Audi to Build Q3 Mini SUV in Spain

The Q3 is said to be based on the Audi Cross Coupe quattro Concept

The "brand with the four rings" Audi confirmed it plans to produce the Q3 mini sports utility vehicle (SUV) in Spain, with production projected to begin in 2011. According to a report by drive.com.au, the German manufacturer will use SEAT's production facility in Martorell near Barcelona to build this specific model. Just like we told you in March, SEAT's employees chose a salary freeze in exchange for the Audi Q3 - approximately sixty five percent of the workers agreeing with Audi's proposal.

What's interesting is that Audi had several options when it comes to the factory to host the production of the new Q3, as it confirmed that several plants belonging to Volkswagen, including the one in Slovakia and Hungary, have been closely analyzed.

Getting back to the Q3, the coupe-like five-door car will compete with BMW's yet-to-be-released X1. The aforementioned production facility is will produce around 80,000 cars per year, with the German manufacturer ready to invest approximately 300 million euros for the production of this particular model, according to the aforementioned source.

"We will systematically explore our options in the context of the current market crisis. Audi is in a good position. There is currently no urgent need to select additional sites," Audi chief Rupert Stadler was quoted as saying by drive.com.au.

Details on the Q3 are obviously pretty scarce at this time but we're expecting for some official data in the next few months as we get close to the official unveiling. Furthermore, we don't know for sure what auto show will witness the first the public revealing of the Q3 but the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show might be the lucky one.