Audi is getting its production plant in Brussels ready to produce the first purely electric sport utility vehicle in its lineup. A rotation of line production for other models will make way for the Audi e-tron SUV, and the batteries that power it.
The models being shuffled around include the Audi Q7 and A1, currently built in the Belgian plant, both of which will shift to Spain. The Spanish plant currently produces the Audi Q3 and production for that will shift to Hungary. Audi says this movement of models will preserve workforce integrity while making way for the new SUV EV, which itself will fit between the large Audi Q7 and the midsize Audi Q5 ... so making us guess that model designation could be Audi Q6 e-tron.
The e-tron SUV was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2015. Three electric motors propel the all-electric car, which will have a range of over 311 miles per charge (500 kilometers). Audi plans to build the e-tron's high-capacity battery at the Brussels plant as well.
Battery production at the Belgian plant, Audi says, will also make it a key part of the Volkswagen Group's overall electrification strategy, potentially supplying batteries for other models in the Group's lines.
Source: Audi
