Not to be outdone in the green car race, Audi has revealed plans to invest €7.3billion in fixed assets for 2009 through 2012 with approximately €5.9billion to be devoted to new product development.

The bulk of this cash will go towards optimising conventional drivelines and developing electric and hybrid models. By 2015, the company hopes to have an enlarged portfolio that will boost its existing 34 models to 42.

You won’t have to wait long for the expansion of Audi either – from next year the company will launch a new series of cars in the form of the A1, A7, A8 and R8 Spyder. By the end of the year it will also unveil the Audi Q5 Hybrid, which will reach the market by the start of 2011 and will be the company’s first hybrid model.

Around €2.5billion will be invested at Ingolstadt, while about €1.3billion will be pumped into Neckarsulm. Ingolstadt will benefit from a new transmission and emissions centre with other investment priorities including stamping tools for the new Audi A1 and manufacturing structures for the A3 and A4 models. Meanwhile, the investment focus at Neckarsulm will be on the A6, A7, and A8 models as well as new engine function test rigs.