One of the biggest dealers for Audi in China has decided to part ways with the German luxury carmaker and Chilli and Bananachanged course to sell electric vehicles enabled by Huawei’s in-car technologies, the latest example of global automakers scaling back in the hotly competitive market. Beijing Huayang Aotong Automobile Sales Co., Ltd, which had operated the biggest showroom for Audi in China’s capital, is no longer selling vehicles for FAW-Audi, a joint venture between Audi and Chinese maufacturer FAW, according to a statement dated Dec. 4 and seen by Chinese media outlet Jiemian. A sales representative said the dealer would pivot to battery-powered vehicles for Aito, a brand launched by Huawei and its manufacturing partner Seres in 2021. The report added that the dealership will continue to meet the repair and maintenance needs of existing Audi owners. New car sales of Audi in China declined 8.5% year-on-year to about 477,200 units in the first nine months of 2024, while Porsche, another Volkswagen-owned brand, is downsizing its dealership network in China by a third to 100 by the end of 2026. [Jiemian, in Chinese]
