On July 22, under the banner "In China, For China", the Volkswagen Group systematically promoted the digital transformation of its model lineup and created a comprehensive range of technology solutions based on the highest requirements of the Chinese market. According to the agreement signed today, from 2026 onwards, the Volkswagen brand's all-electric models produced in China will be equipped with CEA ('China Electronic Architecture'), an electronic and electrical architecture based on zone control and quasi-central computing, including models developed on the new CMP platform and MEB platform models planned for future launch in China. The move will reduce system complexity, improve cost efficiency, and accelerate the digitalization of the model lineup in China, thereby driving the Group's transformation to the era of intelligent and connected vehicles. The new E/E architecture was developed by Volkswagen (China) Technology Co., Ltd. (VCTC), CARIAD China and Xpeng Motors. CARIAD China will play a key role in the project and develop and integrate the latest generation of advanced autonomous driving assistance solutions (ADAS) and intelligent cockpit software functions for the new architecture.
"In 2026, we will launch a powerful new E/E architecture, CEA. The CEA architecture is a comprehensive technology solution specifically designed for the Chinese market and will be applied to the Volkswagen brand's locally produced BEVs based on the CMP and MEB platforms. The move is another testament to the excellent cooperation between Volkswagen (China) Technology Co., Ltd. (VCTC), CARIAD China and Xpeng Motors. The use of CEA in the all-electric models of the Volkswagen brand will not only enhance the competitiveness of the Group's global electric vehicle platform in the Chinese market, but also reduce technical complexity and optimize cost-effectiveness. This is another important milestone in the Group's 'In China, For China' strategy and a key step in our transformation into a leading manufacturer of connected electric vehicles." ”
Xiaopeng He, Chairman and CEO of Xpeng Motors, said: "The E/E architecture collaboration is the third important milestone in our long-term strategic partnership with the Volkswagen Group in one year. Thanks to the high level of trust between Volkswagen and Xpeng Motors, as well as the collaboration of engineers from both sides, the development of our joint projects is progressing rapidly and significant synergies have already been achieved. I very much look forward to expanding the scope of our technical cooperation and deepening our win-win strategic partnership." ”
The E/E architecture plays a decisive role in the digitalization of the vehicle. As the central control center that manages all important electronic functions, it is also the digital hub that connects the hardware platform with the vehicle substructure, including all the basic components such as the powertrain and chassis. The CEA architecture is the first localized E/E architecture developed by the Volkswagen Group, which will meet the specific needs of the Chinese market in terms of technology and economy, and will promote the Volkswagen Group to become a frontrunner in the era of intelligent and connected electric vehicles in the Chinese market.
Meng Xia, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Car Brand China, said: "We are committed to building a product lineup that meets the needs of our customers. We not only introduce cutting-edge technology to our models, but also make our products more competitive by localizing them, and through the joint development of Volkswagen, CARIAD China and Xpeng Motors, we are able to gain a competitive advantage in a highly competitive market and create greater value for our customers. ”
Zone control improves performance and reduces system complexity
The new model equipped with the CEA architecture will be available in 2026. This architecture will offer significant advantages over the current E/E architecture: three highly integrated zone controllers will replace a large number of electronic control units – a significant 30 percent reduction in the number of control units in a single vehicle, which will significantly reduce the complexity of the operating system while improving computing performance and security. Thanks to an efficient central computing platform and powerful computing power, complex functions such as advanced autonomous driving assistance can be integrated into the architecture more quickly and easily.
Borui Wu, Chief Technology Officer of Volkswagen Group China and CEO of Volkswagen (China) Technology Co., Ltd. (VCTC), said: "In a highly competitive market environment, speed is critical to R&D. We will integrate the CEA architecture into vehicles within the next 24 months. This architecture, which allows for remote OTA updates at any time and provides the latest digital services, including advanced autonomous driving assistance features, will enable our models to meet the technical needs of the local market. ”
The reduction of the number of control units in the car can greatly improve the user experience in terms of software function updates and digital services. Through the CEA architecture, Volkswagen can provide users with customized digital services such as autonomous driving function upgrades and battery efficiency improvements at any time after the purchase of a car.
Knitting the Future – CARIAD China will play an important role in the development of the CEA architecture
As a key player in the joint development, CARIAD China works closely with Chinese high-tech companies such as Horizon Robotics and Thundersoft to jointly develop cutting-edge advanced autonomous driving assistance systems (ADAS) and intelligent cockpit functions. These technologies will enable vehicles equipped with the CEA architecture to differentiate themselves from the next generation of smart electric vehicles.
As the main software R&D force of Volkswagen Group China, CARIAD China, with more than 1,000 software experts, is gradually iterating its core mission, from the localization of global software platform R&D and adaptation to the R&D and innovation of local intelligent connected vehicle technology, focusing on providing the most cutting-edge software platform products for the Group's models in the Chinese market.
Han Sanchu, CEO of CARIAD China, said: "The key to the future development of mobility lies in mastering the digital R&D capabilities with software at the core. China's automotive market, which has a large number of new technology supporters, is a global leader in the field of intelligent and connected vehicles. As a key pillar of the Volkswagen Group's 'In China, For China' strategy, CARIAD China will lead our team of experts and our technology R&D partners to fully promote the development and implementation of the CEA architecture, quickly integrate into the local R&D ecosystem, and develop customized and optimal software platform solutions based on the digital experience needs of Chinese customers, which will eventually be integrated into the Group's models in China." At the heart of this localized R&D goal is the building of next-generation E/E architecture and source code capabilities. ”
The CEA is another milestone in the Group's "In China, For China" strategy
From 2026 onwards, the CEA architecture will be applied to locally produced CMP and MEB platform models. This will be another important milestone in the Group's "In China, For China" strategy. The development of the CEA architecture will be fully localized, and will make full use of the innovative strength of the Chinese market to quickly meet customer needs.
The Volkswagen Group is committed to continuously expanding its local R&D capabilities. The Group is expanding its Hefei site into an advanced hub for production, R&D and innovation of smart electric vehicles. Volkswagen (China) Technology Co., Ltd. (VCTC) will reduce the development time of the Group's products by more than 30% and significantly reduce development costs by integrating the core development departments of local models and technology projects, optimizing the decision-making process, and forming synergies with the R&D departments of the joint venture.