Audi is poised to make a decision this year regarding the potential establishment of a North American manufacturing facility, according to statements made by the company’s CEO, Gernot Döllner The final determination is expected by the end of the year, with preparations underway throughout the autumn
Döllner emphasized the significance of the United States as a growth market for Audi, clarifying that a new North American plant would not be intended to displace existing production capacity Currently, Audi manufactures the Q5, a model crucial to the US market, in Mexico, subjecting it to import tariffs The Volkswagen Group is actively evaluating potential vehicle allocation across its global facilities, but Döllner assured that existing Mexican operations would remain central to those considerations
Alongside potential expansion, Audi is focused on accelerating processes at its German plants This has involved a restructuring of leadership roles to improve efficiency The recently unveiled “Audi Concept C” design studio in Milan exemplifies this drive for faster development cycles, though the company acknowledged that the two-year development timeframe achieved for the Audi E5 Sportback marketed in China remains a unique case due to the differing pace of the Chinese automotive industry However, Döllner indicated that the accelerated methods employed in the Concept C project are beginning to be implemented across other areas of the business