Audi Embraces Chinese Market with New Electric Cars; Concerns over Brussels Factory’s Future Persist

In a statement released on Thursday, Audi, a leading German luxury car manufacturer, announced plans to begin production of electric cars at its new factory in Changchun, northern China before the end of this year. This news was shared ahead of the Beijing Motor Show next week, where Audi will be showcasing fully electric cars with a specific focus on the Chinese market, which is the largest market in the world. The company is emphasizing its local approach to building cars “in China for China” as part of its strategy to become a global leader in premium electric mobility.

The three models that will be produced in Changchun are based on the luxury platform PPE (Premium Platform Electric), which was developed in collaboration with Porsche. These models are from the Audi Q6 e-tron and Audi A6 e-tron series tailored for the Chinese market, with pre-production already underway in the new factory. Meanwhile, concerns about the future of Audi’s Brussels factory have been raised after it was announced that the successor to the Q8 e-tron would not be produced after 2027. This year, Audi Brussels faced economic challenges leading to temporary job losses and production slowdown. The Prime Minister has formed an Audi task force to address these issues and secure the future of Audi Brussels before upcoming elections.