Audi’s Brussels production facility is set to close on February 28, 2025, impacting the future of its luxury electric vehicles, including the Audi Q8 e-tron and Q8 e-tron Sportback.
Audi Factory Scheduled to Close, and These Models Are Going with It
Volkswagen has been facing financial issues, including negotiations with striking workers over the potential closing of three production facilities in Germany. Another brand under the Volkswagen Group umbrella, Audi, recently announced plans to close their production facility in Brussels, Belgium.
The facility’s closure marks the end of the Audi Q8 e-tron and Q8 e-tron Sportback production. The luxury electric vehicles were introduced as the Audi e-tron for the 2019 model year but didn’t receive the Q8 moniker until 2024. With a refresh in 2022, their updated design is now likely to be short-lived due to the factory’s scheduled closure on February 28, 2025.
Audi’s Brussels Facility and Production Capacity
The Audi production facility in Brussels employs around 3,000 people and has a total capacity of 120,000 vehicles per year. However, in 2023, only 49,001 examples of the Audi Q8 e-tron were sold, which is less than a third of the facility’s production capacity.
Audi’s Shift in Electric Vehicle Plans
Audi originally planned to go all-electric by 2033 but has since pushed back its EV plans. The brand’s CEO, Gernot Döllner, stated that Audi is staying “flexible” regarding its electric vehicle strategy. This decision comes as other VW subsidiaries, such as Bentley, have also delayed their EV plans.
The Future of the Audi Q8 e-tron
Production plans for the Audi Q8 e-tron have yet to be finalized, but with the final date of operation for the Brussels plant being February 28, 2025, there’s still time to get a Q8 e-tron in limited supply. The electric SUV boasts a 106 kWh battery that’s good for a 285-mile range, while the Sportback version gets a bump to 300 miles thanks to its sleek design.
Comparison to Other Electric Vehicles
While the Audi Q8 e-tron is a solid competitor in the all-electric luxury SUV segment, other models offer higher range. The Tesla Model X features a 335-mile range, and the base Rivian R1S offers 270 miles on a single charge or 410 miles when equipped with the largest battery.
Conclusion
The closing of a production facility and thousands of people losing their jobs is never a good thing. Audi’s decision to close its Brussels factory is likely due to falling sales in China as Chinese automakers gain momentum. With Audi pushing back its EV plans, it remains unclear whether there will be another electric model built at a different facility to replace the Q8 e-tron.
