Audi Sales Drop 3.1% for June

bmw kick audi behind again.

yes the bmw 3, x5 and 5 series leases were great last month. Audi has not decided to totaly play in that game. I hope they give us some better programs next month and run a damn advertiment.

I'm tired of making excuses for Audi's poor sales performance. You're right, the lease deals have probably not been the best, but Lexus doesn't offer any, does it? Yet they still manage month after month to have sales increases.

Audi doesn't realize the seriousness of the US market.

homer, you're right about the 3-series having attractive leases but the 5-series and X5 didn't last month (and still don't). X5 leases have been completely terrible since the vehicle came out in October. The Q7 leases for quite a bit less. BMW dropped lease support for 2007 5's in May and the leases on the new 2008's are super high, so there were no good June leases on 5's either.

Base model 3-Series sales and X5s are probably what's holding BMW up. The next-generation A4, A7, Q5, etc are all on the way to solve this.

Will, I might not be the brightest guy but I'm fairly certain your "least expensive model sells the most units" theory isn't just true for BMW. I'm pretty sure it's true for just about everyone, including your beloved Lexus.

I'm bored so let's see. BMW sold 8400 328 variants for the month. While that's a good amount of vehicles, and is in fact more than Audi sold vehicles period, BMW sold 25220 total vehicles, meaning the seven variations of 328i sedans, coupes, wagons, and convertibles made up 33% of sales. In other words BMW's "cheapest" seven models of car (23% of their 31 models total) comprise 33% of sales. That's also roughly the same percentage as Lexus's sales from the RX ALONE (31%). Add in the four 335 variants (36% of their 31 models now) and the 3-series made up 48% of BMW's monthly sales, which is again fairly typical of any high line manufacturer. For example, Audi's A4 lineup made up... 48% of it's sales. The Lexus IS and ES? Wow, amazing, they clock in at 45%, or once again about the same percentage.

What's REALLY shocking (since you brought it up in an attempt to show BMW only sells their "cheap" cars) is that it's actually Lexus who sells lots of their lower models. The cheapest Lexus models (IS/ES and RX) make up and incredible 76% of Lexus sales. The cheapest three BMW models (3-series and X3) make up only 58% of theirs. Even if you throw in all the X5's (including the expensive V8) you're at 68%. Add in ALL the Z4 models and you're at 70%. Let's see, I'm running out of models and I need something BMW sold 1500 of this month to make up that last 6%... ah yes, if you add 650i Coupes and Convertibles and and the entire 7-series lineup into the mix NOW you're at 76%.

So to recap, 76% of BMW sales are the 3-series sedans, coupes, wagons, and convertibles, the X3, both models of X5, all variants of Z4 coupe and roadster, all non-M 6-Series coupes and convertibles, and all the 7-Series. And 76% of Lexus sales are the IS/ES and RX. Neat.

will solve what exactly? Audi will not catch up to BMW in the US. How exatly are they going to make up an average of 18,000 units every month. Audi is going down & BMW is up. The only reason Audi is up is due to the Q7 debuted in June of 2006. wait as the year goes on. It will be hard for Audi to finish the rest of the year being up.

JRob, I didn't desperately bring up Lexus, like you just did. However, your analysis failed to recollect that Lexus sells more than BMW anyway. My comment was a rebuttal to the one above it, the reply link isn't working... but thanks for the number crunching and pseudo-Lexus-bashing. Always appreciated.

And to both of you, I meant the introduction of new models will solve Audi's -3.1%, not exactly overtake BMW.

bmw4 yes Audi has had a tuff quarter but sales are still up 13 % YTD

A6 has zero lease support from the factory ($800 a month for a A6 3.2 is a lot for anyone)

A3 has zero lease support $500-600 for a 30k car a month on lease is a lot for anyone

A4 has ok support but Audi is refusing to respond to the market (it is the last year of a 7 year model run) Audi should be blowing this model out on lease / $0 down $299 a month would be about right

Q7 is going well and sales are up big from last year. We are short of good supply and 2008s are not released so August should be tuff

A8 have zero support and a 2007 is 200 or more a month then the 2004

Audi of Germany must have decided that the American market is going to make money at all cost. Audi Germany will not allow AOA to do what is neccessary to continue to grow. Ask Tom Delfranco

with that all being said aoa is up 13% but that was because of 1st quarter not 2nd

Will, I didn't bash Lexus at all, I only pointed out that you were wrong about what was "holding up" BMW's sales. I mentioned Lexus because considering you love Lexus it was pretty ironic that what you were saying about BMW (and being derogatory towards BMW in doing so) was actually true about Lexus, not BMW. So there was no Lexus bashing. Maybe a little Will bashing, but no Lexus bashing.

Bashing a successful competitor (Lexus) to divert attention away from a negative viewpoint of your party of interest (BMW). Thanks for the Fox News-like spin JRob.

I wish you sales exec wannabees would stop analyzing sales figures and figure out better ways to educate the public so they will buy your product. Audi has an all-aluminum A8 but fails to drive home the two most important advantages that aluminum has over steel, namely inherent corrosion resistance and reduced weight. Audi brochures lack full technical disclosure about Audi's superior Quattro system, thereby failing to convince anyone that their system is superior to that of Mercedes and BMW. It is important to write the brochure with technocrats in mind as each technocrat will then be better able to convince ten of his friends to buy your product. I really hate the brochures that some manufacturers produce which contain excess marketing babble around too few pictures and hardly any useful technical disclosures.

The most important advantage that the Mercedes S-Class has over all the rest is the unequaled comfort and unique adjustments of both front seats, even in standard form (without getting into the "Drive Dynamic" and the massaging versions). That is the only reason I would consider paying the highest price among the 3 main German luxury cars, yet Mercedes Marketing continues to focus on all sorts of overly complicated and overpriced safety technologies. My driving skills are my safety net and Mercedes safety did not help Lady Di. It is a poor survival strategy for most families to overspend scarce financial resources on safety when those resources would be better spent on healthy living styles and education for example.

Anthony, either you can't read, or you don't actually know what "spin" is. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you didn't have someone else write your post for you, meaning you can in fact read, and therefore assume it's the second one.

There was no spin, numbers are numbers, and I didn't "bash a competitor to divert a negative viewpoint". I simply pointed out an ignorant and incorrect statement about BMW that came from a very biased Lexus fan, and I'd have done the same had the poster said something incorrect about Audi or Lexus. In this case Will said BMW's sales are being kept high by their base cars, and plain and simple he's wrong. They aren't, at least no more so than Audi, and actually less than Lexus. Since Lexus is Will's brand of choice, the irony of him calling out BMW had to be pointed out. That's it, period. That's not spin, it's numerical fact whether you like it or not.

Yep Anthony,

Spin, spin, spin. The Lexus numbers are not even relevant here! Understand that and then you'll understand your own diversion tactics.

Me being a "very biased Lexus fan" is what really irritates you huh? Considering you're the biased BMW fan, sticking up for BMW here, I find that statement laughable.

Homer is correct - the Audi execs have made it clear that they are more concerned with profits here in the U.S. rather than just sales.

EnnNorak:

You are absolutely right. Audi either has 1. an extremely incompetent management team or 2. just doesn't care. That's certainly how it comes across, and it's quite frusterating.

To have a lineup of cars with the quality of Audi and to have a sales decrease is just not acceptable. I don't know what Audi's problem is in the US, but they need a complete management overhaul.

As for the brochures, I don't think that's as much of a problem as the fact that Audi doesn't even show its advantages to the consumer upfront, let alone once they get into the dealership and pick up a brochure.

Audi's "sit back and wait for them to come to us" attitude has got to change....and fast.

Khmmm ... Do not forget 1er coupe & cabrio are coming next year. Plus M3 coupe & cabrio. As well as X6. And new 7er in the end of the next year. And do not forget: BMW will introduce various diesel models next year to the US market.

Of course Audi will be strong with new A4, Q5, A5, A3 cabrio and facelifted A6.

Didn't the Q7 come out at about June last year? That would explain the drop, due to a new model last year.

Or that's completely wrong, sorry.


The A6 is dragging Audi down...

no the Q7 is up
read the article

I did read it.
Hence my correction right above your comment.

A new a4 is comming this fall, that might be a turn for Audi?

rly? tht sounds a bit too early.

The A4 will probably go on sale next year in the states.

yes 2009 but i would love a 2008.5
the a4/a5 needed to come out this year

The S5 is definitely coming this year.

Thanks Agent009

Audi sold 292 A8 models, what a pathetic POS, all that trash you Audi fans rave about, 292 sales, 1918 since Jan. 1.

Larry, sales figures prove only that Audi has not properly educated the buying public. Us car guys know that Audi makes better cars and sells them for less money than BMW. There is only one area in which BMW excels and that is in some of its engine designs. BMW has the wisdom to offer an in-line 6 cylinder engine instead of an inherently-out-of-balance 90-degree V6 like Audi and Mercedes. Audi makes an all-aluminum A8 that the other 2 German luxury cars don't offer and Audi has the best AWD system except in the A3 which uses an inferior system without the Torsen center differential yet they still call it a Quattro. The Quattro brand should be used only if it can deliver the promise of a superior AWD system with one or more Torsen differentials.

You can keep defending Audi, but the reality is to sell not even 200 units of a flagship is pathetic.

The reason the numbers are so low is again because Audi refuses to educate the buying public of the Audi advantage. This is why the A8 is on hardly anyone's list when shopping for a car in that price range in the US.

Very disappointed with AoA.

it is still more the phaeton ... there is still some hope

Wrong jon21, it can't be BMW because Audi makes better cars and sells them for less money.

gee, that's not a biased opinion.

Audi is up 13% year to date/ so what is audi doing wrong ? 13 % is good by the way

amazinBimmer- yes that 328 at 300 a month is only for the rich

Homer, you're right, a 328i isn't necessarily for the rich, but let's not pretend they're cheap either. A 328i might START at $339 a month but that's with no equipment, 10k miles a year, and $2500 down. I can pretty much guarantee you that
a) you'll never find that 328i with no equipment,
b) most people need 12-15k miles a year, and
c) most people don't want to put down $2500, and
d) you have to add tax to that.
So you never, ever ever, find that lease payment you're talking about, you're looking at more like $500 with tax for a typical car with normal mileage, equipment, and money down. Maybe not 7-series payments but more than plenty of people can afford.

still cheeper then the A4 and i was just responding to the amazingidiot that dosen't know the demographic of Audi buyers

jrob the 328 at $339 with only auto and the A4 2.0T at $359 is very close in lease the A4 was with $1000 down and the bmw is with $2500 down

both are great deals
the point is responding to amazing that people that can't afford bmw but Audi. Most Audi lease points are more then BMW at this time for whatever reason you want to say the Audi is not cheep.

Homer, the Audi isn't cheap either. Don't worry, I don't agree with AmazinBimmer regarding Audi. I like both.

Bimmer have you ever had a comment that dosen't make you sound like an idiot?

bmw 328 value is 53% and the A4 is 53%
X5 value is 52 % and the Q7 is 49%
750 li is 37% the A8L is 34%
tt 2.0T coupe 56% Z4si coupe is 48%
A6 3.2 45% bmw 330 50%


i know resell very well. I figure deals every day.
A6 and A8 resell are about 5 points off bmw's 5 series and 750 but the money from the captives are almost 3 times better with BMW finatual then AFS. cheeper $$$ = lower payment
higher Residual = lower payment

finatual=financial

amazinIdiot:
You do realize you make other bimmer fans look bad!

Caltrans, BMW USA hasn't had one month this year be down from the same month last year. And when BMW gains 6% in one month here, like they did this month, from a unit to unit perspective it's the equivalent of Audi gaining 19%. Because they sell so few vehicles by comparison Audi has to gain percentage-wise 3x higher than BMW or they're actually losing ground. It's all about units, and if Audi wants to catch BMW they have to have enormous growth months. For example, if Audi sells 7700 units one month and 8700 units the same month next year that's a 13% growth for that month, which sounds huge (and is a big deal). But if BMW sells 25k one month they only have to gain 4% to get that same 1000 extra units. As much as I am sure Audi is enjoying their growth, does anyone know the actual year to date sales figures for both Audi and BMW compared to last year? Which one is actually growing faster, not in percentages but actual sales?

caltran the 90k audi is a passat to the idiot boy

he loves his 318i and can't wait for the 1 series to be returned off lease so he can say "I drive a bmw" to his girlfriend
girlfriend = guy on the internet that is pretending he is a young female

I love it how your philosophy of Audi owners not being able to afford a BMW is going right down the shitter as we speak amazinBimmer.

Audi RS4 price tag: $66,000 base and fully loaded at $73K

RS4 cabriolet starting at $84K with all options already included

Audi RS6 likely to be $95K and the Audi R8 at $109K starting and mostly will be in the $115-120K range for manual and starting at $118K with most cars being in the $120-$125K ramge for the automatic.

Of course these guys can't get the BMW M6 cabriolet right........

Compare that to the BMW M pricing and what do we have:

RS4 is more than M3 same goes for RS4 cab. vs. M3 cab.

RS6 is more than BMW M5

R8 is more than BMW M6 coupe or cabriolet

RS5 will be more than BMW M3 as well.

Audi S8 is more than BMW 750i or Li.

Of course these Audi drivers couldn't afford respective BMWs that cost less than their Audis.

Just leave amazinIdiot. He is probably a kid or a retard.Stupid anyway!

amazinBimmer you do realize Audi is on pace to outsell Mercedes-Benz globally, this year. Just see the article which states Audi sold a record 509,000 vehicles in the first half of the year.

I have my 335i coming in and can't wait for it. You have a respectable lineup of BMWs, but this is coming from someone who is going to be on their 7th BMW very soon....you can't develop the same arrogance that has cost GM its title versus Toyota.

Route 15 Audi might give you a better idea of where this race is headed. BMW must not sit back because Audi is clearly on a mission and Audi will overthrow BMW if BMW lets their arrogance get in the way of their product development.

The R8 is simply an amazing car. The M6 feels like a heavy GT without the same racecar reflexes or adjustability and sheer driving pleasure found in the R8. Whether you like to admit it or not, the R8 just looks more exotic than the M6 and R8 residuals will be higher due to the Audi dealer buyback agreement.

Not to mention the V10 version is coming to make an already amazing car even better.

Read the review about the boys over at AMG. That new C63 is a real weapon in the curves and, of course, it has the engine for straight-line prowess.

Do yourself a favor, be like all the other car magazines and editors that realize the R8 is truly a brilliant first effort by Audi. Your not going to coax someone into agreeing with you that the M6 is a better sports car than the R8, because its simply not true.

How do you call someone that buys a more expensive RS4, RS6 or R8 as being a person that can't afford the respective M BMW?

You don't make sense.

Understand Audi is having a larger effect on what BMW chooses to do. Remember the M3 delayed announcement a week after the RS4 was out?

The R8 you can bet is being watched closely due to its brilliance.

I agree BMW is superior to Audi, but I can't sit here and watch a BMW fan let his ego get the best of him when Audi is clearly in the midst of a product onsalught and performance with the R8 that is truly matching or exceeding BMW's.

You need to praise a competitor that makes your own favorite car brand that much better.

German nut .. BMW is not sitting on their heels waiting for Audi to catch up. Hence the 3.0 Twin turbo engine, or the new M3 and the potential of a super luxury 4 door coupe ( CS ) which debuted in Japan.

On the other hand, Audi has to come up with better alternatives in comparison to BMW in the performance sedan category. Yes Audi has the RS4, RS6, R8 and such but those are for the few. I am talking about cars that compete with the BMW 3-series, with better and more responsive engines. Or the 5-series competitor. One would say Audi has the A6, but have you driven the A6 4.2 in comparison to a 550i BMW. There is no comparison. The Audi feels sluggish and bulky and for the same price. Same thing goes with the Audi A4, granted that body style is old and there is a new one around the corner. Audi is coming out with the A5/S5, but the A5 is a bit underpowered for the price of the car. It will offer similar performance of the 328xi coupe but at a much higher price tag.

Yes, I agree that Audi has very nice interiors but there has to be more to the car than that. They have to find a way to be more competitive. I think Audi has come a long way but they have a long way to go. What kills me is that Audi fanboys come on here and say BMW is on its way down and losing money.

BMW4me4ever:
"What kills me is that Audi fanboys come on here and say
BMW is on its way down and losing money."
It's not that we say this BS but people like AmazinIdiot force us to say it!

Sold 509,000 world wide, largest number they have sold so far, this is just American Figures.

I love my future Passat amazinBimmer. It turns more heads than a Porsche 911 Turbo, this isn't even an arguement. In fact, I read an article where my Passat was being tested and it came across a 911 Turbo driver, who even praised the car. It has already defeated the Porsche 911 Turbo, which is the class benchmark in more that one comparison test, my Passat is faster than a BMW M6 on the track and in the straights. I forgot it costs more than an M6 coupe or cabriolet too and best of yet its coming with a V10 in another year so that it can truly blitz any M BMW to date.

The resale will also hold up better than any BMW to date because the dealer is agreeing to get first buyback opportunity.

Damn, I didn't know Volkswagen made such nice cars.

keep spelling

amazingBimmer you are a real trip :)

You let a fellow BMW supporter strike right through your ego.

C'mon you think what I wrote is made up about the R8.

Bottom line is the R8 is first of all not cheap as its more than the BMW M6 coupe or cabriolet. It can't be bought under msrp at the Audi dealer who will not take their pants off when someone comes looking to buy one. The R8 is not nose heavy because its mid-engined. The R8 is not slow as it is faster to 60 mph than even a BMW M3, M5 or M6. The R8 exterior is more striking than a Porsche 911 Turbo.

I can afford a nicer line of BMWs than you my friend, but I can also go right to the core of your BMW ego and make you realize that the Audi R8, if no other AUdi at all is a serious car.

The Only Audis worth buying are the "R" and "RS" models. The rest of them are heavy, underpowered, overpriced vehicles. How can Audi Charge the same money for cars that have 60 less HP than the Competition? Message to Audi; No one likes your weak engined standard model cars, and they are voting with their wallets.

audi is more in europe