Audi just admitted its odd-even naming scheme was a mistake.
The German automaker has abandoned its half-baked plan to differentiate electric vehicles with even numbers and combustion models with odd numbers. Turns out, customers and dealers alike found the system about as intuitive as programming a 1990s VCR.
The retreat comes mere months after announcing the scheme that would have transformed the A6’s successor into an A7, while its electric counterpart would become the A6 e-tron.
“This decision is the result of intensive discussions and also follows the wishes of our customers as well as feedback from our international dealers,” admitted Marco Schubert, Audi’s Sales & Marketing boss.
Translation: nobody liked it. Not even a little bit.
Back to Basics That Actually Work
Audi’s traditional naming convention remains intact:
- Letters (A, Q) identify body style (sedan/wagon vs. SUV)
- Numbers (1-8) indicate vehicle size
- Powertrain designations follow the model name (TFSI, TDI, e-tron)
It’s a system that worked perfectly fine before some marketing committee decided to fix what wasn’t broken.
The upcoming replacement for the current A6 will now launch as planned – as an A6. Revolutionary concept, we know.
Why This Matters to Actual Drivers
Naming conventions might seem trivial, but they’re crucial for brand recognition and customer navigation. Audi’s backpedaling demonstrates several things:
- Dealer feedback still matters in the age of direct sales
- Customers prefer clarity over marketing-driven complexity
- A6 will continue as both combustion and electric models
- The e-tron designation remains the marker for electric Audis
This reversal stands in stark contrast to BMW’s increasingly bewildering nomenclature, where the number on the trunk has long divorced itself from anything related to engine displacement.
Lessons in Automotive Branding
Car companies love rebranding exercises. Customers don’t.
Audi’s statement confirms the alphanumeric model names will continue to consist of letters and numbers that actually mean something. The A and Q will still distinguish between low-floor and high-floor vehicles, while the numbers will continue to indicate vehicle size.
What’s refreshing here isn’t just Audi’s willingness to admit a mistake – it’s the speed with which they corrected course.
Sometimes the best innovation is knowing when to leave well enough alone. Especially when your customers are telling you exactly that.
