Audi, SAIC will jointly develop future models under new China brand

BEIJING - ​Volkswagen's Audi will ​deepen its partnership with China's ​SAIC for future generations of models under their co-owned new brand, with four to be launched in ‌China in ⁠the ⁠coming years, the German premium automaker said on ​Friday.

The automakers, which rolled out the EV brand ​that drops Audi's iconic four-ring logo and carries only the Audi name in 2024, ​will also cooperate to ⁠build an ‌innovation and technology centre in ​Shanghai, ​Audi said in a statement.

The ⁠move comes as German carmakers seek ​to deepen their production and development ​footprint in China in response to falling sales and cut-throat competition with local brands.


Audi and SAIC's first model was brought to the market last year, ‌the E5 Sportback, which has so far generated sales of around ​10,000 vehicles.

The ​car, which ⁠made up the lion's share of Audi's first-quarter EV sales in China, is part of ​a push to woo younger customers in the world's largest car market.