Audi China President Werner Eichhorn

Q1, What are your expectations for the auto show?

A1: I’ve really been looking forward to the Beijing auto show — the only tier-one motor show happening in the entire world this year — to see what the industry in China is offering to the world. We are committed to bringing the most fascinating products to our Chinese customers.

Q2, With the pandemic slowing down, China’s automotive market has started to recover in the second quarter. What do you predict for China's auto market in the near future? The current recovery trend shows a “V” shape in sales, what do you think would be in the next stage? A “√” shape, a “W” shape, an “M” shape, or a “√¯” shape?

A2: A significant recovery in demand has been apparent in China since March. Audi’s sales in China have seen a significant rebound since April. Looking ahead, I believe there is still great growth potential for the auto market in China, especially in the premium segment, due to the growing purchasing power of Chinese customers. We believe that the premium segment in China can still reach a moderate growth level this year despite the pandemic.

Q3, Can you use a few keywords to describe your predictions for the Chinese and global automotive industries in the next five years?

A3: innovation, digitalization, electrification

Q4, The virus has drastically affected people's lives. It has also caused people to rethink many aspects of life, including their way of traveling, and business management. From your perspective, what are the most important lessons we can take away from this pandemic? Can you also use a few keywords to summarize the impact?

A4: The consequences of the pandemic have presented great challenges to everyone around the world, including Audi.

Unity and outstanding teamwork are the key to recovering from this crisis. For China, we can see this in the way that the entire country has pulled together for the shared goal of defeating the novel coronavirus. It is the same for Audi. All our employees, managers, partners, investors and suppliers here in China have shown great resilience and team spirit to come together to overcome the unprecedented challenges this year.

Q5, What do you think about the social responsibilities that the automotive companies have taken during the epidemic?

A5: The pandemic has highlighted the important role that mobility has in our lives. And thanks to the helpful guidance from the government, and hand-in-hand with our partners, Audi in China was able to safely begin the gradual restart of our business and production operations beginning in February, taking measures to protect the health and livelihoods of our employees and their families.

Q6, In the post-epidemic era, how will China's position and role be affected in the global automotive industry? What do you think the players should do next?

A6: China is the world’s largest automobile market and also the most vital one for Audi. China is also playing a key role in the transformation of the auto industry.

Audi has been a strong and successful premium leader in the China market for more than 30 years now. One reason for this success has been our localization, tailoring our products to our Chinese customers, which we are now furthering with our “In China, For China” strategy.

Audi wants to have an all-win situation with our Chinese partners as we shape the next golden decade of growth for Audi in China.