MUMBAI, India — Audi is finalizing plans to assemble the Q5 crossover in India, which will let the automaker save on steep import taxes and eventually increase its market share. BMW has had the same idea with its X1.
Audi currently assembles the A4 and A6 luxury sedans at Skoda's Aurangabad plant. A new line will be set up for the Q5, with a capacity of 500 per year.
The existing Q5 is available with 3.0-liter TDI and 2.0-liter TFSI engine options. Audi is also looking at powering the car for India with a 2.0 liter common-rail TDI diesel that would make 140-160 horsepower. With the common-rail technology and twin balance shafts, the engine would be impressively smooth.
Inside Line says: The option of a smaller engine would attract more prospective buyers to the Q5 because of better fuel efficiency and more affordable price. — Hormazd Sorabjee, Editor, Autocar India
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shubh99 says:
05:29 PM, 01/13/2010
Get used to it mikedrud! India and China make up more than one-third of the world's population. It is the single biggest market for carmakers. It is my prediction that in the next ten years 50% of the world's cars will be made and sold in India and China.
mikedrud says:
04:10 PM, 01/13/2010
How will Americans and Europeans that used to build cars find work in the future if all production goes to India and China? I guess the more technically-proficient jobs will be handled in the U.S. and Europe and the actual assembly-work in India, China, Indonesia, etc.?
50five says:
11:57 AM, 01/13/2010
I'm sure it will sell well. It just needs to be priced/leased at less than a comparable X3