Audi’s dealer shutdowns across China leave owners in limbo. Learn the impact on service, pricing and the brand’s new A6L e‑tron’s launch – read more now.
China’s luxury‑car market is feeling the tremors of a rapid dealer pull‑out by Audi. In late 2025 the German marque announced the closure of dozens of its authorised showrooms and service centres across key provinces, including Henan, Guangxi, Beijing, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
Key Provinces Affected
The shutdowns hit major hubs such as the capital Beijing and industrial powerhouses like Jiangsu, leaving a patchwork of gaps in the brand’s after‑sales network.
Impact on Owners
Service Packages at Risk
Many customers who prepaid multi‑year maintenance plans worth tens of thousands of yuan now face uncertainty. Contracts that were once guarantees of care have suddenly become “paper promises”.
Case Study: Kaifeng Jin’ao
At the Kaifeng Jin’ao dealership, the abrupt closure left owners of cars less than six months old scrambling for support. FAW‑Audi’s customer‑service spokesperson confirmed the outlet was officially removed from the network in mid‑November 2025 and advised affected buyers to seek legal protection for their rights.
Why Dealers Are Closing
The exodus stems from a steep decline in Audi’s sales performance. In 2025 the brand sold 617,500 vehicles in China – a 5 % drop from the previous year and the second consecutive year of contraction. Even the traditionally strong gasoline line‑up suffered, with sales falling 6.7 % despite Audi’s push to stay the leader in the premium petrol segment.
Deep Discount Wars
To revive demand, dealers launched unprecedented price cuts. The soon‑to‑be‑launched 2026 Audi A3 is being offered with discounts of up to 40 %, while popular SUVs such as the Q3 and the electric Q4 e‑tron have been slashed by as much as 50 % off the list price. These aggressive markdowns have, however, eroded dealer margins, making it difficult to keep service bays open and staff paid.
Future Outlook: New A6L e‑tron
In a bid to turn the tide, Audi plans to unveil a brand‑new A6L sedan and its fully electric sibling, the A6L e‑tron, in late 2026. Built on the PPE (Premium Platform Electric) architecture specially calibrated for the Chinese market, the models are intended to reclaim Audi’s premium aura against fast‑growing domestic EV competitors.
For now, Chinese Audi owners are left watching a market in flux, hoping that the forthcoming electric flagship can restore confidence and rebuild the dealer network that once underpinned the brand’s luxury reputation.