Audi are to start building the Q5 in India alongside the A4 and A6 at the Skoda plant in Aurangabad.
With the rise and rise of car sales in emerging markets, and the huge import duties car makers face on cars built in Europe destined for these new markets, it’s no wonder car makers are looking to build their cars in places like India and China.
Just about all the major car makers already make some of their cars in India or China and new models are being added to the ‘Built in Inida’ or ‘Built in China’ list every day as the market matures and more upmarket cars start to sell.
SUVs, 4x4s – call them what you will – are an obvious choice for buyers in countries with poorer road infrastructure. Which explains why Audi are about to bite the bullet and start production of the Audi Q5 in India.
Audi are planning to build the Q5 at the Skoda plant in Aurangabad – which already produces the Audi A4 and A6 for the local market. Although initial plans are for just 500 cars a year it’s very likely that this will increase as sales move up.
We really rate the Q5 as one of the best soft-roaders on the market. It does everything the Q7 dos but in a more manageable package. And it is eminently suited to the aspirations of the rising middle-class in India and China. But without making the car in the home market it is just too expensive for all but the very wealthy.
At this rate we’ll be lucky if we build any cars in the West by the start of the next decade.
abdul salam says
please add the expected rate of indian made audi q5