Audi Launching Low Cost City Car - Is The There Room For A Model Below The A3 In The US?

Audi is preparing to launch a city car — a new youth orientated model that will become its cheapest offering in key global markets, including the UK.

The compact four-seater is tentatively scheduled for a launch in 2019. It has been conceived to offer a choice of petrol power or electric propulsion, according to Audi sources, who suggest the proposed new entry-level model will be previewed in concept form as early as next year’s Paris motor show.

The city car will be shorter than 4.0 metres in length and will sit below the A1 in an expanded Audi line-up. Its perceived rivals span a diverse range of existing city cars, including the Fiat 500, Smart Forfour and Vauxhall Adam.
 

TomM - 1/8/2016 2:28:15 PM

+7 Boost

Why not eliminate the VW brand and call them ALL Audis?

At what point does making smaller and cheaper cars reduce the value of a brand - I believe Audi has already gone too far - and adding a smaller - cheaper car - makes them just another mass market car maker - rather than a premium one.

MDarringer - 1/8/2016 8:23:00 PM

+1 Boost

I agree 1000% as well. Audi has never been the equal of BMW or Mercedes. VW has always thought it was near premium. Making the laughably near-premium Audi the standard bearer for VW products in the USA makes sense.

dumpsty - 1/11/2016 9:45:52 AM

+1 Boost

...and the fact that the most commonly seen Audi's still looks very similar (on the exterior) to their VW counterparts is a factor as well. Seems like VW had being trying to "perfect" what GM did in the 90's & 00's - with so many brands. The industry & their average consumer are vastly different today.

VW can do an A1 or A2, but the general consensus will be that the small car is merely a small VW will an Audi facia clipped on the front. They need to stay out of that kind of drama.

ricks0me - 1/8/2016 6:57:11 PM

+6 Boost

Tom > agree 1000% with your comment

mpls - 1/9/2016 5:11:08 PM

+2 Boost

Look like any other small cr with an audi grille at the front..
Audi really scraping the barrel..

skytop - 1/9/2016 9:21:01 PM

+2 Boost

Audi's idea of 'low cost' is inevitably expensive.

w222 - 1/11/2016 9:49:22 PM

+1 Boost

Yah if you care about brand recognition you're better off with a BMW or MErcedes. Audi is probably on par with Lexus in terms of brand image. I remember when my parents first saw my A8L, They said, you should have gotten a Mercedes.