Audi weighs in on the local production of electric vehicles in India.
Highlight
- German luxury car maker Audi is evaluating the feasibility of producing electric vehicles locally in India
- A senior company official said it seeks to reach the threshold volumes for such a move to be successful.
- Audi India Head Balbir Singh Dhillon said that Audi India has launched five electric cars in India
German luxury carmaker Audi is evaluating the feasibility of producing electric vehicles locally in India, while it is trying to reach the threshold volumes to make such a move a success, according to a senior company official. .
With the company deciding to go completely electric globally from 2033, it is just a matter of time for local production of its electric cars, which has so far received a strong response in India.
“This is an ongoing evaluation at this point of time. We are evaluating the acceptability of electric mobility in India,” Audi India head Balbir Singh Dhillon told news agency PTI. Electric EQS sedan in India from this year.
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He added, “But you also have to understand (that) we as Audi India or Audi AG have already decided that by 2033 we will become a fully electric car company. So, it is a matter of time. It is a question. From when, if not then whether we will do it or not.”
In the last seven months, he said that Audi India has launched five electric cars in India and will continue to sell them in these 12 months.
Audi’s five electric cars in India are e-tron 50, e-tron 55, e-tron Sportback 55, e-tron GT, RS e-tron GT. They have been instrumental in registering a two-fold jump in retail sales of 3,293 units in India in 2021 with the petrol powered Q-range and A-sedans in the company as compared to 1,639 units in 2020.
Dhillon said, “So far, it has been extremely successful. This is one segment which has actually performed better than we expected.”
However, as far as local assembly is concerned, he said, “We are evaluating. We need to reach those limits before we start making these cars locally.”
For now, he added that Audi India’s product portfolio in the EV segment is “strong enough to meet the needs of customers for years to come and the network is strong enough to meet our needs today”.
Audi’s German counterpart Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will locally assemble its EQS electric sedan in India and launch it in the market in the fourth quarter of 2022. This all-electric SUV will join the EQC, which was launched in full swing. The unit imported in October 2020 is worth Rs 1.07 crore.
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