The Audi Q8 e-tron might be the one of many first electrical autos (EVs) to be axed attributable to cooling demand, with the German carmaker asserting low gross sales have led it to contemplate ending manufacturing early.
In a media assertion, Audi detailed its plans to shut the Brussels manufacturing unit the place the Q8 e-tron has been constructed because it grew to become the corporate’s first mass-market EV in 2019 below the easier e-tron nameplate.
“Audi is witnessing a world decline in buyer orders within the electrical luxurious class section,” the German marque stated.
“This impacts the Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron fashions, which roll off the manufacturing line in Brussels.
“Following an intensive assessment of the market state of affairs and the final circumstances on the Brussels web site, Audi is contemplating the early finish of manufacturing of the Q8 e-tron mannequin collection.”
Earlier this 12 months, Automotive Information Europe reported Audi was contemplating transferring overflow manufacturing of the This fall e-tron to the Belgian plant, nonetheless weak EV demand means this may now not be obligatory.
Although Audi intends to shut the Brussels manufacturing unit, it should obtain approval from Belgian lawmakers to take action after developing with a plan to terminate the workers on the facility.
Whereas diminished demand for EVs within the section has been listed as one of many major elements for the Q8 e-tron’s potential early demise, further causes embrace difficulties increasing the manufacturing unit attributable to its location; logistics prices; and the approaching roll-out of fashions underpinned by the Premium Platform Electrical structure.
This contains the Audi A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron, which can observe the Porsche Macan EV as the primary fashions constructed on the brand new platform.
Nevertheless, it might not be the entire finish of the street for the Q8 e-tron, as Automotive Information Europe additionally reported earlier this 12 months the model’s CEO Gernot Döllner had proposed a manufacturing overhaul which might see the electrical SUV be in-built Puebla, Mexico alongside the Q5.
No extra data on this plan has subsequently been reported.
All through 2023, Audi bought roughly 49,000 Q8 e-trons globally, accounting for greater than 1 / 4 of its general EV gross sales.
Simply 200 of those have been delivered in Australia, which represented a 55 per cent improve on 2022 when the electrical SUV nonetheless glided by its unique e-tron moniker.
Australian gross sales have been additionally up within the first half of 2024 to 112 examples, or a 51.4 per cent enchancment on the identical interval a 12 months in the past.
Audi Australia solely not too long ago added a brand new, less-expensive variant to the native Q8 e-tron lineup in June, bringing the vary to 4 choices together with the efficiency SQ8 e-tron grades.
MORE: All the things Audi Q8 e-tronMORE: 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron worth and specs
