Audi’s plant in Brussels, Belgium, will cease production next year after the automaker’s attempts to find a buyer failed.
The plant, which employs slightly more than 3,000 workers, was acquired by Audi from Volkswagen in 2007 and currently builds the Q8 E-Tron and the related Q8 Sportback E-Tron.
Production of the electric SUVs will end by Feb. 28, according to a December 12 report by Reuters citing an Audi spokesperson.
Audi first announced during the summer that the plant was at risk of closing. At the time, the automaker indicated that the Q8 E-Tron might be discontinued early due to slow sales, which totaled 53,555 sales in 2023.
Production line at Audi plant in Brussels, Belgium – Photo via Audi
The Q8 E-Tron was originally launched for the 2019 model year in the U.S. under the name E-Tron. It was renamed the Q8 E-Tron following a mid-cycle refresh for the 2024 model year.
The unrelated gas-powered Q8 is produced at a separate plant and is expected to remain on sale after the Q8 E-Tron is discontinued.
In recent months, Audi explored the possibility of selling the Brussels plant, with speculation that Chinese EV manufacturer Nio might be a potential buyer. However, Nio has denied those rumors.
The main union representing workers at Audi’s parent company, Volkswagen Group, warned in October that the automaker might be considering closing up to three plants in Germany, though no final decisions have been made. Workers are currently on strike as negotiations between management and the union continue this week.
