Audi has developed a growth plan for its joint business with First Automobile Works (FAW) Group for the coming 10 years with eyes on sustainable growth in the brand's largest global market.

The partners will intensify their cooperation in key future fields of the automobile industry.

Within the next five years, the joint venture, FAW-Volkswagen, will add five locally-produced Audi e-tron models to its China portfolio - including pure battery vehicles with a range of more than 500 kilometres.

AUDI Board of Management chairman Rupert Stadler said: "Our e-tron offensive lays down a strong marker for the future.

"Audi and FAW have cooperated closely together for more than a quarter of a century. With our long-term growth strategy we will build upon this successful partnership."

By 2025, Audi, with FAW-Volkswagen, will offer at least one locally-produced electrically powered SUV and sedan model in all volume segments and, with this, there will be an e-tron model in each of the six biggest segments.

The electrification of production in China has already begun with the Audi A6 L e-tron. The first locally-manufactured plug-in hybrid will be delivered to dealerships before the end of 2016.

Within the framework of the 10-year business plan with FAW, AUDI AG will strengthen its cooperation with the production and development departments of FAW-Volkswagen in the area of electric mobility, thereby building up key competencies for future technologies in the joint venture.

Together, Audi and FAW will develop a further field of the future. In 2017 the partners plan to set up a joint company focusing on mobility and digital services.

To connect the joint venture more with the trend-metropolis Beijing, selected sales and marketing functions will be based in the capital in the future.

Audi constantly evaluates new business opportunities in the brand’s largest market. The longtime Volkswagen Group partner SAIC Motor has entered cooperation talks with AUDI AG to evaluate a long-term collaboration in China.

A memorandum of understanding has been signed on November 11, 2016 to this effect. SAIC is a partner of VOLKSWAGEN AG in the joint venture SAIC Volkswagen.