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Audi considering U.S. production

 
1 337 views Feb 13, 2008

Audi considering U.S. production

Audi considering U.S. production

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The increasing exchange rate differential between the strengthening euro and weakening U.S. dollar means importing European manufactured models into the U.S. is now significantly more expensive than just a few years ago. Not surprisingly, many of Europe’s top manufacturers are moving production Stateside, the latest being Volkswagen, which is currently searching for a site to build a new plant and now possibly Audi as well.

Rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz have benefited greatly from manufacturing their most popular vehicles in the U.S. locally. Audi’s sales numbers are much lower than its rivals but with new hybrid and diesel variants of the Q7 arriving in the next 12 months plus the all new Q5 SUV officials are now looking at making the move as well. Speaking recently with Automotive News, Audi dealer Joel Weinberger said management are considering a U.S. factory. “They have to build some cars here in the U.S. There is always talk of that but even if they were to decide today, it would be a good seven years before the first car rolls off the line,” he said.

Audi board member Michael Dick has also hinted at the possibility of a U.S. factory. He recently revealed that the new Q5 model qualifies for production in the U.S., especially once the hybrid versions roll out. Click here to read more details about the new Q5 and see some renderings depicting the final version of the car.



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Comment (1)

  1. By  r4 firmware Posted: 2/9/2010 1:17am PST

    I think it makes perfect sense for Audi to expand their line, not only that, it’s fairly easy to see what those cars are going to be. I am interested to see how a car like the reported Q3 would stack up against something like the Tiguan. The VW is sporty and drives like a GTI; the Audi, which I believe is based on the A4 chassis, would make for an interesting comparison.
     
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