History

1988

On August 13, AUDI AG and First Automotive Works (FAW) sign the agreements for the manufacture under license of the Audi 100 in Changchun.

Start of assembly of Audi 100 from imported parts kits at FAW plant and establishment of service network.

1995

Audi acquires 10-percent share in FAW‑Volkswagen joint venture, which was founded in 1991. FAW has 60 percent holding, Volkswagen 30 percent.

1996

Start of production of Audi 200 (an adapted Audi 100 with V6 engine) in FAW‑Volkswagen joint venture.

1999

Start of production of Audi A6 in China. Specially developed for China, the model has an extended wheelbase.

2003

Market launch of Audi A4 manufactured in Changchun.

2005

Market entry of next generation of Audi A6. The long version manufactured in China is given the new name of Audi A6L.

2006

Foundation of Audi Sales Division (ASD) as independent marketing and sales department in FAW‑Volkswagen joint venture.

2009

Market launch of Audi A4L, the first long version of a premium automobile in the upper mid-range category.

Foundation of Audi China in Beijing as 100% subsidiary of AUDI AG.

2010

Market launch of Audi Q5 manufactured in Changchun.
In October, Audi and FAW-Volkswagen celebrate the delivery of the millionth Audi in China.

2012

Market launch of next generation of Audi A6L.

2013

Opening of Audi City Beijing and Audi China R&D.

Market launch of Audi Q3 manufactured in Changchun.

25 years of Audi in China.

Delivery of two millionth Audi in China.

2014

Market launch of the Audi A3 Sportback and Audi A3 Sedan models manufactured in Foshan.

2015

Delivery of three millionth Audi in China.

With the imported Audi A3 e-tron, the e-tron era dawns in China.

Keynote by Audi at first CES Asia in Shanghai.

2016

Market launch of next generation of Audi A4L.

First Chinese brand summit in Shanghai.

Start of production of first locally produced PHEV model, the Audi A6L e-tron.

Inauguration of first local Audi gear works in Tianjin.

2017

Market launch of Audi Q7 e-tron (import).
Launch of Audi on demand+ in Beijing.

2018

Receipt of two test licenses for highly automated driving (Level 4) in Wuxi and Beijing.

Launch of locally manufactured Audi Q2L.

Launch of Audi Q5 with extended wheelbase.

World premiere of Audi Q8 in Shenzhen.

Inauguration of Q-Factory in Changchun.

2019

World premiere of Audi AI:ME concept at Auto Shanghai.

World premiere of China-specific generation of Audi connect.

Launch of Audi e-tron (imported).

Launch of locally manufactured new Audi Q3.

Launch of locally manufactured new Audi A6L.

2020

Delivery of six millionth Audi in China.

Start of local production of Audi e-tron.

Annual sales exceed 700,000 vehicles for first time.

Foundation of Audi FAW NEV Company Ltd.

2021

Launch of two-partner strategy with new partner SAIC and complementary model portfolio to the cooperation with FAW and existing model portfolio.

Delivery of seven millionth Audi in China.

Opening of first Audi Urban Showroom with partner SAIC.

Start of production of Audi A7L and Audi Q5 Roadjet e-tron at SAIC location in Anting (Shanghai).

Start of production of Audi Q4 e-tron with FAW in Foshan.

Demonstration of development testing of Level 4 automated driving on public roads using 5G technology in Wuxi.

2022

Groundbreaking ceremony for new production site in Changchun. With construction set to finish by the end of 2024, this will be the first automotive plant in China where only all-electric Audi models roll off the line.

Relocation of Audi China development team to new development center, the Audi China Building.

Market launch of electric models Q5 Roadjet e-tron, Q4 e-tron, and RS e-tron GT. Construction of a brand-owned quick-charging network and commissioning of the first HPC stations: Audi Charging Stations.

2023

Audi FAW NEV company completed the construction of the factory and the installation of all production facilities.

Audi-branded charging network deployed 600 fast charging pillars in over 30 cities across China.

FAW Audi has upgraded over 540 4S dealerships and opened eight city showrooms. SAIC Audi operates nearly 160 points of sale covering over 80 prioritized premium automotive cities.

Strategic memorandum of understanding with both Chinese joint venture partners FAW and SAIC to further expand existing cooperations.

2024

Launch of new EV brand AUDI in Shanghai.

Start of local production for the PPE models at the all-new Audi FAW NEV Company in Changchun.

Sharpened product strategy with two partners and two brands.

2025

Start of production of the AUDI E5 Sportback at the SAIC-Volkswagen plant in Anting, Shanghai