Audi no longer wants to develop new internal combustion engines.
The reason are the ever stricter emission standards, says Audi boss Markus Duesmann.
Ingolstadt - Audi boss Markus Duesmann sees combustion engines as being phased out.
“The EU plans for an even stricter Euro 7 emissions standard are a huge technical challenge with little benefit for the environment.
That limits the combustion engine extremely, ”said Duesmann in an interview published on Tuesday with the
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
.
"We will no longer develop a new internal combustion engine, but will adapt our existing internal combustion engines to new emission guidelines," announced Duesmann.
Audi: The combustion engine remains the model for countries with a lack of charging infrastructure
However, Duesmann made it clear that there was still a long way to go before the end of the combustion engine.
There are many countries outside Europe in which the power supply and the network are not “comparable to ours” and the establishment of a charging infrastructure will take a long time.
Therefore, the internal combustion engine will be around for a while, said Duesmann.
The engineer is considered a close confidante of VW CEO Herbert Diess.
Before moving to Ingolstadt, the 51-year-old was purchasing director at BMW.
Audi wants to offer 20 electric models in five years.
After the large SUV e-tron and the expensive sports car e-tron GT, the small SUV Q4 e-tron will follow in April, which will be "affordable for many people and the entry into e-mobility at Audi".
He will "sell well and ensure significant numbers," said Duesmann.
Audi will comply with the EU limit values associated with high fines.
Audi boss skeptical about IAA
The Audi boss was skeptical about the IAA auto show planned for September in Munich: "I wish there was one in the planned format," said Duesmann.
"But the pandemic is so unforeseeable that my confidence is currently limited to be honest."
(Dpa / utz)
