Audi CEO Confirms Gas Engines Will Have a Strong Future, Even Well Into the 2030s
Gernot Döllner recently told Car and Driver that the automotive industry is experiencing a significant shift, with faltering electric vehicle (EV) sales and strong consumer interest in gasoline-powered cars leading Audi to adopt a more flexible approach to powertrains.
By Caleb Miller | Updated March 3, 2026
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As automakers worldwide grapple with an uncertain future, we sat down with Audi CEO Gernot Döllner to discuss how Audi plans to balance its gas and electric powertrain strategies. Döllner confirmed that the U.S. market is showing a renewed preference for internal combustion engines, and he believes this flexibility will ultimately benefit the company. Audi will continue to refine its current powertrains with increased hybridization, while also preparing for a critical decision early next decade regarding the development of next-generation internal-combustion-based platforms.
The automotive industry finds itself in a period of transition. The widespread electric revolution that many predicted would dominate the mid-2020s has progressed much more slowly than expected and is currently faltering in the United States. This has left automakers with diverse lineups that span from traditional gas-guzzlers to hybrids and fully electric vehicles. With so much uncertainty surrounding the timeline for electric powertrains to fully replace internal combustion engines, the next decade promises to be pivotal as manufacturers allocate their development resources between gas and electricity. We recently spoke with Audi CEO Gernot Döllner at a media event, where he revealed that Audi intends to pursue a measured approach during this transitional phase, recognizing the continued popularity of gas powertrains, particularly in the United States.
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The new A5 arrived for 2025 with combustion engines.
Electric vehicle sales had been steadily climbing in the U.S. market, but the elimination of the federal EV tax credit by the Trump administration in the fall of 2025 brought that progress to a halt. Sales plummeted at the end of the year, prompting several automakers to pause or cancel plans for future EVs destined for the U.S. market.
Audi is clearly taking note of these changing market dynamics. “The drivetrain concepts will definitely swing back to [internal combustion],” Döllner explained. “That’s what we see right now, and I don’t know if battery-electric will come back that fast.” This shift reflects a growing recognition that the transition to EVs may take longer and be more complex than initially anticipated.
The Geographical Differences Are Real
Of course, these trends are not uniform across all markets. EV sales have grown much more rapidly in China and Europe, creating the possibility of the United States becoming a sort of gas-powered outlier in a world increasingly moving away from internal combustion. However, Döllner does not view the situation this way.
“Markets are so dynamic, and every market has its specialty,” he noted. “So the U.S. has these rugged SUV and pickup segments, [with a] quite ICE-heavy consumer landscape. China is ahead on battery electric, but has a backswing to extended-range (EREV) and even plug-in hybrid. There are a lot of dynamics, so it isn’t too easy to tell where the road is heading.” This highlights the complexity of the global automotive market, where different regions are at different stages of the EV transition.
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Audi currently sells four EVs in the U.S., including the Q6 e-tron.
With various markets evolving at different paces, Audi has scaled back its earlier goal of becoming an all-EV brand by 2033. While much of this decision was influenced by conditions in the United States, Döllner does not consider this development to be making the U.S. irrelevant. Instead, he believes that a diverse approach to powertrains will ultimately benefit a global brand like Audi. “I don’t see an island, I just see that we need the flexibility anyhow,” he stated. This approach allows Audi to cater to the specific needs and preferences of different markets while maintaining a cohesive global strategy.
For the time being, Audi will continue to refine its existing platforms for its gas-only and hybrid powertrains. “I don’t see necessarily new platforms,” Döllner explained. “But I see further development of platforms to bring the next level of electronics and bring some degree of more hybridization.” This strategy focuses on incremental improvements to current technology rather than a complete overhaul of vehicle architectures.
Big Powertrain Decisions May Come in the 2030s
One exception to this approach is compact cars, such as the A3, and anything smaller. These vehicles, “driven by China and European legislation, will be all-electric sometime in the early 2030s.” However, a crucial decision regarding powertrains will need to be made early in the next decade, according to Döllner.
“Maybe that decision would have to be taken at the beginning of the ’30s if we see that there is still that demand, especially in the U.S., regarding combustion engines, then we will have to think about a next-generation platform for combustion engine cars,” he said. This indicates that Audi is closely monitoring market trends and is prepared to develop new platforms for internal combustion engines if demand persists.
Despite this possibility, Döllner remains firm in his belief that Audi’s current two-pronged powertrain strategy is the right one. “We decided to have specific platforms for battery-electric and combustion engines, and I still believe that’s the right way to move. Too many compromises otherwise,” he asserted. This approach allows Audi to optimize its resources and deliver the best possible products for each powertrain type.
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Gernot Döllner with the Audi Concept C at the International Motor Show (IAA Mobility) in Munich, September 2025.
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Audi plans to launch an electric sports car based on the Concept C in 2027.
Future Cars to Look Forward to
With Audi open to developing internal-combustion setups well into the next decade, enthusiasts may wonder whether this opens the door for a successor to the iconic R8 supercar. A rumor from the previous year suggested that Audi might create a twin to the hybrid V-8-powered Lamborghini Temerario. While Döllner did not confirm a new supercar, he did not rule out the possibility either.
“That’s someday thinkable,” he mused, before suggesting that a future supercar could carry a different name. “The perfect thing is that I can imagine an Audi from the A2, very efficient city car, to a super sports car, from a small SUV to a rugged SUV in the U.S., that would also fit the Audi brand.” This vision encompasses a wide range of vehicles that would appeal to different customer needs and preferences.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard that Audi is considering an off-road-focused SUV. A report from last year indicated that the model could be based on the Scout platform. Döllner concluded, “We are evaluating what are the next steps to take,” signaling that these concepts are still under consideration.
The Future of Audi’s Powertrain Strategy
The automotive industry is in a unique position, balancing the promise of electric mobility with the continued demand for traditional internal combustion engines. Audi, under the leadership of CEO Gernot Döllner, is taking a pragmatic approach, recognizing that the transition to EVs will be a gradual process. By maintaining flexibility in its powertrain strategy and investing in both electric and gas technologies, Audi is positioning itself to meet the evolving needs of consumers worldwide.
As Döllner noted, “The drivetrain concepts will definitely swing back to [internal combustion]. That’s what we see right now, and I don’t know if battery-electric will come back that fast.” This statement reflects the current reality of the automotive market, where consumer preferences and market dynamics are constantly shifting.
The Role of Hybridization
Audi’s strategy of refining its current powertrains with increased hybridization is a smart move, allowing the company to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions without the need for entirely new platforms. This approach also enables Audi to offer a range of vehicles that cater to different customer needs, from efficient city cars to powerful performance models.
“I don’t see necessarily new platforms,” Döllner explained. “But I see further development of platforms to bring the next level of electronics and bring some degree of more hybridization.” This focus on incremental improvements aligns with the current market trends and allows Audi to adapt quickly to changing demands.
The U.S. Market’s Unique Position
The United States presents a unique challenge for automakers, with a diverse range of consumer preferences and a complex regulatory environment. Döllner acknowledges this complexity, stating, “Markets are so dynamic, and every market has its specialty.” The U.S. market, with its demand for rugged SUVs and pickup trucks, requires a different approach than markets like China and Europe, where EV adoption is progressing more rapidly.
This divergence in market trends highlights the need for flexibility in powertrain strategies. Audi’s decision to maintain a range of powertrain options ensures that the company can meet the specific needs of different markets while also preparing for future shifts in demand.
The Importance of Platform Development
While Audi is currently focused on refining its existing platforms, the company recognizes the need to consider future platform development. “Maybe that decision would have to be taken at the beginning of the ’30s if we see that there is still that demand, especially in the U.S., regarding combustion engines, then we will have to think about a next-generation platform for combustion engine cars,”
