' Bosch said. More than 500 Cariad employees in China are writing code tailored to local driving conditions and regulatory expectations. 'They know the culture and requirements inside out,' Bosch said. In North America and Europe, while some Cariad engineers have transferred to the joint venture with Rivian, Bosch said it's mainly staffed by Rivian personnel. 'The joint venture was founded by Rivian and the Volkswagen Group, not by Rivian and Cariad,' he said. Cariad now focuses on crossfunctional technologies such as cloud infrastructure, advanced driver-assist systems and infotainment, which Bosch said makes more sense for innovation and cost control. 'We are now significantly cheaper per vehicle in the cloud than the competition,' he said. The localization push extends beyond software: In China, development, design and production must all be local to meet consumer expectations and regulatory demands. 'The one-size-fits-all approach no longer works,' Bosch said. In Shanghai, for example, Cariad's advanced driver-assist system stack was tuned to maintain proximity to other vehicles in ways tailored to dense urban traffic. Despite those adaptations, Cariad remains focused on software sovereignty. 'It is important to us that we write the code ourselves and retain technological control,' Bosch said. As VW Group pursues modern, centralized architectures, Bosch said he envisions shorter development cycles and greater flexibility. 'This allows many systems to be networked more efficiently,' he said. 'We can bring functions into the car even faster, including some we don't even know about when we start development.' Cariad's evolution is occurring as legacy automakers, VW Group included, struggle with declining profits and sales, the threat of tariffs from the U.S., and Chinese automakers that continue to eat into market share in Europe and in China. In March, VW announced 1,600 Cariad workers would be laid off this year. Bosch said transformation requires restructuring and while roles such as creating specifications may be eliminated, more coders will be needed to replace them. Bosch said Cariad's central task is to ensure the software success of the entire company by creating economically viable solutions that benefit the group. Cariad's benchmark is the big picture — contributing to the software expertise and innovative strength of VW Group. 'We have financial goals — and we achieved them last year,' he said. 'The more vehicles on the road with Cariad software, the more revenue we generate.' Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Wales Online
21-05-2025
- Wales Online
The Times has named this Welsh area as the perfect place for a ‘gourmet mini break'
The Times has named this Welsh area as the perfect place for a 'gourmet mini break' It's been described as 'the surprising rising star of the Welsh food scene' Looking for a romantic, wine-filled getaway? Check out Llanerch, the UK's first vineyard hotel, where you can swill wine in a beautiful leafy setting. (Image: AA Hospitality Awards ) The Vale of Glamorgan is probably one of the most crowd-pleasing spots in Wales when it comes to easy walking options, activities and glorious views, with everything from stunning seaside's to open countryside and within easy reach of cities, it ticks all the right boxes. But it's also recently been getting some love for its foodie offerings. According to The Times, the Vale is emerging as 'the surprising rising star of the Welsh food scene', making it an ideal spot for a 'gourmet mini break.' The paper has praised the region's growing number of award-winning restaurants and artisan producers in an article written by journalist Sarah Baxter. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here The Hare & Hounds in Aberthin is highlighted as a standout with The Times noting that the ''community soul has been retained under its present owner." The decor of the pub is rustic and homely without being too fussy Sarah describes dishes such as beef shin pappardelle with sourdough crumb and confit pork belly, and says the three-course evening menu offers 'exceptional value at £30." It's also been a long time holder of a Michelin Bib Gourmand, which recognises 'establishments that serve good food at moderate prices.' Article continues below Also mentioned is Home in Penarth which won a Michelin star in 2022 just six months after opening and is famous for its immersive, intimate dining experience where diners have to ring a doorbell to enter the venue, and nearby The Touring Club diners can expect 'on-trend small plates' including 'a mean Welsh rarebit dripping with beery cheese'. You may have noticed that Penarth has been having a moment on the foodie front, with the popular new restaurant changing up the feel of the high street, Hickmans Bar and Restaurant, opening last year and the brand new Goose on the Loose also taking over The Deck, on the marina. (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Later in the piece, Sarah encourages food lovers to stay at Llanerch Vineyard in Hensol which is the UK's first vineyard hotel, and enjoy tastings from its cellar. Llanerch, which is surprisingly only a 20-minute drive from Cardiff city centre was named as Britain's most beautiful vineyard out of 268 locations throughout the UK in 2022, and if you've ever visited or seen photos it's easy to see why. With the Welsh rolling hills providing an incredible backdrop, the scenery is immaculate. On site, there's also a rooftop terrace and a stunning permanent wine tasting lodge (you can read more on that here), which features some of Llanerch's own award-winning Cariad wines. (Image: ALS Photography/Llanerch Vineyard ) From vineyards and cheese shops to sea swims and pastry stops, it's unsurprising that The Times is the latest to recognise the region where top-quality food meets down-to-earth charm - and while we might be a tiny bit biased we couldn't agree more that the area is definitely one of a kind. Article continues below Describing the Vale, Sarah noted: is 'a fertile, flourishing foodie destination, yes, but one with its feet still on the ground.' So if you're looking for a short trip to indulge in the best of the best of food and drink, you definitely don't need to travel too far, as if you're based in south Wales (or further out) it might be the perfect time to explore more of what's right on your doorstep.
