The German competition authority, Bundeskartellamt, has given the green light for Volkswagen and Rivian to establish a joint venture, with each company holding a 50% share. The venture aims to develop advanced E/E architecture for electric vehicles, focusing on the design and integration of electrical and electronic functions in cars.

The E/E architecture in vehicles is undergoing a significant transformation due to the increasing shift towards electric mobility and the integration of autonomous driving features and network-based services. This evolution highlights the growing importance of software in future vehicle functionalities.

The project was cleared under merger control as it was deemed not to pose a significant threat to competition. The competition authority concluded that the collaboration between Volkswagen and Rivian in developing E/E architecture would not unduly restrict innovation competition in the sector or hinder competition in downstream vehicle markets.