Audi Korea announced that the ‘Audi Q4 40 e-tron’ and ‘Audi Q4 Sportback 40 e-tron’ achieved the highest sales among premium imported electric vehicles in Germany in March. (According to the Korea Automobile Importers Association)
According to the Korea Automobile Importers Association, in the month of March, the ‘Audi Q4 40 e-tron’ and ‘Audi Q4 Sportback 40 e-tron’ were delivered to customers with 301 and 95 units sold respectively, making a total of 396 units, the most sold models among German premium imported electric vehicle brands.
The ‘Audi Q4 40 e-tron’ and ‘Audi Q4 Sportback 40 e-tron’ are Audi’s first entry into the compact segment of pure electric SUVs and the first Audi models based on the MEB platform. After their domestic launch in September 2022, all units were sold out within two months, making them beloved models that have led the popularization of premium electric vehicles.
Hyun-ki Lim, CEO of Audi Korea, stated, “With the confirmation of the 2024 electric vehicle subsidies, customers who had delayed their purchasing decisions are now choosing the various attractive offerings of the Audi Q4 e-tron. In the future, we expect Audi to continue its role as a pioneer in the electric vehicle market, conveying the brand’s unique value of ‘progress through technology’ and continuing the success story of the Audi e-tron lineup that has led to the market advancement of premium electric vehicles.”
The ‘Audi Q4 40 e-tron’ and ‘Audi Q4 Sportback 40 e-tron’ boast a combined maximum output of 204 horsepower and a maximum torque of 31.6 kg.m, showcasing sporty driving performance with a top speed of 160 km (safety restricted speed).
Both models are fitted with an 82kWh lithium-ion battery, allowing for a driving range of 411 km for the ‘Audi Q4 40 e-tron’ and 409 km for the ‘Audi Q4 Sportback 40 e-tron’ on a single charge based on a combined standard, making them suitable for various driving situations, from daily urban commutes to long-distance journeys.
The price of the ‘Audi Q4 40 e-tron’ is 61.7 million won, while the ‘Audi Q4 40 e-tron Premium’ is priced at 68.7 million won. The ‘Audi Q4 Sportback 40 e-tron’ costs 65.7 million won, and the ‘Audi Q4 Sportback 40 e-tron Premium’ is 72.7 million won. Both Audi Q4 e-tron models are eligible for electric vehicle subsidy benefits from the government and local governments. As of 2024, the national subsidy for the ‘Audi Q4 40 e-tron’ is 1.96 million won and for the ‘Audi Q4 Sportback 40 e-tron’, it is 1.98 million won. In Seoul, local government subsidies for both models are 450,000 won, while in Gyeongnam’s Geochang, the SUV model is eligible for 3.43 million won and the Sportback model for 3.47 million won. Therefore, applying the Seoul city criteria, customers can purchase the Q4 40 e-tron for 59.29 million won, and applying the Gyeongnam Geochang criteria, it can be purchased for 56.31 million won. The Q4 Sportback 40 e-tron can be purchased for 63.27 million won based on the Seoul criteria and 60.25 million won based on the Gyeongnam Geochang criteria. (Prices are based on the basic trim, including VAT, and may vary with some interior/exterior options.)
Meanwhile, in response to changes in the automotive market centered around electrification and digitalization, Audi Korea is making various efforts to meet consumer demands and create sustainable growth opportunities in the Korean market.
Audi electric vehicle owners can use the ‘My Audi World’ application, which features a dedicated e-tron menu, to find and reserve charging stations, check charging status, link credit cards to e-tron charging credit cards, and check remaining balances, making vehicle charging more convenient. Additionally, from 10 AM to 4 PM on weekdays, there is a ‘Charging On Demand’ service for customers who cannot charge their vehicles themselves.
Furthermore, Audi Korea continues to invest in strengthening the electric vehicle service infrastructure by expanding facilities, training specialized technicians, and automating parts management systems. As of April 2024, Audi operates 31 service centers with electric vehicle repair capabilities and 14 high-voltage battery maintenance centers. Moreover, for customer convenience, if customers use a regular service center that is not designated for e-tron vehicles, the dealer will transport the vehicle to an authorized e-tron service center for A/S services.
In addition, Audi runs a structured certification system for training electric vehicle specialists. Electric vehicle specialists comprise Electric Vehicle Professionals (EIP), High Voltage Technicians (HVT), Advanced and High Voltage Experts (HVE). Currently, Audi has around 900 specialized personnel in these fields and continues to strive to nurture specialists through systematic processes.
By Sang-jin, daedusj@autodiary.kr