Volkswagen said its new software and electronics architecture, being co-developed with Rivian could eventually be used in its internal-combustion vehicles, though the current focus remains on battery-electric models.

The partnership aims to overcome years of delays and fragmentation at VW’s in-house software unit, Cariad, and help the automaker catch up with Tesla and fast-rising Chinese competitors. VW has invested $5.8 billion in Rivian to accelerate development of a scalable next-generation platform.

RV Tech co-CEO Carsten Helbing said the architecture is capable of supporting multiple drivetrains, though additional component work would be required. Winter testing of the new system will begin later this year on VW’s upcoming ID.Every1, along with models from Audi and Scout.

The ID.Every1 will be the first VW vehicle to use the new software architecture when it launches in 2027. By decade’s end, more VW Group vehicles built on the Scalable Systems Platform are expected to adopt the joint venture’s technology.