• The production base has an annual production capacity of 360,000 units and will be dedicated to producing AUDI brand models.
• In addition to the first Audi model, the E5 Sportback, more models will be produced at this facility.

SAIC Audi has completed the construction of its production base for AUDI in Anting, Shanghai, with an annual production capacity of 360,000 units, which will be dedicated to producing AUDI brand models, according to a statement released today.

The factory marks a new starting point for the Audi brand as it embraces the future of electrification and intelligence, with the first Audi model, the E5 Sportback, being produced there, the statement said.

The base is built on the Advanced Digitized Platform and utilizes technologies including AI visual inspection, digital twins, and laser measurement.

The stamping, body, painting, and final assembly workshops have achieved 100 percent automation for critical processes and 100 percent data traceability throughout the entire production process.

With the launch of the E5 Sportback, the production facility will also handle the manufacturing of multiple future Audi models, the statement said.

The E5 Sportback began pre-sales in China on August 18, offering four variants with starting prices of RMB 235,900, RMB 269,900 ($37,740), RMB 269,900, and RMB 319,900.

The mid-size sedan is built on the Advanced Digitized Platform electric platform developed through Audi's collaboration with SAIC, with its official launch scheduled for September.

Its dimensions are 4,881 mm in length, 1,960 mm in width, and 1,479 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,950 mm. These dimensions are comparable to those of Nio Inc's (NYSE: NIO) ET5 Touring, which measures 4,790 mm in length, 1,960 mm in width, and 1,499 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,888 mm.

The E5 Sportback is built on an 800-volt high-voltage architecture and offers both single-motor and dual-motor options.

The dual-motor version delivers a maximum power output of 579 kW (788 horsepower) and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in as little as 3.4 seconds.

It is equipped with ternary lithium-ion battery packs with capacities of 76.2 kWh, 83.3 kWh, or 100 kWh, offering a CLTC range of 618 km to 770 km. It can add 370 km of range with a 10-minute charge.

($1 = RMB 7.1524)