Audi Q5 – spotted in China, again

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Ever since the Audi Q5 was launched at the Beijing Auto Show, we’ve been waiting for more news on Audi’s baby SUV. The SUV is expected to launch in 2009, and will be produced in China in Audi’s new factory.

Audi’s have continued to sell well in various guises in China, their main line up in China is based around the Audi A4, and Audi A6 (both of which have the option of lengthened bodies), the Audi A8 is sold in China, but is an imported model. Audi’s other Euro offerings such as the A3, and the A5, are also imported.

The Q5 being produced in China, might seem like a small issue, but it shows that Audi are finally planning on cashing in on the Chinese SUV boom which has taken place over the past few years. China’s SUV users on the whole may opt for smaller, more compact SUV’s than say, their American counterparts and this is where the Q5 comes into play, its both compact, and luxurious, and will be made in China which will keep the cost down compared to its nearest rival, the BMW X3.

The Q5 isnt expected to be produced in China for a while, so Q5 consumers will probably have to make do with imported models from early 2009, at least until FAW and Audi’s new Changchun factory is up and running.