Audi is considering buying an electric platform from a competitor in China to shorten development times for its new models, company sources told Automotive News Europe sister publication Automobilwoche.
Audi needs to update and expand its EV offerings to keep up with competitors, especially in China, after key new electric models such as the Q6 E-tron were delayed due to software problems and its Artemis project for an autonomous flagship car was axed.
Volkswagen Group’s SSP software-led platform, which Audi will use, has also been pushed back to 2029 to ensure any software glitches are resolved.
BYD and BAIC are among Chinese automakers with EV platforms that could be used by Audi. Audi is talking with a number of companies, sources told Automobilwoche without mentioning names.
Audi’s future EVs likely would still be use styling elements from the series of “Sphere” concepts shown by the automaker.
Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume has already approved Audi’s plan, sources said, and it could be greenlighted at a meeting of Audi’s board this week.
Outgoing Audi CEO Markus Duesmann earlier this year promised that the brand had a “product fireworks” in the pipeline without being specific. Duesmann will be replaced as CEO on Sept. 1 by VW Group strategy chief Gernot Doellner.
Audi said it had no knowledge of any discussions to buy a platform.