Audi Q5 coming to Beijing Auto Show, production may take place in China

Audi is finally set to unveil the Q5 SUV at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show on April 18th. Why Beijing? Well, Audi see’s the China as a key growth market and could possibly build the compact off-roader in China as well as Germany due to strong demand for SUVs among Chinese buyers.

China even overtook the UK as Audi’s biggest market outside Germany. Chinese sales grew by 101,996 or 24.8 percent while in the UK sales increased by 100,712 or 17.1 percent. At the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month, CEO Rupert Stadler said that Audi could double its Chinese sales to 200,000 units in the midterm.

Based on the A4 sedan, Q5 production has already kicked-off at Audi’s Ingolstadt factory. The Q5 will arrive in the US early next year and will go on sale in China by the end of next year.

Recently, Audi’s dealer council, Joel Weinberger, said that Audi will offer a Q5 will be offered as hybrid first in the US followed by a diesel shortly after.

 

Photo Renderings: Audi Q5:

Photo Renderings: Audi Q5 Photo Renderings: Audi Q5 

 

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

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