- Audi is reassessing its plan to section out fuel engines by 2026 because of slower-than-expected EV adoption
- Audi reported a virtually 12% drop in gross sales in 2024 and mentioned it plans to chop 7,500 jobs by 2029
- Audi CEO Gernot Döllner hinted at elevated manufacturing in North America
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner mentioned the corporate is reassessing its plan, first introduced in 2021, to launch its ultimate mannequin outfitted with a fuel engine in 2026.
Döllner made the assertion on Tuesday throughout Audi’s annual common assembly, the place he additionally introduced that Audi will probably be reducing 7,500 jobs by 2029, principally in Germany.
“We are going to handle the manufacturing of our final combustion engine automobiles relying on the assorted developments on the planet markets,” he mentioned.
Underneath the unique plan, Audi meant to solely launch electrical automobiles past 2026 and stop promoting gas-powered fashions by 2033 in most markets. Nevertheless, Döllner mentioned these dates wanted to be reassessed because of the slower-than-expected adoption of EVs. The automaker introduced final yr that it is going to be closing its plant in Brussels, the place the Q8 E-Tron is constructed, because of gradual gross sales of the electrical midsize SUV.
Gernot Döllner
Different automakers, similar to Mercedes-Benz and Volvo, additionally deliberate to section out fuel engines this decade however now intend to supply them effectively into the subsequent decade.
Even with restricted EVs in its lineup, Audi gross sales suffered considerably in 2024. The model’s international gross sales dropped 11.8%, ending the yr at 1,671,218 items, whereas its working earnings fell 38%, closing the yr at 3.9 billion euros (roughly $4.3 billion).
Audi plans to show issues round by launching greater than 20 new or up to date fashions throughout the subsequent two years, together with new generations of the A6 and Q3 in 2025, plus a plug-in hybrid choice for the A5.
2026 Audi A6 Avant (Europe spec)
Döllner on Tuesday additionally hinted at elevated manufacturing in North America, with out instantly mentioning the Trump administration’s tariff threats.
“We’re additionally at present assessing varied eventualities for added localization in North America—amongst different issues, to be nearer to the wants of native prospects and to make ourselves extra resilient to international financial uncertainties,” he mentioned.
Audi at present has a plant in Mexico, the place it builds the Q5. The automaker might additionally doubtlessly share capability at Volkswagen’s plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, or probably even on the new plant that Volkswagen Group model Scout is establishing close to Columbia, South Carolina.