Volkswagen Group strengthens its strategic semiconductor ecosystem through partnership with NXP
Key Highlights
- ➤NXP (NXPI) selected as Volkswagen Group’s strategic semiconductor technology partner
- ➤S32K5 MCUs to underpin zonal software-defined vehicle architecture across Volkswagen brands and segments
- ➤First Volkswagen vehicle using the new zonal architecture planned for 2027
- ➤S32K5 architecture intended for vehicles from Volkswagen Group and Rivian joint venture RV Tech
Expert Statements
Karsten Schnake, Member of the Extended Executive Committee and Member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management responsible for Procurement
“Semiconductors are strategic technology for the automotive industry. Over the past years, we have systematically expanded our technology ecosystem and built partnerships with leading companies across the value chain. Our partnership with NXP is another step in this journey, showing how Volkswagen Group is taking a more active role in the semiconductor value chain: defining our technology needs early, leveraging our scale across brands and creating greater long-term planning certainty for both sides.”
Werner Tietz, Member of the Extended Volkswagen Group Executive Committee responsible for Group Research and Development
“Our future zonal architecture, developed by RV Tech and supported by strategic technology partners such as NXP, creates a scalable technology foundation for multiple Group brands and vehicle segments. By harmonizing key technologies across the Group, we reduce complexity, leverage scale and accelerate innovation while enabling advanced digital capabilities. This allows us to bring digital innovations to our customers faster and continuously enhance our vehicles throughout their lifecycle.”
Rafael Sotomayor, President and CEO at NXP Semiconductors
“Intelligent, software-defined vehicles must operate safely, securely and reliably. Together with Volkswagen Group and RV Tech, NXP is bringing scalable real-time compute, trusted edge intelligence and continuous software innovation together to create a scalable foundation for the next generation of intelligent vehicles.”
Lars Reger, Executive Vice President and CTO at NXP Semiconductors
“Software-defined differentiation is the new auto benchmark, and NXP is excited that the S32K5 family of MCUs has been adopted into RV Tech’s innovative new zonal architecture, one of the most sophisticated approaches to streamlined development and differentiating features in the automotive industry today. As a core processor for the vehicle’s zonal controllers, S32K5 is built for safe real-time compute, fast and secure OTA updates and the consolidation of functions that together create a basis for a flexible, continuously updateable vehicle.”
* Volkswagen Group and NXP Semiconductors, one of the world’s leading automotive semiconductor companies, are expanding their cooperation in automotive semiconductor technology * NXP has been selected as a strategic technology partner, providing its microcontrollers (MCUs) as a common building block for Group’s future zonal software-defined vehicle architecture * Common MCU technology reduces complexity and supports scalable deployment across brands and vehicle segments
WOLFSBURG, Germany, Oct. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Volkswagen Group and NXP Semiconductors today announced ahead of the International Suppliers Fair (IZB) in Wolfsburg that they had agreed on a strategic partnership. NXP’s S32K5 family of microcontrollers (MCUs) is intended to serve as an important building block of Volkswagen Group’s future software-defined vehicle (SDV) architecture, supporting zonal control across all brands and vehicle segments. The first vehicle featuring the new architecture is planned for 2027.
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