A major car brand has announced plans to end the production of one of its electric models early. Audi said that there has been a a “sharp drop” in demand for electric vehicles.
And as a result, Q8 e-tron production could end earlier than originally planned. The models are manufactured in Brussels, Belgium.
Audi said it was witnessing a “global decline” in customer orders in the electric luxury class segment. There have also been issued with the Brussels plant with high costs at the factory, GB News reports.
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The Brussels Times has said that around 3,000 worker could be impacted if the factory is shut down. If plans are to go ahead, this could be the first factory shutdown in almost four decades for Volkswagen which is the parent company of Audi.
Volker Germann, CEO of Audi Brussels, said: “The announcement of the intention does not mean that a decision has been made. Nevertheless, this news has been felt very profoundly by the employees in Brussels and by me too.
“A transparent and constructive dialogue is important in the process that will follow. We will take all perspectives into account.”
Earlier this year, Audi said that its sales would dip in 2024 as it worked on developing new electric vehicles while also cutting costs. It lowered its forecast for operating returns from 7-7.5 per cent down to 6.5-7 per cent, with the earning forecast also dropping from €5.5billion (£4.6billion) to €3.5billion (£2.9billion).
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Audi sold 11,929 vehicles in the UK last month, accounting for a 6.65 per cent share of new vehicles – although this is a 0.25 per cent drop since last year.
Audi fell just behind two other brands in terms of the most new vehicles registered, notably BMW with 13,547 new sales and Volkswagen with 15,458 registrations.
Gerd Walker, Member of the Board of Management of Audi AG for Production and Logistics, said: “The decision to start the information and consultation process at the Brussels site was made after an intensive review and is supported by Audi AG.
“The task now is to shape this process constructively and transparently together with all those involved and to discuss viable solutions in the interests of all.”
