In accordance with Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume, Audi lags behind its rivals, and software program is responsible. To rectify the scenario, the automaker will velocity up the event of battery-electric automobiles (BEVs) for the luxurious model.
The boss commented on Audi’s place on Wednesday in the course of the firm’s Capital Markets Day. He stated, “We have now confronted extreme software program issues that delayed the launch of thrilling electrical merchandise,” reported Automotive Information Europe.
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VW Group’s software program points aren’t a secret. Final 12 months, two stories surfaced highlighting the technical issues behind the scenes. One July report famous that the group’s software program division was struggling to develop the code for the automaker’s next-generation electrical automobiles. The difficulties may need delayed new merchandise from Audi, Porsche, and Bentley. In November, one other report alleged that VW must postpone the launch of Trinity till 2030 on account of software program issues.
Blume famous that Audi’s lineup in China is not aggressive, which your entire group is “extremely depending on.” In accordance with ANE, Audi gross sales have been down 16 p.c in Q1 2023 in contrast with final 12 months. Nevertheless, many world automakers are struggling to compete in China, dropping market share over the previous few years.
Whereas Audi is likely to be behind, it’s targeted on turning issues round. Subsequent 12 months, the corporate will launch the Q6 E-Tron, that includes the much-delayed 1.2 software program and using on VW Group’s Premium Platform Electrical (PPE) structure that underpins the brand new Porsche Macan EV. Audi may also introduce the brand new Scalable Programs Platform (SSP) structure on time beginning in 2026.
The electrical Q6 will possible break cowl earlier than the tip of the 12 months. The automaker is already teasing the mannequin, which might provide as much as 600 horsepower within the sizzling RS variant. The automaker might unlock potential with its sport-oriented fashions underneath the RS sub-brand. Blume stated that the corporate is already planning to supply a high-performance lineup of BEVs as its hurries up improvement.
Audi’s future is electrical, so being behind is not a very good place. The automaker will launch its final ICE-powered automotive in 2025, with each new mannequin beginning in 2026 being purely electrical. Audi plans to finish world gasoline and diesel car manufacturing by 2033, though the corporate may proceed making combustion engines for China relying on the demand. The model’s future automobiles may also be extra pleasant and fewer aggressive of their design.
