LONDON -- Volkswagen Group's Cariad plans to bring its delayed 2.0 software platform to market in 2027 or 2028 after the launches of key new electric models from Porsche and Audi.
The original launch date for the sophisticated software platform, which will allow Level 4 autonomous driving, was 2025 but its development has been hit by delays and overspending at Cariad since the software unit was set up by former VW Group CEO Herbert Diess.
VW Group will first concentrate on its Software 1.2 platform, which will be rolled out starting next year in premium all-electric models including the Porsche e-Macan and Audi Q6 e-tron, Chief Financial Officer Arno Antlitz said.
"There will be great cars on that platform... that gives us a little flexibility to postpone 2.0 to 2027, 2028," Antlitz said at the Financial Times Future of the Car conference on Thursday.
Intel unit Mobileye will supply its SuperVision "eyes on, hands off" semi-autonomous driving package to Porsche models using the Software 1.2 platform, Mobileye CEO Anmon Shashua told Automotive News Europe.
The electric Macan and Q6 e-tron have been delayed because of Cariad's software development troubles. Both models are crucial to position VW's premium brands at the forefront of EV technology. The problems have also pushed back VW brand's Trinity flagship EV toward the end of the decade.
VW Group CEO Oliver Blume is shaking up Cariad. He has appointed Bentley production chief Peter Bosch to lead the software unit from June 1, replacing Dirk Hilgenberg, who will be given other tasks within VW Group. Two software experts will join Cariad's management board alongside Bosch.
"This will be a very strong team that focuses on the turnaround of Cariad," Antlitz said.
The aim was to rely more on outside partners and do less in-house to reduce cash burn as the carmaker attempts to build up its software expertise, he said.
VW Group's ultimate goal is a unified software and electronics architecture for all group vehicles. It will rely on Qualcomm "system on a chip" semiconductors in Europe and North America, and in China will use super-chips developed with Chinese partner Horizon Robotics.
Reuters contributed to this report
