Audi confirms Q3 production - in Spain - but decision on U.S. production "postponed"
by Chris Paukert on Apr 22nd 2009 at 11:00AM 
2007 Audi Cross Coupe Quattro Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery
The first shipments of Audi's new Q5 crossover have barely hit the docks here in North America, and already the kid brother to the Q7 is set to get a sidekick of its own. In an official announcement released today, the VW Group luxury arm has confirmed that it will build a Q3 crossover in Martorell, Spain in 2011.
The company plans to build around 80,000 units at the SEAT plant, but while production has been confirmed for Spain, the fortunes of a possible U.S. assembly facility have been put on ice. According to Audi CEO Rupert Stadler:
"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.Described by Audi as "A coupé-like five-door SUV with seat positions, wheel size, and ground clearance characteristic of a typical SUV," the Q3 is likely to look a lot like 2007's Cross Coupe Quattro Concept, and it is expected to come to the North American market – even if it won't end up being built here. Complete press release after the jump.
Gallery: Audi Cross Coupe Quattro
[Source: Audi]
PRESS RELEASE:
Ingolstadt/Wolfsburg/Martorell, 2009-04-22
AUDI AG: New Q3 SUV generation to be produced in Martorell, Spain as of 2011
* Audi CEO Rupert Stadler: "Consistent strategy of growth and internationalization through this product and production decision"
* Investments of around €300 million, production capacity of up to 80,000 units yearly
A production site for the Audi Q3 was chosen today: the SEAT site in Martorell, Spain. Manufacture will begin in 2011 with an annual production capacity of up to 80,000 units. The total investment will amount to around €300 million.
"Following in-depth consideration of all relevant factors and an extensive international comparison of various sites, we selected Martorell," explained Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management at AUDI AG. This decision enables Audi to continue its strategy of growth and internationalization. Mr. Stadler added: "We are counting on this Spanish site's efficiency, the excellent quality of the Production department, and its highly trained staff. We will use the Group's synergies to sharpen our competitive edge and help protect around 1,200 jobs. The decision furthermore safeguards workplaces at other Audi locations."
Audi Board Member for Production Frank Dreves: "Starting in 2011, the Audi Q3 will be produced to Audi quality standards at the Martorell factory. This gives us additional flexibility regarding future decisions about products. We will begin preparing at once."
Having agreed that the Q3 will be manufactured in Spain, a decision about production in the USA has been postponed. Mr. Stadler: "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."
A small, sporty SUV, the Audi Q3 will join the family consisting of the Audi Q5 (produced in Ingolstadt, Germany) and the Audi Q7 (produced in Bratislava, Slovakia). Yet another compact vehicle in a new model range is thus set to join the A1 in 2011. The Q3 will further expand the Q family. A coupé-like five-door SUV with seat positions, wheel size, and ground clearance characteristic of a typical SUV, the Audi Q3 will stand out thanks to a supremely sporty driving experience. 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. The market launch of the Q3 is scheduled for 2011.
The production facility in Martorell is yet another cornerstone in AUDI AG's portfolio of sites. Audi produces its vehicles in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Hungary, Belgium, Slovakia, India, and China.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Taglane 11:05AM (4/22/2009)
Sport utility with no utility.
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zamafir 11:16AM (4/22/2009)
Yup, like an X6, but with better mpg. I'll bet a few bills it won't ever make it here. The Q5's already as small as the tiguan, why introduce a raised A3? It's not like the A3's flying off the lots at over $40,000 with options.
IowaSuby 12:03PM (4/22/2009)
The $40k price is a bit misleading. The best seller in the A3 is the 2.0T not the 3.2 Quattro. Which brings the price to high $20s or low $30s.
I love my A3, but I realize it's not for everyone. I can't see that the Q3 would bring any more people into Audi Dealers.
zamafir 12:52PM (4/22/2009)
My bad, I was comparing the A3 to an R32 with the same options last time I drove one, at that point the A3 was $10,000 more. I should have been more clear. A 3.2L A3 with everything that comes standard on an R32 is $40,000. The discontented 2.0T quattro starts $1,000 more then the R32 with it's only option. The A3 is not an inexpensive car, which was my point. If you look at Audi's sales of the A3, and compare it to the mini. And look at Audi's sales of the A4, and compare it to the 3 series, it becomes overwhelmingly obvious that my assertion regarding Americans and their lack of affinity for the car vs other models in the audi range is correct.
It's not a bad college/wifes car, it's just positioned rather unfortunately in the North American market.
IowaSuby 4:00PM (4/22/2009)
Well, like most luxury badge cars, just buy a 1 or 2 year old one and save yourself thousands. I picked a 1 yr. old $35k sticker A3 for $25k with 14,000 miles on it. Very few luxury cars have great resale value. If you can afford one of the lot, you usually buy a new one every few years. If you can't afford it off the lot, you lease, which means there are always gently used ones around.
I agree with you on the buyers of this car. This is my wife's car and she loves it. Easy to park, plenty of room for her and the children. The hatchback is a fantastic. It rides very nicely and the Audi interior is fantastic. But yes, it is poorly positioned in the U.S. market for what it is, at sticker price.
~D. 11:25AM (4/22/2009)
the interior design looks nice, but so do all Audis. The question I have is this: what city is in the background of those pics? Is it fake, or is that Delta City-esque skyline from a real city?
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Victor 12:22PM (4/22/2009)
Shanghai - pudong
MemphisNET 11:25AM (4/22/2009)
This isn't the fuel-efficient small car America's wants anyway. Spain can keep it.
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Tomac 11:29AM (4/22/2009)
Audi stylists need to develop a new corporate "face". The angry headlights and gaping grille look is getting old.
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Swede 11:30AM (4/22/2009)
Lovely! Put the Q7 out of it's misery next Audi!
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Danny 11:40AM (4/22/2009)
"In early 2005, Nissan sued Audi over the use of the letter "Q" as a model name.
Audi is using the "Q" for the designation of their quattro four-wheel drive system, used in production cars for over twenty-five years (Audi's quattro trademark is actually an umbrella term for several types of four wheel drive systems developed by Torsen, Haldex Traction AB, and Borg-Warner, the latter being used in the Q7). Nissan's Infiniti marque had been using Q as the name for sedans (the Q45) and SUVs (the QX4 and QX56) since 1989.
A settlement between Audi AG and Nissan was reached in late 2006. The agreement stipulates that Audi will only use the Q-prefix for two models, the Q5 and the Q7."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_Q7
So I don't think the Q3 will be called that in the USA, and is probably why production in usa is postponed.
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James 4:15PM (4/22/2009)
I really think that the naming scheme is a relatively small issue when faced with a global economic crisis, and would venture to say this had very little to do with U.S. postponement. After all, companies exist to make money, and they're probably much more concerned with how the vehicle will actually sell, and will be paying close attention to how vehicles like the X1 are accepted.
I watched the Spanish news just today where this was one of the top stories. Martorell is located on the outskirts of Barcelona in a region where there are many other factories, including a huge Nissan facility, so this is great news for Catalonia and Spain!
UrPQ32 5:12PM (4/22/2009)
It was proven that the Borg Warner thing was a myth in the Q7. I'm not sure who makes the transfer case itself, but inside can still be found a Torsen diff.
what platfrom will the Q3 be on? The VW A-platform or B-platform?
ChopperDave 11:40AM (4/22/2009)
Am I the only one who can't stand speedos and tachs that have their zero-points at 6 o'clock? I don't like that Audi is going in that direction, and I can't put my finger on why. Maybe it's because I expect 60 and 80 MPH to be at certain points in my peripheral vision? I don't know--is this thing on?
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Rick 3:07PM (4/22/2009)
I normally love most Audi's but the rear slope on the rear gate is too drastic. It looks like that Chevy 5-door malibu? (window slope only) that I can't stand. If it's going to be a mini SUV, it needs the hatch/SUV vertical slope and not a 5-door look rear window look.
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RLC 5:40PM (4/22/2009)
Is an all white interior also "characteristic of a typical SUV?"
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P.V. 6:32PM (4/22/2009)
It makes a lot of sense for people who want a smaller vehicle in snowy climates, but otherwise, it makes about as much sense as the BMW X1 (which makes no sense at all in itself). Myself, I'll pass.
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Neil41487 10:52PM (4/22/2009)
I absolutely love this car! I live up north and can really appreciate a high wheel well and AWD, but I absolutely hate large SUV's. If this is introduced within the next year I'll seriously consider it. As to the utility? All I need is a roof rack for snowboards and skis on top, boots and such can fit in the back I imagine.
+1 for this car, even though I just read a lot of negative comments
Stealth E34 1:08PM (4/23/2009)
So the Q3 is a slightly jacked-up A3 with even less cargo room due to the sloping roofline... I guess that makes perfect business sense now-a-days. (Given BMW's "X1- X3 - X5 - X6 - 5-series GT - 5-series wagon" ridiculous market segment cross-slicing)
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