Latest news with #GernotDollner


News18
31-07-2025
- Automotive
- News18
Audi F1 Team To Partner With Revoult In Debut 2026 Campaign
Last Updated: Audi seeks to enhance fan engagement during race weekends by offering unique experiences and exclusive benefits for customers of new headline sponsors, fintech giants Revolut. German manufacturer Audi, who are set for a F1 debut in the year 2026 following heir takeover of Stake Sauber F1 Team, ae set to take on fintech giants Revoult as title sponsors starting next season. Audi seeks to enhance fan engagement during race weekends by offering unique experiences for a new generation of motorsport enthusiasts along with exclusive benefits for customers of new headline sponsors, fintech giants Revolut. Audi AG CEO and Chairman of the Board of Sauber Motorsport AG, Gernot Dollner, said, 'Audi is entering Formula 1 with a clear ambition: to use the platform as a technologically relevant and economically sustainable investment in the future of the Audi brand." 'We firmly believe in the success of our project, which we are approaching with a realistic attitude and a mindset of continuous improvement. In Revolut, we have found a partner that shares our ambitions and attitude," he added. 'Formula 1 is a global stage that offers us the opportunity to reach new target groups together and generate enthusiasm for our products," Dollner said. The Sauber F1 team is set to transition into the Audi F1 team in 2026, following investment from the Qatar Investment Authority, which acquired a minority stake in Sauber. The QIA purchased a 30% stake in Sauber, providing capital to the team as they prepare for the transition to Audi, which announced their plan to enter Formula 1 in 2022 as an engine manufacturer and partner with Sauber. Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, who joined Sauber on multi-year deals, are expected to be Audi's first drivers in the 2026 campaign. Additionally, Sauber has opened a new UK Technology Centre in line with the transformation into the Audi F1 team. 'This is a monumental partnership for Revolut and the Future Audi F1 Team. We're accelerating towards 100 million customers, and we'll be bringing them into Formula 1 with unforgettable experiences at a pivotal time for the sport," Revoult CEO Nik Storonsky said. 'As Revolut continues to challenge the status quo in global finance, the Future Audi F1 Team is set to do the same in motorsport. With a shared outlook, global ambition and relentless drive for progress, this partnership will define what's possible in Formula 1," he added. Team Principal of the future Audi F1 Team, Jonathan Wheatley, added, 'With Revolut, we have found a partner that shares our core ethos of innovation and relentless ambition. This is more than a brand fit; it is a strategic alliance, engineered to challenge conventions in motorsport." 'From 2026, Revolut's digital-first solutions will power key areas of our operations while also redefining how fans and communities engage with our team – delivering a seamless and engaging experience on and off the track," Wheatley said. view comments First Published: July 31, 2025, 08:48 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


The Irish Sun
24-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Major car brand discontinues longstanding luxury model after 30 years
A MAJOR car brand is discontinuing a longstanding luxury model after several decades in production. The popular Advertisement 3 The rear taillight of a Honda Motor Co. Acura TLX special edition Credit: Getty 3 Smart Technology on the TLX Acura at Piazza Acura in Reading Credit: Getty 3 2018 Acura TLX is on display at the 110th Annual Chicago Auto Show Credit: Getty The Acura TLX is now being discontinued nearly a decade after it first debuted in the US. Acura will A statement from the manufacturer reads: "Acura will conclude production of the TLX performance sedan this month to better align with the evolving needs of our customers and the changing landscape of the automotive industry." It comes after the company sold just 3,634 TLX models in the first half of 2025, has reported. Advertisement read more in motors This figure represented a 55 per cent decrease from the previous year. For context the company sold 47,000 TLX models back in 2015 - which was its best year. It is the latest of The ultra-luxury Lexus LS saloon has reached the end of the road after a sustained period of poor sales . Advertisement Most read in Motors Latest Latest It had helped establish Toyota's plush sub-brand as a challenger to the elite carmakers of Europe and America. And after 10 years, Mazda confirmed in February that the Mazda2 supermini can no longer be ordered. A spokesperson told Autocar: "As we move towards increased electrification of our cars , the Mazda 2 Hybrid meets consumer demand in the B-segment and is a step in our journey to ensure all our cars have some form of electrification by 2030." Audi has also next year. Advertisement Gernot Dollner, Audi's CEO, revealed they "will end production of the A1 and Q2" in 2026 and that "there definitely will be no successor for the A1." Cars confirmed for discontinuation in 2025 Lexus LS Mazda2 Mazda MX-30 Porsche Boxster/Cayman Nissan GT-R Audi A1 & Q2 Ford Focus ST


The Sun
24-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Major car brand discontinues longstanding luxury model after 30 years
A MAJOR car brand is discontinuing a longstanding luxury model after several decades in production. The popular saloon model is set to end production at the end of this month. 3 3 3 The Acura TLX is now being discontinued nearly a decade after it first debuted in the US. Acura will slow down production of the TLX later this month, Car and Driver has reported. A statement from the manufacturer reads: "Acura will conclude production of the TLX performance sedan this month to better align with the evolving needs of our customers and the changing landscape of the automotive industry." It comes after the company sold just 3,634 TLX models in the first half of 2025, has reported. This figure represented a 55 per cent decrease from the previous year. For context the company sold 47,000 TLX models back in 2015 - which was its best year. It is the latest of several popular car models to meet their end in 2025. The ultra-luxury Lexus LS saloon has reached the end of the road after a sustained period of poor sales. It had helped establish Toyota's plush sub-brand as a challenger to the elite carmakers of Europe and America. And after 10 years, Mazda confirmed in February that the Mazda2 supermini can no longer be ordered. A spokesperson told Autocar: "As we move towards increased electrification of our cars, the Mazda 2 Hybrid meets consumer demand in the B-segment and is a step in our journey to ensure all our cars have some form of electrification by 2030." Audi has also revealed it will axe the incredibly popular A1 and Q2 models next year. Gernot Dollner, Audi's CEO, revealed they "will end production of the A1 and Q2" in 2026 and that "there definitely will be no successor for the A1."

Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Audi delays ICE phaseout, to launch new petrol and hybrid cars till 2033 and beyond. Check details
Rather than phasing out combustion technology, Audi plans to launch a fresh generation of ICE and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) till 2026 (REUTERS) Check Offers Audi is hitting the brakes on its previously announced plan to phase out internal combustion engine (ICE) models by 2033. In a notable policy reversal, CEO Gernot Dollner has confirmed that the German luxury carmaker will now maintain production of combustion and plug-in hybrid vehicles well into the next decade, a report by Autocar UK stated. The move aligns Audi with a growing list of global automakers that are tempering their electric vehicle (EV) goals in favour of a more flexible, market-sensitive strategy. Dollner stated that the prior commitment to an all-EV future by 2033 was part of the 'past management's" roadmap and no longer reflects Audi's updated priorities. A new ICE and PHEV lineup Rather than phasing out combustion technology, Audi plans to launch a fresh generation of ICE and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) till 2026. This refreshed lineup, according to Dollner , provides the company with a flexible foundation for the next 7 to 10 years, allowing it to adapt according to market conditions and regulatory landscapes. Also Read : India-bound New-gen Audi Q3 makes global debut with Matrix LED tech, hybrid engines Among the vehicles in the pipeline is the next-generation RS6, which is expected to feature a high-performance plug-in hybrid setup. Dollner also hinted that Audi Sport's future products will continue to embrace combustion technology, especially in the RS badge portfolio. R8 and TT successors coming? On the possibility of reviving iconic nameplates like the R8 or TT, Dollner remained non-committal but optimistic. 'We are car guys, let yourself be surprised," he teased, while also noting it might be premature to disclose specific product plans. This leaves room for speculation about how Audi might reinterpret its performance lineage in a mixed powertrain future. No Small EVs—But A3-Sized Model on the Way Interestingly, Audi is stepping away from the small electric car race. It will not build its own version of the upcoming VW ID.2 or its Skoda counterparts aimed at the affordable EV segment. Instead, the brand is focused on a standalone A3-sized EV, which is currently under development and scheduled to debut in 2026. As the A1 and Q2 are phased out, the A3 and Q3 will serve as Audi's new entry-level offerings. Also Read : Audi Q5 and Q5 Sportback PHEV drivetrains launched. Will it come to India? Audi to Lead VW Group's Next-Gen Tech Platforms Audi's future role within the Volkswagen Group is also evolving. The brand has been tasked with leading development of the Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), a next-generation hardware and software architecture for large vehicles. Originally conceived as a purely EV platform, SSP has since been redesigned to accommodate range-extender and hybrid options as well—aligning with the Group's more general dedication to a multi-pathway approach. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date: 18 Jun 2025, 19:00 PM IST