Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchbacks, Audi
Audi A1 not bound for U.S. shores
Despite the burgeoning popularity of small cars, especially with premium nameplates, Audi doesn't think there's a case for bringing its MINI-sized A1 to the United States. Audi CEO Rupert Stadler acknowledges that American customers are increasingly interested in fuel efficiency, but also contends that we want that frugality wrapped in larger sheetmetal than customers elsewhere might go with. In the interest of greener numbers, Audi's planning on going electric, launching an armature-motivated car around 2010, roughly the same due date as a Volkswagen electron-mobile. No decision has yet been made about a plant in North America, but that might reduce costs enough for attractive pricing to facilitate Audi's target of selling 1.5 million annual units by 2015. Without the A1, we're going to be forced to continue drooling all over the Alfa MiTo's roundy-round front fenders.
Gallery: Audi metroproject quattro concept
[Source: Auto News – Sub Req]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
3seriesisking 10:38AM (7/13/2008)
That sucks
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Alex 12:26PM (7/13/2008)
Thank God it's not coming here!
I couldn't stand another of those New Beetle - like abominations running around posing as cars.
A proper car is a MACHINE, not something that looks like it's fallen out of a makeup kit.
geo.stewart 1:20PM (7/13/2008)
The MiTo is the better choice, so I'll be 'forced' to consider that, at least until Mini fixes their abomination called an interior.
And we will see what the Fiesta brings to the table.
Johnny 2:53PM (7/13/2008)
This is a very nice looking little car. The A3 that we get weighs over 3300 lbs and while a nice car Im not much of a fan of it. Comon Audi stop this abomination of a car you call A3 and bring us the A1 or at the very least the A2.
Xcountryflyer 6:58PM (7/13/2008)
VW and Audi are missing the boat by not bringing the A1 and Polo here.
azzo45 8:39PM (7/13/2008)
The Polo would have to be re-engineered to meet U.S. impact standards. The A1 they have no excuse on!
Bow Didley 10:45AM (7/13/2008)
Thanks for nothing, Audi.
Finally a Mini-contender that appeals to straight guys and we don't get a shot at it.
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MGBYG 11:44AM (7/13/2008)
St8 guy car? This thing looks like a woman's appliance...to scrape callous off her feet, fluff up her eybrows or something.
You want small, fast and manly? Yamaha R1 or R6.
azzo45 11:51AM (7/13/2008)
If you didn't buy or lease a Cooper S because you thought their marketing was too metrosexual (gay) & what others might think of you....
... I think you have issues you should look into. HTF is the A1 or the Alfa MiTo any less queer than the Mini???
Have the balls to drive what you want for f*ck sake!!!
Blake 12:58PM (7/13/2008)
Uh... Minis appeal to straight guys.
azzo45 3:46PM (7/13/2008)
For the record I like all three (Cooper S, MiTo, & A1) Obviously, nothing gay or straight about them enter my mind. Twisty roads & track days were great fun with the '04 Cooper S I owned.
Seoultrain 3:48PM (7/13/2008)
What Mini doesn't appeal to is insecure men.
Dave Peterson 6:13PM (7/13/2008)
Agreed. I hate the Mini - look. The Audi A1 looks 10xs better...
CalGuy 12:36AM (7/14/2008)
Straight guys drive German Pacers? I guess.
Y'all can leave the A1 over in Bratwurst-land for the 'down-low' sausage lovers.
Cire 10:51AM (7/13/2008)
It's probably that dreaded exchange rate problem that has convinced Audi that this car would not be successful or profitable here. It's a shame, since I think the premium small car segment will become increasingly more important and desirable here in the U.S. It might take us a little longer to embrace the concept, but I think it will eventually happen.
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psipwrd 10:52AM (7/13/2008)
We got such a bad rep with the whole "bigger is better" thing (which I hate) that we can't get small cars when we need them. I bet it's coming later anyway.
Looks like some sort of Pokemon, but I like.
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Noidor 11:27AM (7/13/2008)
That trend I believe will change over the next couple of years completely. Take this into account, people with a college degree in their mid 20s, single, making let's say ohh $18/hr+ would go for a car like this. Especially women of this sort are increasingly bigger players. Socially it is no longer the status-quo that a lady must get married upon graduating college. More feel compelled to be independent, to achieve results on their own, and that having kids is something that should wait until early 30s. And I think they don't have that logic of getting more metal for less money. That's the older public which buys Camrys/Corollas, and anything by Hyundai/Kia.
Younger generation I describe above would consider this model. It is a fashion statement, full of gadgets, and with entertaining driving characteristics dialed in.
But yes, a few weeks ago there was an autoblog review of BMW 135i, and some lady made a completely arrogant statement of saying, "economy sized" interior. Never mind quality of materials, its functionality, or anything else which makes that car anything, but economy.
I rebutted, but then another bloke said, "Well why not make 5 series, and 7 series the same price if it's not about the metal" Again, thinking in totally white and black terms - forgetting that even though 1er has features straight out of 7, it doesn't mean it has all of those features. Yes I know bigger luxury cars require more metal, and thus are more expensive, but that's a strawman excuse.
Point is there is nothing wrong with buying a small premium vehicle, because getting most metal for your money is not always the main priority with the buyers, especially with the new generation. If it were, they'd buy a discounted Charger, or Camry.
jv2k 9:04PM (7/13/2008)
Tiny cars are ugly.
I'll take my normal sized car, thank you.
Kev 10:53AM (7/13/2008)
Well of course it isn't.
What else is new.
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pmiddle5 10:56AM (7/13/2008)
How small is small?....Like smaller then an old Fiesta or Suzuki Swift? We buy small cars guys.If you make them well enough and bring them to America!
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