Another victim has been claimed by Volkswagen's diesel emission scandal. Various reports have Audi either delaying or canceling a number of projects in an effort to save as much money as possible.
German business paper Der Spiegel reports Audi's head Rupert Stadler told staff that "all future investments" are now "under scrutiny". Reuters has learned from various sources that Audi has delayed a number of projects including a track that would have been used for self-driving vehicles and facilities to make batteries and concept cars. An Audi spokesman told Reuters that projects pertaining to a technology park known as INovation-Campus have been "postponed for the foreseeable future".
Autocar reports that Audi could be dropping two platforms as well; Audi's own MLB (currently underpinning the A4 and A5 and will underpin next A6, A7, and A8) and the mid-engine platform that underpins the R8.
These cuts could hamper Audi's plans of introducing a lineup of electric vehicles that were intended help improve its image from the diesel emission mess. But it might also help curb Audi's habit of spending way too much money. Reuters says the Ingolstadt company spends more on equipment, plants, and property than BMW or Daimler.
Unsurprisingly, Audi's works council isn't pleased with this news. The council argues that delaying investments could undermine employment at Audi's headquarters.
Source: Reuters, Der Spiegel (Subscription Required), Autocar
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