Audi is set to begin production of electric cars at its new factory in Changchun, northern China, by the end of this year. This was announced in a statement released by the car manufacturer ahead of the Beijing Motor Show next week. At the show, Audi will be showcasing only fully electric cars, with a particular focus on the Chinese market, which is the largest market in the world.
The vehicles that Audi will manufacture in Changchun are based on the luxury platform PPE (Premium Platform Electric), which was developed in collaboration with Porsche. Audi’s joint venture in China, Audi FAW NEV, is set to commence production of three models based on the PPE platform before the end of the year. These models include cars from the Audi Q6 e-tron and Audi A6 e-tron series specifically tailored for the Chinese market. Pre-production activities have already commenced at the new factory, signaling progress towards Audi’s electric vehicle production goals.
However, there have been concerns about the future of Audi’s factory in Forest, Belgium, where the fully electric Q8 e-tron SUV is currently being produced. The successor to the Q8 e-tron is not scheduled to be manufactured beyond 2027, leading to uncertainties about the future of the Brussels plant. To address these uncertainties, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has established an Audi task force comprising government representatives and the car factory’s management. The task force aims to expedite decisions that will secure
