Audi Revives A2 as EV

Audi unveiled the A2 e-tron on Monday as the German premium brand seeks to strengthen its position in Europe’s compact electric vehicle market.

The new model revives the A2 nameplate used in the early 2000s. Audi said it consumes 12.8 kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometers, making it the most efficient vehicle in the brand’s history.

The A2 e-tron has a maximum driving range of 646 kilometers. Production will take place at Audi’s Ingolstadt plant in Germany, while customer deliveries are scheduled to begin in December.

Audi has yet to announce whether the A2 e-tron will also be offered in the Philippines. No local launch timetable, specifications or pricing have been released.

The launch comes as European manufacturers face growing competition from Chinese carmakers offering more affordable electric vehicles.

Audi sales have declined for two consecutive years. Deliveries fell another seven percent during the first half of 2026 as competition in China and tariffs in the United States weighed on demand.

“In Europe, we need compact and efficient cars for the future,” Audi chief executive Gernot Doellner said during the vehicle’s presentation in Paris.

Doellner said premium vehicles should use power and other resources more intelligently rather than simply offering more of everything. He also maintained that Audi is in a strong position in electric mobility despite the pressure from Chinese rivals.

The A2 e-tron arrives as parent company Volkswagen takes steps to reduce costs. Volkswagen’s supervisory board recently approved extensive job cuts in response to tariffs, excess production capacity and stronger Chinese competition.

Audi is also reviewing the future of its Neckarsulm facility in southwestern Germany. The plant is among four Volkswagen sites facing possible closure after 2030, with no new Audi model currently allocated there beyond 2034.