- A8 and R8 sales up; A5 posts third consecutive record month
- Audi expects to grow market share again
HERNDON, Va., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Audi today announced sales for the
month of October totaling 7,443, an increase of 0.3 percent. This follows on
a robust September when the luxury brand attained an all-time record share of
the luxury sector. Strong performances from the A5, A8, R8 and all-new A4
models contributed to the October increase. Audi new vehicle sales are down
only 3.5 percent year-to-date as the company contends with a double-digit
decline in the luxury market due to the softening economy.
"While others in the industry focus on cutting, we're focused on
building," said Johan de Nysschen, executive vice president, Audi of America.
"The current market conditions represent an opportunity for consumers and for
Audi. Audi's European heritage means that we are well positioned with
vehicles featuring powerful, but fuel-efficient, high-performance engines.
And our vehicle portfolio is among the youngest and most dynamic in the
industry today."
Though industry-wide sales results won't be known until later today, de
Nysschen expects Audi to capture more market share. Early predictions by
industry analysts indicate that Audi may be one of only a few brands to post a
positive performance in October.
Following its late-September release, the all-new 2009 Audi A4 confirmed
strong consumer interest in its first full month of sales reporting, with
3,784 units sold. Dealers also reported strong demand for the Audi A5 coupe,
posting a third consecutive month of record sales with 865 units sold. De
Nysschen also noted that dealers have nearly sold out 2008 model year
inventory, setting Audi up for growth on the heels of the A4 launch and the
forthcoming Audi Q5 in early 2009.
The brand also increased consumer interest in October with the Audi
Mileage Marathon, a coast-to-coast efficiency drive from New York to Santa
Monica showcasing the Audi TDI clean diesel technology. The Mileage Marathon
also marked the U.S. debut of Audi's Q7 TDI luxury sport utility vehicle,
which will be the first Audi clean diesel vehicle available in the United
States when it enters dealer showrooms next year. On its cross-country trek,
the Q7 TDI averaged 28 m.p.g., without compromising the power and performance
drivers have come to expect from Audi.
2008 has also brought Audi a stream of industry accolades. J.D. Power and
Associates, the respected industry organization that measures quality within
the auto industry, among other metrics, cited Audi in its 2008 J.D. Power
Initial Quality Survey for the greatest ranking improvement in initial
quality. Additionally, the Audi Q7, A3, A4 and A6 have been recognized by the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) as Top Safety Picks in 2008,
earning Audi the most Top Safety Pick designations for 2008 models of any
luxury automaker this year. Most recently, the Audi A5 received the Active
Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year Award (luxury on-road category) from a panel of
automotive journalists and athletes assembled by the Active Network.
Audi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) sales were down 8.5 percent for October
with 2,016 units sold, although sales are up 27.1 percent year-over-year.
ABOUT AUDI
Audi of America and its 270 dealers offer a full line of German-engineered
luxury vehicles. The Audi line up is one of the freshest in the industry with
23 models, including 12 models launched during model years 2008 and 2009.
Audi is among the most successful brands globally. Last year AUDI AG recorded
its 12th consecutive record year for sales and profit growth. Visit
www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi
vehicles and business issues.
AUDI US SNAPSHOT -----YEAR TO DATE-----
Oct-08 Oct-07 Yr/Yr% Oct-08 Oct-07 Yr/Yr %
Model Line actual actual change YTD YTD change
actual actual
A3 255 471 -45.9 % 3,989 5,302 -24.8 %
A4 3,784 3,514 7.7 % 36,185 36,330 -0.4 %
A5 865 151 472.8 % 5,056 266 1,800.8 %
A6 758 937 -19.1 % 10,021 9,699 3.3 %
A8 415 338 22.8 % 2,583 3,092 -16.5 %
TT 268 440 -39.1 % 3,700 3,524 5.0 %
R8 114 36 216.7 % 635 103 516.5 %
Audi Q7 984 1,533 -35.8 % 11,091 17,582 -36.9 %
Total Audi
Sales 7,443 7,420 0.3 % 73,260 75,898 -3.5 %
NOTES:
-- A4 includes Audi A4 sedan, Avant, and RS models.
-- A5 includes Audi A5 coupe' and S5 coupe' models.
-- A6 includes Audi A6 sedan, S6 sedan and A6 Avant models.
-- A8 includes Audi A8 sedan, A8L sedan, and S8 sedan models.
-- TT includes Audi TT coupe' and TT roadster models.
