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Tech News
Rivian disclosed in its Q3 investor presentation that it is licensing elements of its AI voice assistant to Volkswagen Group, broadening their existing software and electrical architecture partnership. Financial terms were not disclosed, and Rivian did not specify which VW models will get the technology, though the ID EVERY1 hatchback is a likely candidate as the first VW vehicle built on Rivian's platform.
Bentley has formally revealed the Torcal, its first battery-electric vehicle, following weeks of camouflaged prototype testing. The car sits below the Bentayga in size and pricing, shares underlying technology with Porsche via the Volkswagen Group, and comes in a standard version with 810 hp and a more powerful Torcal S variant with 875 hp. Bentley has not yet disclosed US pricing.
Germany's automotive sector is confronting a sharp downturn, with European car sales dropping from nearly 18 million units in 2019 to about 13 million in 2025. Rising competition from Chinese manufacturers, new 25 percent US tariffs on imports, and an aging workforce have combined to push Volkswagen Group toward considering shutting four of its domestic factories, a move once thought unimaginable.