Audi and SAIC Motor have unveiled their Advanced Digitized Platform, marking a strategic advance to develop luxury intelligent electric vehicles tailored for the Chinese market. This collaboration stems from a Memorandum of Understanding signed in July 2023, illustrating a key phase in Audi’s ‘In China for China’ strategy.
The formalization of this partnership occurred on Monday with the signing of a cooperation agreement, signaling the commencement of this ambitious initiative. With the Advanced Digitized Platform, the launch timeline for new models will shrink by more than 30%, with the debut vehicle set for a 2025 release.
Gernot Döllner, Audi Global CEO, highlighted the venture’s strategic value at the event, stating, “This partnership further strengthens our local cooperation with SAIC, and we will accelerate the advancement of our electrification strategy in China.”
This platform merges Audi’s technological prowess with SAIC’s insights into the Chinese market. It enhances collaboration between Audi’s Ingolstadt headquarters and SAIC’s Jiading facilities, enabling efficient cross-time-zone teamwork.
FermÃn Soneira, the project’s CEO with extensive automotive experience, voiced his optimism about the initiative’s impact. “With both companies focusing on their core strengths, I am confident that Audi will gain ‘China speed’ in this vibrant and dynamic market,” Soneira stated.
Audi’s approach to the competitive Chinese landscape emphasizes external competition over internal rivalry. Soneira reassured that the venture would produce vehicles appealing to various consumer demographics, notably young customers drawn to state-of-the-art technology and design.
Discussing the economics of premium electric vehicles, Jia Jianxu, general manager of SAIC Volkswagen, spoke on maintaining profitability through technological innovation. “So what we need most today is digitalization and electrification, to change the stereotype that many people think German electric cars are not intelligent enough,” said Jia.
Z-one Technology will deliver state-of-the-art automotive intelligence for the partnership, outfitting new SAIC Audi vehicles with superior hardware, software, and smart interaction systems.
Jia introduced the concept of vehicles as ‘mobility companions,’ mirroring the ubiquitous role of smartphones, and aimed at resonating deeply with users. “If Audi is successful in China, it wins the world,” he claimed, stressing the significance of the Chinese market to Audi’s worldwide agenda.
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