INGOLSTADT: Audi AG has announced its plans over the next five years that will see it spend 35bil euros (RM173bil) to transform itself into a premium provider of networked and electrified mobility options.
Following in the footsteps of parent company Volkswagen Group moving into electromobility, the German carmaker indicated that about half of its investment is going into future technologies.
Volkswagen Group's umbrella of brands includes Audi, Porsche, SEAT, Skoda, Bentley, Lamborghini, Bugatti and Italian motorcycle brand Ducati.
The necessary financial scope is created by synergies in the Volkswagen Group – in both the e-platform strategy and in software development. Improvements in fixed costs, a leaner product portfolio, and savings in non-vehicle investments further contribute to the financial solidity of the Audi brand.
Part of the investment also includes the development and implementation of electric platforms through collaborations across brands held under the Volkswagen Group umbrella.
Audi, together with Porsche, is currently developing a premium platform electric (PPE) while also utilising the Group's modular electrification (MEB) platform at the same time.
From 2021 to 2025, Audi will focus on the implementation of Roadmap E, with a large-scale product offensive for fully and partly electric models.
By 2025, it intends to have about 30 models within its e-portfolio with 20 of them alone being fully electric.
Also, within the next five years, it will utilise a "unified" operating system with basic functions meant for all vehicles within the Group and is being developed inhouse by Car.Software-Organisation to which Audi CEO Markus Duesmann will the taking over as chairman.
Another part of Car.Software-Organisation responsibilities are to further the development of automated driving functions.
“With the investment planning that has now been carried out, we are making Audi stronger for the upcoming transformation of the core business. Technological leadership in electric-powered and fully networked driving is the aim of the supervisory board and management board. We are providing Audi with the necessary resources for this,” said Audi AG supervisory board chairman Herbert Diess.
