Audi starts Q7 production in Aurangabad

German car maker, Audi has started production of the Q7 luxury-class SUV at its plant here with plans to supply 1,000 units annually in the Indian market, a company official said here Thursday.

This will make Q7 the fourth model to be built in India after Audi A4, A6 and Q5.

"Local production of Audi Q7 is part of our long-term growth strategy in India, one of the most promising auto markets in the world," said Frank Dreves, Audi board member for production.

Dreves said a good plant infrastructure, efficient working processes, a qualified workforce and a well-developed logistics environment along with the surging growth of the Indian market were the factors which motivated Audi Group to expand operations at the Aurangabad plant.

Mid-2013, the company plans to start production of Audi Q3 from the facility, which would be the third Q model to be built locally after Q5 and Q7.

"This would reduce the waiting time for the customers besides enabling us offer a wider range of versions in the Indian market," explained Michael Perschke, Audi India head.

He added that the growing demand for Audi Q3, Q5, Q7 SUV models has had a major impact on the brand's growth in India.

"During the first ten months of this year, we increased sales in the Indian market by 55 percent to 7,273 vehicles, surpassing its last year's record sales of 5,511 cars," Perschke said.

Audi Group is presently selling A4, A6, A7 Sportback, A8L, Q3, Q5, Q7, S4, RS5 Coupe and TT Coupe and supercars Audi R8 and R8 Spyder.