Many are looking forward to Audi’s E-Tron SUV to hit the road but they will have to wait for a little bit longer for that. The German auto giant has confirmed that it has delayed the SUV’s arrival by four weeks. It needs that additional time to sort out a “software development issue.”
Audi confirmed to Reuters that this software change leaves it with no option but to delay the arrival of its electric SUV. It didn’t specify precisely what software is being changed but Audi will now have to seek another regulatory clearance due to this change.
Initial reports had suggested that the software issue could push back the SUV’s debut by a few months. That’s not something that the company would have liked as it sees to put its electric SUV on the road ahead of the EQC by rival Mercedes-Benz.
Audi has now confirmed that the delay will only be of four weeks and not a few months as mentioned in earlier reporters. It’s still better than having to wait until the second quarter of 2019 for this car, that’s what was originally communicated to be the official launch day for the Audi E-Tron SUV.
Audi is also said to be locked in price negotiations with battery supplier LG Chem which now wants to increase prices by 10 percent due to higher demand for electric vehicle batteries by Audi.