Audi mulls importing Q2 model for Indian market

Hyderabad: With the current norms allowing carmakers to import up to 2,500 homologation-free (drive-worthiness certificate) vehicles in India, Audi India is considering importing the Q2 model under the scheme, a top company official said.

The norms, which were relaxed recently, have divided the automotive industry down the middle with industry body SIAM objecting to the relaxation. ‘

However, the German luxury car brand is ready to forge ahead with its plans to import vehicles under the scheme.

Speaking to the media after the launch of Audi India's latest showroom in Hyderabad, Audi India head Rahil Ansari said, "There is a new regulation that 2,500 vehicles can be imported without homologation. That means you can also bring in cars either in low or higher segments just to test the waters how the market acceptance is... We will definitely bring one or other car under this scheme because this will give us the ability to see what the market acceptance is in any segment for the future local investment or assembly... Q2 is one of those that fit under the scheme."

Meanwhile, Audi, which had briefly topped the luxury vehicle segment in 2016, has fallen back to the third spot and expects sales to remain around the same range due to the change in emission norms in Europe and the closure of its dealership in NCR.

"We had closed last year with 6,463 units and expect the current year numbers to be around the same as the new launches are in higher segment, where volumes are relatively low."

Mr Ansari also revealed that Audi plans to launch 3 models — R8, Q8 and A8 in the second half of the year.

However, when quizzed about Audi eTron — its electric vehicle that has a range of about 400 km — he said much would depend upon how quickly the charging infrastructure comes up.

“This may be either in 2020 or may even see early introduction depending upon how electric vehicle infrastructure develops in the country during the year,” he said.