Volkswagen has announced a collaboration with American electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Rivian to develop the ninth-generation Golf, which will be fully electric.
The Next Electric Chapter for Golf
The upcoming Golf will be built on Volkswagen’s updated Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) and promises to be a "software-defined vehicle."
The collaboration with Rivian, established through a $5.8 billion joint venture, will focus on developing advanced electrical architecture and software for the car.
Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer confirmed the Golf would be the first result of this partnership.
“We’ve decided to begin with a more iconic product. So we start with Golf,” Schäfer said in an interview with Automotive News.
The electric Golf is expected to launch in 2029, coinciding with updates to Volkswagen's current electric lineup. Until then:
The ID.3 will remain in production, with an updated version featuring improved hardware and a redesigned interior coming in 2026.
The petrol and diesel Golf Mk8, launched in 2019, will stay in production until 2035, aligning with the EU's ban on new internal combustion engine cars.
Rivian’s Broader Role
Volkswagen isn’t the only brand in its group benefiting from Rivian’s technology.
Audi and Porsche are expected to roll out vehicles based on Rivian's expertise as early as 2027. Even smaller models like the VW Polo may receive a technological upgrade through this partnership.
This collaboration represents Rivian’s first significant foray into assisting a legacy automaker, signaling a bold step for the American company and a critical move for Volkswagen as it ramps up its electric vehicle portfolio.
In addition to the electric Golf, Volkswagen hinted at bringing back the Polo, a beloved compact car that had been shelved. Thanks to the joint venture with Rivian, the Polo is expected to be reimagined as an electric model.
