Audi is set to launch 20 electric cars by 2025. Yes, that is in less than 4 years. In Tesla’s 17 years they have only brought out 8 actual non-concept electric cars. Audi on the other hand currently has brought out out four. This means then in less than 5 years Audi wants to have five times the amount of electric cars they have now. They also want every Internal Combustion Engined Audi (if they still make them) in 2025 to be a hybrid. This is big news because if this happens then Audi will have the world’s largest (not most valuable) electric car lineup. Things actually get even better because Audi’s parent company, VW want over 30 electric cars to be on the vehicle lineups by 2030. They also want over 3 million electric cars sold by the VW group by 2025. Is this target too big? Judging not only by VW’s rapidly increasing lineup of new EV’s but also their other divisional companies such as Skoda, Audi, Porsche, Bentley, and Seat. Leave Lamborghini or Buggati though off the list as they’re still expected to make gas-guzzlers.
Audi has recently unveiled the Q4 e-Tron which is a small SUV probably to rival the likes of the Tesla Model Y. They are also set to launch the long-awaited E-Tron GT which is based on Porsche’s Taycan so it will be brilliant. Future electric models have not really been properly released but they are suspected to be a small hatchback for Europe, a luxury 2 door coupe of some sort, more SUVs, an electric TT (probably in SUV form as well), and the all-new MK3 R8. There are probably many more electric vehicles coming out by the brand but since there isn’t too much news about future models in the years to come; it is probably kept a top-secret by Audi.
The target of 20 electric cars is a big one. It will take a heck of a lot of investment as yes sadly people will probably lose their jobs. Cars such as the A4, A5, TT, and R8 are all due to a replacement very soon. The A4, A5, and R8 are now 4-5 years old, the TT is 6 years old. They will only get older and all 3 could be replaced individually with something electric or hybrid. The TT and R8 will most likely be hybrids. The reason why is that it would be impossible to carry over the same 5.2 naturally aspirated V10 engine unit from the Mk2 R8 to the new Mk3 simply because of its emissions. A smaller engine is possible but Audi has access to an electric motor terrain that can make somewhat of 1000hp. Why not use that instead?
The TT will be electric. One hundred percent. There is a new Porsche Cayman/Boxster 718 models coming soon and they will be full EV’s. It is likely that the TT will share the same platform. If the TT is not a coupe anymore then it will be an SUV. If it is an SUV it will share the same platform that the new 2022 all-electric Porsche Macan uses. If the TT is not an SUV or a coupe then that is a sad death for a great sportscar.
Why Is Audi Doing This?
Audi is doing this because they want Tesla’s customers. Audi knows they can build cars to a far superior quality to Tesla because they have access to a huge parts bin with parts from Lamborghini. Bentley, Porsche, etc. Audi can easily push Tesla out of business if they tried, and it looks like they will. Tesla will put up a fight though especially with their new non-cobalt batteries revealed back in September this year.
If Audi does want to kill Tesla they have to capture China, where Tesla right now conquers a third of their electric market. Of course, China is on the playing cards for Audi and they probably will increase manufacturing there of all of their cars particularly electric, to keep up with Tesla. Don’t forget parent company VW has been in China for years and years. The best selling car ever in China was the VW Santana, so VW does have an advantage as a whole with their group because everyone knows them. But everyone knows Tesla too and everyone knows just how capable they are at causing a stir in not only the car world but the world of the New York Stock Exchange.
Audi simply wants to increase its competitiveness in the car world. The days of the Internal Combustion Engine is coming to an end so if Audi still want to stay on top within the automotive sector, they have to do something drastic that in the short term will cost a lot of money and jobs but in the long term make them profitable. Audi wants to dominate the electric car world with help from its parent company VW it has a high chance. The good thing about the VW-Audi group is that all of their brands can share parts and platforms with each other making manufacturing and research cheaper and less time-consuming.
Audi can base many many cars on the new Taycan platform. From SUVs to supercars it is a world of possibilities. Tesla on the other hand has had to create individual platforms for each of their vehicles. There is no parts bin for them to rummage around in, apart from their own which at this moment in time is tiny. Audi is the master of technology at the minute and it looks as if they are not ready to forfeit that title yet.
Will Audi Get Government Support?
Yes, it is most likely they will get government support. Audi is a top company in Germany and because the EU has strict goals regarding zero emissions, banning the sales of petrol/diesel cars by 2040, etc and also that Germany is a key figure in the EU, it is in their best to invest resources into Audi’s plans. It is expected to create many new jobs and new opportunities for the years to come so why wouldn’t the German government be interested in such a thing? VW group in general will get heaps and heaps of investment as it is the largest carmaker in Germany.
Tesla will also be backed by German governments as they are building a new factory in Berlin. This does put pressure on Audi as it means Tesla cars will be cheaper in Europe since they are being domesticated. There will also be an array of Europe only Teslas to rival the likes from Audi, VW, etc in Europe. But Tesla will have to deal with the fact that Germany wants to be the worlds number one for cars again. Over the years they have lost it hugely with emissions scandals and increasing competition. Germany wants to regain its title as an automotive powerhouse so if they have to put their own brands prior to foreign companies, then so be it.
Audi has a huge aim and a huge target and it needs government support. This is a big thing for not only Germany but other countries where these cars will be built. Audi has a bright future ahead of themselves and yes they will really cause a stir for Tesla in the future. In fact, I think Audi will be one of the reasons why Tesla’s stock will crash in the next few years. In fact, Audi could kill many new startup EV companies as they are seriously on a mission.
The new E-Tron GT will probably be the gamechanger Audi needs. The Taycan was ever so successful for Porsche and the Audi will be built on the same platform, therefore, it must be absolutely impeccable. The E-Tron GT may just slaughter Model S sales unless Tesla launches a replacement of course. Expect a smaller Model 3 rival to come from Audi very very soon. In fact, this is probably one of their top priorities right now and it will probably come out in the next two to three years.
The E-Tron GT will really cement Audi into the electric car world. It will also bring many more new EVs with it. How exciting is the world of cars right now?
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