Audi ends A1 and Q2 production, eyes premium electric future

Audi has announced that it will stop producing its A1 and Q2 models by 2026, marking the end of an era for two of its most accessible offerings. The move signals a shift in strategy as the German automaker sharpens its focus on premium models and prepares for a fully electric future.

The news, confirmed by CEO Gernot Döllner, was reported by Auto Car. Döllner acknowledged that the company does not have any direct successors planned for the outgoing A1 and Q2 models.

Premium over volume

Audi’s decision is driven by a desire to maintain its identity as a premium brand, meaning it will no longer cater to every market segment. Instead, the company will concentrate on refining and expanding its top-tier lineup.

According to Citizen News, this transition was anticipated as early as 2021 when then-CEO Markus Duesmann hinted at the phasing out of smaller models due to high production costs and Audi’s strategic pivot toward full electrification by 2030.

“We have also realigned Audi as a premium brand. We will limit our model range at the bottom and expand it at the top,” Duesmann previously said in an interview with Handelsblatt.

A1 and Q2 sales in SA

In South Africa, the A1 and Q2 remain relatively popular. According to Cars.co.za, Audi sold 463 units of the A1 Sportback and 894 Q2s locally in 2024. Only the Q3 Sportback surpassed the Q2 in sales, highlighting the compact SUV’s appeal in the local market.

Despite their success, these models have now been marked for discontinuation, with no immediate replacements in sight.

Döllner added that Audi will continue to offer products in the lower A-segment, but did not elaborate on what form these new models might take.

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Sourced:Bona

Picture: Clinch