The reason for the delay in the Porsche and Audi electric model launches is due to Volkswagen’s Cariad software unit. And in order to fix the same, the German automaker is recruiting former Tesla, Rivian, and Google executives. As they enable to lead a new software design hub for future EVs.
The Cariad division has created problems for the past several years. While, after investing a huge amount and failing to meet desired output, Cariad’s disappointment substantially became the reason behind former VW Group CEO Herbert Diess’s departure. Diess created Cariad in 2020 with the motive to advance Volkswagen EV software, to compete against giants like Tesla.
The VW Cariad is involved in developing uniform software as well as a tech platform for the group’s next-gen EVs. Whereas the improper execution has resulted in significant delays and glitchy rollouts. The same became the reason for the delayed launches of the Porsche electric Macan and the new Audi Q6 e-tron.
Oliver Blume, who acquired the rule from Diess as VW’s CEO last September, has also tackled the same issues. While taking these things into consideration, the leader is making it a priority. Moving ahead, Blume appointed Peter Bosch, a former Bentley production chief, as CEO in May. Meanwhile, the automaker is further adding some veteran talent from industry leaders Tesla and Rivian.
Volkswagen hires to boost up its next-gen software platform
The automaker has hired Sanjay Lal, previously exec at Tesla and Rivian. The decision was made to avail help to develop a next-gen software platform. As reported by Bloomberg, Lal will join VW by next month. He has been designated as a vice president of the software platform for two years now at Rivian. Before that, he was Director of Engineering for Android Automotive at Google. While, from July 2017 to June 2019, Lal was director of engineering at Tesla.
Therefore, in the near future, Lal will lead a software design hub at Cariad. Also, the project will be firstly implemented to two EVs, an Audi and VW model. Alongside this, the produced output will be further used for scaling the software platform with respect to all Volkswagen Group brands.
