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Smart vehicles at ‘China speed’: Volkswagen develops high-performance E/E architecture for electric vehicles in China with XPENG

Graphic representation of the new electrical architecture for Volkswagen in China, highlighting central computers and zones.
  • The Volkswagen Group and XPENG expand their platform and software partnership: Joint development of the China Electrical Architecture, a zonal Electrical/Electronic architecture, to make China-specific electric vehicle models fit for the next leap in innovation
  • Decisive step towards intelligent connected vehicles: Zonal E/E architecture to reduce complexity of electronic control systems and enable fast and cost-efficient expansion of digital services and functions – with continuous system updates ‘over the air’
  • Important milestone in Volkswagen Group’s ‘In China, for China’ strategy: New digital network strengthens competitiveness through access to local tech ecosystem
  • Standardised system: From 2026, the jointly developed architecture is planned to be used in VW brand electric vehicles produced in China

Beijing. The Volkswagen Group is stepping up the pace of innovation ‘in China, for China’ and systematically driving forward the digitalisation of its model portfolio. Together with XPENG, Volkswagen is introducing the China Electrical Architecture (CEA), a zonal Electrical/Electronic (E/E) architecture. Jointly developed by experts from XPENG, Volkswagen China Technology Company (VCTC) and CARIAD China, the CEA will ensure the rapid expansion of digital services in the Volkswagen brand’s China-specific vehicles. Advanced features such as autonomous driving can be seamlessly integrated and continuously updated and extended 'over the air' (‘OTA’). At the same time, thanks to the zonal structure, the number of electronic control units in previous systems can be reduced by up to 30 per cent. As a result, the zonal E/E architecture will be cost competitive with local offerings. The new digital network is envisaged to be used in locally produced VW brand electric vehicles from 2026. The move will strengthen Volkswagen’s ‘electric offensive’ and mark the latest decisive step as one of the industry leaders in the age of intelligent connected vehicles (ICV).

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By implementing the new CEA the Volkswagen brand is further standardising the digital architecture of its locally produced model portfolio. Initially, the focus is on vehicles on the locally developed platforms. This includes four VW brand models in the entry-level of the compact class segment on the China Main Platform (CMP) which is being developed by Volkswagen China Technology Company (VCTC) together with the Joint Ventures SAIC Volkswagen and FAWVolkswagen. By reducing complexity and the number of control units, the CEA is making a significant contribution to achieving the 40% cost reduction target for the China platform compared to MEB. The cars on CMP will hit the market as of 2026 and comprehensively expand the portfolio of the Joint Ventures. 

The CEA will also strengthen the digital offering in the two VW brand vehicles developed jointly with XPENG for the mid-range segment. Launched in 2026 - starting with a SUV.

Ralf Brandstätter, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG for China, said: “With our 'In China, for China' strategy, we are strengthening the innovative power of the Volkswagen Group in China. By expanding our partnership with XPENG and consistently integrating with China's industrial ecosystem, we will align our products even faster to the needs of Chinese customers. Both partners bring their strengths to the table. This increases efficiency, optimises cost structures and accelerates the speed of development. High cost-effectiveness and a fast pace of development are crucial for our competitiveness in China's dynamic market environment. Through such efforts, we are taking on a leading role in the age of intelligent connected vehicles.”

Xiaopeng He, Chairman and CEO of XPENG, said: “Our shared passion for technology brought XPENG and Volkswagen together. Both parties will continue to contribute each other’s best to our strategic partnership. The technical collaboration on E/E architecture takes our partnership to the next level and on a much larger scale. The collaboration will allow our Smart EV products to be both technologically competitive and cost competitive.”

VCTC and CARIAD China to ensure rapid integration of new digital technologies into VW models

The CEA will jointly be developed by a team of experts from XPENG, VCTC and CARIAD China, who together will strengthen the software-oriented approach and foster the development of state-ofthe- art features, i.e. automated driving and next-generation connectivity functionalities. The partnership ensures the construction of a comprehensive zonal E/E architecture including the zone controllers, central computers, cloud and backend connectivity, and fast and cost-efficient integration into Volkswagen brand vehicles. VCTC, a development, innovation, and procurement center, is the core of the Hefei innovation hub. VCTC bundles all of Volkswagen’s development units and decision-making processes for vehicles destined for the Chinese market. By the end of this year, more than 3,000 development and procurement experts will be working on the development of new ICVs. CARIAD China, with more than 1,000 experts, is Volkswagen Group China’s software unit. Their target is to significantly shorten development times by up to 30 per cent in order to bring innovative offerings to customers faster.

Volkswagen Group strengthens its local development expertise through strong ‘in China, for China’ approach

The expanded co-operation with the smart vehicle company XPENG ties in with the Group’s ‘In China, for China’ strategy, as it enables Volkswagen to address market-defining trends in China at an early stage and best leverage the market’s growth dynamics and innovative strength. Volkswagen is strengthening its local development capacities for e-mobility, digitalisation and autonomous driving and accelerating its decision making and development processes in the region. As a result, the Group is expanding its site in Hefei into a state-of-the-art production, development and innovation hub, while also focusing on partnerships with Chinese high-tech companies. A high level of technical localisation and consistent customer orientation are the key for Volkswagen Group China and its Joint Ventures SAIC Volkswagen, FAW-Volkswagen and Volkswagen Anhui to take over a leading role in the new ICV era.

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