VW China is working with Xpeng on a zonal E/E architecture

Electronics VW China, Cariad and Xpeng are developing a new E/E architecture

2024-04-23 From Sven Prawitz Sven Prawitz | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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"In China, for China" is now the directive within the VW Group. Correspondingly, the manufacturer is developing a new electronics architecture locally with Xpeng. It is supposed to have significant cost advantages compared to the MEB platform.

Driver assistance systems, engine control, entertainment systems and more: separate controls are responsible for many functions in modern cars. A zonal architecture is now supposed to bundle many functions.(Image: Volkswagen AG) — Driver assistance systems, engine control, entertainment systems and more: separate controls are responsible for many functions in modern cars. A zonal architecture is now supposed to bundle many functions.
(Image: Volkswagen AG)

The Volkswagen Group has heavily invested in its development capacities in China over the past years. The Volkswagen China Technology Company, "VCTC", is responsible for the R&D activities on site and, like Cariad China, is to become more independent from the headquarters in Germany - "in China, for China" is the guideline.

Together with the car manufacturer Xpeng, the two VW companies have now developed a new E/E architecture: the China Electrical Architecture, "CEA". It is to be used in locally produced electric vehicles of the VW brand from 2026 onwards. As VW further reports, this is a zonal architecture.

As stated in the announcement, it is intended to ensure the rapid expansion of digital services in the China vehicles of the Volkswagen brand. In other words, functions such as automated driving should be seamlessly integrated and continuously updated and expanded "over the air".

40 percent cheaper than MEB

The zonal structure is also expected to reduce the number of electronic control units by up to 30 percent compared to today's systems. This cost advantage - according to VW, 40 percent compared to MEB - is supposed to make the VW models price-competitive compared to local suppliers.

With the new E/E architecture, the manufacturer also wants to standardize the electrical system and data structure of its China models. Initially, four VW entry-level compact class models on the China Main Platform "CMP" are to be converted to the new electronic networks. CMP is a platform that VW China is developing together with SAIC-Volkswagen and FAW-Volkswagen.

VW-Xpeng SUV gets "China Electrical Architecture"

VW China, Cariad China and Xpeng are jointly developing a new, zonal E/E architecture.
(Image:VW China)

The CEA will also be used in the two vehicles developed jointly with Xpeng under the VW brand for the mid-range segment. As stated in the announcement, initially in an SUV, which is expected to hit the market in 2026.

"The collaboration on the E/E architecture takes our partnership to the next level and on a much larger scale," Xiaopeng He is quoted. The CEO of Xpeng sees it as a chance to be technologically and cost competitive.

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