Audi is expanding its presence in China. As an important milestone on the way to becoming a provider of sustainable premium mobility, Audi and FAW signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that defines the framework for the joint production of electric vehicles based on the PPE platform. The memorandum of understanding was signed during the Germany-China Automobile Conference, which is currently taking place in Changchun, northern China.
In the future, Audi also plans to bring to China the Premium Platform Electric (PPE). PPE was jointly with Porsche, to further advance the transformation in its largest market. Several all-electric models are to be produced for the Chinese market on the new PPE platform from 2024 onwards.
“This decision emphasizes the strategic importance of the Chinese market. We are thus actively pushing forward with innovations locally,” said Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG and responsible for the China-business.
With the signing of the MoU, Audi is affirming its cooperation with its longstanding joint-venture partner FAW. At the same time, the company is also systematically following the path of sustainable mobility in China. It specifically gears its locally produced drive portfolio towards the requirements and wishes of Chinese premium customers. The plans for the new company are currently under developed. Production will start in 2024 as per schedule.
Werner Eichhorn, President of Audi China said, “This is a further milestone in our electrification strategy for the Chinese market. We are also confirming our commitment both to our longstanding Chinese partner FAW and to our activities in China, which we are now taking to a new level.”
Audi and FAW are jointly producing the all-electric Q2L e-tron and the plug-in hybrid A6L TFSIe. In addition, the previously imported Audi e-tron is under production in Changchun since the end of September. In the coming years, company will offer or localize further fully electric models of the e-tron family in China. By 2025, it plans to generate approximately one third of its unit sales in China with electrified cars.
From January through September 2020, Audi delivered 512,081 vehicles to customers in China. This is 4.5 percent more than in the same period of the previous year. Despite the interruptions in production due to the coronavirus, the brand thus achieved the best result in its 30-year history in China. Audi already produces at four locations in China in the FAW-VW joint venture: in Changchun, Foshan, Tianjin and Qingdao. The four locations have a total capacity of approximately 7,00,000 vehicles.
