Audi’s China debut for all-electric e-tron drives home carmaker’s commitment to local market
... we are totally committed to the Chinese market and our valued customers.”
Thomas Owsianski, president
of Audi China
Audi AG is holding the China premiere of the e-tron, its first fully electric production vehicle, as well as showcasing many other of its models at the China International Import Expo which kicks off today in Shanghai, as a sign of the German premium carmaker’s commitment to the world’s largest automotive market.
“We want to show all visitors the best products of our brand with the highest technical standards,” said Thomas Owsianski, president of Audi China.
“The Audi e-tron is a genuine pioneer. To show this exceptional all-electric car in Shanghai at the CIIE proves again the strong commitment of Audi to China,” he said.
Thanks to two state-ofthe-art electric motors, the e-tron has a maximum output of 300 kW and a top torque of 660 Nm, and its quattro four-wheel-drive technology ensures handling with unmistakable Audi DNA.
The e-tron offers a long range of more than 400 kilometers under conditions defined by the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure, a global standard for determining the levels of pollutants and emissions, fuel or energy consumption, and the electric range of light-duty vehicles.
It is the first series-production model capable of charging with up to 150 kW at direct circuit charging stations by Ionity, a joint venture that is building a pan-European network to facilitate long-distance travel, according to Audi.
Owsianski said the model, which is currently made in Belgium, will be introduced into China in 2019 and locally produced at Audi’s Chinese joint venture FAWVolkswagen starting from 2020.
The e-tron will be one of four Audi new energy vehicles to be produced by 2022, as part of the carmaker’s efforts to continue its success in China, its largest market worldwide.
“From small beginnings 30 years ago, together with FAW, we have now grown our business into a huge success story, selling around 600,000 cars (in China) last year,” said Owsianski.
The momentum has continued. In the first nine months of this year, a total of over 480,000 Audi cars have been sold in China, an increase of 15.4 percent year on year.
Audi expects its sales in the country to reach 1 million in the coming years with the help of its growing lineup.
“Audi is the most reliable long-term premium car partner of China, and we are totally committed to the Chinese market and our valued customers,” said Owsianski.
The carmaker is offering its complete product range in the country, ranging from the A1, the Q2L and Q3 to the A4L, the Q5L, the A6L, the Q7 and the A8L.
Audi was not only the very first premium car brand to produce its cars in China, but was also the first to offer cars designed specifically for the local market, when it extended the wheelbase of the A6 in 1999 to satisfy Chinese customer preferences.
The move, based on Audi’s understanding of Chinese passengers, greatly fueled sales of Audi vehicles in the country, and attracted many other brands to follow suit in later years.
Audi’s success story in China is also symbolic of the successful development of the whole country, according to Owsianski.
He said over the past three decades Audi has witnessed Chinese people’s efforts to grow their country into the second largest economy and the largest automotive market in the world.
“This is a tremendous success. At the same time, Audi is very proud to be part of this historical achievement,” he said.
Looking forward, Audi has unveiled its China growth plan, based on its global strategy.
Called “In China for China”, the plan involves developing cars especially for the Chinese market. “We are going through our businesses to look at what activities should be expanded in China,” he said.
Audi is also increasing its research and development presence in China, with the current number of engineers expected to more than double to 630 by 2023.
It plans to expand its R&D facility in Beijing, and will build another development and testing facility in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, in 2019. The facilities will have a special focus on autonomous driving, digitalization and new energy vehicles, said the carmaker.
Audi has now obtained licenses to test autonomous vehicles in these two Chinese cities.
Together with Huawei and other local partners, Audi China is intensifying its research in the field of highly automated cars.
“We are a partner of China for over three decades and we want to continue to support China and her people to fulfill their China Dream in the years to come,” said Owsianski.