Audi aims to have three electric car models by 2020 and for electric vehicles to account for 25 to 30 percent of its sales by 2025, Chief Executive Rupert Stadler told a German newspaper.
Audi’s electric cars push, reported by Reuters earlier this week, is part of a strategic overhaul following the emissions scandal at parent Volkswagen.
Under the plan, which Stadler presented to Audi managers this week, the group will focus more resources on electric cars, digital services and autonomous driving.
Audi plans to set up a subsidiary, to be called SDS Company, to develop an autonomous car, Stadler told daily Heilbronner Stimme in an interview published on Saturday. “This is about a robot car that may not even need a steering wheel or pedals, so it’s ideal for urban traffic,” he said, adding Audi was still looking for joint venture partners who would help with the technology.
In return for stepping up its focus on electric vehicles, autonomous driving and digital services, Audi will seek to reduce complexity in other areas, Stadler said.
“We have discussed what would happen if we dropped the two-door version of the A3. I think we would barely lose any customers. We’d rather invest the money that is freed up in new models and other derivatives,” Stadler said.