Photo: Audi
Back in 1988, Chinese auto company First Automotive Works (FAW) began assembling the Audi 100 from parts kits at its plant in Changchun. It marked the start of business for Audi in a country that since has grown to become the brand’s biggest single market.
Naturally, the next step in the evolution of the automobile market, the electric car, is the main focus of attention for Audi in China. The recently unveiled e-tron SUV is already planned to be making its way there next year, with local production expected to begin in 2020.
But there’s another electric car in the works from Audi, one that is not based on the upcoming MEB platform supplied by parent Volkswagen. Using an Audi Q2 L (long wheelbase) as a starting point, the four-ringed brand will be developing its first electric car purpose-made for the Chinese market.
According to Audi executives, who were present at the FAW plant in Changchun on Monday to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Audi-FAW marriage, the Q2 L e-tron will be ready to hit the roads next year. It is to be the first of ten new joint car models that will be launched by Audi in the country in the first two years of the next decade.
“We will use our experience to locally develop and produce even more models specifically for China in the future,” said at the event Alexander Seitz, Audi’s executive in charge with compliance and integrity.
“We will continue our shared success story with the latest technologies, digital services that focus on market needs, and models like the Audi Q8 and Audi e-tron.”
At the moment, Audi manufactures six cars locally. At Changchun, it assembles the long-wheelbase versions of the A4 and the A6 as well as the Q3. At Foshan the A3 Sedan, A3 Sportback and Q2 L are being assembled.
But there’s another electric car in the works from Audi, one that is not based on the upcoming MEB platform supplied by parent Volkswagen. Using an Audi Q2 L (long wheelbase) as a starting point, the four-ringed brand will be developing its first electric car purpose-made for the Chinese market.
According to Audi executives, who were present at the FAW plant in Changchun on Monday to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Audi-FAW marriage, the Q2 L e-tron will be ready to hit the roads next year. It is to be the first of ten new joint car models that will be launched by Audi in the country in the first two years of the next decade.
“We will use our experience to locally develop and produce even more models specifically for China in the future,” said at the event Alexander Seitz, Audi’s executive in charge with compliance and integrity.
“We will continue our shared success story with the latest technologies, digital services that focus on market needs, and models like the Audi Q8 and Audi e-tron.”
At the moment, Audi manufactures six cars locally. At Changchun, it assembles the long-wheelbase versions of the A4 and the A6 as well as the Q3. At Foshan the A3 Sedan, A3 Sportback and Q2 L are being assembled.
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