The brand will expand its line-up to a staggering 60 models in the near future (they currently offer 49 models).
This is according to Audi CEO Rupert Stadler who made the announcement at a special event held yesterday to mark the sale of the 1.5 millionth Audi. Stadler personally handed over the car – a navy Audi A3 Sportback – to its new owner at the Audi Forum in Ingolstadt, Germany.
What’s really significant about that 1.5 million is that it’s a number Audi hit a lot earlier than they claim they had anticipated. According to the Germans, the 1.5 million mark was only supposed to be ticked off in 2015. The shifted goalpost is now 2 million sales by 2020 and it’s the addition of new models that they believe well help them achieve that number.
And what will these new models be? “We see a great deal of potential, particularly in the SUV segment and in the especially prestigious full-size category,” said Stadler. From what we know, that’s likely to be the Q1 subcompact crossover due in 2016 and a Q6 coupe crossover. Also mooted is a Q8 luxury crossover, a Q2 coupe crossover and a new flagship in the shape of an A9 four-door coupe.