Volkswagen Group (China) and Xpeng on Friday introduced an enlargement of their collectively developed regional digital/electrical structure, generally known as CEA. Starting in 2027, the CEA platform can be utilized not solely to regionally developed battery-electric fashions but in addition to gasoline and hybrid autos produced in China.
As reported by Chinese language media China Financial system, CEA centres on a high-performance central compute platform designed to assist extra superior and dependable ADAS (superior driver help methods). The structure integrates an clever in‑car AI assistant and permits quick, secure full-vehicle OTA (over‑the‑air) updates. By lowering the variety of particular person digital management models (ECUs), CEA goals to simplify system complexity, elevate car sustainability and protect lengthy‑time period worth by way of a unified software-defined strategy.
Ralf Brandstätter, Member of the Administration Board chargeable for China and CEO of Volkswagen Group (China), stated the transfer underscores that superior know-how shouldn’t be restricted to a single powertrain. “Extending CEA throughout our robust portfolio of fuel-powered fashions will additional consolidate our technological management in standard autos,” Brandstätter stated, including that the technique helps the group optimise value buildings and keep enticing mannequin selections for patrons whereas releasing assets for focused frontier innovation.
Xpeng Chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng described the enlargement as one other milestone following the joint improvement settlement signed on July 22, 2024. “This deepened cooperation displays lengthy‑time period strategic belief and our shared dedication to steady innovation in core clever electrical car applied sciences,” He stated.
Volkswagen Group’s regionally produced MQB‑derived gas fashions already function superior ADAS and clever cockpit capabilities and stay fashionable with Chinese language consumers. In 2024, the Volkswagen model delivered greater than 2 million autos to China, with roughly 9 in ten being gasoline fashions. Executives say extending CEA’s scope will amplify scale advantages in China, defend worthwhile conventional powertrain enterprise and sharpen the group’s aggressive edge on each know-how and value.
Dr. Robert Cisek, President and CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Automobiles China and Govt Vice President of Volkswagen Group (China), stated standardizing CEA throughout the total mannequin vary will create twin advantages: accelerating the rollout of digital companies and enabling focused OTA upgrades that higher match buyer wants, whereas leveraging scale to additional scale back prices and strengthen market competitiveness.
The announcement additionally marks Volkswagen’s “for China, in China” technique. The group has been beefing up native R&D and innovation capabilities, establishing Volkswagen Group (China) Know-how Co., Ltd. (VCTC) in Hefei, and aligning Cariad China’s software program capabilities carefully with VCTC to hurry digital service deployment.
Wanting forward, Volkswagen Group (China) plans to speed up its clever related car push from 2026. Domestically developed fashions tailor-made for Chinese language customers first appeared on the 2025 Shanghai Auto Present. By 2027, the group expects to checklist about 30 electrified fashions in China, and by 2030 round 30 pure battery electrical autos throughout its manufacturers can be out there out there. New Audi and Volkswagen fashions constructed on the following‑technology clever structure are anticipated to broaden section protection and attain extra clients because the group transitions.
