Rivian Builds Platform for VW, Waymos on Fire, Back to School in Summer

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Episode #1065: Today we’re breaking down Rivian’s big win with VW, a wild scene in LA as Waymo vehicles go up in flames, and how back-to-school shopping is creeping into summer.

Show Notes with links:

• The tech partnership between EV upstart Rivian and legacy automaker Volkswagen just took a major leap forward. Rivian’s upcoming R2 SUV platform won’t just support Rivian’s own vehicles—it’s about to become the backbone of every new EV under the Volkswagen Group umbrella.
  • All VW brands—Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Scout, Skoda, Seat—will share the R2 tech stack.
  • VW’s ID Every1 will be the first to launch using Rivian’s off-the-shelf zonal architecture.
  • The partnership helps VW replace its troubled Cariad software division with a proven modular platform.
  • Rivian’s Chief Software Officer confirmed all VW EVs will use the same scalable architecture, calling it “the digital brain” of the portfolio.
  • Each brand keeps its unique identity via custom UI, tuning, and features, but the tech core is unified.

• At least five Waymo self-driving I-Pace EVs were destroyed during violent protests in Los Angeles over the weekend—representing a possible 5% loss of its local fleet.
  • The unrest followed ICE raids and escalated into clashes with police and vandalism.
  • Rioters reportedly summoned Waymo vehicles, slashed tires, smashed windows, and set them on fire.
  • Fire crews couldn’t access the scene in time, and the vehicles burned completely.
  • Waymo operates about 100 cars in LA and over 1,500 nationwide.
  • Waymo has suspended service in the area, saying, “We will not be serving any rides in the protest area until it is deemed safe,”

• Back-to-school deals have crept into early summer, with brands and retailers scrambling to catch up to shifting consumer habits—and to tariff-driven inventory pressures.
  • Retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Wayfair kicked off fall prep as early as Memorial Day.
  • Prime Day in the middle of July now marks the unofficial start of the back-to-school shopping season.
  • This year’s shoppers are favoring essentials and budget-friendly items over big-ticket dorm splurges
  • “Consumers are looking for the best discount, the best sale, the best value...” — Kassi Socha of Gartner

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