Audi rethinks plan to launch final fuel automobile in 2026
- Audi is reassessing its plan to part out fuel engines by 2026 because of slower-than-expected EV adoption
- Audi reported an almost 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 closing mannequin geared up with a fuel engine in 2026.
Döllner made the assertion on Tuesday throughout Audi’s annual basic assembly, the place he additionally introduced that Audi will likely be slicing 7,500 jobs by 2029, principally in Germany.
“We’ll handle the manufacturing of our final combustion engine automobiles relying on the assorted developments on the planet markets,” he mentioned.
Beneath 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 as a result of slower-than-expected adoption of EVs. The automaker introduced final yr that it will likely 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, akin to Mercedes-Benz and Volvo, additionally deliberate to part out fuel engines this decade however now intend to supply them nicely 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 models, 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 straight mentioning the Trump administration’s tariff threats.
“We’re additionally at present assessing numerous situations 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 may additionally doubtlessly share capability at Volkswagen’s plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, or presumably even on the new plant that Volkswagen Group model Scout is setting up close to Columbia, South Carolina.
