End of an era: Audi A1 and Q2 production lines close after more than a decade

Audi has taken a significant step forward to the end of an era, confirming that production of the Audi A1 supermini and Q2 crossover has concluded after more than a decade on the market. 

The recent move marks a definitive shift in the brand’s strategy as it abandons the “affordable” compact segment to focus on high-margin premium models and electrification.

Audi recorded 1,389,658 deliveries of the A1 since its launch in 2010, while a total of 887,231 Q2s have rolled off the production line since arriving in 2016. 

The company has confirmed that neither model will receive a direct combustion-engine successor. Instead, the all-electric A2 e-tron is set to become the brand’s new entry point. It is expected that a sub-£30,000 EV based on the Volkswagen ID.3 platform, with production slated to begin at Audi’s home plant in Ingolstadt in Fall 2026.

With the A1 and Q2 gone, the A3 hatchback and Q3 SUV now stand as the smallest combustion-engined vehicles in Audi’s portfolio. 

The elimination of the A1 frees up space on its production line in Martorell, Spain for the Volkswagen Group’s upcoming range of small EVs including the Cupra Raval, Skoda Epiq, Volkswagen ID Polo and Volkswagen ID.Cross. 

Subsequently, the Q2 opens the way for the new A2 e-tron, expected to be built at Audi’s home base in Ingolstadt, Germany. Looking ahead, the company has clarified that its new flagship sports car-previewed by the Concept C- will enter production in 2027. 

As reported by Autocar, its current halo model-the e-tron GT, will be discontinued in due course to make space for this upcoming sports car at the Bollinger Hofe facility.