After a number of growth delays because of software program points internally and at mother or father firm Volkswagen Group, Audi AG is reportedly exploring discussions in China to purchase its subsequent technology EV platform from one other OEM, maybe even a competitor abroad.

Audi at the moment sits as a legacy automaker with one of the crucial strong lineups of all-electric autos… so long as you may inform all of them aside given their related e-tron nomenclature. Whereas different EU automakers, together with some in Audi’s identical Volkswagen Group household (ahem… Porsche) discover methods to waste money and time on a murky future surrounding e-fuels, Audi’s CEO Markus Duesmann has doubled down on the corporate’s dedication to electrification.

Regardless of that admirable dedication, Audi’s gross sales have lagged behind German opponents like Mercedes-Benz and BMW – which led to the ousting of Duesmann as CEO final month. He will likely be succeeded by Volkswagen Group veteran Gernot Döllner.

Döllner formally takes the reins September 1 and will likely be tasked with elevating a luxurious model dedicated to electrification that has been impeded by growth points, significantly on the software program aspect. Döllner’s predecessor had beforehand promised “fireworks” in Audi’s EV pipeline, however to this point we’ve solely seen ideas just like the Urbansphere and Activesphere EVs seen above and beneath, respectively.

With clear platform delays on the schedule at Volkswagen Group and a brand new chief on the new seat, Audi is rumored to be looking for a brand new companion in China during which the posh automaker can merely purchase its subsequent technology EV platform and begin getting its subsequent wave of autos out on roads.

Audi could also be kicking the platform tires in China to catch up

In accordance with Automobilwoche, sources at Audi state the German automaker is in discussions with a number of OEMs in China to purchase EV platform expertise. These sources wouldn’t title any particular Chinese language automakers, nevertheless.

If that is true, Audi has a plethora of EV conglomerates to select from as China is well probably the most saturated marketplace for electrical car manufacturing. The area consists of massive OEMs like BYD, Geely, SAIC, BAIC, GAC, and even FAW who already has a three way partnership in China with Volkswagen Group.

As beforehand touched upon, the SSP platform from Volkswagen Group that Audi is planning to make use of is now delayed to 2029 because of quite a few software program points – unwelcome information for an automaker that’s already enjoying catchup in its given phase.

It’s laborious to think about Audi sitting again and ready for the SSP from its mother or father, including some cogency to the rumors of talks with China. The sources additionally instructed Automobilwoche that VW Group CEO Oliver Blume has already permitted Audi’s technique to hunt EV expertise abroad, and that the board might vote to approve the plan this week.

Audi, nevertheless, states that has no information of any discussions to purchase an EV platform. We’ll see.