Audi announced last week that production of its upcoming small sport/utility vehicle, the Q3, will be built in Spain instead of in the United States where it initially was expected to be assembled. Instead, Audi is tapping it’s sister company, SEAT, to build the Q3 at the brand’s Martorell plant.
This decision demonstrates that Audi isn’t quite ready to begin producing models in the US even as its parent company, Volkswagen AG, moves forward with a Volkswagen plant now being planned for the Chattanooga, Tennessee area.
Production To Start In 2011
According to Audi, the Q3 will be produced in Spain with an annual production capacity of 80,000 units. The company is investing 300 million euros to bring the 2012 Audi Q3 production to Marotell while saying that the move will protect more than 1200 jobs while also ensuring Audi jobs elsewhere.
Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management at AUDI AG explained the reasons why US production has been postponed, “We will systematically explore our options in the context of the current market crisis. Audi is in a good position. There is currently no urgent need to select additional sites.”
What Is The Audi Q3?
The Audi Q3 is yet another sport/utility vehicle for the German automaker, joining the medium sized Q5 and larger Q7. Audi says that the Q3 is a coupe-like five door SUV that offers all of the attributes of an SUV while being big on driveability. Based on the A4 sedan, the Q3 will compete against the BMW X3.
Audi is also moving forward with plans to build its tiny A1, a vehicle what will share its platform with the SEAT Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo. The A1 will be built at the company’s Brussels, Belgium factory and is targeted to compete against the MINI. The European spec model will be available in either three- or five-door hatchback configurations.
Edmunds reported in February that no final decision has been made on whether the A1 will be exported to the US or not. The publication says that the A1 would most likely retail for around $25,000 and compete against the BMW 1 Series as well as the MINI.
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