Audi Q3 Small SUV Coming in 2011, to be Built by SEAT in Spain
An all new small SUV model called the Q3 that will sit right under the Q5 will be added to Audi's range in 2011, the German automaker announced today. To the delight of SEAT's workers as it will help protect around 1,200 jobs, Audi said that the Q3 SUV will be manufactured at the Spanish firm's Martorell factory outside Barcelona. Audi was also considering to build the Q3 in the USA, however the company said that due to the economic crisis, it has postponed this decision."We will systematically explore our options in the context of the current market crisis. Audi is in a good position. There is currently no urgent need to select additional sites," said Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management at AUDI.
Commenting on the decision to produce the Q3 in Spain, SEAT Chairman, Eric Schmitt said, "We are overjoyed to be able to keep up the good relations we have enjoyed over the past few years with Audi, and we will continue to nurture that relationship in the future with the manufacture of the brand's new model in our production plant".
Manufacture of the Audi Q3 will begin in 2011 with an annual production capacity of up to 80,000 units. The total investment in the Martorell plant will amount to around €300 million.
Audi's small SUV will be based around the VW Tiguan architecture with power coming from a range of engines that will include the 1.4 TSI, 1.8 TSI and 2.0 TSI turbocharged gasoline and the 2.0 TDI diesel units.
"The Q3 will blend a compact car's design and driving dynamics with an SUV's spaciousness and versatility. True to Audi tradition, innovative technical solutions will blaze new trails in efficiency, driving pleasure, and comfort," said the company in a statement.
* Vehicle seen in the photos is the 2007 Audi Cross Coupe Quattro Concept Study
- Audi Begins Production Of New Q3 Suv In Spain
The first series production version of Audi’s new Q3 small SUV rolled off the assembly line today at the SEAT factory in Martorell, located in Spain’s Catalonia region. Built in 1993, the Martorell plant currently employs more than 10,000...
- Seat Rumored To Start Production Of Audi Q3-based Suv In 2012
It seems that the VW Group’s Martorell plant in Spain will not only build the new Audi Q3, but a similar version of the compact SUV for Seat as well, according to a report from British car magazine, What Car. Industry sources told the publication...
- Audi Confirms A5 Sportback And New A8 For 2009, Q5 Hybrid Also In The Works
During his speech at Audi AG's annual shareholders meeting in Germany, Audi Chairman of the Board, Rupert Stadler, revealed that the automaker is planning to present the next-generation A8 in November and extend its range with the new A5 Sportback...
- Audi Reports Record 2008 Profits And Sales, Pays €5,300 Bonus To Each Employee
In spite of the widespread financial crisis, the Audi Group reported that it ended the 2008 fiscal year with record-breaking figures for production, vehicle deliveries, revenue and profit. Deliveries of Audi brand vehicles were up 4.1 percent to the record...
- Seat Ceo: 1,900 Less Workers, 40 New Models...
SEAT’s chief operating officer Erich Schmitt gave a very interesting interview to the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung unveiling many details on the Spanish carmaker’s future plans. Among other things, Schmitt said that in...