Carsten Helbing is the COO and Co-CEO of Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies, the $5.8 billion joint venture headquartered in Palo Alto that is building the software and electrical architecture stack for a new generation of software-defined vehicles. A mechanical engineer by training who spent more than two decades at Volkswagen - rising from graduate engineer to Group Chief Technology Engineer - Helbing now leads a ~1,500-person organisation alongside Rivian co-CEO Wassym Bensaid, bridging German engineering discipline with Silicon Valley's software-first culture to redefine how cars are built, updated, and experienced.
The Volkswagen ID.4 is VW's first all-electric SUV, built on the purpose-designed MEB platform and assembled in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Launched in 2020 and named World Car of the Year 2021, it offers up to 291 miles of EPA-rated range, 175 kW DC fast charging, and qualifies for the full $7,500 federal EV tax credit — making it one of the most accessible premium electric crossovers on the American market.
The Volkswagen ID.7 is VW's flagship all-electric liftback - a five-door E-segment executive car built on the MEB platform that combines up to 702 km WLTP range, 200 kW fast charging, and a suite of first-in-class technologies including an augmented reality head-up display and ChatGPT-powered voice assistant. Positioned to replace the Passat and Arteon, it targets premium EV buyers who want BMW i5 / Mercedes EQE capability at a lower price point.