Volkswagen Recruits Former Tesla, Rivian Executive for Cariad Software Division

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【Summary】Volkswagen's software company, Cariad, has hired Sanjay Lal, a former executive from Tesla and Rivian, to accelerate the development of technology for digitization and electrification. Lal will lead the software-defined vehicle hub at Cariad and develop two vehicles for Volkswagen. This move comes after Volkswagen replaced several top executives due to delays in electric vehicle model development. Speed is now a top priority for the company to remain competitive.

FutureCar Staff Oct 03, 2023 9:24 AM PT

Volkswagen Recruits Former Tesla, Rivian Executive for Cariad Software Division

Volkswagen Group's software company, Cariad, is bringing on board Sanjay Lal, a former employee of Rivian and Tesla, to accelerate the development of technology for digitization and electrification. Lal will be joining the company after it underwent a management shake-up earlier this year due to delays in the development of new electric vehicle models. Starting in November, Lal will lead the software-defined vehicle hub at Cariad, where he will be responsible for developing two vehicles for the German car maker.

The creation of this hub is aimed at establishing a small team that will focus on implementing everything necessary for rapid software development. Volkswagen Group Chief Executive Oliver Blume emphasized the importance of speed in order to remain competitive in the industry.

Sanjay Lal brings with him a wealth of experience, having previously served as the vice president of software platforms at Rivian, a prominent U.S. electric SUV and truck manufacturer. He has also held engineering leadership positions at Cisco, Tesla, and Android Automotive at Google, making him a valuable addition to the Cariad team.

For more information, please contact David Sachs at [email protected].