Audi looks to maintain its lead

A number of other Audi models, including the new R8 Coupe, the RS 5 Cabriolet, the RS 7 Sportback, the SQ5 and the A6 hybrid, are making their Asian debuts.

The A6 hybrid and the A8L hybrid limousine will hit the Chinese market before the end of this year, according to the company.

When asked whether he is concerned about the Audi A6 being replaced by FAW's independently owned Redflag H7 sedan for high-level government official fleets, Stadler said: "We have to see that the market has developed absolutely in a very modern way in the past five to 10 yearsSo the governmental business now is already reduced, and we are selling cars to private customers, to companies and to whomever."

Almost all fleet vehicles for high-level government officials are currently Audi A6 sedans, but China plans to substitute the Redflag H7 for Audi A6 in new procurements in the future.

"With a growing market, with customer segmentation and with the brand positioning of Audi, we don't depend only on the Audi A6. We have the A4, the Q5, the Q3, and the A3," he said.

Stadler said Audi will further increase its product portfolio in China in the coming years to include environmentally friendly products and technologies for sustainable mobility.

The company will bring the A3 e-tron, its first plug-in hybrid model, to China, he said, though he did not give a specific date.

The A3 e-tron made its global debut last month in Geneva.