Software stalls electric Audi SUV

Audi’s first electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) will hit showrooms four weeks later than planned because of a software development issue, a spokesperson for the luxury car brand said on Sunday.

Audi’s first electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) will hit showrooms four weeks later than planned because of a software development issue, a spokesperson for the luxury car brand said on Sunday.

The e-tron midsize SUV faces delay because Audi needs new regulatory clearance for a piece of software modified during the development process.

Audi staged a global launch of the e-tron in San Francisco last month as part of its effort to expand the market for premium electric vehicles and grab a share from California-based Tesla, which has had the niche largely to itself.

The e-tron delays were first reported by German newspaper Bild am Sonntag, citing sources close to the company.

The paper said the delivery of the vehicles could be delayed by several months.

The paper also said Audi is locked in price negotiations with LG Chem, the South-Korean supplier of batteries for its electric vehicles, which wants to increase prices by about 10% because of high demand.

LG Chem supplies the electric vehicle batteries for Audi, parent company Volkswagen and Daimler.

An LG Chem official declined to comment on the report, citing the confidentiality of its relationship with a client.