Audi this week told investors and the market it must speed up cost cuts and focus investment — cutting its full‑year 2026 guidance — even as it rolls out two strategic new models that will matter to buyers and workshops across Germany and Austria.
Facts: results, guidance and new models
In a media release dated 30 October 2026 Audi reported January–September revenue of €42.1 billion, operating profit of €1.15 billion and an operating margin of 2.7%. The company trimmed its 2026 forecast to €55–59 billion revenue and an operating margin of 3–5%. Audi said worldwide brand deliveries fell (January–September) while BEV volumes were down overall to 143,748 — though BEV deliveries rose strongly in Germany (+39.1%) and China (+84.7%).
At the same time Audi confirmed the near‑term product timetable that underpins its recovery plan: the large Q9 SUV is due in early November and the compact, fully electric A2 e‑tron reaches European dealerships in December 2026. Audi emphasised the A2 is built in Ingolstadt and positioned as a highly efficient European compact EV, with three battery sizes (52 / 61 / 84 kWh gross), a WLTP peak range up to 646 km and a best‑case WLTP consumption of 12.8 kWh/100 km for the 140 kW efficiency variant; German starting price for the entry A2 is €38,200.
Why Audi is changing course
Audi said the third quarter deterioration — especially weakness in China for combustion‑engine models, tougher pricing competition and higher energy costs linked to geopolitical uncertainty — drove the guidance revision. Management said it will intensify cost and complexity reductions while continuing targeted investment in software, driver‑assistance and growth markets, including plans for local production in the United States.
