Jump to content
News
Reviews
Discussons
Activity
Create New...
Close
  • William Maley
    William Maley

    By William Maley •

    Audi Isn't Planning On Stocking Any E-Trons At U.S. Dealers

      Part of a new retail strategy

    If you're expecting to see an Audi e-tron at your local dealership next spring, we have some bad news for you.

    According to Automotive News, Audi is testing a new retail model where dealers will not stock the model. Instead, they'll handle reservations for customers on the e-tron that begin with a $1,000 deposit. The hope is that will improve profitability of the e-tron.

    "I think it would be a beautiful world if you can go to a dealer — and we'd like to find that beautiful world — with zero floorplan [expense] and proper, full gross on the car. This would be a beautiful state; so let's go see if we can find this dream state,"  said Audi of America President Scott Keogh.

    This approach will allow all of Audi's dealers in the U.S. to sell the e-tron with worrying vehicle allocation and being stuck with trying move them off their lot. 

    "The same network that got us to double our sales, and got us to 200,000 units [annually], is going to be the same network that's going to lead this electric revolution for us. And that's a massive competitive advantage — an onboard and engaged network," said Keogh.

    That isn't to say dealers will not be allowed to stock e-trons. A spokesman told Automotive News that dealers will be able to order e-trons for their inventory should they desire. They will also have demos available to buyers to check out.

    Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

    • Haha 1
    Go to articles

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    G. David Felt

    OK, at first this story had me saying Audi just shot themselves in the foot as way to many people like to touch, feel and kick the tires. Even Tesla buyers want to check the auto out first.

    Good to see that Demo units and if the dealer wants to stock it can. I would think every dealer MUST have a demo unit. Only way I can go and see if this is a potential auto for my family.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    balthazar

    What a bizarre 'plan'. Having a dealer buy an e-tron from audi or order when they get a deposit has zero effect on the profitability of audi other than minimizing the loss by not building one more than theoretically necessary. Dealer floor space occupation has no bearing on Corporate profitability.

    • Like 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    ocnblu

    Exactly.  There is no strength in the electric car market.  Demand is not deep enough.  You are hearing it from Audi, a component of one of, if not THE biggest automotive conglomerate on Earth.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    smk4565

    You have to have demos, how will people know if they like the car if they can't drive it.  Some of these new car dealers stock hundreds of cars, yet they don't want to stock any E-trons?  I am sure those buyers will be happy to drive a mile down the road to the Mercedes dealer that has EV's in stock.  Likewise for those waiting a year for a Tesla, you can go get a Mercedes that won't have different colors on the door panels or a hood that is put on crooked. 

    I will have to point the finger of shame at Mercedes if they don't sell more EV's than Audi over the next 5 years.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    G. David Felt

    AUDI Plan = FAILURE!!! The dealerships are all about test drive, close the deal and let the person drive home. NOT a look at web pictures, talk to a sales person, put $1,000 down and wait up to a year to get your auto. This will NOT work for them, they are NOT Tesla. EVs can sell as long as they are in stock, on lots and available for test drives, purchase and drive off. I HOPE more dealerships than not will stock them and ignore Audi Corporate BS. Sadly this also shows the effect of Piss Poor Leadership from DC with stupid tradewars and tarifs. Due to being early and still building out the infrastructure you have a plan by Audi that makes no sense when the parent company is spending Billions to build out a network of charging. Companies that do push forward with EVs are going to win and reduce further those companies that take a wait and see approach. China is leading the auto industry and they better wake up to the fact that ICE is not going to be around forever. Idiot leadership from many levels in Gov to businesses on this.

    • Haha 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    ocnblu
    17 hours ago, dfelt said:

    AUDI Plan = FAILURE!!! The dealerships are all about test drive, close the deal and let the person drive home. NOT a look at web pictures, talk to a sales person, put $1,000 down and wait up to a year to get your auto. This will NOT work for them, they are NOT Tesla. EVs can sell as long as they are in stock, on lots and available for test drives, purchase and drive off. I HOPE more dealerships than not will stock them and ignore Audi Corporate BS. Sadly this also shows the effect of Piss Poor Leadership from DC with stupid tradewars and tarifs. Due to being early and still building out the infrastructure you have a plan by Audi that makes no sense when the parent company is spending Billions to build out a network of charging. Companies that do push forward with EVs are going to win and reduce further those companies that take a wait and see approach. China is leading the auto industry and they better wake up to the fact that ICE is not going to be around forever. Idiot leadership from many levels in Gov to businesses on this.

    There there *pats head*  Kleenex?

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    G. David Felt
    3 hours ago, ocnblu said:

    There there *pats head*  Kleenex?

    Nope just remove all the trash like the world did with Hitler. Time will tell and the time will come when we are back on the proper path of real leadership!

    HOORAW To my Brothers and Sisters that have defended our Multicultural diverse country! Diverse Strong!

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

    ×

  • google-news-icon.png



  • google-news-icon.png

  • Subscribe to Cheers & Gears

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001 we've brought you real content and honest opinions, not AI-generated stuff with no feeling or opinions influenced by the manufacturers.

    Please consider subscribing. Subscriptions can be as little as $1.75 a month, and a paid subscription drops most ads.*
     

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • trinacriabob
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By trinacriabob · Posted

      Who said Germans don't have a sense of humor? Happy Sunday.
    • trinacriabob
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By trinacriabob · Posted

      @Robert Hall  Thank you.  There is now some "advertising" in hotel websites calling out a "laptop safe" when it's bigger than a regular one.  What is really off-putting is when it's a brand of hotels that should have in-room safes ... and they don't.  Or, worse yet, when the description shows that there is a safe and, then, it's not there because the website description hasn't been updated: they're either transitioning to another model or they've removed them altogether. 
    • Robert Hall
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By Robert Hall · Posted

      When I've traveled for work in recent years, I keep my laptop with me in my backpack usually, since I'm traveling between the hotel and the office..sometimes I'll leave it in the room when I go out for dinner or drinks after work for a few hours.    Haven't seen a hotel room safe big enough for a laptop.   A couple times in the past when I've had a laptop on vacation, I put the backpack in the trunk of my car if I'm going out of the hotel for all day or something.   My most recent vacation/road trip I only took my iPad, less bulky than my laptop... I'd put my wallet and iPad in the room safe when I'd walk down to the beach w/ my phone. 
    • trinacriabob
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By trinacriabob · Posted

      If you are in a hotel and there is a (laptop) safe in the room, you'd probably use it for your laptop if leaving the room and/or hotel for a while. If you are in a hotel without one, what do you do (with your laptop)?  I often have them pass on room service ... that's for sure.  It would be beneficial for some of you to weigh in.
    • trinacriabob
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By trinacriabob · Posted

      Random thoughts: Saw many German imports sporting medium enamel grey exteriors with darker red leather interiors in affluent desert communities and this combination looks nice. Was following a recent Dodge Challenger on the freeway tonight and I love that rear light bar, so I think it's the best looking of the 3 pony car rehashes. Saw an immaculate black 2007 or 2008 Cadillac DTS on the freeway tonight and they still look good, even timeless. I happened onto a dog video last night and it had "Dog Whisperer" Cesar Millan in it.  I read about him and he once ran a "Dog Psychology Center."  Ha. He does not have a degree in psychology, animal husbandry, or anything.  Then, L.A. douchebag groupthink shines through.  The list of celebs who used him (one refers or copies another celeb) is lengthy.  Remember when celebs were snapping up Priuses, almost as if to make a statement? About 40% of my music collection consists of African-American artists. I  notice this as I surf Bluetooth. Some of my friends joke that I was Black in a previous life.  Come on.  Some white artists - even hard rockers - are more starched than many Black artists ... smooth, earthy, sassy, passionate, gravelly, and/or powerful ... that's what I like in music and they put out some great musical tracks.   Happy Friday.

  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

I've whitelisted
Continue without support

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search