The Audi A3 is a close competitor to the BMW 1 series in overseas markets, but with the 1 Series on the verge of launching in China, Audi has yet again put the issue of building the A3 in China back out.

The launch of MINI China saw that there was a small but lucrative market for small premium vehicles that had yet to be exploited, the introduction of the BMW 1 Series has only furthered the segment, and will have more competition from Audi once the A3 is formally produced in China.

According to Audi’s 2015 plan, Audi needs to be selling 200,000 cars in China by the year 2015, the ultimate goal is to hit sales of 250,000. By July 2009 Audi had sold 79390 cars in China, far from the goal of 250,000 cars. Clearly Audi needs to introduce other models into China to break away from their A4, A5, A6, A8 and Q7 line up, the introduction of the hatchback A3 would only further their market.

Audi’s Chinese partner, First Automobile Works (FAW) are reviewing the possibilities of building the A3 in China from locally sourced parts. According to Autohome.com.cn, high level FAW-Audi staff wont confirm if the A3 will be produced in China, and have only gone as far as saying if the BMW 1 series is produced in China, then so will the A3.

It is also rumoured that the currently imported Audi A5 may also be produced in China at some point in the future.