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Foreign media reported that Audi stopped production of its all-electric SUV e-tron at its Brussels factory due to a shortage of parts supply. In response to this report, Audi spokesman has confirmed the authenticity of the news, as to how long the shutdown, when to resume production, the official did not accurately explain. As for the reason for the shutdown, Audi officials did not indicate, but it said the e-tron shutdown had nothing to do with China's new crown pneumonia epidemic.

According to industry speculation, e-tron production is largely due to limited capacity of LG chemical power batteries in Poland, resulting in insufficient supply of power batteries, power battery supply problems will also affect Audi's second pure electric model e-tron Sportback mass production.

The Audi e-tron is Audi's first all-electric SUV. In September 2018, Audi e-tron held its world launch ceremony in San Francisco, launching three new models ranging from $74,800 to $86,700.

It has to be said that this pure electric SUV is really popular, but the fate is somewhat bumpy. Since its launch in September 2018, e-tron has delayed its launch time and delivery time several times. Audi had to recall the all-electric model last summer because of a potential battery fire risk, affecting up to 7000 vehicles worldwide.

The e-tron shutdown may have been affected by a shortage of LG chemical power batteries, but it is not the first time Audi has been affected by LG chemical capacity shortages. Audi cut production of e-tron in April last year due to battery supply problems, producing only 45,000 vehicles for the whole year, 10,000 fewer than expected. In January, the Audi e-tron was again revealed to be cut in the first quarter due to battery supply problems.

In addition to Audi, Jaguar Land Rover's electric car I-Pace has also been affected by a shortage of battery supplies. According to media reports, Jaguar plans to shut down the I-PACE electric SUV-related production line for a week because I-PACE battery supplier LG Chemical's factory in Europe cannot supply batteries normally.

Mercedes-Benz plans to cut production of EQC electric SUVs from 60,000 units to 30,000 units this year, but parent company Daimler denied the report, saying that the production plan of EQC in 2020 has not been revised.

In order to avoid the problem of insufficient battery supply, some automobile manufacturers have appropriately deepened the cooperation of battery enterprises while increasing investment in new energy vehicles. Volkswagen cooperates with Samsung SDI, LG Chemical, Ningde Times, SK Innovation and other enterprises. Toyota also forms alliances with Panasonic, Toshiba and Yuasa in battery supply. Tesla previously reached a battery supply relationship with Panasonic, and then signed contracts with Ningde Times and LG Chemical to supply batteries for its models. It is revealed that e-tron plans to introduce domestic production this year, Audi is considering domestic e-tron cell supplier from LG Chemical to Ningde Times supply.

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