FAW-Audi has a pioneering legacy spanning 37 years. It was the first joint venture to produce luxury vehicles in China and the first to introduce long-wheelbase models to meet Chinese consumers' demands, among other innovations.

"We believe Audi is the international luxury car brand that understands Chinese customers best," said Arndt.

"That is why we have established deep partnerships with leading local technology companies, enabling us to jointly advance innovation and deliver smarter, safer vehicles," he said.

Li Fenggang, executive vice-president of FAW-Audi Sales Co, emphasized that this blend of heritage and innovation is central to Audi's identity.

"Our philosophy is 'upholding integrity and innovating'. Integrity means staying true to the essential values of building safe, reliable, and enjoyable vehicles. Innovation means integrating advanced smart technologies that meet Chinese consumers' high expectations," said Li.

Li made it clear that safety is the paramount principle in car development, while many startups give priority to attractive designs.

He cited the example of the company's cautious yet forward-looking battery safety strategy.

"Two years before China's toughest battery regulations, we designed our batteries to exceed national safety standards, adopting a cell-to-module architecture that improves both safety and serviceability," Li said.