Worldwide Audi Sales Up 9% for the Year

Worldwide sales of Audi vehicles rose to more than 144,000 vehicles in the first two months of 2007, up 9 percent on the same period of last year. In February alone, the company equally recorded an increase of 9 percent. “Audi is maintaining its successful course worldwide. We are delighted that we have achieved the best February in company history by selling in excess of 69,000 vehicles,” commented Ralph Weyler, Board Member for Marketing and Sales at AUDI AG. Sales in Western Europe excluding Germany increased by 11 percent to 66,200 vehicles in the first two months of the year.

The best export market for Audi in the first two months was China, where the brand reported sales growth of 31 percent with 15,600 vehicles sold in total (excluding Hong Kong). In February itself, Audi also recorded a considerable rise of 29 percent to 7,200 units sold. The USA ranked as the second most successful export market. Vehicle sales for the first two months here went up by 19 percent to 13,000 units, while in February sales growth of 38 percent to 6,600 units was recorded.

Audi also achieved increases for the first two months of the year in other important markets, such as France (8,800, +17 percent), Great Britain (12,000, +12.2 percent) and Italy (10,600, +10 percent). Sales in Russia recorded a rise of 91 percent to 1,900 vehicles.

chewy - 3/5/2007 1:31:48 PM

+2 Boost

Great increases all around.

S4cabriofoxone - 3/5/2007 6:32:41 PM

+2 Boost

As if BMW doesn't sell stripped cars in China? They're trying just as hard as Audi... but can't seem to cut it there.

And, "way behind"? They're ahead of Mercedes right now, FYI. Right on track to be #2. Watch out, BMW. Their #1 spot might be coming faster than we think.

528i - 3/6/2007 1:50:46 AM

+1 Boost

amazinBimmer, stop bush audi. They'r doing great.

iown1 - 3/5/2007 4:26:30 PM

+4 Boost

wow dude. time to put the pipe down. way behind? in Jan. Audi outsold MB worldwide. This is an SAT question for you: If AUDI continues to grow at 9% annually and BMW continues to grow at 3% annually, how long before AUDI passes BMW in global sales.

As to stripped versions, do you think shareholders in VAG give two sh*#! what kind of AUDI's are being sold. AUDI is responsible for over 50 (yes that's OVER 50%) of VW's profits for 2006. Their co. is being studied across the board for it's ability to reinvent as well as its 11th consecutive year of growth. (The Economist)

Oh and if that's not enough, if you can read, check out how the "third tier" co. kicked the M5's ass in the Insideline comprarison.

S4cabriofoxone - 3/5/2007 6:33:37 PM

0 Boost

So, the US is about their 10th biggest market right now? I guess they just don't need us!

chewy - 3/5/2007 7:14:27 PM

+2 Boost

Nope, last year US was #2. So far this year it is a bit lower but I am sure by the end of the year US will be #2 (#3 at worst) again.

Larry - 3/5/2007 7:38:06 PM

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Audi has been trying to catch BMW and Mercedes for 17 years, and Audi is way behind in terms of profit as well. One more thing what does Audi mean? audi is a group of 4 auto companies DKW, Wander, Auto Union, horch, etc. And now is a member of VW Group. Though out their history a BMW has been BMW, Mercedes is Mercedes, Audi is made of bits and pieces of other brands.

S4cabriofoxone - 3/5/2007 9:21:31 PM

+2 Boost

Audi's history is illustrious. In the luxury car industry, their age is only young in the face of Mercedes-Benz. I find it much more interesting that the Auto Union is made up of so many different brands and they came together to create Audi. Audi's name is actually the Latin translation of Horch, and it was created BEFORE the Auto Union merger. I'm surprised you know so much about their history- you seem pretty ignorant.

Audi is officially ahead of Mercedes in sales, and easily eclipses them in profit. One analyst expects Audi to outdo BMW's profit by the end of the decade.

truecarlover - 3/5/2007 9:44:27 PM

+1 Boost

Larry the histories of VW, BMW, Audi, Porsche, Daimler-Benz are all affected and shaped by the troubles of Germany in the early 20th century up through the aftermath of World War 2. It's amazing any of them survived the war as they were bombed out. None of their histories or structures is simple - they are all complex.

truecarlover - 3/5/2007 9:53:02 PM

+3 Boost

amazingbimmer - please think before you type. Are you accusing Audi of lying to their shareholders?? Audi's profitabitity is increasing mainly because they are selling a greater share of more expensive cars. See this link from BusinessWeek :

http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/feb2007/gb20070228_021901.htm?chan=search

If the cars in China are "stripped down" and China is now the second biggest market - wouldn't that cause the opposite effect? Do you want to notify the SEC? - or whoever handles the stock market in Europe.

MPowerDK - 3/6/2007 4:26:00 AM

+2 Boost

Idiots (not all but many) who cares about what car company is #1?

You cant use it for anything your life is not going to change because your favourite brand reach #1 top spot.

I buy what i like to drive (BMW) i dont care if they are #1 or #5 as long as they make great cars. Thats the important thing to me.

I have had 3 BMWs and i haver never been left stranded anywhere. That counts for me.

Larry - 3/6/2007 8:07:02 AM

-1 Boost

to caltrans and S4 : 2006 BMW profit 4 billion plus, Mercedes 3.1 Billion Euro, Audi 1.3 billion for 2006, why can't you post these facts, post facts, it good to see how proud you are of your cheap audi brand, just like proud walmart shoppers, net return 14.2% it's a Volkwagen net return should be 100%, it does not take much to make an audi.

Larry - 3/6/2007 8:10:31 AM

-1 Boost

S4 your comments show me why you drive and Audi A3

Larry - 3/6/2007 8:12:08 AM

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audi a volkswagen with lipstick

AUTO_UNION - 3/6/2007 9:13:43 AM

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larry stop with BS! It seems like you have quite a lot of problems with history. Audi is a lot older than BMW(if we considare Horch company). And guess what? When BMW started building cars they copied audi and mercedes.