Audi’s newly opened electric vehicle (EV) plant in Changchun, China, is reportedly facing operational and software-related challenges that could significantly limit output this year, according to Manager Magazin. Despite a production capacity of 150,000 units, the site is expected to build only around 20,000 vehicles in 2025.
The Changchun plant, operated by Audi FAW NEV Company, produces the long-wheelbase Q6L e-tron SUV and A6L e-tron saloon—models tailored for the Chinese market and based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE). When the plant was inaugurated in late 2024, Audi highlighted it as one of the most automated automotive factories in the country. However, insiders cited by the report claim the facility is running at a slower pace than comparable Chinese plants, resulting in higher operational costs.
Central to the current issues is the E3 1.2 software developed by Cariad, a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group. The platform, which previously caused delays for the Porsche Macan EV, is reportedly still plagued by bugs in the Q6L and A6L models. These software issues have affected battery management and added to concerns about product margins, especially as domestic competitors accelerate the rollout of lower-priced, software-defined vehicles.
According to the report, some vehicles are being built but held in storage pending final software updates. Audi is also reportedly considering the release of a pared-down software version to begin deliveries while full functionality is being resolved.
The Changchun site is notable as the first in China where Audi holds a majority stake in a joint venture, owning 55% of Audi FAW NEV Company, with FAW and Volkswagen holding 40% and 5% respectively. The company invested €2.6 billion in the facility, which is intended to anchor its electrification strategy in the region.
Despite those ambitions, Audi’s EV presence in China remains modest. In 2023, the brand sold just over 31,000 battery-electric vehicles in the country, out of a total of 729,000 Audi units—less than 5% of its local sales. That figure lags behind the broader market trend, where battery-electric vehicles accounted for 27% of new car sales in November, or 45.6% including plug-in hybrids.
Audi has attempted to tailor its lineup to local demand, offering models such as the Q5 e-tron and Q4 e-tron in China. The e-tron GT was withdrawn from the Chinese market in 2023 due to weak demand.
Looking ahead, the E5 Sportback—unveiled at Auto Shanghai in April under a new sub-brand designed with SAIC—represents a potential turning point. Branded without Audi’s traditional four rings, the model was developed in China for Chinese consumers and signals the company’s intent to increase relevance in a highly competitive EV market.