Audi India has temporarily suspended the sale and production of the Q5 in the country as the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) found emission levels on the SUV higher than the prescribed standards.
Audi has confirmed that the stipulated level of Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emitted was higher than the acceptable limit on the diesel versions of the Q5. The situation causing the issue was due to the air being trapped into the coolant system. Nevertheless, the German auto giant iterated that the said issue was resolved with ARAI after an update to the software calibration and the company is making the changes to the models.
Meanwhile, production has been stopped of the Q5 at Audi's Aurangabad facility where the SUV is assembled, while dealers too have stopped accepted bookings for the SUV. The emissions issue on the Audi Q5 however is not linked to the Volkswagen emissions scandal. That said, the German automaker recently commenced its recall process in India for the dieselgate emissions scandal, nine months after it was first announced.
New Audi Q5 Teaser
The issue does emerge as disappointing for Audi India considering the Q5 is one of the popular seller for the carmaker and will affect its overall volumes, more so with the festive season underway, the money spinning time for most manufacturers. Audi's loss however, is going to help rivals products like the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLE and Land Rover Discovery Sport in the segment.
In fact, dealerships across the country confirmed to carandbike.com that sales of the model will only commence by the end of November or early December and with the model getting certain updates.
The current generation Audi Q5 was launched in India in 2009 and is powered by the 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine. Meanwhile, globally the next generation Q5 is all set to make its debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show next month and was recently teased as well.
