Audi, in collaboration with its Chinese joint venture partner SAIC, is developing a new China-specific platform for intelligent and electric vehicles. This move comes about 10 months after Volkswagen's landmark Chinese partnership deal and highlights the mounting pressure on western brands and legacy automakers to adapt and thrive in the intensifying electric vehicle (EV) race in the world's largest auto market. 

Here are the key details:

- Platform Name: The new platform is called the Advanced Digitized Platform.

- Purpose: It aims to accelerate Audi's transformation in China by expanding its battery electric vehicle (BEV) portfolio.

- Time-to-Market Reduction: By utilizing this platform, Audi expects to reduce time-to-market by more than 30% for its EV models.

- First Model: The first of three EV models based on this platform is expected to hit the market in 2025.

- Previous Platforms: Audi has previously used Volkswagen's EV-dedicated MEB platform for two EV models in China: the Q4 e-tron and Q5 e-tron, through its ventures with SAIC and FAW. Additionally, Audi is concurrently developing a new EV platform with Porsche.

- Further Cooperation: This announcement sheds light on plans for further cooperation between Audi and SAIC, which VW previously announced when it said it would buy 4.99% of Xpeng and jointly launch two Volkswagen-branded EV models by 2026.

- Sales Performance: Audi's current EV models in China account for only 0.45% of total EV sales, indicating the need for a stronger presence in this competitive market.

Exciting times ahead for Audi as it strives to catch up with rivals and make a significant impact in China's growing EV landscape!