Audi said that 2009 will be the toughest year for both itself as well as car manufacturers around the world. However, Audi CEO, Rupert Stadler, has stated that, "Compared to the competition, we fared extremely well." Audi expects its sales to decline 10% from the 1,003,460 mark to approximately 900,000 units. Audi's forecasted sales drop is less than the industry as a whole and is also likely less than competitors BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
While Audi's profit is expected to drop sharply, rival Daimler warned in February that for the first quarter of 2009 it will, "post a significant operating loss" and BMW might even see a full-year loss for 2009 according to some analysts.
Audi's operating profit margin of 8.1% for 2008 was nearly twice the 4.4% margin of Daimler's Mercedes-Benz brand and will certianly exceed BMW's return on sales which are expected this month.
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