Audi Considering Q9 Flagship SUV
German luxury automaker Audi will likely launch a new flagship SUV, though the four-ring brand has no plans to expand its lineup in the opposite direction below its tiny A1.
While at the Beijing Motor Show the company’s chairman of the board and CEO, Rupert Stadler mentioned that they want to expand the SUV side of their business.
A possible Q9 super-SUV would compete with products like the confirmed BMW X7 crossover as well as vehicles currently in development by Bentley and Lamborghini.
Stadler also said that by 2020 Audi’s Q products will account for more than 45 percent of their sales. Currently they offer three such models. In ascending order by size they have the Q3, Q5 and Q7.
The small Q3 is a hot seller around the world, particularly in China. This crossover battles for best-selling honors in its segment, which grew by nearly 50 percent last year to just about 3 million units.
According to Stadler they have no plans to offer an Audi version of the Volkswagen Up! city car.
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[Source: CAR]
Born and raised in metro Detroit, Craig was steeped in mechanics from childhood. He feels as much at home with a wrench or welding gun in his hand as he does behind the wheel or in front of a camera. Putting his Bachelor's Degree in Journalism to good use, he's always pumping out videos, reviews, and features for AutoGuide.com. When the workday is over, he can be found out driving his fully restored 1936 Ford V8 sedan. Craig has covered the automotive industry full time for more than 10 years and is a member of the Automotive Press Association (APA) and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA).
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