German legacy automaker Volkswagen has long been developing its new electric vehicle platform to bring significant technological advancements, such as autonomous driving, across its portfolio. However, the Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) production has faced numerous delays since its introduction.
It is worth noting that VW originally expected to launch the SSP alongside the Trinity flagship project in 2026. However, reports suggest this new EV model might not be available before 2029 or 2030.
The delay substantially inconvenienced the Volkswagen-owned brand Audi, considering it was expecting the SSP to support its new EV models in the Chinese market.
Consequently, the German brand had no choice but to look for alternatives to still pursue its strategy of establishing its footprint in China.
Audi already in discussions with several Chinese rivals
German publication Automobilwoche is the first to report Audi’s plan to use an EV platform from a Chinese electric automaker. This strategy will enable the German brand to launch new EVs in the Asian market without developing and building its own platform, which could really take a long time.
Notably, this potential partnership would signify the brand’s first-ever decision to obtain platforms directly from China.
Audi is reportedly negotiating with several Chinese rivals, including Geely, Foxconn, and industry leader BYD, per the report.
A partnership with Geely is highly possible, considering its SEA platform’s capability to support EVs from other automakers. However, Foxconn would also be a great choice as it aims to leverage its own EV platform to build a reputation in the EV industry.
Meanwhile, BYD has no plans to share its complete platforms. However, it has established a new brand, FinDreams, that sells EV batteries and motors to other automakers.
It is worth noting that these are only among the several possible options for the German automaker. Knowing which Chinese company would win Audi’s interest would really be exciting.
See Also:
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- Audi may develop its first EV production plant in US, to qualify for the federal tax credits
- Audi to launch the RS6 e-tron with wider and larger wheels in 2024
- Audi to launch a rugged 4×4 EV by 2027 to compete with Defender and G-Class
Audi is expected to conduct a special meeting today to assess all its options. Therefore, we can expect more details about a potential partnership with Chinese automakers soon.
