*By Amanda Weston* Audi just entered the EV ring with the launch of e-tron, the company's first all-electric vehicle. For Filip Brabec, the VP of product management of Audi of America, the car has the potential to attract pretty much anyone. "This is a cool car, and we want to sell a cool car, and we believe that it really appeals to a broad audience of customers," he said Tuesday in an interview on Cheddar. Audi unveiled the [e-tron](https://www.audiusa.com/models/audi-e-tron), complete with two electric motors, on Monday. An optional "Driver Assistance Package" can detect driving conditions and adapt to dangerous situations like construction zones. It also automatically adjusts to the current speed limit and slows down at corners. A parking assist feature steers the car into parallel parking spaces. Audi also announced the company is partnering with Amazon for its new release, in what will be the e-commerce giant's foray into the auto market. Amazon Home Services will give drivers a fully-digital experience for in-home charging installations. The collaboration is designed to make setting up home charging easier and more interconnected. Customers can now reserve an e-tron ahead of delivery in mid-2019. The SUV starts at $74,800. The most expensive model, the first edition, has a price tag of $86,700. By comparison, Tesla's Model X has a starting price just below $80,000. But Brabec said the e-tron comes with more bells and whistles. "In reality, what you have there for $74,800 is essentially a fully-loaded car, and a car that really has all the features that are expected in this segment when it comes to leather seats, ventilated seats, sunroof, navigation system, you name it," Brabec said. "It's all in there." Brabec said customers who end up choosing an Audi over other models are usually seeking peace of mind. "This is why \[consumers are\] going to a company that has a very robust history and very robust engineering team," he said. Audi has over 300 dealers that service the cars and ensure full, safe performance, he added. Audi plans to release the e-tron by 2020. The company anticipates about 30 percent of its customers in the U.S. will go electric by 2025. For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/audi-launches-first-all-electric-vehicle).

Share:
More In Business
Watchdog Slams IRS Identity Theft Case Delays as “Unconscionable”
An independent watchdog within the IRS reports that while taxpayer services have vastly improved, the agency is still too slow to resolve identity theft cases. And National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins says those delays are “unconscionable.” Erin M. Collins said in the report released Wednesday that overall the 2024 filing season went smoothly, though IRS delays in resolving identity theft victim assistance cases are worsening. It took nearly 19 months to resolve self-reported identity theft cases as of January, and Wednesday's report states that now it takes 22 months to resolve these cases.
A.I. Investments Carry Amazon Over $2 Trillion Valuation Threshold
Amazon.com Inc. surpassed $2 trillion in market value for the first time in afternoon trading on Wednesday. The push higher for Amazon’s stock market valuation comes a little more than a week after Nvidia hit $3 trillion and briefly became the most valuable company on Wall Street. Nvidia’s chips are used to power many AI application and its valuation has soared as a result. Amazon has also been making big investments in AI as global interest has grown in the technology. Most of the company’s focus has been on business-focused products.
Load More