Inside Rivian’s Secret Mission to Transform Every Volkswagen with Next-Gen Software

Volkswagen’s big software overhaul is moving forward, and Rivian is leading the charge. At the heart of this project is Wassym Bensaid (we love you), Rivian’s Chief Software Officer, who’s spearheading the development of a unified software system for all Volkswagen brands—from budget hatchbacks to luxury SUVs.

Volkswagen’s own software team, Cariad, couldn’t keep up with the fast pace of tech development. Its electric vehicles felt behind the times. So in 2023, Volkswagen asked Rivian for help. Rivian is known for making smart, flexible software, and now Wassym is leading a team to build one software system that works across all Volkswagen brands—like VW, Audi, and Porsche.

Wassym’s job is to create a single software platform that can power everything—from simple hatchbacks to luxury sports cars. The benefits are clear: Less Cost, More Flexibility, and Easier to Build.

But not everyone is happy. Porsche, known for its high-end, customized vehicles, doesn’t love the idea of sharing the same software as other brands. Wassym’s challenge is to keep Porsche’s personality while still using the same basic system.

Wassym is also pushing Volkswagen to rethink how it adds features. In the past, automakers would add new hardware for every new feature. But Wassym wants to keep things simple. If a feature can be done with software, it shouldn’t need new parts.

Volkswagen wants to be faster, cheaper, and more high-tech—and Rivian’s software could be the key. For Rivian, this is a chance to show its software can power some of the world’s most famous brands.

And for Wassym, it’s a dream job—helping iconic brands like Porsche, Bentley, and Audi succeed in the electric future.

Note: This article is based on an original report by Bloomberg.