Audi is considering building its cars in the United States to promote its growth here, said CEO Rupert Stadler in a conference call Tuesday. There are many factors the company needs to consider first, though, including whether or not to share it with partner Volkswagen, which vehicle the factory would assemble and whether to export it.
VW is expected to announce a US factory site by the end of June, so the decision regarding sharing needs to be made soon. The new plant is necessary if Audi is to meet its sales target of 200,000 by 2018, as per Automotive News. By 2015, Stadler wants to sell 180,000 vehicles, while for 2008, the mark is set at 100,000.
A U.S.-based plant would help keep prices of its new cars down here, making the sales targets attainable despite the weak dollar, worsening economy and resulting low interest in the luxury car market.
New models are expected to help sales numbers, and 40 new vehicles are due to roll out by 2015 under the 4-ring logo, including the 2009 A4, upcoming Q5 crossover and Q7 SUV with a diesel engine meant for North America as well as an A3 convertible and A1 subcompact for other markets.
03/11, 4:08 PM
posted by:
RicardoHead
Gimme my A1 for $18k you VW wannabe!
03/11, 4:46 PM
posted by:
sunshine1810
From a business standpoint I can understand why Audi will build in the Unites States; however, as a customer, I will never buy any Audi if it’s made outside Germany or Europe.
03/11, 5:31 PM
posted by:
Jazz
Do it Audi- spend money in US. The US spent enough money on Germany and Japan after WWII. Lets start seeing the return on investment
03/11, 6:00 PM
posted by:
carbonsigma
Only if the US built cars are as well put together as the European ones!
03/11, 8:22 PM
posted by:
autonut
GrandPutz still did not read a single history book. Or well, German perfection killed millions of people in Germany alone. Perhaps those were prefect murders.
It’s nice to receive some Nazi cash in the form of a factory. My guess, they will expand Mexican VW facility. There was plant in PA 20-25 years ago and it moved south along with fames quality, which never was there to begin with.
03/11, 8:45 PM
posted by:
deutschetouring1337
Wont happen in the next 2-4 years until things are cleared up on the other side of the pond with Porsches Takeover of VAG. Considering VW just grabbed a larger stake in Scania and are considering dropping SEAT things wont happen over here for awhile.
03/11, 9:54 PM
posted by:
Get Real
VW quality will come to America.
I am very happy. VW will teach GM and Ford how to make cars.
VW has never done this before…….they will shame American car makers like Toyota and Honda have never done.
03/11, 10:31 PM
posted by:
Commodore
I am starting to like Audi more and more
I might actually consider getting an A5 or something after my CTS
03/12, 12:14 AM
posted by:
howsmydriving
The vast majority of car buyers don’t care whether their car is FWD or RWD. I’m not one of them, and that’s why I think Audi sucks. AWD is no answer either because of the weight penalty — unless you truly want and need AWD.
03/12, 6:56 PM
posted by:
bigp
THEY ARE JUST FOLLOWING BMW.
03/23, 1:01 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Commodore: I like the A8
“Only if the US built cars are as well put together as the European ones!”
Yep.