Audi Q2 mini SUV, which will be a cross-over version of the A3 mini sedan, Ansari said that this is also in consideration. Regarding the launch of hatchbacks in India, on the lines of Mercedes A- and B-Class, he said, "It is certainly one the options that we are discussing. But we also realise that India is clearly a sedan market."
New Delhi: German carmaker Audi will drive in the A5 cabriolet and the Q2 mini SUV in India as it looks to challenge the compatriot Mercedes Benz that has raced ahead and captured the top position in luxury market.
The company is also studying the possibility of introducing a hatchback as it looks to beef up its product portfolio to have a go at the top slot.
Rahil Ansari, the newly-appointed India-origin president of the company, said that new products and a greater focus on customer engagement will be the strategy for Audi as it works on a turnaround plan. "We plan to have a fire-work of product launches," Ansari told TOI, while unveiling product and expansion strategy.
The company lost the leadership position to Mercedes in 2015, and saw its volumes decline in 2016, said a source. The fall in volumes in 2016 surprised many as most of Audi's products were available in the critical Delhi-NCR market even as rival Mercedes saw a ban on its entire product line-up for around six months due to the action on diesel cars with engines above 2 litres. However
Ansari said that the company wants to move ahead of the "issues" of 2016, and added that he is confident of the brand regaining its top slot in the luxury space. "We are certainly not happy with the developments of last year."
However, the company will avoid pushing volumes through discounts and freebies. "We want a sustainable run, and are not desperate to get leadership at any cost. Audi does not believe in discounting for the sake of getting volumes."
Calling 2017 as the year of "Audi Re-loaded", Ansari said that the A5 will be one of the first all-new vehicles to hit the road. The new-gen A5 - unveiled in June last year - is powered by a turbo 2.0-liter engine matched to a dual-clutch 7-speed automatic gearbox, and comes at a time when Mercedes rolls out the E-Series sedan and BMW the new 5-Series.
Also in line for India will be the S5 coupe performance car, and this is propelled by a turbocharged 3.0-liter engine worked with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
On the Q2 mini SUV, which will be a cross-over version of the A3 mini sedan, Ansari said that this is also in consideration. Regarding the launch of hatchbacks in India, on the lines of Mercedes A- and B-Class, he said, "It is certainly one the options that we are discussing. But we also realise that India is clearly a sedan market."
Resource: http://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com
Resource: http://grandiose.org.in/
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