Andrew J. Hawkins

The Japanese automaker’s joint venture in China is aiming to launch an EV with a driver assist that’s equivalent to Tesla’s controversial FSD, according to Reuters. That’s especially interesting considering Toyota’s luxury brand Lexus was the only company to pass the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety’s rigorous ADAS test. Not saying there’s a direct connection, but Toyota certainly has the chops.

This report from Reuters looks at how executives from Volkswagen and Rivian courted each other in the run-up to the surprise announcement of the $5 billion joint venture this week. One of things they did to determine whether it would be a good fit was to strip the electronics out of two Audis and replace them with modules and harnesses supplied by Rivian. Later, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe teases the possibility of a Rivian-powered Porsche — which I think I speak for many when I say, sick.

The compact EV was supposed to go on sale in North America this year, but thanks to the Biden administration’s tariffs on vehicles from China, that won’t be happening. Volvo tells InsideEVs that the EX30’s debut is being pushed to 2025 while it moves production to Ghent, Belgium. The EV is currently being assembled in China, where Volvo’s parent company Geely is based.