Audi plans further growth in 2016

At its annual press conference on 3 March, German manufacturer Audi announced plans to invest more than 2.3 billion in the development of electric cars and connected systems.

Claiming that the company’s product portfolio will include 60 different models by by 2020, Audi promised to ‘gradually electrify’ its model portfolio further, with a particular focus on ‘plug-in hybrid technology and on purely electric drive’.

Rupert Stadler, chairman of the Board of Management at Audi, also highlighted the company’s attention to hydrogen fuel cell technology, as well as its aim to be a market leader in the industry going forward.

Stadler said: "At present, we are preparing our production facilities for the next stage of electric mobility. At our site in Brussels, we will begin the large-series production of our first fully electric SUV in 2018. That plant will also produce its own batteries. Audi Brussels will be the pioneer for electric mobility at the Audi Group.

"We also see great potential in fuel-cell technology. Our Audi h-tron quattro concept study operates solely on electric power, and with hydrogen as an energy source – hence the name h-tron. The hydrogen tanks can be filled in about four minutes, with enough energy for a range of 600 kilometres. Audi will have competence-centre responsibility within the Volkswagen Group, and will bring this technology out of research into series development in the coming years."

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