By Audi has become one of the niche manufacturers in India which has resulted in sales numbers dropping and it has lost the third position in the luxury car segment to Jaguar Land Rover. Now the German manufacturer is planning to introduce more electric vehicles in India as they currently have three models – Q8 e-tron SUV, Q8 e-tron Sportback and e-tron GT but these vehicles are priced above Rs. 1 crore which makes them accessible to a small set of customers. The electric model contributes just 2 per cent to the overall sales volume of Audi in India.
Andre Konsbruck, vice president of sales overseas at Audi AG believes that the premium market will witness a faster adoption of EVs, with projections suggesting that by 2028, EVs could constitute over 50 per cent of the market share. To capitalize on this trend, Audi aims to introduce more electric models tailored to the Indian market. With high import duties, local production is imperative for competitiveness, prompting Audi to explore assembling EVs in India. The company is considering utilizing the VW Group’s MEB platform or its own premium modular EV architecture, PPE, for local production.
This strategic move aligns with Audi’s ambitious target of having EVs contribute 50 per cent of its total sales in India by 2030. A significant step towards achieving this goal is the introduction of new products, such as the recently unveiled Q6 e-tron, set to launch in India by late-2024 or early-2025. This model is part of Audi’s plan to introduce 20 new models globally within the next year, with some earmarked for the Indian market. Moreover, Audi recognizes the need for EVs across various price segments in India. Plans for a new entry-level electric SUV, positioned below the Q4 e-tron, are in the pipeline, catering to a broader customer base.
