INGOLSTADT, Germany, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Audi, a subsidiary of German automaker Volkswagen, said it would invest $200 million to re-establish production in Brazil in 2015.
The company said Tuesday it would produce the new Audi Q3 and A3 sedan in Sao Jose dos Pinhais, Brazil, which will give it a manufacturing presence in the sixth-largest economy in the world.
The company already has plans to expand in China with a second plant there set to open late this year. There are also plans for the Audi to be built in Mexico in 2016, the company said.
"With today's decision in favor of Brazil, we are ideally positioned in all BRIC countries," said Audi Chief Executive Officer Rupert Stadler, who is also the current board chairman for Audi.
"Audi intends to significantly increase its deliveries of the brand with the four rings to customers also on the South American continent," the company said in a statement.
The so-called BRIC countries include Brazil, Russia, India and China.
Stadler also said Audi would double the size of its sales network in Brazil over the course of the next decade.
"Our goal is to lead the premium segment," Stadler said.
Audi said it would begin production of the A3 Sedan starting in 2015. "A few months later, the Audi Q3 will also drive off the assembly line in Brazil," Audi said.
