Audi is in trouble in China: dealers strike, sales smear

A udi was very successful in China for a long time : While the VW subsidiary lived well from business with officials with long versions of the A4 and A6, BMW and Mercedes had a hard time in the rapidly growing car market. But now sales have declined by 35 percent, while Mercedes was able to sell 40 percent more cars in January 2017.

Audi is planning a second joint venture in China

As the Süddeutsche Zeitung reported, could Behind the refusal to sell by dozens of dealers is a political north-south conflict: a joint venture between First Automotive Works (FAW), Volkswagen and Audi has been building cars for the Middle Kingdom for 25 years.

Multiple has advertised SAIC for a cooperation. The Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation already has a joint venture with Volkswagen and now wants to build Audi models as well. According to Audi, there should not be a second sales network. But that is exactly what the striking dealers fear. However, after confidential discussions with dealers, the Süddeutsche Zeitung has the impression that political will is behind the dealers' refusal. However, the state-owned company FAW officially wants nothing to do with the strike. Either way, the first Audi will roll off the assembly line at SAIC in three years.

In our photo show we show you the highlights of the Auto Show Shanghai 2017.