The Audi Q8 e-tron could be one of the first electric vehicles (EVs) to be killed off due to falling demand, as the German automaker announced that poor sales have led it to consider ending production early.
In a statement to the media, Audi detailed plans to close the Brussels factory, which has produced the Q8 e-tron since it became the company’s first mass-market electric vehicle in 2019 under the simpler name e-tron.
“Audi is seeing a global decline in customer orders in the electric luxury segment,” the German car brand said.
“This affects the Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron models, which are produced on the production line in Brussels.
“After careful consideration of the market situation and the general conditions at the Brussels site, Audi is considering ending production of the Q8 e-tron early.”
This early year, European Auto News Audi is reportedly considering moving its sprawling production Q4 e-tron for its factory in Belgium, however weak demand for electric vehicles means this will no longer be necessary.
Although Audi intends to close its Brussels factory, it must get approval from Belgian lawmakers after drawing up plans to lay off workers at the facility.
While the declining demand for electric vehicles in this segment is considered one of the main factors for the Q8 e-tron’s potential early demise, other reasons include difficulties in expanding the factory due to its location; logistics costs; and the upcoming launch of models using the Premium Platform Electric architecture.
This includes Audi A6 e-tron And Q6 e-tronwill follow Porsche Macan Electric Car are the first models built on the new platform.
However, this may not be the end of the Q8 e-tron entirely, as European Auto News It was also reported earlier this year that the brand’s CEO Gernot Döllner had proposed a production overhaul that would see the electric SUV built in Puebla, Mexico alongside Question 5.
No further information about the plan was reported afterwards.
Throughout 2023, Audi sold around 49,000 Q8 e-trons globally, accounting for more than a quarter of the company’s total electric vehicle sales.
Just 200 will be delivered to Australia, a 55 per cent increase from 2022 when the electric SUV was still called the e-tron.
Sales in Australia also increased in the first half of 2024 to 112 units, representing a 51.4 per cent increase year-on-year.
Audi Australia has recently added a new, cheaper version to its local Q8 e-tron lineup. in Junebringing the range to four options including performance SQ8 e-tron scores.
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