In the coming years, Audi will significantly rejuvenate its product range, launch several electric cars and will enter new digital business areas.
The brand plans to launch three battery-electric models by the year 2020 and to electrify additional model series after that. As part of its electric initiative, Audi has already trained more than 6,000 employees to work with high-voltage technology over the past three years. The company is also involved in the development of a public fast-charging infrastructure.
Audi is also accelerating the technology for autonomous self-driving cars. A newly founded subsidiary, called Autonomous Intelligent Driving GmbH in Munich, is working on a system for autonomous vehicles in cities. The technology is to be applicable in the models of various brands and is also a key component of mobility services conceivable for the future, such as robot taxis. The company is open to cooperation with further strong partners in the automotive and IT sectors.
At the same time, Audi is further developing assisted and piloted systems for other traffic situations, such as on highways or country roads. In the new Audi A8, customers will for the first time be able to use Level 3 automated driving functions in traffic jams at speeds up to 60 km/h.
Audi also plans to significantly rejuvenate its model portfolio in the coming years. In addition to the launch of the Audi A8 in July this year, new generations of important volume models such as the Q5 and A5 will be launched into the markets before the end of 2017. Furthermore, the Audi Q2 will become available in additional international markets.
In 2018, Audi will strengthen its top-end lineup with the second generation of the Audi A7. In the same year, the Audi Q8 will supplement the company’s SUV family. Another new model planned for 2019 will be the new the Audi Q4, a sporty compact utility vehicle which will complete its SUV’s lineup.
