Audi CEO Denies Merger of North and South Audi: Commits to Dual-Partner Strategy with Clear Division

In response to market rumors that "SAIC Audi will be merged into FAW Audi," Audi AG CEO Gernot Döllner recently issued a clear denial, reaffirming Audi's continued commitment to its dual-partner strategy in China. He stated that the current cooperation model with both FAW and SAIC is "highly beneficial" for the brand's development. Under this arrangement, SAIC Audi focuses on the new AUDI-letter-badged sub-brand. Its first model, the E5 Sportback, was launched in the second half of 2025, followed by the E7X later this year, with another new model scheduled for next year. Meanwhile, FAW Audi concentrates on products bearing the traditional four-ring logo, introducing all-electric models based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture and expanding its internal combustion engine lineup using the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture. Additionally, Audi will continue deepening collaborations with Chinese tech companies, including the partnership between Four Rings Audi and Huawei. Financially, the Audi Group reported revenue of €65.5 billion in 2025, with an operating profit of €3.4 billion and net cash flow rising by 11% year-over-year to €3.42 billion.