The 2019 Audi E-Tron has not had an easy time so far. It was delayed last year over software updates and we recently found out that its range isn’t particularly up to par with its competitors. Now delivery has apparently been delayed because of battery supplier issues and engine production snags.
The E-Tron is produced at Audi’s Brussels plant. Batteries for it are supplied by LG Chem, which also supplies batteries to other automakers. Because of this positioning, LG is allegedly raising its prices and Volkswagen Group is experiencing trouble in competing with BMW and Mercedes to acquire batteries, The Brussels Times reports:
The plant is running 6 hours a day instead of 8 to match production to parts availability. But soon, the plant will go to a 4-day working week, leading to one day of technical unemployment.
Delivery times for the e-tron have gone up by 2 months to 6 to 7 months. “Not an exceptional waiting time for an all-new Audi”, says Audi’s spokesperson in Belgium, Sofie Luyckx. During the Brussels Motor Show in January, delivery times of 4 to 5 months were assumed. It is not clear if the 2 additional months are due to production capacity or high demand (up 15%).
How these production issues will affect E-Tron deliveries here in the United States remain unclear. Audi has previously claimed they will start in May.
Additionally, The Brussels Times noted that production of the next EV from Audi, the E-Tron Sportback, has been pushed back to 2020 from 2019.
We have reached out to Audi for official comment on the matter and will update if we hear back.
via Inside EVs and Autoweek