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.
Also, be sure to keep checking our 2008 SEMA Auto Show Photo Gallery for updates