VW starts production of China zonal architecture

Volkswagen Group China has started production of vehicles using the China Electronic Architecture (CEA), a zonal electronic platform developed locally with Cariad China and Xpeng in 18 months from concept to production. The ID. Unyx 07, produced at Volkswagen’s Anhui plant, is the first model to use the architecture, with four additional CEA-based vehicles from all Volkswagen joint ventures in China scheduled to launch this year.

The CEA features high-performance central computing and reduces the number of electronic control units by around 30% compared to previous generations. Volkswagen said the architecture is scalable across multiple vehicle platforms and all powertrain types, including battery electric, hybrid, and combustion engine vehicles, and supports full over-the-air updates.

The company said overall vehicle development cycles have been shortened by up to 30%, with development costs reduced by up to 50% in selected projects through localised development and early supplier integration.

Chief Executive Oliver Blume said: “In just 18 months, we have for the first time built a completely new, scalable electronic architecture from development all the way to series production—maintaining the high quality and safety standards that our customers expect from Volkswagen.”

Ralf Brandstätter, Chairman and Chief Executive of Volkswagen Group China, added: “The China Electronic Architecture allows us to bring software-driven innovation to market at competitive cost and speed, across electric vehicles, hybrids and combustion engine models.”

Source: Volkswagen Group