In a ceremony held in a historic Parisian industrial building, Audi CEO Gernot Doellner introduced the A2 e‑tron, the brand’s newest compact electric vehicle. The model is designed to address the demand for smaller, more efficient cars in Europe, where Chinese manufacturers are offering increasingly affordable options.
Efficiency and range at the forefront
The revived A2 nameplate boasts a low energy consumption of 12.8 kilowatt‑hours per 100 km, making it the most efficient vehicle in Audi’s history. It offers a maximum driving range of 646 km (401 miles) on a single charge, positioning it as a practical choice for European drivers seeking both performance and sustainability.
Production and delivery timeline
Production of the A2 e‑tron will take place at Audi’s Ingolstadt plant in Germany, with the first deliveries slated for December 2026. Doellner emphasized that the model reflects Audi’s commitment to intelligent resource use, stating that “premium cannot just mean more power or more resources—it must mean using resources more intelligently.”
Broader corporate context
The launch comes as Volkswagen Group, Audi’s parent company, recently approved extensive job cuts to mitigate the impact of tariffs, overcapacity, and aggressive competition from Chinese EV makers. Additionally, Audi’s Neckarsulm plant in southwestern Germany faces uncertainty, with no new model scheduled there after 2034, prompting discussions with unions about potential factory optimizations.
Doellner expressed confidence in Audi’s electromobility strategy, noting that the company is well‑positioned to compete in a market increasingly dominated by efficient, affordable electric vehicles.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
