Rivian and Volkswagen Group Announce Plans for Joint Venture to Create Industry-Leading Vehicle Software Technology and for Strategic Investment by Volkswagen

Rhea-AI Summary

Rivian and Volkswagen Group announced plans for a joint venture to develop next-generation software-defined vehicle (SDV) technology. Volkswagen will initially invest $1 billion in Rivian, with up to $4 billion in additional investment planned, totaling $5 billion. The JV aims to leverage Rivian's existing electrical architecture to create a cutting-edge SDV platform for both companies' future electric vehicles. The partnership is expected to lower costs per vehicle, accelerate global innovation, and enhance both companies' product offerings. Completion of the JV is anticipated by Q4 2024, pending regulatory approvals.

The collaboration will allow Volkswagen to utilize Rivian's technology in the short term, and both companies aim to launch vehicles with the new SDV technology in the latter half of the decade. The JV is also expected to secure substantial capital for Rivian's growth. Financial advisors for the deal include Lazard and BDT & MSD Partners.

Positive

• Volkswagen's $1 billion initial investment and up to $4 billion additional investments show strong financial backing for Rivian.
• The joint venture will leverage Rivian's industry-leading electrical architecture, potentially lowering costs and accelerating innovation.
• The JV is expected to create a best-in-class SDV platform, enhancing product offerings for both companies.
• The collaboration may secure substantial capital for Rivian's future growth.

Negative

• The completion of the JV is subject to regulatory approvals, adding uncertainty to the timeline.
• Potential risks associated with integrating Rivian's technology with Volkswagen's vehicles.

Insights

Financial Analyst

Volkswagen's initial investment of $1 billion in Rivian, with plans for up to $4 billion more, is a substantial financial commitment. Such investments indicate strong confidence in Rivian’s technology and its potential market impact. Financially, this deal provides Rivian with sufficient liquidity to continue its growth and innovation without immediate concerns about capital constraints. For Volkswagen, this means diversifying its electric vehicle (EV) strategy and gaining access to Rivian's cutting-edge SDV technology.

From a valuation perspective, this investment could lead to an upward adjustment in Rivian's stock price, contingent on successful implementation and regulatory approvals. Investors should consider the timing and contingency elements of the investment, as the conversion price of the note will depend on VWAP calculations. The staggered nature of the additional $4 billion investment introduces both opportunity and execution risk.

Tech Expert

The joint venture to develop software-defined vehicle (SDV) platforms is a strategic move that leverages Rivian's zonal hardware design and integrated technology platform. SDVs represent the future of automotive technology, where software and scalable platforms dictate vehicle functionality, rather than traditional mechanical architectures. This makes updates and improvements more akin to software upgrades, benefiting end-users with continual enhancements and potentially lower maintenance costs.

For Volkswagen, adopting Rivian's advanced electrical architecture and software platform means faster innovation and reduced time-to-market for new models. This could result in a more competitive product offering in the EV space. As for Rivian, the collaboration with Volkswagen scales its technology application and helps secure its role in the increasingly competitive EV market, broadening its market reach significantly.

Market Research Analyst

This joint venture aligns with broader industry trends towards consolidating technological prowess to achieve economies of scale and accelerate innovation. By combining forces, Rivian and Volkswagen aim to reduce the cost per vehicle while speeding up the development process, which could lead to more affordable EV options for consumers. Investors should note that this JV emphasizes a long-term strategic alignment rather than short-term gains.

Market-wise, this partnership could significantly enhance both companies' market positions. Rivian benefits from Volkswagen’s extensive market reach and manufacturing capabilities, while Volkswagen taps into Rivian’s innovative technology to bolster its EV lineup. This JV could potentially disrupt the competitive landscape, posing challenges to other EV manufacturers who may lack similar strategic alliances.

• Rivian and Volkswagen Group intend to enter a joint venture to create next generation software-defined vehicle (SDV) platforms to be used in both companies’ future electric vehicles
• Volkswagen Group to invest an initial $1 billion in Rivian, with up to $4 billion in planned additional investment for a total expected deal size of $5 billion
• Joint venture is expected to build on Rivian’s industry-leading software and electrical architecture to create best-in-class software-defined vehicle technology platform

IRVINE, Calif. & WOLFSBURG, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rivian Automotive (NASDAQ: RIVN) and Volkswagen Group (XETRA: VOW / VOW3) have today announced their intention to form an equally controlled and owned joint venture (JV) to create next-generation electrical architecture and best-in-class software technology.

Oliver Blume, CEO of Volkswagen Group and RJ Scaringe, Founder and CEO of Rivian announce joint venture plans. (Photo: Business Wire)

The partnership is anticipated to accelerate the development of software for Rivian and Volkswagen Group. It is expected to allow both companies to combine their complementary strengths and lower cost per vehicle by increasing scale and speeding up innovation globally. Rivian’s proven in-market zonal hardware design and integrated technology platform are expected to serve as the foundation for future SDV development in the JV that will be applied to both companies’ vehicles. Rivian plans to contribute its electrical architecture expertise and is expected to license existing intellectual property rights to the joint venture.

Both companies aim to launch vehicles benefiting from the technology created within the joint venture in the second half of the decade. In the short term, the joint venture is expected to enable Volkswagen Group to utilize Rivian’s existing electrical architecture and software platform. The partnership’s ambition is to accelerate Volkswagen Group’s SDV plans and transition to a pure zonal architecture. Each company will continue to separately operate their respective vehicle businesses.

Oliver Blume, CEO of Volkswagen Group said:

“Our customers benefit from the targeted partnership with Rivian to create a leading technology architecture. Through our cooperation, we will bring the best solutions to our vehicles faster and at lower cost. We are also acting in the best interest of our strong brands, which will inspire with their iconic products. The partnership fits seamlessly with our existing software strategy, our products, and partnerships. We are strengthening our technology profile and our competitiveness.”

RJ Scaringe, Founder and CEO of Rivian said:

“We’re very excited to be partnering with Volkswagen Group. Since the earliest days of Rivian, we have been focused on developing highly differentiated technology, and it’s exciting that one of the world’s largest and most respected automotive companies has recognized this. Not only is this partnership expected to bring our software and associated zonal architecture to an even broader market through Volkswagen Group’s global reach, but this partnership also is expected to help secure our capital needs for substantial growth. Rivian was created to help the world to transition away from fossil fuels through compelling products and services, and this partnership is beautifully aligned with that mission.”

Underpinned by the vision of the strategic partnership, Volkswagen Group plans to make a $5 billion investment into Rivian. Initially Volkswagen Group will invest $1 billion in Rivian through an unsecured convertible note that will convert into Rivian’s common stock subject to certain conditions upon the later of receipt of regulatory approvals and December 1, 2024¹. Volkswagen Group is expected to invest a further $4B as part of the transaction².

There has been significant work done over the past months to validate that Rivian’s electrical architecture and software are compatible with Volkswagen Group’s vehicles. The parties currently expect the completion of the JV formation in the fourth quarter of 2024. All transactions described in this release are subject to the completion of definitive agreements, the conditions included in those agreements and the receipt of required regulatory approvals. Lazard is serving as lead financial advisor and BDT & MSD Partners is serving as financial advisor to Rivian.

Notes to editors:

¹ The conversion price of half of the outstanding amount under the note will be calculated based on a certain daily volume-weighted average price (VWAP) prior to this announcement and the conversion price for the remaining half will be calculated based on a certain daily VWAP prior to the conversion date.

² The additional investment of up to $2B in Rivian’s common stock is expected to take place through two tranches of $1B each in 2025 and 2026, with pricing based on a certain daily VWAP of Rivian’s common stock prior to each respective purchase. The investment of $2B related to the JV is expected to be split between a payment at the inception of the JV and a loan available in 2026.

At 6pm ET today, Rivian will host an open investor call. The link to the call can be found (here). A recording of the call will be available on the same link for 12 months.

Rivian (NASDAQ: RIVN) is an American automotive manufacturer that develops and builds category-defining electric vehicles and accessories. The company creates innovative and technologically advanced products that are designed to excel at work and play with the goal of accelerating the global transition to zero-emission transportation and energy. Rivian vehicles are built in the United States and are sold directly to consumer and commercial customers. The company provides a full suite of services that address the entire lifecycle of the vehicle and stay true to its mission to keep the world adventurous forever. Whether taking families on new adventures or electrifying fleets at scale, Rivian vehicles all share a common goal — preserving the natural world for generations to come.

Learn more about the company, products and careers at www.rivian.com.

About Volkswagen Group

The Volkswagen Group is one of the world's leading car makers, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. It operates globally, with 114 production facilities in 19 European countries and 10 countries in the Americas, Asia and Africa. With around 684,000 employees worldwide. The Group’s vehicles are sold in over 150 countries. With an unrivalled portfolio of strong global brands, leading technologies at scale, innovative ideas to tap into future profit pools and an entrepreneurial leadership team, the Volkswagen Group is committed to shaping the future of mobility through investments in electric and autonomous driving vehicles, digitalization and sustainability. In 2023, the total number of vehicles delivered to customers by the Group globally was 9.2 million (2022: 8.3 million). Group sales revenue in 2023 totaled EUR 322.3 billion (2022: EUR 279.1 billion). The operating result before special items in 2023 amounted to EUR 22.6 billion (2022: EUR 22.5 billion)

Forward looking statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding receipt of regulatory approvals, the parties entering into definitive agreements, the formation of the JV, the expected benefits from the partnership, the future investments in Rivian shares and the investments related to the JV, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “targets,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions.

We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the important factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 30, 2024, and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to us as of the date of this press release, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain, and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240625966539/en/

Rivian

Investors: ir@rivian.com

Media: Marina Hoffmann, +1.914.391.7395 – media@rivian.com

Volkswagen Group

Pietro Zollino

Deputy Head of Group Communications & Head of Corporate Communications

+49 (0) 172 8371431 pietro.zollino@volkswagen.de

Christopher Hauss

Corporate Communications Head of Strategy & Finance Communications

+49 (0) 171 8769 225 christopher.hauss@volkswagen.de

Jonas Kulawik

Corporate Communications Spokesperson Product & Technology, Digitalization

+49 (0) 152 2945 2616 jonas.alexander.kulawik@volkswagen.de

Source: Rivian Automotive

FAQ

What is the purpose of the joint venture between Rivian and Volkswagen Group?

The joint venture aims to develop next-generation software-defined vehicle (SDV) technology for both companies' future electric vehicles.

How much will Volkswagen invest in Rivian as part of the joint venture?

Volkswagen will initially invest $1 billion, with up to $4 billion in additional investment planned, totaling $5 billion.

When is the joint venture between Rivian and Volkswagen expected to be completed?

The joint venture is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2024, pending regulatory approvals.

What impact will the joint venture have on Rivian's technology platform?

The joint venture will leverage Rivian's existing electrical architecture to create a cutting-edge software-defined vehicle platform for both companies.

What are the expected benefits of the Rivian and Volkswagen joint venture?

The joint venture is expected to lower costs per vehicle, accelerate global innovation, and enhance product offerings for both companies.