Robotaxi Uber Plans Large Order for VW Partner Rivian

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The ride-hailing service provider Uber is focusing on a robotaxi future in the USA and wants to become a platform for cars from various providers. One of these is apparently Rivian.

The VW partner Rivian has the prospect of a billion-dollar cash injection from Uber. The ride-hailing service provider wants to invest up to 1.25 billion US dollars to bring robotaxis from the electric car developer onto its platform. The first driverless cars based on the new Rivian R2 model are to be deployed in San Francisco and Miami in 2028, the companies announced.

A total of 25 cities are to be served by 2031, it was said. The investments are also staggered accordingly. Initially, Rivian is to receive 300 million dollars - and the rest when interim targets are reached. The Rivian robotaxis are to be ordered exclusively via Uber. Uber and its fleet partners initially want to buy 10,000 R2 vehicles - with an option to purchase a further 40,000 from 2030.

Uber also Works with Lucid, Nuro and Zoox

Uber wants to establish itself as a platform for robotaxis from various providers. In Austin, Atlanta and Phoenix, you can also order driverless cars from Google's sister company Waymo. Uber also wants to bring electric cars from Lucid with autonomous driving technology from start-up Nuro and self-driving robotaxis from  Amazon company Zoox to the platform.

Rivian has high hopes for the R2, which is to be equipped for autonomous driving. The company has developed a special chip for this purpose and will integrate a lidar sensor into the windshield. Volkswagen has secured access to Rivian's electronics architecture with an investment of up to 5.8 billion dollars. In a joint venture, the two manufacturers are further developing it for future electric models of the entire VW Group for the western car markets.

Bonus for VW Tariff Employees

The Uber deal increases the chance that the Volkswagen Group's investment in Rivian will pay off - and that profits will rise again, from which employees could then benefit. Despite the difficult earnings situation in the Group, at least the VW tariff employees are now to receive a bonus for 2025 and share in the profits. The Board of Management has decided on a one-off payment of 1,250 euros (approx. USD 1,440) for employees covered by collective agreements, the Wolfsburg-based car manufacturer announced. The company and employees had actually agreed to cancel the May payment from the profit-sharing scheme. Now the bonus will be paid with the May salary, irrespective of this.

Last week, the Group reported a drop in profit after tax of around 44 percent to 6.9 billion euros (approx. USD 8.0 billion). However, the "great commitment of the entire workforce has led to the good result for the Volkswagen brand," said VW General Works Council Chairwoman Daniela Cavallo. It is only logical and fair that all employee groups should now benefit, she said in a message to the workforce. It was reported by members of the General Works Council that there had previously been a wide divergence of opinion regarding the bonus amount. The Management Board had originally wanted a maximum of 500 euros (approx. USD 580).