- German carmaker to launch 3 new BEVs in China, with the first arriving next year
- Audi already sells the MEB-based Q4 e-tron and Q5 e-tron in the country
- Using a joint platform will reduce Audi’s time-to-market by more than 30%
Audi is partnering with SAIC to develop a new China-specific architecture known as the ‘Advanced Digitized Platform’ for its next generation of electric vehicles.
The two manufacturers first joined forces last year as Audi attempts to expand its presence in the world’s largest car market. The collaboration will initially result in three new battery-electric vehicles in the B and C segments, allowing Audi to reduce its time-to-market by more than 30%. Its first new BEV created with SAIC will launch next year.
Read: Audi Turns To SAIC To Buy EV Platform For China
“The deepened cooperation marks a significant milestone in Audi’s China strategy and further strengthens our local partnership with SAIC,” Audi chief executive Gernot Döllner said. “We have a clear and common goal: to combine the best of our two companies to the full advantage of our Chinese customers with Audi’s premium experience and SAIC’s innovation speed in China.
“Through the partnership with SAIC, we will significantly accelerate our local electrification strategy and deliver smart BEV products catering to Chinese customers’ needs. Audi’s unmistakable aesthetics and engineering together with the innovation speed of SAIC will offer Chinese customers intuitive and smart digital premium experiences, as well as automated driving features.”
Audi will continue to sell its existing range of vehicles in China alongside those developed in partnership with SAIC.
Fermin Soneira from Audi has been named chief executive of the joint project. He has previously served as the head of Product Line for Electric Models from the A to C Segment at Audi and has more than 25 years of experience within the Volkswagen Group.
When the first models underpinned by the new Advanced Digitized Platform launch, Audi will be selling BEVs in China based on three distinct architectures. The MEB platform underpins the existing Q4 e-tron and Q5 e-tron and Audi will also introduce a BEV in China with FAW based on its Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture.
