Audi, Mercedes ready challenges to Tesla luxury electric car dominance - Los Angeles Times

Audi plans to challenge Tesla’s dominance of the luxury electric vehicle market when it introduces a sport-utility vehicle at the Frankfurt, Germany auto show next month. Called the Audi e-tron quattro, the sporty SUV concept auto will provide the first look at the luxury brand’s plans for fully electric cars. Audi, a division of Volkswagen, is expected to produce an electric SUV based on the concept starting in 2018. Audi already makes plug-in hybrids, which run on electric power alone for a certain range until a gasoline engine kicks in. The Audi will... business newsletter >>. Automakers have watched Tesla carve out a luxury electric car niche and are preparing their own entries, said Thilo Koslowski, vice president and automotive practice leader at Gartner Inc. The new vehicles will compete on driving range, which previously was among the top advantages of Tesla vehicles. “Once you get over 200 miles, you are making something that is applicable for consumers,” Koslowski said. Auto Motor Und Sport Germany's top auto magazine is reporting that Mercedes is going to abandon the electric powertrain it purchases from Tesla for its electric B-class car for a new system with a range of about 300 miles. The vehicle’s current range is under 100 miles. Source: www.latimes.com