Audi is currently engaged in negotiations with Huawei, with the aim of collaboratively developing a new generation of exclusive Audi A8 models and a premium SUV, tailored specifically for the Chinese market. These two innovative vehicles are slated for local production at the Audi FAW PPE facility in Changchun. This strategic initiative, crafted exclusively for the Chinese market by Audi's global CEO, Gernot Döllner, marks a daring move by the company within China.

The Chinese iteration of the A8 will fully integrate Huawei's technological platform, mirroring the German version's reliance on Porsche's MSB platform. The upcoming generation of the overseas standard A8 will transition to the MSB platform of the Porsche Panamera, with production shifting to Porsche's Leipzig plant. This decision has ignited considerable debate within Audi, as it signifies a departure from the Neckarsulm plant, which has been the A8's production home for 34 years.

Döllner's vision is to revitalize the Audi FAW PPE plant in Changchun, which boasts an impressive planned annual production capacity of approximately 150,000 units and has already seen an investment of 2.6 billion euros. However, production has been temporarily suspended due to sluggish sales of the two models. To align with Huawei's architectural standards, the Changchun plant will necessitate an additional investment exceeding 1 billion euros to retrofit its production lines. The inaugural batch of models, based on Huawei's architecture, is anticipated to roll off the production line by the end of 2028.

Nevertheless, the cooperation plan has yet to achieve consensus and has not secured formal endorsement from the senior management of the Volkswagen Group, leaving some uncertainties. Döllner may unveil the transformation plan for the A8 at the group's management meeting in November. Audi stands out as one of the pioneering automakers to forge a deep-seated cooperative relationship with Huawei. The two entities have previously collaborated in the realms of intelligent connected vehicles and L4 autonomous driving, with several Audi models already featuring Huawei's ADS (Advanced Driving System) on the market. Should this profound platform cooperation prove successful, the partnership between the two sides will be further solidified.