Audi in China: Pioneering spirit in the Far East
Local strength, global brand: How Audi came to China
missing translation: fa.article-intro.reading-time – 05/16/2025
Made exclusively for the Chinese market: the Audi A5L at Auto Guangzhou 2024
Made exclusively for the Chinese market: the Audi A5L at Auto Guangzhou 2024
As a pioneer among premium carmakers, Audi began its journey in China in 1988. Then as now, Audi stands for 透過技術領先一步, meaning advancement through technology, better known as Vorsprung durch Technik, and has proven its instinct for markets far away from Germany.
Over the decades, China has developed into the largest and most important automotive market in the world. Vehicles of the brand with the four rings have been delighting customers there for more than 35 years.
Audi’s journey in China began in 1988 with the establishment of a joint venture with the manufacturer FAW. First Automotive Works is a state-owned car manufacturer that produces and sells foreign brands in joint ventures. It was a decisive and positive long-term step for Audi.
This was followed in 1999 by the first model developed for local customers: an Audi A6 with an extended wheelbase. Audi invested, learned, and developed in and for the growing market in China. With centers such as Audi Innovation Research (AIR) in Beijing and local design studios, Audi showed that the focus was on people – and that not just the product alone, but the entire experience counts. It was the beginning of a success story, true to the motto that only those who have history can write history.
China loves a long wheelbase
The pioneering role paid off: the long-wheelbase versions of numerous Audi models were immediately well received. The year 2009 also saw the launch of a long-wheelbase model in the upper mid-size class: the Audi A4L. In the same year, Audi founded the wholly owned subsidiary Audi China, based in Beijing, which employs more than 700 people today. In 2010, Audi and FAW-Volkswagen celebrated the delivery of the millionth Audi in China. Coinciding with Audi’s 25th anniversary in China, the two millionth model rolled off the production line. Two years later, three million models had been produced. The range of long-wheelbase versions now extends to many model series. For example, the Audi Q2L, A7L, and A5L are available at retail partners in China, with the A6L e-tron and Q6L e-tron to join the offer over the course of 2025.
Together with the local partners, Audi presents the Q5L, A6L e-tron, and A5L (from left to right) at the Auto Shanghai 2025.
In China for China
In addition to their partner of many years FAW, Audi has also worked with SAIC Volkswagen since 2021. Furthermore, Audi has been producing all-electric models in China in cooperation with the Audi FAW NEV Company since the end of 2024. The basis for that is the Premium Platform Electric (PPE). This brings the number of production sites to seven: two in Changchun and one each in Foshan, Tianjin, Qingdao, Anting (Shanghai), and Ningbo. Production capacity currently stands at approximately 600,000 vehicles per year.
The Audi FAW NEV Company in Changchun has been producing fully electric Audi models since the end of 2024.
Research, WeChat, and Baidu: How Audi is localizing digital services in China
In addition to coordination between the partners, Audi China is primarily responsible for local research and development tasks. In Beijing, Audi operates the largest development center outside Germany. It is needed because preferences on the Chinese market are very different from those in Europe or the USA. On top of that, life in China is even more “connected.” Audi partnered with Tencent back in 2016 to integrate the popular messenger WeChat into its vehicles. Baidu’s services are also being used to offer Chinese customers familiar local services and to make connectivity with the car as easy as possible.
The Audi China building: the new home of the R&D Center in Beijing. (Rendering)
Audi in China pushes ahead with electric mobility and charging infrastructure
Audi is increasingly focusing on electric mobility in China. For example, customer choices include the Q4 e-tron and Q5 e-tron. In 2025, the Q6L e-tron, Q6L Sportback e-tron, and the A6L e-tron will also be launched on the Chinese market.
Audi is relying primarily on the brand-exclusive fast-charging stations, the Audi Charging Stations, to quickly establish a nationwide charging infrastructure. They provide a charging capacity of up to 360 kilowatts and voltage of up to 1,000 volts. As of the end of 2024, the brand’s local charging network already has around 600 fast-charging stations in more than 30 cities. They are mainly located in convenient locations such as large shopping centers.
AUDI E concept and E5 Sportback set new trends – without the four rings
In 2024, Audi once again demonstrated its pioneering spirit. With the “AUDI E concept” show car, Audi introduced the new AUDI brand for China – without the four rings logo and written in capital letters. AUDI combines the traditional strengths of Audi with the speed of innovation of its partner SAIC. Audi is once again breaking new ground here and tapping into additional, tech-savvy customer groups. The AUDI E5 Sportback with its own exterior and interior design language will be launched at the end of 2025. It features a power range between 220 and 579 kilowatts.
Audi in China: Pioneering spirit meets digital and electric future
China has become one of the global pacemakers for digital innovations and electric mobility. In close cooperation with its partners FAW and SAIC and with a portfolio tailored to the needs of the market, Audi has been demonstrating pioneering spirit for almost 40 years.
With its unmistakable Audi DNA, the new AUDI E5 Sportback is the first all-electric model from the new sister brand. The car is primarily geared towards the needs of Chinese customers.
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