by Audi ends production of A1 and Q2, making room for the A2 e-tron electric car
Affordability is currently in vogue, but apparently not at Audi. On the contrary, the brand is discontinuing its entry-level models, the A1 and Q2.
As part of an announcement about its production network, Audi revealed that production of the Q2 will end in Ingolstadt in April of this year. Its “death” will apparently free up space for the future A2 e-tron.
Although the Q2 was never offered in the USA, this compact crossover was introduced in 2016 and started at €29,000 ($33,862) in Germany, making it significantly cheaper than the Q3, which costs €44,600 ($52,066). It was relatively popular: over the last decade, consumers purchased 887,231 units. However, sales have declined in recent years.
End of production for the A1
The Q2 is not the only model that is leaving. Production of the A1 is being “wound down” in Martorell, Spain. This entry-level hatchback was introduced in 2010 and sold 1,389,658 units over two generations.
The latest version started at €22,950 ($26,792) and was offered in Sportback and Allstreet body styles. Like the Q2, the A1 was successful at launch, but sales have slowed in the last few years.
It’s not all bad news: the two models will effectively be replaced by the A2 e-tron. This compact electric car will debut this autumn and is expected to be based on the MEB+ platform, which underpins the ID.3 Neo. This mass-market electric hatchback recently debuted with 58 kWh and 79 kWh battery packs, as well as a range of up to 391 miles (630 km) on the WLTP cycle.
Electric sports car to arrive in 2027
In addition to announcing the end of production for the A1 and Q2, Audi confirmed that their electric sports car will go into production in 2027. It will be assembled at the Böllinger Höfe plant, which specializes in small-series production.
The model was previewed by the Concept C concept and will essentially be Audi’s version of the Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman. As you may recall, it was a two-seat sports car with a folding hardtop, a minimalist interior, and an all-new design.
Thus, Audi is taking a bold step by abandoning its most affordable models in favor of electrification. Although the A1 and Q2 were popular, especially on the European market, their place will be taken by the more modern and technologically advanced A2 e-tron, which promises significant range. At the same time, the brand is confirming its ambitions in the electric sports car segment, indicating a shift in focus towards more premium and innovative products, even if it means losing some of its budget-conscious audience. This strategic decision could strengthen Audi’s image as a premium electric vehicle manufacturer, but it raises the question of whether the new A2 e-tron can attract enough buyers to offset the sales volume lost from the A1 and Q2.
