Audi-SAIC Partners Push Ahead Rapidly With Co-Developed EVs

Audi and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC) are moving ahead quickly on developing electric-powered models built in China for the Chinese market.

That the models will be sold without Audi’s familiar four-ring badge was initially reported by Reuters. Audi refuses to comment on the report, though an earlier statement by SAIC said the jointly developed models would be “true Audi with authentic Audi DNA.”

Audi and SAIC signed a cooperation agreement May 20 saying they planned to develop and produce an “advanced digital platform” and “smart electric vehicles” as an extension of their existing joint venture headquartered in Anting, China.

In a project codenamed “Purple,” Audi and SAIC are said to be developing up to nine individual models – all planned to be revealed by 2030. Various models are believed to be influenced by the Skysphere, Grandsphere, Urbansphere and Activesphere concepts revealed by Audi in 2021 and 2022.

The basis for the new electric-powered Audi models is the most advanced version of SAIC’s Nebula platform, as used by models from the IM Motor brand, including the LS6, LS6, L7 and LS7.

IM Motors was founded in 2020 by SAIC, Zhangjiang Hi-The and the Alibaba Group as a luxury car brand, with state-owned SAIC being the majority shareholder.

The Nebula platform supports both 400V and 800V architectures as well as wheelbases ranging between 106 and 122 ins. (2,692 and 3,099 mm) , according to information provided by SAIC.

At this stage, it is not known what identifying details the new Audi models will wear. However, Autocar has been told the first in the series will be unveiled in concept car form at the Guangzhou auto show in November before going on sale during the second half of 2025.

Audi’s four-ring badge has its origins in German automaker Auto Union, an amalgamation of four German automobile manufacturers, Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer, founded in 1932.