On the heels of Audi's official announcement regarding its north-south division, the Audi Innovation and Technology Center (AITC) convened its inaugural staff meeting since its inception in Shanghai. This gathering aimed to elucidate the R&D trajectory and product strategy for the AUDI brand, denoted by its letter logo.
Established in Shanghai this September, AITC functions as an engineering delivery entity exclusively catering to the AUDI brand represented by its letter logo. The center is committed to cultivating three fundamental competencies: vehicle engineering, assisted driving, and intelligent cockpit solutions. These efforts span the entire product lifecycle, from conceptualization to engineering validation, ensuring that Audi's essence is preserved in every offering.
Regarding product planning, AITC has outlined the development of four novel AUDI models, leveraging the ADP 2.0 intelligent digital platform. The inaugural model, a spacious six-seater SUV, is slated for a 2028 debut. Notably, the first-generation AUDI products, built upon the initial ADP platform, already have well-defined launch schedules.
In terms of R&D strategy, AITC underscores the importance of aligning closely with the Chinese market's dynamics from the project's nascent stages. Assisted driving, electronic and electrical architecture, and intelligent cockpit technologies will be concurrently developed during the project's initial phases. This approach facilitates a holistic hardware-software design, minimizing the need for subsequent modifications.
Furthermore, Audi will take the helm in defining and refining the assisted driving system's final user experience. Simultaneously, the intelligent cockpit team will spearhead the development of AI-powered interactive experiences. AITC is set to revamp its R&D framework, seamlessly integrating intelligence into the vehicle's architecture. This transformation will occur in tandem with the advancement and validation of Audi's engineering benchmarks and intelligent features.