From：Internet Info Agency 2020-03-11 15:05:44
Author：He Lun, IIA’s Co-Chief Content Officer, Deputy Head of IIA Academy of Auto
Automobile hot topic Q&A (Ep.221)
TEXT:
The Audi A3 is the originator and overlord of the compact luxury car market. Therefore, the arrival of the new generation of Audi A3 will naturally attract special attention.
Q: What is your impression of the new Audi A3 Sportback?
A: I only looked at the pictures, and I was impressed by three points: the profile on the side is more muscular, the front face is sharper, and the interior is very technological. The most memorable aspect of technology is the use of adaptive damping variable suspension, known as the latest shock absorption technology for compact models, which may be similar to Cadillac's electromagnetic suspension, but it is rare to have it on compact luxury cars.
Q: Consumers don't care much about the use of torsion beam suspension in the new A3. Do you think Chinese-made A3 will adopt this?
A: I don't think so. I think Audi will always use rear independent suspension.
Q: It is said that the new-generation A3 made in China will have a longer wheelbase. What is your comment?
A: There is no official statement yet. But I think it is very likely that it will be longer. As we all know, after the lengthening of the new generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class, there is a great momentum for later sales. Audi is good at lengthening cars made in China, so lengthening the A3 should be a trivial matter.
Q: At present, the MSRP of the three entry-level models of German compact luxury cars is between 180,000 and 210,000 yuan, but the minimum price for dealers is around 150,000 yuan, so what do you think will be adopted for the new A3 made in China? What kind of price strategy?
A: The starting price of the new 110-kilowatt A3 Sportback in the German market is 28,900 euros, slightly higher than the 28,300 euros of the BMW 1 Series (103 kW) and Mercedes A-class (100 kW) at similar power levels. 28,000 euros is about 220,000 yuan. In comparison, Chinese-made cars have been cheaper by at least 10,000 yuan. And domestic cars are automatic, German entry-level models are manual, at least 1,500 euros cheaper than automatic. Considering that the German car is a basic model-a bare car, and in addition, there is an increased cost. Adding in and out, domestic cars are at least 30,000 to 40,000 yuan cheaper than German cars.
Compared with German rivals in terms of Chinese prices, Audi's attitude is relatively low, mainly considering the Chinese market's perception of the Audi brand, but if the new A3 has a longer wheelbase, the starting price may increase, slightly surpassing the BMW 1 Series , But lower than Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
(Red: Audi A3 Blue: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Black: BMW 1 Series)
Q: Do you think the new A3 can maintain its leading position in China's compact luxury car market?
A: I think it can, but the prerequisite is to increase the wheelbase.
Q: Globally, how does the sales of the A3 compare with its main rivals BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class?
A: A3, which came out in 1996, is the originator of compact luxury cars, one year earlier than Mercedes-Benz A-Class. A3 has been far ahead in market segments for a long time. But in the last 10 years, 3 years have lost the championship. Now, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is being favored, and the new A3 is coming. It is estimated that the two sides will have a hard fight. It is difficult to predict who will win.
(Red: Audi A3 Black: Mercedes-Benz C-Class Blue: BMW 1 Series)
