Burkhard Riering

Production at the showcase "glass" factory is set to end as VW Group steps up its cost-cutting efforts.

VW Group's SSP software-led platform, which Audi will will use, has been pushed back to 2029 to ensure any software glitches are resolved, so using a different platform could speed up development times for new models.

Elon Musk broke industry conventions with Tesla's EVs, smart production, direct sales and autonomous driving -- without legacy issues and without copying others. It's dawned on the competition that Tesla should be taken seriously.

BYD plans to determine the final location for the plant before the end of this year and aims to begin production in 2025, media reports said.

Postponed market launches, the winding up of the Artemis self-driving car project and a narrow, aging EV lineup has left Audi behind Mercedes and BMW.

A partnership with VW would be a breakthrough for the Taiwanese smartphone manufacturer's automotive ambitions.