Audi to shut Brussels plant in early 2025, discontinuing Q8 E-Tron
Audi’s plant in Brussels, Belgium, will stop manufacturing subsequent 12 months after the automaker’s makes an attempt to discover a purchaser failed.
The plant, which employs barely greater than 3,000 employees, was acquired by Audi from Volkswagen in 2007 and at present builds the Q8 E-Tron and the associated Q8 Sportback E-Tron.
Manufacturing of the electrical SUVs will finish by Feb. 28, in line with a December 12 report by Reuters citing an Audi spokesperson.
An Audi USA spokesperson informed Motor Authority all Q8 E-Trons in U.S. stock are 2024 fashions. It is unclear if the 2025 mannequin will arrive within the U.S. and is dependent upon manufacturing allocations.
Audi first introduced in the course of the summer time that the plant was liable to closing. On the time, the automaker indicated that the Q8 E-Tron is likely to be discontinued early resulting from sluggish gross sales, which totaled 53,555 gross sales in 2023.
Manufacturing line at Audi plant in Brussels, Belgium – Picture through Audi
The Q8 E-Tron was initially launched for the 2019 mannequin 12 months within the U.S. beneath the title E-Tron. It was renamed the Q8 E-Tron following a mid-cycle refresh for the 2024 mannequin 12 months.
The unrelated gas-powered Q8 is produced at a separate plant and is anticipated to stay on sale after the Q8 E-Tron is discontinued.
In latest months, Audi explored the opportunity of promoting the Brussels plant, with hypothesis that Chinese language EV producer Nio is likely to be a possible purchaser. Nevertheless, Nio has denied these rumors.
The principle union representing employees at Audi’s guardian firm, Volkswagen Group, warned in October that the automaker is likely to be contemplating closing as much as three vegetation in Germany, although no ultimate choices have been made. Staff are at present on strike as negotiations between administration and the union proceed this week.
