Despite decreasing auto sales in developed parts of the world, Audi says that it will drastically expand its lineup in the coming years. The Volkswagen-owned German automaker currently produce 26 models, but will bump that figure to 40 models by the year 2015.
The news of the model expansion would seem to confirm that Audi will indeed give the green light to another supercar and a new crossover.
In addition to the model expansion, Audi CEO Rupert Stadler also revealed to Focus-Money magazine that the company is seriously considering U.S. production. “We are studying the possibility of having a manufacturing plant in the U.S.A.,” he said.
While Audi’s U.S. production plans could include VW’s yet-to-be-announced U.S. production plant, Stadler says that Audi could build its own independent facility, allowing for a greater production capacity.
Audi plans to sell 200,000 vehicles in the U.S. annually by 2018, something its own U.S. plant could help to achieve.
06/10, 12:37 PM
posted by:
BlackX
Audi FTW!
06/10, 12:57 PM
posted by:
brassmonkey
Audi is to VW like Lincoln to Ford. Maybe they could put a plant in NJ like the Wops that will be building Jags.
06/10, 12:58 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
40 models? That’s more of a Victoria’s Secret show than a vehicle lineup. In either case, it’s still a lot of holes to fill.
06/10, 1:33 PM
posted by:
kitko
Who’s going to buy them? Will there be a A3 M, A3 L and A3 XL? And then A4 M, A4 L, A4 XL? All looking the same – boring? These constant solutions in search of the problem will bring Audi down. I just hope Porsche gets in soon and stops this madness.
There’s warning from the history – British Lleyland. Cars eating each other’s sales. VW group turns out average quality cars, unlike BL, but with the megalomaniac expansion they will have a hard time maintaing even that.
06/10, 2:56 PM
posted by:
moto-racer13
Oh please don’t build Audi’s in the US. I love looking at an Audi and seeing that “manufactured in Germany” stamp. I wouldn’t want to buy an Audi and see a stamp saying “made in USA” They just might aswell make the thing in China.
06/10, 3:03 PM
posted by:
xyunya
It’s bizarre.
06/10, 3:07 PM
posted by:
Juggernaut
$20 says they’ll build little A3s here but still won’t sell the sexy RS6 (or Avant) that I really want.
06/10, 4:23 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
Oh great, just what we need — more FWD vehicles, priced at double what they’re really worth.
06/10, 5:51 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
Well, BMW is expanding its line to include crossovers, and more vehicles, only logical that Audi will expand its line up to compete.
06/10, 10:43 PM
posted by:
A4
CHRIST WE KNOW AUDI IS EXPANDING ITS LINEUP LETS MAKE ANOTHER ARTICLE ABOUT IT ****!
06/10, 10:51 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
Gee A4, don’t hold it in, tell us how you really feel. On another note a US plant makes sense since Audi’s VW parent will build one and will help keep prices of the cars down since they will not imported with the dollar down as it is.
06/11, 8:08 PM
posted by:
VWInformant
I think it makes perfect sense for Audi to expand their line, not only that, it’s fairly easy to see what those cars are going to be. I am interested to see how a car like the reported Q3 would stack up against something like the Tiguan. The VW is sporty and drives like a GTI; the Audi, which I believe is based on the A4 chassis, would make for an interesting comparison.