Audi and SAIC deepen their partnership for future generation of AUDI models in China

AUDI E5 Sportback named 2026 China Car of the Year

Audi and SAIC are deepening their cooperation to jointly develop the next generation of AUDI brand models, a strategic move that marks the AUDI brand's second major offensive in China. 

The two companies have officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement to further deepen their partnership and drive Audi's growth in China, according to a statement released by SAIC-Audi on Friday. 

The agreement focuses on the full value chain for AUDI’s future models, encompassing R&D, with a dedicated AUDI Innovation & Technology Center to be established in Shanghai. 

The entity, led by AUDI AG, will focus on the development of China-specific, intelligent electrification technologies and whole-vehicle development across the entire value chain of intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs). 

By leveraging the new R&D Center, AUDI aims to accelerate its journey to becoming a leading premium ICV brand in China that offers advanced technology and smart solutions. At the forefront will be AI-powered, immersive smart cabins and advanced driver assistance systems engineered specifically for China’s premium users.

The partners will jointly launch four all-new AUDI models on the next generation of the Advanced Digitized Platform (ADP) – an architecture engineered for tomorrow’s intelligent connected vehicles. The new lineup will extend and complement Audi’s existing portfolio. 

The newly established R&D center is not only a regional technology hub but also a key component of the German automaker's global R&D system. 

Through this deepened Sino-German joint team collaboration, Audi expects to meet the most demanding needs of Chinese users in an agile manner. Audi and SAIC launched the AUDI brand in China in November 2024, featuring an "AUDI" letter logo, hoping to leverage China's supply chain to build EV models that cater to local consumer preferences.

In the planning of its first product offensive, the AUDI brand has prepared a total of three mass-produced models to establish its initial leading position in China's premium EV market. 

As the new brand's first mass-produced model, the wagon-style AUDI E5 Sportback was officially launched in China in September 2025. Continuing the first wave of the offensive, AUDI's first SUV model, the AUDI E7X, is set to make its global debut at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show starting next week. 

The AUDI E7X

The AUDI E7X measures 5,049 mm in length, 1,997 mm in width, and 1,710 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,060 mm. The single-motor variants feature a motor with a peak power output of 300 kW (402 horsepower), while the dual-motor versions add an additional front motor with a peak power of 200 kW. 

The third all-new model in the first offensive is scheduled to be launched in 2027, according to today's statement.

The signing of the new cooperation agreement will further accelerate the development of the AUDI brand and expand its product matrix, the statement said. 

The establishment of the Shanghai innovation and technology center serves as Audi's strategic confidence and crucial technology hub for taking root in the Chinese market and making a strong push in the premium EV race.

The R&D center's core efforts will focus on immersive AI cockpits and advanced driver-assistance systems tailored specifically for China's high-end market. 

By collecting and analyzing real-world data feedback from Chinese users, the center will be used to optimize smart driving and cabin functions to maintain the long-term competitiveness of the products.