Greg Leet’s involvement with the MEB programme began with Skoda and stepped through VW.

WHEN Volkswagen Group announced plan to go electric with a bespoke platform to be used by all its mainstream marques, Greg Leet was running New Zealand distribution for Skoda - whose landmark Enyaq has now arrived.

By the time VW had nailed down the full swathe of candidate cars for the ‘modular electric drive matrix’ technology, Leet had moved to head Volkswagen New Zealand - and was soon deep on launch planning for the ID.4 and ID.5.

This year he switched to head Audi New Zealand, just in time for the release of its core MEB product, the Q4.

In short, he’s been a central figure at national level for the whole story to date; if anyone knows the challenges and detail surround MEB, it’s this guy.

A global pandemic, a worldwide shortage of computer chips, the war in Ukraine … all these have held back NZ introduction planning for the electric products that will carry Volkswagen brands into the future.

What’s been the lesson from this period … has it been the ultimate exercise in patience?

Greg Leet: I don’t think so. Audi had been on a journey with MEB and electrification for longer than the other brands; we’ve had electric products in the market for some year (starting with the original A3-based e-tron PHEV). Skoda and VW and in a different phase to Audi. The exciting for Audi is that it is very going into a phase two of its programme of electrification, starting with Q4. It’s very much now about electric mobility and the passing of electrification with ICE vehicles and what looks like over a period of time.

MotoringNZ: Q4’s has been eagerly awaited; what’s the immediate response been like?

GL: We’re only now seeing the cars in the showroom but the pre-sales have been really encouraging. Feedback is really positive. It’s a core vehicle for the growth of the brand. We have not had an electric vehicle, in a sports utility format, at this price point previously. That opens new channels for us. We’re really excited about the opportunities the Q4 brings.

MNZ: What might Q4 deliver in respect to its share of the Audi NZ sales volume?

GL: It’s probably a little bit early to say. We have a vision, a strategy and some pretty ambitious goals. I haven’t moved from VW to Audi to just maintain where we are.

MNZ: Are you anticipating it becoming your biggest seller in 2024 as VW NZ is with the ID?

GL: It would be for VW. With Audi, our view is to look more across the whole range. Q4 will definitely be a part of it. It’s really important for Audi that we have an equal spread across the model range.

MNZ: The political environment for electric vehicles could be at a crossroads. What’s your read of potential outcomes of the impending General Election?

GL: Audi have never been able to participate in the rebate scheme anyway. I completely understand how other brands have straddled that $80,000 price (rebate cut-off) point, but it’s different for the premium brands. I don’t necessarily see people sitting on their hands in respect to any Government policy perspective for EV. We’re in an economic downturn, there’s no doubt about that.

MNZ: Skoda, Volkswagen and Cupra are assuring good supply for their MEB cars. Is it the same for Audi?

GL: Yes. It is. I think for us, complexity is going to be an important topic. We have 55 existing models and are about to launch another range of vehicles (Q6 and A6 e-trons). We want to be really careful and clear on a product strategy. That we have the right cars at the right. And make it the easiest decision for our customers.

MNZ: The other users of the drivetrain (in rear drive format), are signalling a running change next year that will improve the range and performance. Is this also coming to your model?

GL: It will be later on.

MNZ: The focus at the motor show in Munich this week has been on the A6 e-tron and the Q6 interior. You have indicated both those products are coming to New Zealand. What’s the potential?

GL: Very good. I have not seen the A6 yet, I’m hoping to see it in a couple of months. The Q6 interior has been the bigger focus in Munich and you will see a new way forward for interiors. Q6 comes first and we are already in the planning stages, but exactly when we will achieve delivery is still being worked on. That will be a really good opportunity for us.

MNZ: Will the RS6 Performance that has just arrived be the last fully combustion-engined car Audi NZ will launch in NZ?

GL: I don’t think we can say that. Audi have signalled that by 2026 there will not be any further new ICE engines or developments of ICE engines. There will be still be a long phased-out approach. One thing we are careful of in NZ is that there is that while our sustainability pillar is No.1, we also want to give our customers a choice insofar as what they want to drive. The exciting thing moving forward is having electrified offerings that deliver existing performance levels and emotion engagement as a a car like the RS6 does.

MNZ: Audi NZ has just run its annual ice experience customer event at the Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground near Queenstown. You had all the high-performance cars there, in ICE and electric. Which achieved the strongest emotional pull from attendees?

GL: A really good question. The go-to was the RS4 … it’s a known commodity and that V8 … but a surprise and delight was the e-tron GT, which just phenomenal. Obviously there’s a very different driving style, but you have torque right from the bottom. It delivered a very exciting performance level on snow and ice. It was just amazing.