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Audi Confirms: It Won't Sell Q7 Hybrid in the U.S.
AUBURN HILLS, Michigan — Audi has confirmed for Inside Line that its highly anticipated Q7 hybrid crossover won't be sold in the U.S.
The Q7 hybrid was set for a launch here in early 2009, shortly after the January launch of the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI V6 50-state "clean diesel." That vehicle will be Audi's first diesel offering in the U.S.
Audi of America spokesman Christian Bokich said the thinking behind pulling out of the Q7 hybrid launch was "to launch the diesel properly instead of going off in multiple directions." The weak U.S. dollar also played a role in the decision.
The smaller Audi Q5 crossover in hybrid form "probably makes the most business sense because of sheer volume," Bokich noted. But he said he can't "confirm completely" if a Q5 hybrid will end up here, nor could he provide a timeline for a U.S. launch.
Bokich sketched out the bare bones of Audi of America's tentative diesel strategy in the U.S., saying that while there is "no timetable or production plans," the Audi A4 and A5 would be the next likely candidates to get clean diesel engines. An Audi A4 diesel wouldn't go on sale until the Q7 diesel debuts.
"Diesel versions of the A6 and A8 for the U.S. are less likely," he said. "The newer models would create a better business case for us," Bokich added. He did not rule out a diesel version of the Audi Q5 for the U.S. and said it was "too soon to tell" about a diesel Audi R8.
"Diesel has always been a main focus and expertise of Audi," Bokich said. "In the future, we won't rule out hybrids, but everything we do needs to prepare the way for a financially sound Audi. The backbone is a strong financial business case. In this case, we're willing to take a look at hybrid in the future. We have been working on hybrids. But our core competency is diesel cars. We love diesel, even more than our customers."
What this means to you: It's more likely that you'll be driving an Audi diesel than an Audi hybrid in the future. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
The Q7 hybrid was set for a launch here in early 2009, shortly after the January launch of the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI V6 50-state "clean diesel." That vehicle will be Audi's first diesel offering in the U.S.
Audi of America spokesman Christian Bokich said the thinking behind pulling out of the Q7 hybrid launch was "to launch the diesel properly instead of going off in multiple directions." The weak U.S. dollar also played a role in the decision.
The smaller Audi Q5 crossover in hybrid form "probably makes the most business sense because of sheer volume," Bokich noted. But he said he can't "confirm completely" if a Q5 hybrid will end up here, nor could he provide a timeline for a U.S. launch.
Bokich sketched out the bare bones of Audi of America's tentative diesel strategy in the U.S., saying that while there is "no timetable or production plans," the Audi A4 and A5 would be the next likely candidates to get clean diesel engines. An Audi A4 diesel wouldn't go on sale until the Q7 diesel debuts.
"Diesel versions of the A6 and A8 for the U.S. are less likely," he said. "The newer models would create a better business case for us," Bokich added. He did not rule out a diesel version of the Audi Q5 for the U.S. and said it was "too soon to tell" about a diesel Audi R8.
"Diesel has always been a main focus and expertise of Audi," Bokich said. "In the future, we won't rule out hybrids, but everything we do needs to prepare the way for a financially sound Audi. The backbone is a strong financial business case. In this case, we're willing to take a look at hybrid in the future. We have been working on hybrids. But our core competency is diesel cars. We love diesel, even more than our customers."
What this means to you: It's more likely that you'll be driving an Audi diesel than an Audi hybrid in the future. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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