Audi India’s Shift Towards Local EV Production: Affordable Electric Vehicles For Domestic Market
Audi India’s Shift Towards Local EV Production: Affordable Electric Vehicles for Domestic Market.
Audi India gears up for local assembly of EVs, aiming to reduce costs and expand customer base. Learn about their plan to introduce affordable electric vehicles in the Indian market.
Audi India will focus on local production and plans to sell affordable EVs in the domestic market. Luxury car manufacturer Audi India is planning to start local assembly of EVs.
With this step, the company will be able to expand its customer base in the country because the cost of vehicles is going to be reduced. Come, let us know about the entire plan.
Audi India Fleet.
The automaker currently sells the Q8 50 e-tron, Q8 55 e-tron, Q8 Sportback 50 e-tron, Q8 Sportback 55 e-tron, e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT within the Indian auto market.
Most of these cars are currently imported. However, the company assembles petrol models like Q3, Q3 Sportsback, Q5, Q7, A4, and A6 at its Aurangabad (Maharashtra) facility.
Emphasis on local assembly.
Speaking to the news agency, Audi India chief Balbir Singh Dhillon said that local manufacturing of EVs is in development and the same is being actively discussed with the global headquarters. They said-
We are working very positively with Audi AG and hopefully at some point we will be able to announce it (local assembly of EV models).
Asked about the expected timeline for the start of the process, Dhillon did not share any specific date but said the India unit is in very “positive” discussions on the matter with the global headquarters.
“Hopefully at some point, we’ll have some solutions. That’s the time when you can reach even more (groups of customers), because that’s when you’ll get the best value in terms of price point,” he said.
How will the price decrease?
At the moment, customs duties on automobiles imported into India as fully built units (CBUs) range from 60% to 100%.
The country’s customs system treats electric cars and hydrocarbon-powered vehicles equally and imposes significant tariffs to encourage domestic manufacturing.
Globally, Audi is looking to introduce several electric models in the next 2-3 years, many of which will also come to India, helping the Indian operations choose which ones to localize.