Audi is set to release three new battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in China, with the first arriving next year. Currently, Audi sells the MEB-based Q4 e-tron and Q5 e-tron in the country. By using a joint platform, Audi aims to reduce its time-to-market by over 30%.
Audi has partnered with SAIC to develop a new China-specific architecture called the ‘Advanced Digitized Platform’ for its next generation of electric vehicles. This collaboration, which began last year, is part of Audi’s strategy to grow in the world’s largest car market. The partnership will initially produce three new BEVs in the B and C segments, helping Audi speed up its time-to-market by more than 30%. The first BEV from this partnership will be launched next year.
“Audi CEO Gernot Döllner stated, ‘This deepened cooperation is a significant milestone in Audi’s China strategy and further strengthens our local partnership with SAIC. Our goal is clear: to merge the strengths of both companies to benefit our Chinese customers, offering Audi’s premium experience alongside SAIC’s rapid innovation in China.
‘Through this partnership, we will accelerate our local electrification strategy and deliver smart BEV products tailored to Chinese customers. Audi’s distinctive aesthetics and engineering, combined with SAIC’s innovation speed, will provide Chinese customers with intuitive and smart digital premium experiences, including automated driving features.’”
Audi will continue to sell its existing range of vehicles in China alongside those developed with SAIC.
Fermin Soneira from Audi has been appointed chief executive of the joint project. With over 25 years of experience within the Volkswagen Group, he previously served as the head of Product Line for Electric Models from the A to C Segment at Audi.
When the first models using the new Advanced Digitized Platform are launched, Audi will offer BEVs in China based on three distinct architectures. The current Q4 e-tron and Q5 e-tron are built on the MEB platform, and Audi will also introduce a BEV in China with FAW based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture.